04-15-02 Special
I
I
I
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Joint City Council/Richfield
School Board Meeting
Apri I 15, 2002
The meeting was called to order by School Board Vice-Chair David Larson at 5:30 p.m.
Council Members
Present:
Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Gertrude Ulrich; John Enger;
and Sue Sandahl.
City Staff Present:
Samantha Orduno, City Manager; Steven Devich. Acting City
Clerk/Administrative Services Director; Bruce Palmborg, Community
Development Director; Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation Services Director;
Barry Fritz, Public Safety Police Captain; Kevin McGinty, Fire Services
Director; and Pam Dmytrenko, Assistant to the City Manager.
School Board
Members:
David Larson, Vice Chair; Terry Freeman; David Lamberger; John
Easterwood; and Sandy Belkengren.
School Staff Present:
Barbara Devlin; Ken Rood; Wendy Olson; Jim Bradley; and Marv
Swanson.
All members present introduced themselves and their respective role(s) in the Richfield
CitylSchool community.
Superintendent Devlin summarized the reductions enacted for the 2002-03 school
budget years. She highlighted traffic issues that were a concern to the district and addressed
fee increases for certain school programs and staff reductions.
Mayor Kirsch introduced the City portion of the agenda. He presented a brief update of
significant redevelopment projects, including Best Buy and City Bella. He stated that the City
had received $10 million in federal funding for airport mitigation on 18th Avenue.
Joint Council/School Board Meeting Minutes
-2-
April 15, 2002
City Manager Orduno introduced the City budget short falls expected in 2003. Ms.
Orduno stated that the City would be working with reductions in some services and increased
fees for many of the services that some citizens' desire.
There was general discussion regarding what will be needed in the future to meet the
needs of the School and the City. Issues such as greater volunteerism, better information
sharing with residents and greater citizen input were presented.
Dr. Devlin spoke of a series of discussion forums concerning school issues, including
the reasons for the failed school referendum. She indicated that Council Members Ulrich,
Sandahl and Rosenberg would be actively participating in this process.
Council Member Ulrich stated that it would be very beneficial if the School and City
could work closer together to be knowledgeable enough to be more helpful to residents
regarding each other's activities and programs.
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer described some examples of City/School
cooperation in a number of recreation related programs.
Council Member Sandahl talked about an on-site day care facility at Best Buy and the
possible connection to Richfield schools.
Larry Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, asked if the City has shared the Tax
Increment Financing (TIF) impact of Best Buy on the schools. He asked the same of the TIF
impact of the City Bella project.
School Board Vice Chair Larson responded that the City has presented this information
to the School Board and that the School Board is informed of this issue.
School Board Director Easterwood stated his reasons for his family remaining and
committing to Richfield. He stated that he was very supportive and appreciative of the
progressive leadership of the City. His concern was about a decline in resident student
population. Mr. Easterwood urged the City to consider the addition of more single family homes
in Richfield.
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:40 p.m.
. rJ, ~
?;;~1l~~ ~MA/J)
Martin J. Ki~ '
Mayor
Date Approved: May 14. 2002
(~,u
Samantha Ordun
C1tY-rv1anager
Steven evich
Acting City Clerk
I
I
I