06-10-03 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
June 10, 2003
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 5:35 p.m.
Members Present:
Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Gertrude Ulrich; John Enger; and Sue Sandahl.
Members
Not Present:
Staff Present:
Susan Rosenberg.
Samantha Orduno, City Manager; Steve Devich, Administrative Services
Director; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Bruce Palmborg, Community
Development Director; Randy Hughes, Operations Superintendent; Jim
Olson, Project Engineer; and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item #1
Public Works Director Eastling made a presentation related to the public involvement process
for service fees (Clerk's File No. C-391). He stated the street light service fee could be implemented
now and the boulevard tree maintenance and seal coating service fees could be included in the 2004
proposed budget discussion.
Mr. Eastling asked the City Council about the effectiveness and associated costs for using a
post card notification to property owners. He said the first part of this utility billing cycle has been
missed.
Council Member Enger asked when the entire billing cycle begins again.
Mr. Eastling said the full cycle begins in October.
Council Member Sandahl asked about the anticipated revenue by the street light fee.
Mr. Eastling said approximately $300,000 annually.
City Manager Orduno reported on the permanent local government aid (LGA) reductions the
City will experience in 2003 and 2004.
Council Member Sandahl asked what LGA remained for the City.
City Manager Orduno said $2.5 million.
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June 10, 2003
Council Member Sandahl asked about the implementation of the fees if the proposed August
timeline is followed.
Mr. Eastling said the fees would be on the utility bill in September/October. He stated there
would be an approximate $6 fee per quarter.
City Manager Orduno stated the street light service fee is consistent with the City's user fee
process. She added the City Council will review the level of City services during the budget process.
City Manager Orduno said City Council direction is being followed to wean Richfield off the
dependency on LGA.
Council Member Ulrich asked how much time is lost in implementing the boulevard tree and
seal coating service fees if discussion waits until budget review.
City Manager Orduno said this remaining year would be lost.
Council Member Ulrich stated the current, modern means of communication to notify property
owners should be used; the postcard notification was not effective.
City Manager Orduno suggested the City Council may wish to conduct the public information
meeting the same night as a City Council meeting and delay the start of the City Council meeting.
Council Member Sandahl stated a notic~ could be placed in the remaining utility bill cycle and
could determine the effectiveness of this type of communication.
Marc Bjugan, Chamber of Commerce Chair, asked about the impact on businesses related to
the service fee.
Public Works Director Eastling explained how the fee is based on area.
The City Council agreed to proceed with the implementation process for the street light
service fee and wait to discuss the other service fee options until the budget review to make a
determination if these fees are needed due to the LGA cuts.
Steve Lindgren, Chamber of Commerce President, asked for clarification on the number of the
service fees being considered by the City Council. He also encouraged the City Council to use the
postcards and suggested the Chamber may help finance some of the associated costs.
The City Council accepted the Chamber's offer to help finance associated costs for a postcard
notification.
City Manager Orduno stated the proposed service fees include streetlights, boulevard tree
maintenance and seal coating. She said the City Council direction was to not explore the gas and
electric franchise fees any longer.
The City Council requested the gas and electric franchise fees be revisited during the budget
review.
Mayor Kirsch suggested only the businesses receive postcard notification.
Council Member Sandahl suggested not separating out who does or does not receive
postcard notification.
Council Member Enger stated he liked the use of the postcard; he believed it would be read
especially if it is attractive and well written. He suggested a utility bill insert be used for the remaining
billing cycles and a postcard be sent to those missed in the cycles. He added this may also
determine what communication means is most effective.
The City Council agreed to have a utility bill insert in the remaining billing cycles and a
postcard sent to those missed in the cycles.
Mayor Kirsch requested staff to work with the Chamber to make sure businesses are notified.
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June 10, 2003
The City Council agreed to schedule on August 12 prior to the Regular City Council meeting,
an informational open house at 5:30 p.m.; a service fee presentation at 6:30 p.m. followed by the
Regular City Council meeting.
Date Approved: June 24, 2003
c~m~~
Recording Secretary