09-24-02 Regular
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Meeting
September 24, 2002
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 6:46 p.m.
Members Present:
Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Gertrude Ulrich; John Enger; and
Sue Sandahl.
Staff Present:
Samantha Orduno, City Manager; Steven Devich, Administrative Services
Director; Bruce Palm borg, Community Development Director; Dan Scott,
Public Safety Director; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Jim
Topitzhofer, Recreation Services Director; Kevin McGinty, Fire Services
Director; AI Payne, Facilities Manager; Cheryl Krumholz, Recording
Secretary; and Corrine Thomson, City Attorney.
No one was registered to speak.
Mayor Kirsch led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
M/Rosenberg, S/Sandahl to approve the minutes of Reqular City Council Meetinq of
September 12, 2002.
Motion carried 5-0.
Council Meeting Minutes
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September 24, 2002
Item #1
Council Member Rosenberg read and presented to Michele Thompson, representing Women
of Today, the proclamation designating September 23-29 as 2002 Women of Today Week in
Richfield.
Michele Thompson and Connie McDonald thanked the City Council for this recognition and
their continued support.
Item #2
.E~EN;rIGN
Council Member Ulrich read and presented a proclamation designating Fire Prevention Week
in Richfield, October 6-12,2002 to Fire Services Director Kevin McGinty.
Council Member Rosenberg requested a City Council Worksession be scheduled to discuss
the budget because she has questions. She added that she hoped Council Member Enger would
agree to a Worksession.
Council Member Enger said he concurred with Council Member Rosenberg regarding a
Worksession on the budget. He clarified that he did not vote against the property tax levy decrease
at the last City Council meeting because he did not support a decrease, but rather that the decrease
wasn't deep enough.
City Manager Orduno suggested the Worksession be held on a different night than a City
Council meeting so there are no time constraints.
Council Member Sandahl requested that Council Member Enger and Council Member
Rosenberg provide their budget issues and additional reduction suggestions in advance so the City
Council can be prepared for discussion.
Council Member Sandahl stated the school district is holding meetings regarding their
upcoming referendum on October 3 at the Richfield Middle School, October 10 at the Elliot Education
Center and October 24 at the District Office Board Room.
Council Member Sandahl clarified that Best Buy was not responsible for the closing of the St.
Richard's Day Care Center. She said Blessed Trinity is now operating the day care center.
Council Member Ulrich requested Special City Council meeting notices be posted for:
. October 9,7:00 p.m. City Council candidate forum sponsored by the League of Women
Voters at Gramercy
. October 16, 6:30 p.m. City Council candidate forum sponsored by the League of Women
Voters at the Richfield City Hall Council Chambers
Council Member Ulrich provided a report as the representative on the AMM Transportation
Committee; including
. Change in local consent to roads passing through cities
. Transportation funding
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Council Meeting Minutes
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. MnDOT staff changes
. Mass transit funding "<t'. ........ ,
. Project timeline changes
Council Member Enger said it is important to ask Legislators about their stand on
transportation funding.
Item #3
M/Sandahl, S/Kirsch to add as Item SA. a resolution reqardinq transportation issues.
Motion carried 5-0.
M/Rosenberg, S/Sandahl to approve the amended aqenda.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #4
A. Approved resolution appointing additional election judges for November 5, 2002 General
Election S.R. No. 220
RESOLUTION NO. 9231
RESOLUTION APPOINTING ADDITIONAL ELECTION JUDGES
FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 5, 2002
This resolution appears as Resolution No. 9231 in Resolution Book NO.7 4.
B. Removed from the consent calendar and placed on the regular agenda for consideration as
Item 5.
C. Approved resolution amending membership listing of South West Fire League Mutual Aid
Association S. R. No. 222
RESOLUTION NO. 9233
RESOLUTION APPROVING CHANGE TO EXHIBIT A
OF THE SOUTHWEST MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT
This resolution appears as Resolution No. 9233 in Resolution Book No. 74.
D. Approved resolution certifying delinquent sewer and water utility accounts to County Auditor
S.R. No. 223
RESOLUTION NO. 9234
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. 9234 in Resolution Book No. 74.
Council Meeting Minutes
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September 24, 2002
E. Removed from the consent calendar and placed on the regular agenda for consideration as
Item 5.
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F. Removed from the consent calendar and placed on the regular agenda for consideration as
Item 5.
