05-08-07 Worksession
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
May 8, 2007
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 5:35 p.m.
I ROLL CALL
Members Present:
Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Fred Wroge; Bill Kilian; and Sue Sandahl.
Members
Not Present:
Staff Present:
Susan Rosenberg.
Steven Devich, City Manager; Bruce Palmborg, Community Development
Director; Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation Services Director; Mike Eastling, Public
Works Director; Brad Sveum, Fire Services Director; Pam Dmytrenko,
Assistant to City Manager; Randy Hughes, Operations Superintendent; Chris
Regis, Finance Manager; and Nancy Gibbs, City Clerk.
Item # I DISCUSSION REGARDING PRELIMINARY KEY FINANCIAL STRATEGIES
(COUNCIL MEMO NO. 79)
Finance Manager Regis summarized the Financial Plan.
Mayor Goettel expressed concern if State and County taxes should go up along with a 12%
City increase, this could be a hardship on some families on fixed incomes.
City Manager Devich asked the Council to take a look at the long-term impact these tax bills
could have on the City. Mr. Devich also stated that 2008 could be a challenge.
Council Member Kilian asked if staff knew how much money the City of Richfield pays to
county taxes and how much money does the City get in return from the county and what projects
could the City have the county pay for.
City Manager Devich responded that staff would gather that information and present it at a
later meeting.
Council Member Wroge expressed his concerns with the tax levy going from a -2% to a +12%
next year.
City Manager Devich explained that the City has two large projects in 2008. He also stated
that the City could wait to see if and how much the legislature would do for the City.
Council Member Wroge stated he would like to see the City off of Local Government Aid
(LGA). If the City should receive it, it would be a windfall, we could spend it if we get it.
Special Worksession Minutes
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May 8, 2007
Council Member Kilian asked what is the chance of tax capacity rate going down.
City Manager Devich replied, he didn't think that would be happening, if anything he thought it
may go up.
Mayor Goettel asked what are the plans for selling the garage property.
Public Works Director Eastling replied maybe the City should wait until the market is better.
Community Development Director Palmborg stated that Community Development may do a
R.F.Q. on that property in early fall of 2007.
Item # 2 DISCUSSION REGARDING PROPOSED CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION BUDGET
(COUNCIL MEMO NO. 80)
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer introduced the Centennial Celebration Budget and
Work Plan. The Richfield Tourism and Promotion Board approved a donation request of $18,019 on
May 2,2007. The Celebrations Commission is requesting City Council to consider including the
remaining financial support for the Centennial in the 2008 budget in the amount of $18,045.
Council Member Kilian stated he would like to see more marching bands.
Council Member Wroge agreed, however would like to make it competition Marching bands.
Council Member Kilian stated maybe the City should sponsor a band or add bands for this
year's parade to keep people interested. Give some to the people this year to make them aware of
2008 Centennial. Do something to energize people for next year.
Council Member Sandahl asked if Council Members wanted a float this year. All Council
present replied yes.
Council Member Sandahl also asked the Commission to consider naming 77th Street
Centennial Parkway. The name would be for Richfield Centennial plus it would run through Edina by
Centennial Parks which was named for Edina's Centennial.
City Manager Devich concluded that the City could find money for these request.
Item # 3 DISCUSSION REGARDING DRAFT COMMUNITY SURVEY PERFORMANCE
SPECIFICATION (COUNCIL MEMO NO. 81)
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Assistant to the City Manager Dmytrenko discussed draft community survey. Ms. Dmytrenko
asked for Council feedback. She also stated that survey would be conducted late summer or early
fall.
Council Member Kilian stated he would like survey report back by October 15 or November 1
so that Council would have information for 2008 goal setting meeting in early January.
Mayor Goettel stated she would like a question regarding redevelopment added to the survey.
Assistant to the City Manager Dmytrenko asked if the Council would appoint a City Council
Member to be part of a team that works with the consultants to put together the survey questions.
Council Member Wroge stated he would like questions from the 1997 survey to be part of new
survey to compare changes.
Special Worksession Minutes
I ADJOURNMENT
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May 8, 2007
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:50 p.m.
\-114M <(f ~
Nancy Gibbs '
City Clerk
Date Approved: May 22, 2007