04-10-07 Worksession
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
April 10, 2007
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 5:30 p.m.
I ROLL CALL
Members Present:
Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Fred Wroge; Susan Rosenberg; and Sue Sandahl.
Members
Not Present:
Bill Kilian.
Staff Present:
Steven Devich, City Manager; Bruce Palmborg, Community Development
Director; Dan Scott, Public Safety Director; Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation
Services Director; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Brad Sveum, Fire
Services Director; Pam Dmytrenko, Assistant to City Manager; Kristin Asher,
Assistant City Engineer; and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item # I
MEETING WITH FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT UNITED STATES
REPRESENTATIVE KEITH ELLISON
Fifth Congressional District United States Representative Keith Ellison discussed the
following:
. appropriation request for the 77th Street project;
. recent diplomatic effort in the Middle East;
. legislation related to the Iraq war, 100 Hours Program, credit card fees, increased funding
for CDBG, habeas corpus restoration, possible immigration reform; and
. committees on which he serves.
Item # 2 DISCUSSION REGARDING PRIVATE UTILITIES AND LANDSCAPING IN PUBLIC
RIGHT-OF-WAY (COUNCIL MEMO NO. 60)
Assistant City Engineer Asher made a PowerPoint presentation regarding Richfield right-of-
way (ROW):
. maintaining the ROW
. landscaping in ROW
. cost of maintaining green ROW's
. landscaping past and current practices
- minor arterials
- HUB area
-76th StreetlLyndale Avenue
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April 10, 2007
. landscaping future alternatives
- collectors
- residential streets
- 74th Street/Sheridan Avenue
. direction
. overhead utilities
. parallel lines
. crossing lines
Public Works Director Eastling stated the community's value of green space sometimes does
not align with the property owners.
Council Member Sandahl asked about violations of a conditional use permit (CUP)
stipulation(s) if not properly maintained.
Council Member Wroge said the City may need to consider a mechanism to require
maintenance if landscaping is a stipulation.
Community Development Director Palmborg explained the CUP and zoning ordinance update
include provisions for maintenance but there is no staff in Community Development to check
conformance.
Public Works Director Eastling said State law permits the businesses making the payments in
a special service district to make the decision on the level of maintenance.
Assistant City Engineer Asher discussed establishing a pedestrian improvement policy,
including maintenance.
Mayor Goettel said it would be nice to have boulevard space between streets and sidewalks
for safety.
Public Works Director Eastling discussed the Comprehensive Plan, including bicycle and
pedestrian safety with public involvement in the process.
Wroge said when the undergrounding of utilities actually needs to be addressed, there should
be more accurate costs provided.
Council Member Sandahl stated it is City Council policy to review undergrounding when street
work is performed.
Mayor Goettel asked about Ryan's commitment to maintain the 17th Avenue/66th Street
roundabout.
Public Works Director Eastling stated Ryan is willing to maintain at no extra cost but as soon
as the area benefits other developers, Ryan wants the costs shared.
Item # 3 INFORMATION REGARDING POSSIBLE GANG ACTIVITY IN RICHFIELD
Public Safety Director Scott discussed gang activity in the community and the refocused
efforts of Richfield Police. He said Richfield is part of the Minneapolis Gang Force Task Force.
Mayor Goettel asked about a concrete plan to attack this activity.
City Manager Devich said the City is aggressive in handling this activity and it is taken very
seriously. The City Council could be provided with a written outline of how this activity is handled if
they wished.
Council Member Sandahl asked about the City Council's impact statement to the court on
juvenile cases.
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April 10, 2007
Public Safety Director Scott said that statement has a positive impact.
I ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous conse
Date Approved: April 24, 2007
~~J~
Cheryl Kr mhol
Recording Secretary