G. Removed from the consent calendar and placed on the regular agenda for consideration as
Item 5.
Council Member Enger asked to remove Item 4B, 4E and 4F from the Consent Calendar
and place it on the regular agenda as Item 5.
Council Member Rosenberg asked to remove Item 4G from the Consent Calendar and
place it on the regular agenda as Item 5.
M/Sandahl, S/Rosenberg to approve the Consent Calendar as amended.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #5
Item 4B. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
ESTABLISHMENT OF HEALTH CARE SAVINGS PLAN FOR ELIGIBLE CITY OF RICHFIELD
EMPLOYEES S.R. NO. 221
Council Member Enger stated he contacted the State of Minnesota regarding the eligibility I
of elected officials to participate in the Health Care Savings Plan. He requested staff work out the
details for elected official's participation.
Administrative Services Director Devich explained that the employee unit participation is
mandatory and contributions are at the same level.
Council Member Ulrich asked if a unit meant the entire City Council.
Administrative Services Director Devich said yes.
M/Ulrich, S/Enger that the followinq resolution be adopted, that it be spread in the resolution
book and that it be made part of these minutes:
RESOLUTION NO. 9232
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A POST RETIREMENT HEALTH
CARE SAVINGS PLAN FOR MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES
Motion carried 5-0. This resolution appears as Resolution No. 9232 in Resolution Book No.
74.
Item 4E. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION LEVYING SPECIAL
ASSESSMENT FOR NUISANCE ABATEMENT S.R. NO. 224
Council Member Enger asked what was done to abate the nuisance.
Administrative Services Director Devich explained the property was vacant and incurred
costs are related to ensuring security on the property.
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Council Meeting Minutes
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September 24, 2002
Council Member Enger stated all City costs need to be recovered on any abatement
including employee time, vehicle use/paperwork, etc.
M/Rosenberg, S/Sandahl that the followinq resolution be adopted, that it be spread in the
resolution book and that it be made part of these minutes:
RESOLUTION NO. 9235
RESOLUTION LEVYING SPECIAL ASSESSMENT
FOR NUISANCE ABATEMENT
Motion carried 5-0. This resolution appears as Resolution No. 9235 in Resolution Book No
74.
Item 4F. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF PURCHASE AND INSTAllATION OF
NEW EVAPORATIVE CONDENSER FOR RINK ONE AT RICHFIELD ICE ARENA FROM
GARTNER REFRIGERATION & MFG. INC. IN AMOUNT OF $42,034.85 S.R. NO. 225
Council Member Enger asked if the purchases approved for Rink Two at the last City
Council meeting went out for bids. He also asked if tonight's purchase for Rink One went out for
bids. He requested to see the bids so the City Council can make the final determination.
Facilities Manager Payne said Rink Two bids will be provided to the City Council and that
the bid went to the lowest bidder. He said the bids for the Rink One purchase were attached to
tonight's Staff Report and went to the lowest bidder.
M/Rosenberg, S/Enger to authorize the purchase of a new evaporative condenser in the
amount of $42,034.85 for Rink One of the Richfield Ice Arena from Gartner Refriqeration & Mfq.
Inc.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item 4G. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF NEW THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE
LICENSE FOR ANNE THURBER, 7515 UPTON AVENUE S.R. NO. 226
Council Member Rosenberg asked if the neighbors were notified of this business coming
into their area because of potential traffic impacts.
Public Safety Director Scott said the neighbors were not notified because of federal
requirements that cities may not discriminate against a disabled person related to zoning issues.
Barb Kuhn, Disability Law Center, representing the applicant, stated the applicant had
spoken with some of the neighbors, but not all of them.
M/Rosenberg, S/Enger to table action on a request for a new therapeutic massaqe license
for Anne Thurber, 7515 Upton Avenue, to allow time to notify the neiqhbors of this business and
return this matter to the City Council for action at the October 22 Reqular City Council meetinq.
Council Member Rosenberg said the neighbor notification is a matter of courtesy and that
she does support the applicant.
Council Member Enger stated support for notifying the neighborhood and providing them
with an opportunity to comment to the City Council.
City Attorney Thomson asked the applicant's representative if the applicant is willing to
agree to the extension of time.
Ms. Kuhn said yes.
