11-01-07 Worksession
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
November 1, 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; Sue Sandahl; Bill Kilian; Fred Wroge; and Susan
Rosenberg (arrived 5:40 p.m.)
Staff Present:
Steven Devich, City Manager; Bruce Palmborg, Community Development
Director; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation
Services Director; Brad Sveum, Fire Chief; Dan Scott, Public Safety Director;
Chris Regis, Finance Manager; Pam Dmytrenko, Assistant to the City
Manager; and Nancy Gibbs, City Clerk.
Item#1
DISCUSSION WITH CITY HALL TASK FORCE II (CHAT II) REGARDING
PROPOSED NEW CITY HALL/POLICE/FIRE FACILITY.
Mike Cox and Mike Klass of Wold Architects and Engineers presented their conceptual
designs of a new City Hall. The presentation included layouts of the building in comparison to the
existing City Hall and Park area. It also showed the elevation differences and how this could all work
at the agreed upon location.
Council Member Sandahl stated the Arts Commission, Friendship City Commission and
Historical Society are all interested in some kind of display area at the new building. She also
suggested having a catering kitchen near the Council Chambers for possible rental to the public.
Mayor Goettel asked about doors at the rear of the building with access to the park.
Council Member Kilian discussed the ballpark and the close proximity to the many windows on
the rear of the building. He also suggested that staff could temporarily use the park to park their
vehicles during the day while construction was going so this would keep cars off the residential
streets. Council Member Kilian also stated that he would like to see a sketch of the building to scale
with surrounding houses.
Mayor Goettel suggested enhancing the park to make it a place everyone could use and
enjoy.
Council Member Wroge stated feedback from the residents in the surrounding neighborhood
needed to see how they feel about the baseball fields and what their thoughts are on this park area.
Special Worksession Minutes
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November 1,2007
He also stated he is in favor of a multi use facility, but not Friday and Saturday night use in a party
type atmosphere.
Council Member Rosenberg stated she would like Art Gallery space to display history of the
community.
CHAT II Chair Rick Jabs stated they would like to have two open houses the first week in
December to give the residents more information and provide a look at the plans.
Sid Inman, Ehlers and Associates explained the decision points and issues of financing the
project. He explained the three basic financial options, including a referendum bond; lease revenue
bond and capital improvement bond.
Finance Manager Regis explained the PERA refund that could be used to build the new City
Hall, however then the City would need to increase the tax levy in future years as interest earnings on
the PERA refund is used to offset general fund Police and Fire expenditures.
Council Member Wroge stated he was in favor of using the PERA refund to build the new City
Hall.
Mayor Goettel stated the open houses need to move forward.
Assistant to the City Manager Dmytrenko stated that staff would get information on the web-
site to inform residents of the open houses.
Council Member Wroge suggested that someone contact the Sun Newspaper to do an article
with pictures to invite residents to the open houses.
Mayor Goettel thanked .the CHAT II group and directed them to go forward with the open
houses.
I ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent
Date Approved: _.~'U . J ~, /)007
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Nancy Gibbs r
City Clerk