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09-23-03 Regular CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Richfield, Minnesota Regular Meeting September 23, 2003 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 6:30 p.m. Members Present: Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; John Enger; and Sue Sandahl. Members Not Present: Staff Present: Gertrude Ulrich. Steve Devich, Acting City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Bruce Palmborg, Community Development Director; Dan Scott, Public Safety Director; Chris Regis, Finance Manager; Tom Foley, Transportation Engineer; Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary; and Corrine Thomson, City Attorney. M/Rosenberg, S/Sandahl to determine the absence of Council Member Ulrich as an excused absence from the September 23 City Council Worksession and the ReQular City Council meetinQ. Motion carried 4-0. Betty Carr, 6633 Lynnwood Boulevard, asked the City Council to review the regulations established by the City regarding inspections of houses that are for sale. Mayor Kirsch announced that the other registered speakers were related to the 12th Avenue bus route and they would be permitted to address the City Council during Council Discussion. Mayor Kirsch led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council Meeting Minutes -2- September 23, 2003 M/Rosenberg, S/Sandahl to approve the minutes of (1) Special City Council MeetinQ of September 9. 2003: and (2) ReQular City Council MeetinQ of September 9. 2003. Motion carried 4-0. Item #1 Acting City Manager Devich introduced Tamara Doolittle, the Hennepin County Principal Appraiser for Richfield. Item #2 Council Member Sandahl presented a Certificate of Recognition commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Richfield League of Women Voters to Florence Simon, League of Women Voters Chair. Item #3 Council Member Rosenberg presented a proclamation designating September 2003 as National Child Identification Month in Richfield to John Bjostad, President of the Optimists. Item #4 Transportation Engineer Foley reviewed the history related to the 70th Street Traffic Calming Committee. He said the results of the report are submitted to the City Council for their acceptance; some actions have been taken for traffic calming, others continue to be monitored. He stated the biggest concern is to implement ~ common traffic diversion that the community supports. Bob Hanson, 6944 Sheridan Avenue, stated he has been part of the traffic calming efforts from the beginning and it appeared the issues get set aside. He questioned why east of Penn Avenue has some calming, but not the west. Council Member Enger asked if speed bumps cut down the traffic count. Transportation Engineer Foley said there was a slight reduction - approximately 12%. Council Member Enger asked about stop sign patterns on 70th and 69th Streets. Mr. Foley said the pattern on 70th Street is similar to a basket weave and 69th Street does not have stop signs on every block because it is a collector street and traffic should be there. He added that a stop sign on every corner is not needed from a safety standpoint and it does not stop through traffic. Council Member Enger asked about the frequency of enforcement and its relation to reducing the number of vehicles. Council Meeting Minutes -3- September 23, 2003 Mr. Foley said the area is frequently patrolled and doubted if it reduced the volume of traffic. M/Rosenberg, S/Sandahl toacBgeftH~ 70th;Street Area Traffic Calminq Report. Council Member Rosenberg stated she attended every task force meeting and there were many divergent opinions. She said the west side has traffic problems because it is a desirable area to get through to get to the western borders. Council Member Rosenberg said acceptance of the Traffic Calming Report does not mean options are no longer reviewed. She said that when Crosstown is improved, through traffic would be reduced. Council Member Sandahl stated that most of the enforcement east of Penn Avenue was related to people who lived in the neighborhood. Mr. Foley said the residents of the neighborhood know the location of the stop signs. Motion carried 4-0. Item #5 Council Member Rosenberg introduced the Arts Commission which was recently established to highlight the arts in the community. Meghan D'Orvilliers, Chair, explained the commission's goals and introduced several members who spoke about their specific art expertise. She thanked the City Council for recognizing the need to develop the arts in Richfield. Mayor Kirsch invited Russ Susag, Metropolitan Council