Public Safety Director Scott said contiguous neighbors would be notified.
Council Meeting Minutes
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September 24, 2002
Council Member Sandahl stated support for the applicant and clarified that even if
neighbors disagree with the license, the City is required to make the accommodation for the
disability.
Motion carried 5-0.
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Item #6
City Manager Orduno reviewed Staff Report No. 227 regarding a resolution decertifying
Lyndale-Hub-Nicollet (LHN) Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District.
Council Member Sandahl explained the impact of the decertification and the resulting
developments from the TIF District. She commended prior City Councils for their foresight.
Mayor Kirsch expressed support of the TIF District and the resulting developments. He
acknowledged the foresight of others.
Council Member Ulrich stated this TIF District did not come easily; there were many hours
spent trying to help citizens understand tax increment financing.
Council Member Rosenberg stated support for the vision of how this community could and
can prosper.
The City Council rebroadcast the comments of Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Chair Harms at the September 16 HRA meeting where the HRA approved the resolution
decertifying the LHN TIF District.
Administrative Services Director Devich presented data related to the property tax levy
impact on Richfield homes with the LHN decertification based upon current tax law.
M/Kirsch, S/Sandahl that the followinq resolution be adopted. that it be spread in the
resolution book and that it be made part of these minutes:
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RESOLUTION NO. 9236
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE DECERTIFICATION OF THE
L YNDALE-HUB-NICOLLET TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT
OF THE CITY OF RICHFIELD
Motion carried 5-0. This resolution appears as Resolution No. 9236 in Resolution Book No.
74.
Item #6A
Council Member Sandahl referenced a Fremont Park Neighborhood News flyer recently
distributed that questioned the City Council's stance on the 76th Street/l-35W north bound ramp. I
She said the City Council had taken no formal action on this matter because, when it was last
before the City Council, this project was not on MnDOT's long-range plan. She added that this
project still has a long-time frame.
M/Sandahl, S/Kirsch that the followinq resolution be adopted, that it be spread in the
resolution book and that it be made part of these minutes:
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Council Meeting Minutes
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September 24, 2002
~}:ii RESOLUTION NO. 9230
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE HOMEOWNERS ON GIRARD AND
HUMBOLDT AVENUES AND OPPOSING THE TAKING OF ANY HOMES FOR
THE 1-494/1-35W TRANSPORTATION PROJECT
Council Member Sandahl requested the resolution be sent to MnDOT and the Federal
Highway Administration.
Mayor Kirsch stated that preliminary maps presented by MnDOT were unacceptable
because it included the taking of Girard/Humboldt homes. He said it is hopeful that MnDOT can be
creative enough to accommodate the City's needs.
Council Member Rosenberg stated this resolution was needed because it shows a
consolidated and accountable action to maintain neighborhood stability.
Motion carried 5-0. This resolution appears as Resolution No. 9230 in Resolution Book No.
74.
Item #7
City Manager Orduno reviewed Staff Report No. 228 regarding designating a City of
Richfield official voting delegate and alternate voting delegate for the National League of Cities
annual Congress of Cities business meeting on December 7 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Council Member Ulrich stated that due to budget constraints, conference travel is more
limited. She added that travel and conference attendance needs to be fairly distributed between
the City Council. She also stated attendees should provide to the City Council follow-up reports on
the conference.
M/Ulrich, S/Kirsch to desiqnate Council Member Rosenberq as the official votinq deleqate
for the National Leaque of Cities annual Conqress of Cities business meetinq on December 7,
2002.
Motion carried 5-0.
M/Sandahl, S/Kirsch to desiqnate Council Member Ulrich as the official alternate votinq
deleqate for the National Leaque of Cities annual Conqress of Cities business meetinq on
December 7, 2002.
Motion carried 5-0.
Council Member Ulrich requested a future discussion of a policy regarding out-of-state
travel, including the obligation to report back to the City Council.
Item #8
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No report.
Council Meeting Minutes
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Item #9
M/Rosenberg, S/Enger that the followinq claims and payrolls be approved:
RICHFIELD BANK & TRUST CO.
I NT Checks: 118598- 118956
PAYROLL 32538 - 32686
TOTAL
$ 917,275.64
$ 446,847.91
$ 1,364,123.55
Motion carried 5-0.
September 24, 2002
Date Approved: October 8. 2002
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Recording Secretary
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