10-08-13 Worksession CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
g4:641eed Special City Council Worksession
October 8, 2013
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 5:31 p.m. in the Bartholomew
Conference Room.
ROLL CALL
Council Members Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Pat Elliott; Sue Sandahl; Edwina Garcia and
Present: Tom Fitzhenry.
Staff Present: Steven L. Devich, City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Chris
Regis, Finance Manager; Pam Dmytrenko, Assistant City Manager; Robert
Hintgen, Utilities Superintendent; Kristin Asher, Assistant Public Works
Director; Russ Lupkes, Utilities Supervisor; Mary Tietjen, City Attorney; and
Cheryl Krumholz, Executive Coordinator.
City Manager Devich stated the agenda was amended to move Item 1 as the last discussion item.
Item # II DISCUSSION REGARDING THE 2014 UTILITIES BUDGET (COUNCIL MEMO NO.
91)
Public Works Director Eastling discussed the proposed water, wastewater and stormwater
rates. These rates will be considered as part of the budget approval process in December 2013.
Mr. Eastling also discussed the streetlight fee.
Item # III DISCUSSION REGARDING THE FRANCHISE FEE RATES (COUNCIL MEMO NO.
91)
Assistant Works Director Asher discussed the proposed increase in gas and electric franchise
fees.
Public Works Director Eastling explained that the proposed franchise fee increase is the most
effective means of handling the significant change in the street maintenance program. He said the
fee structure and public relations plan will come before the City Council to gain feedback on the
proposed communication process.
City Manager Devich explained the issuing of bonded General Fund debt which will be paid
back with the franchise fees.
Special Worksession Minutes -2- October 8, 2013
The City Council consensus was to support the proposed increase in franchise fees.
Item # IV DISCUSSION REGARDING THE PROPOSED CORRIDORS OF COMMERCE
SOLICITATION RESPONSE (COUNCIL MEMO NO. 91).
Public Works Director Eastling's discussion included the following:
Capacity Improvement
• Additional capacity to Trunk Highway 62 between TH 100 and Penn Avenue
• Additional capacity to Trunk Highway 62 between Portland Avenue and TH 77
• Congestion relief to 1-494 through access consolidation at Portland Avenue and
the construction of the 77th St Underpass at TH 77.
Freight Bottleneck/Capacity Improvement
• Completion of Phase 1 of the I-494/1-35W Interchange
The City Council consensus was to support a resolution of support for the Corridors of
Commerce solicitation.
Item # I DISCUSSION WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY REGARDING INDIVIDUAL E-MAIL
ADDRESSES FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
City Attorney Tietjen's discussion regarding the City establishing official City email addresses
for each City Council Member included the following:
• Purpose and benefits of City Council email
• Records retention and date practices
• Open meeting law issues
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:51 p.m.
Date Approved: October 22, 2013
L' AV Ali
Cheryl KKr mhol - e L. Devic
Executive Coordinator City Manager