07-03-03 Special
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special City Council Meeting
July 3, 2003
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 5:30 p.m.
Members Present:
Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Sue Sandahl; Gertrude Ulrich;
and John Enger.
Staff Present:
Samantha Orduno, City Manager; Steven Devich, Administrative Services
Director/Acting City Clerk; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; and
Randy Hughes, Operations Superintendent.
Item #1
City Manager Orduno informed the City Council of the progress thus far in the clean up of
the storm damage. Ms. Orduno stated that City crews are picking up boulevard tree debris, but not
debris from private property. She asked the City Council for direction as to how the City should
proceed at this time and how to react to future storm damage.
Council Member Sandahl asked about private trees that are cut up and stacked on the
boulevard.
Ms. Orduno stated that where it is clear that the debris is not from boulevard trees, the City
is not picking it up.
Council Member Rosenberg stated that the City Council should have had this meeting a
week earlier. She stated that the perception around Madison Park is that the City would pick up
the debris based on 1998. Ms. Rosenberg stated that while we have budget constraints, we have
to be aware of the disaster this event was for the neighborhood and some people are really
hurting.
Council Member Enger stated that he was opposed to the principle of using tax money to
pay for the removal of private trees. Mr. Enger stated a homeowner is responsible for trees that fall
in the back and front yard of a private residence.
Special Council Meeting Minutes
-2-
July 3, 2003
City Manager Orduno asked if the City should pick up private debris left on the boulevard
and handle it as a nuisance, take care of it, and assess it to the property.
Council Member Sandahl stated that she agreed with Council Member Enger regarding the
responsibility of removing debris from private property. Ms. Sandahl stated that her family has
taken care of debris from their private property in past storms. However, she stated that she was
concerned about the mixed messages residents received after the most recent storm.
City Manager Orduno described her contacts with residents on the morning after the storm
and the message residents received from a variety of sources, including City staff, private
contractors and the utilities.
Council Member Sandahl suggested that the City could offer to help residents to remove
the private trees and bill them for it.
Operations Superintendent Hughes stated that while the streets are cleared, much work
remains in terms of tree trimming and removal and picking up of City storm debris.
Council Member Rosenberg asked if the drop off site could be left open longer than 5:00
p.m. and if the City would accept small amounts for no charge or a reduced charge.
Operations Superintendent Hughes stated that small amounts were being accepted at a
reduced or no charge basis and the drop-off site will be kept open longer.
Council Member Ulrich stated that she feels there is no reason to change the policy of
picking up private tree debris. Ms. Ulrich stated that she feels that residents should be responsible
for their private trees.
Council Member Enger stated he believes that the City should only pick up what the City is
responsible for.
M/Enger, S/Ulrich that the City clean UP all trees which are the City's responsibilitv, but not
private trees.
Motion carried 4-1. (Rosenberg opposed.)
The City Council directed staff to follow the current policy on not picking up private tree
debris. Staff is further directed to distribute the policy regarding storm damage to residents,
including a water bill insert, newspaper article, Your City and cable tv.
Council Member Sandahl asked if staff would come back to the City Council with a tree
maintenance utility.
City Manager Orduno stated that staff would provide the City Council with a proposed tree
maintenance utility and will distribute the policy to residents as directed.
Council Member Ulrich left the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:38 p.m.
Special Council Meeting Minutes
Date Approved: July 22, 2003
-3-
--.'l"'.'.'..".
_"""1_,,/,,"""
/ /;:~1 .
/,/ t,..V'y"
Martin J. Kirs
Ma Of._,
July 3, 2003
\/. ( (I)
~Jl