District 5 representative, to speak about the Met Council's involvement with Metro Transit and the recent Bus Route 515 change from Bloomington Avenue to 12th Avenue. Russ Susag, 7305 First Avenue, explained the Met Council has many responsibilities in the metro area, including Metro Transit services. He introduced Adam Harrington and Arlene McCarthy from Metro Transit and said Mr. Harrington would address the bus route change after the residents have spoken. The following 12th Avenue residents spoke in opposition to the bus route change from Bloomington Avenue to 12th Avenue for a variety of reasons including poor communication and notification of the change, school children safety especially because of Richfield Intermediate School (RIS), lack of privacy in front yards, trash, traffic congestion, air and noise pollution, speed, road rage, street too narrow, fear for personal safety, reduced property values, damage to property, why stops so frequent with minimal ridership and destroyed neighborhood: . Peter Brandt, 6901 12th Avenue . Liz Lynch, 6714 12th Avenue . Norma Jean Sims, 6745 12th Avenue . Betty Grover, 6708 12th Avenue . Jim Norman, 7309 12th Avenue . Bret Behnke, 7214 12th Avenue . Zewdie Hailu, 7201 12th Avenue . Patsy Pippin, 6938 12th Avenue . Joshua Anderson, 6701 12th Avenue . Duane Houle, 7301 12th Avenue . Jean Noonan, 6921 12th Avenue Council Meeting Minutes -4- September 23, 2003 Roger Johnson, 7045 Bloomington Avenue, agreed the buses are terrible and these same problems existed years ago when the route was placed on Bloomington Avenue. He stated appreciation that buses were no longer on Bloomington Avenue. He added that he'd like to see buses out of the area completely. Adam Harrington, Metro Transit, provided the background on the Sector 5 Plan, Central-South transit area bus routes and the explanation for route changes including simplifying routes, serving more people faster and increasing ridership. He said the transit changes were discussed with the City Council in February 2003 and the City recommended using smaller buses on 12th Avenue, but the transit budget situation did not provide for buying new buses. He said Metro Transit would meet with City staff to discuss ways to improve the route. Mr. Harrington acknowledged that the communication has not been good to notify residents and the City of when the route change would take place. He provided the communication history of this transit planning. Mr. Harrington provided reasons why the bus route was changed, including a more efficient route between Southdale and Mall of America (MOA), faster path, more efficient because of a reduction at the south end of the route at 1-494, strong Richfield ridership related to the MOA and part of the Metro Transit service reduction plan. Mr. Harrington stated there are the same number of bus stops and span of service on 12th Avenue as was on Bloomington Avenue, the frequency of service is generally the same buses every 30 to 60 minutes with a couple extra trips to even out the hour. He said buses operate on streets like 12th Avenue all over the metro area and near numerous schools. The Metro Transit safety record is good with professional bus drivers who need to be aware of non-professional vehicle drivers passing buses. He said Metro Transit could communicate better to riders about waiting in yards and respecting people and property. He added that bus stops could be better identified by installing a waiting pad. Mr. Harrington said Metro Transit is open to discussions to provide greater security. He said school buses are currently in a no parking area by RIS on 12th Avenue and cars have to go around them, too. Mr. Harrington acknowledged this was a difficult transition for the 12th Avenue residents. Council Member Rosenberg stated it appeared the route would not change. Mr. Harrington said Metro Transit would attempt to improve, monitor and evaluate the situation before changing the route. Council Member Enger questioned that the change to 12th Avenue was to provide a faster path, eliminate routes, and reduce costs, when two trips were added: more traffic; narrower street; no parking on one-side of the street; difficulty to getting around school buses at RIS; and children's safety. Council Member Enger asked if the bus trips from 5 a.m. to midnight totaled 72 routes and midnight to 5 a.m. were zero routes. Mr. Harrington said there is a 12:23 p.m. and 1 :09 trip for the MOA. Council Member Enger said it appeared the time was reduced because a route south of 1-494 was dropped not because the zigzagging was eliminated. Mr. Harrington said the