10-22-02 Worksession
I
I
I
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
October 22, 2002
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 5:32 p.m.
Members Present:
Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Gertrude Ulrich (arrived at 5:34
p.m.); John Enger; and Sue Sandahl.
Steven L. Devich, Acting City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director;
Dan Scott, Public Safety Director; Bruce Palmborg, Community Development
Director; Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation Services Director; Betsy Christensen,
Health Administrator; Bruce Sylvester, Zoning Administrator; Tom Foley,
Transportation Engineer; Bruce Nordquist, Housing and Redevelopment
Manager; Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary; and Paula Callies, Acting
City Attorney.
Staff Present:
Item #1
Acting City Manager Devich stated as directed by the City Council, staff explored an
administrative code enforcement program and prepared information for City Council discussion. He
said staff now seeks direction on proceeding on this program.
Health Administrator Christensen explained the current enforcement mechanisms and
reviewed the formal complaint process. She added that the Charter Commission and the City Council
approved establishing an administrative code enforcement program. She said, if the City Council
directs staff to proceed, first reading of the ordinance amendment will be on November 12, 2002 with
the second reading scheduled for December 10, 2002.
Zoning Administrator Sylvester reviewed the draft Administrative Enforcement Program
Citizen's Handbook and Procedure Manual and the draft Administrative Enforcement Program
Internal Procedures Manual.
Council Member Sandahl asked if Richfield has a traffic violation administrative program.
Ms. Christensen said a program like that was not considered in the process being discussed
tonight.
Public Safety Director Scott said he is not aware of cities having a traffic administration
program, but would discuss it further with the City's Prosecuting Attorney. He stated the program
before the City Council now involves environmental issues not traffic violations.
Special Worksession Minutes
-2-
October 22, 2002
Acting City Attorney Callies explained that traffic violations are handled through the criminal
court system.
Council Member Rosenberg expressed support for the administrative hearing process
because it provides a mechanism for stricter enforcement and circumvents the length of the process.
Council Member Sandahl asked for clarification regarding the appeal process being to the
Minnesota Court of Appeals or District Court -- both are mentioned in the materials.
Mr. Sylvester said he would check and make appropriate changes if the City Council directs
staff to proceed.
Mayor Kirsch stated support for the program because it provides for stronger enforcement.
Council Member Enger asked if the administrative process would be in lieu of abatements.
Ms. Christensen explained that only certain environmental violations can be abated.
It was the City Council consensus to proceed with the first reading of the ordinance
amendment for the administrative enforcement program.
Item #2
I
Acting City Manager Devich stated the Academy of Holy Angels (AHA) representatives were
present to discuss their construction financing proposal.
Community Development Director Palmborg explained that the AHA would like to access the I
City's remaining annual limit of bank qualified financing for 2002 which is approximately $8.5 million.
He added IRS rules authorize cities to issue up to $10 million of bank qualified financing per year. He
said the remaining $8.5 million must be utilized prior to January 1, 2003 or it will be lost. Mr.
Palmborg said for 2003, a new limit of $10 million will be available.
Mr. Palmborg reviewed the following considerations:
. The City would function as a conduit for this financing. It does not create any financial
liability for the City.
. The project would be constructed on property currently owned by AHA.
. None of the space constructed with the bank qualified financing would be considered a
"religious facility."
. The school is a very viable educational institution with a history at its current site in
Richfield dating back to the 1930's.
. The school is located in a residential district and a school is a conditional use in the R
district.
Mr. Palmborg said the Planning Commission will review zoning issues and the City Council
reviews the financing.
Jill Reilly, AHA President, reviewed the proposed project plans. She added that handicapped
accessibility is not in the current building, but will be included in the renovation.
Michael Schaefer, Catholic Finance Corporation, asked the City Council to support the I
proposed process and use of the $8.5 million financing. He added that a request such as the AHA's
is not uncommon.
Council Member Rosenberg asked if the AHA had used this type of financing previously.
i
----!
I
I
I
Special Worksession Minutes
-3-
October 22, 2002
Acting City Manager Devich said there were fire sprinkler bonds.
Council Member Sandahl suggested the AHA consider attractive landscaping so the side of
the building facing 66th Street is aesthetically pleasing.
Craig Larson, Opus Northwest, L.L.C., Sr. Project Manager, explained the project's
landscaping plans.
Council Member Enger asked why there were no windows in the upper portion of the gym
along the north side.
Mr. Larson explained that windows cause daylight glare at sporting events.
Mr. Devich said the City has no other plans for the remaining $8.5 million. He added that the
City is simply the conduit for the financing and has no financial obligations.
Council Member Enger asked about the qualifying guidelines for this financial program.
Mr. Devich stated Steve Bubul, Kennedy & Graven, reviewed the guidelines to ensure the
City's application was accurate.
Paul Tietz, Briggs & Morgan, representing AHA, explained the state and federal guidelines for
applying to use these funds.
Council Member Enger asked how the first $1.5 million of the funds was used.
Mr. Devich answered equipment certificates.
Council Member Sandahl stated support for the AHA construction financing proposal since
there is no risk to the City.
Council Member Rosenberg stated support for the financing proposal.
Mayor Kirsch expressed support because it continues AHA's viability as an educational
institution.
Council Member Enger expressed support because it furthers the benefits of education and is
also no risk to the City.
Mr. Devich said this issue will come before the City Council for formal action on November 12,
2002.
Item #3
Acting City Manager Devich stated discussion of crosswalk improvements and the resulting
roadway design changes at Lake Shore Drive was before the City Council at their request.
Public Works Director Eastling stated discussion of the crosswalk is associated with the City
Bella project.
-J
Special Worksession Minutes
-4-
October 22, 2002
Transportation Engineer Foley reviewed the crosswalk and parking options on Lake Shore
Drive, including a raised median "refuge island" in the middle of the roadway and the reduction of four I
lanes to two. He said the roadway capacity forecasts two lanes will be adequate and intersection
traffic flow is maintained. He added the wide shoulder could be used for a bike lane or on-street
parking.
Council Member Sandahl asked if the dedicated bike lane would be separate from the vehicle
lane.
Mr. Eastling said that bike/vehicle separation would be possible, but not easy because of the
need to ensure adequate shoulder area for the bikeway.
Housing and Redevelopment Manager Nordquist stated Gramercy requested on-street
parking. He added that parking is part of the City Bella plan which is in final review.
Council Member Ulrich said she liked the raised median for pedestrian crossings and the
bikeway, but was not happy with the on-street parking.
Mr. Nordquist explained that on-street parking provides a traffic quieting measure and could
also be additional parking for Wood Lake Nature Center.
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer said the nature center liked the raised median, bike
lanes and the four to two lane reduction. He said the nature center could use the on-street parking
for overflow vehicles during center events.
Mayor Kirsch said he favored the crosswalk and median and bikeway. He stated support for I
the on-street parking if Gramercy requested it.
Council Member Enger expressed support for the bike lane, but not for on-street parking.
Council Member Sandahl said she favored the bike lane over on-street parking. She said she
did support the two, on-street handicapped/loading parking areas.
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:33 p.m.
Date Approved: November 12. 2002
n L. Devich
Acting City Manager
I
c~h1~~
Recording Secretary