routes work together to reduce time to make connections. Council Member Enger asked why some buses weren't eliminated and more time between pickups. Mr. Harrington said this route plan was consistent and in alignment with the agreement with the City. Council Meeting Minutes -5- September 23, 2003 Council Member Enger stated it made no sense to have the bus route on 12th Avenue because Bloomington Avenue is centrfiIJy,.J9pt;tted tothe.east side of the City and is a wider street. He added that hazards are increasedt:5y"asfi'lg 12th Avenue. Mr. Harrington said the goal is to get to the MOA as soon as possible, but alternatives can be reviewed. Council Member Enger suggested that the bus stops not be made as convenient - on occasion make less frequent stops and don't run as many buses. He requested the route be returned to Bloomington Avenue because his ward is used to having them on that street and he receives no complaints regarding the buses. Mayor Kirsch asked if there would be objections from residents if the bus stop frequency is reduced. Council Member Enger said there would be no objection because the buses are not full and eliminating one or two bus trips a day would not disrupt people's lives. Council Member Sandahl stated she was aware of the Sector 5 transit plan, but that this bus route change was not made clear to her. She said safety issues are a concern and need review. She asked about the street width difference between Bloomington Avenue and 12th Avenue. Public Works Director Eastling said 12th Avenue is 16 inches wider. He added that there is parking on one side of 12th Avenue and two sides on Bloomington Avenue. Council Member Sandahl stated Metro Transit is trying to provide an alternative form of transportation and as much bus service as possible. She said people on the far east side of Richfield are losing service because it is a longer distance from Cedar Avenue and better service is provided by having the route on Bloomington Avenue. Mr. Harrington explained route spacing and that it is a trade-off as to who is closer to the route. Council Member Enger asked why buses are still on Bloomington Avenue if the route has changed. Mr. Harrington asked to be provided the bus numbers so the driver can be contacted. Mayor Kirsch said this is a difficult problem and supported the increase in using buses to reduce car traffic, but from listening to the residents it appears to have a bus route on 12th Avenue is not a good choice. He said residents are accustomed to buses being on Bloomington Avenue and it is a major agitation to 12th Avenue residents. Mr. Susag stated the input provided tonight needs review to discuss pros and cons of the efficiencies and reductions with Metro Transit and City staff. He stated no promises are given, but a report will be provided to the City Council. Mayor Kirsch asked for a timeline to return to the City Council. Mr. Harrington said Metro Transit would meet with City staff within the next two weeks and could provide a report to the City Council at their October 14 meeting. Council Member Sandahl suggested residents call City Hall or check the City web site to make sure this item is on the October 14 City Council agenda. Item #6 Council Meeting Minutes -6- September 23, 2003 Acting City Manager Devich stated he recently attended a TIF task force meeting coordinated by the State Auditor. He said he was impressed with the Auditor's perspective on TIF and is looking for cooperation and education on consi~tent reporting of TIF. Item #7 M/Rosenberg, S/Sandahl to approve the aqenda. Motion carried 3-0. (Enger absent.) Item #8 A. Approved resolutions levying special assessments for nuisance abatement and weed destruction S.R. No. 209 RESOLUTION NO. 9384 RESOLUTION LEVYING SPECIAL ASSESSMENT FOR NUISANCE ABATEMENT AND FALSE ALARM FEES RESOLUTION NO. 9385 RESOLUTION LEVYING SPECIAL ASSESSMENT FOR NUISANCE ABATEMENT These resolutions appear as Resolution No.'s 9384 and 9385 in Resolution Book NO.7 4. B. Approved resolution certifying delinquent sewer and water utility accounts to County Auditor S.R. No. 210 RESOLUTION NO. 9386 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF UNPAID SEWER AND WATER SERVICE CHARGES TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR TO BE COLLECTED WITH OTHER TAXES ON SAID PROPERTIES This resolution appears as Resolution No. 9386 in Resolution Book No. 74. C. Approved resolution securing City of Richfield participation in contract with PSC Alliance for Public Safety dispatch consolidation study S.R. No. 211 RESOLUTION NO. 9387 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF RICHFIELD TO PARTICIPATE WITH NINE OTHER CITIES, EQUALLY SHARING THE COST, IN A PRELIMINARY FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR THE CONSOLIDATION OF PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHING SERVICES This resolution appears as Resolution No. 9387 in Resolution Book No. 74. D. Approved award of contract to Diamond Surface, Inc. for 76th Street diamond grinding (micro-planing) project in amount of $29,967.84 S.R. No. 212 Council Meeting Minutes -7- September 23, 2003 E. Approved leasing City-owned property at 1710 East 78th Street (Normark building) to Metro Sales Incorporated S.R. No.2,l~'iv, F. Approved bid minutes and tabulation and award of contract to Alltech Engineering Corp. for replacement of two lime slaker units in Water Treatment Plant lime softening system in amount of $341 ,700 S.R. No. 214 G. Approved itinerant place of amusement and itinerant food licenses for Church of St. Peter, 6730 Nicollet Avenue, annual Fall Festival on October 4 and 5, 2003 S.R. No. 215 M/Rosenberg, S/Sandahl to approve the Consent Calendar. Motion carried 3-0. (Enger absent.) Item #9 None. Item #10 Council Member Sandahl presented Staff Report No. 216 regarding a resolution calling for the sale of $710,000 General Obligation Capital Notes, Series 20038. Finance Manager Regis stated rates are relatively low now and the principal and interest final amounts are needed so the final debt service levy can be set. Larry Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, expressed concern that this action was to be taken prior to the December Truth-in-Taxation meetings because the impact on 2004 property taxes should be known before the sale of these capital notes. Council Member Enger asked what equipment was to be purchased with the notes. Finance Manager Regis reviewed the proposed list of equipment purchases. Council Member Enger asked if the five Crown Victorias scheduled for purchase were on the four-year replacement program. Finance Manager Regis stated the purchases are based upon information from the Central Garage. Mr. Wozniczka stated it appeared the City Council was not aware of what equipment is to be purchased. Mayor Kirsch said the purchases are carefully reviewed. Finance Manager Regis stated the 2005 equipment purchases were reduced considerably. Acting City Manager Devich addressed Mr. Wozniczka's concerns by explaining the preliminary levy determination made by the City Council - it is currently set at the maximum level, but can be reduced. He also explained the City Council action tonight calls for a review of rates, not the actual award. M/Sandahl, S/Rosenberg that the followina resolution be adopted. that it be spread in the resolution book and that it be made part of these minutes: Council Meeting Minutes .,8- September 23, 2003 RESOJ...UTION NO. 9388 RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE SALE OF $710,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION CAPITAL NOTES, SERIES 2003 Motion carried 4-0. This resolution appears as Resolution No. 9388 in Resolution Book No. 74. Item #11 Council Member Rosenberg presented Staff Report No. 217 regarding consideration of a proposed design for a crosswalk Qn Lake Shore Drive as part of the City Bella Project. Transportation Engineer Foley stated there would be signage indicating the bike lanes on the outside shoulder. Council Member Rosenberg asked about the crosswalk light changing when crossing the street. Transportation Engineer Foley explained that the button needs to be pressed for flashing yellow when crossing the street. He stated this was a preferable way to operate the crosswalk because it is more attention-getting. Vern Luettinger, 6711 Lake Shore Drive #815, representing Gramercy Park Cooperative, stated the Gramercy residents were still not pleased with the proposed parking situation because of ingress/egress issues, but appreciated the cooperative manner of the City to rectify a serious problem. He requested the crosswalk be setup with ribbon and barrels temporarily to see how it all works before pouring concrete and finalizing the installation. Mr. Foley said a temporary construction would be difficult to maintain and the attempt to install the crosswalk before winter is in response to Gramercy's concern regarding safety. He added that modifying on-street parking could easily be accomplished with the crosswalk in place. Public Works Director Eastling stated a temporary flashing signal may not be effective and operate exactly the same as a permanent signal. He added the parking/no parking issue is not being pre-empted by tonight's City Council decision. Mr. Foley stated the crosswalk is the only raised section, the remaining designs are road markings. Council Member Sandahl asked about landscaping in the crosswalk area. Mr. Foley said maintenance would be difficult so no landscaping is planned. Council Member Enger asked about the Gramercy townhouse location relative to driveway placement on the layout provided to the City Council. Public Works Director Eastling stated a clarification would be provided. Mr. Luettinger said Gramercy is opposed to the ten-foot bike paths because moving vans would use the path and will force bikes into the street. Council Meeting Minutes -9- September 23, 2003 Mr. Foley stated there should n9tb,e,.c;igreat number of bike traffic and the length of time a moving van uses the space is minor, butthere is space for the bikes too pass. Council Member Rosenberg asked Mr. Luettinger if Gramercy was satisfied with the handicapped parking along the street and the VFW parking result. Mr. Luettinger said the VFW arrangement is satisfactory. He said the crosswalk is a help, but it is difficult to determine satisfaction with the two parking spaces. He added that the Gramercy board did not want to disturb the landscaping for additional parking. Council Member Rosenberg said the parking issue needs to be reviewed again when City Bella is finished. M/Rosenberg, S/Sandahl to approve the proposed lavout of the Crosswalk on Lake Shore Drive as part of the City Bella Proiect. Motion carried 4-0. Item #12 Council Member Sandahl presented Staff Report No. 218 regarding appointments to fill youth terms on City Advisory Commissions which was deferred from the September 9, 2003 City Council meeting. Mayor Pro Temporte Sandahl read the following youth commission appointments to fill expiring or vacant terms: ADVISORY BOARD OF HEALTH Name Thuy Nguyen-Tran Term Expires August 31, 2003 HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Name Jessica Lockwood Candice Domingo Term Expires August 31, 2004 August 31, 2004 FRIENDSHIP CITY COMMISSION Name Derek Kruse Katherine Swanson Term Expires August 31, 2004 August 31, 2004 CELEBRATIONS COMMISSION Name Christopher Good Kari Metz Rebecca Nelson Sophia Zumpano Council Meeting Minutes -10- September 23, 2003 M/Sandahl, S/Kirsch to appoint persons to fill the youth terms on the City's advisory commissions. Motion carried 4-0. Item #13 Council Member Enger presented Staff Report No. 219 regarding consideration of a request for proposals to establish a baseline for Low Frequency Noise Study. M/Enger, S/Kirsch to approve the draft Request for Proposal to conduct Low Frequency Noise monitorina alona the eastern border of Richfield. Motion carried 4-0. Item #14 Acting City Manager Oevich reported on the September HRA meeting including annual Public Housing Authority Plan for Section 8 Housing Assistance Program, sale of 6819 Oliver Avenue to BCB Construction, Inc. for construction of a single family home, status of Penn Place Townhouses LLC development, and transfer of deeds for real estate to Lyndale Gateway LLC from the H RA. Item #15 M/Rosenberg, S/Enger that the followina claims and payrolls be approved: RICHFIELD BANK & TRUST CO. AlP Checks: 126707 - 126984 PAYROLL 36325 - 36432 TOTAL $ 808,584.63 $ 430,383.13 $ 1,238,967.76 Motion carried 4-0. Council Member Sandahl clarified that the City Council was provided the information on the 2004-2005 equipment purchases at a Special City Council budget meeting on August 13, 2003. Item #16 The City Council meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:10 p.m. Council Meeting Minutes Date Approved: October 14, 2003 c~~ Recording Secretary -11- September 23, 2003 . ~ CITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA Bid Opening September 16, 2003 2:00 p.m. Lime Slaker Replacement City Bid No. 03-07 Pursuant to requirements of Resolution No.1 015, a meeting of the Administrative Staff was called by Nancy Gibbs, City Clerk, who announced that the purpose of the meeting was to receive, open and read aloud, bids for lime slaker replacement, as advertised in the official newspaper on August 28, 2003 and the Construction Bulletin on August 29 and September 5, 2003. Present: Nancy Gibbs, City Clerk Cheryl Krumholz, City Manager Representative Jim Olson, Public Works Representative The following bids were submitted and read aloud: Bidder's Name Bid Bond Total Base Bid Alltech Engineering Corp. Provided $ 341,700.00 Magney Construction Inc. Provided $ 366,600.00 The City Clerk announced that the bids would be tabulated and considered at the September 23, 2003 City Council Meeting. City Clerk