12-11-07 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
December 11, 2007
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 5:39 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Sue Sandahl; Susan Rosenberg; Fred Wroge and
Bill Kilian.
Staff Present: Steven Devich, City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Bruce
Palmborg, Community Development Director; Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation
Services Director; Brad Sveum, Fire Services Director; Bill Fillmore, Liquor
Operations Director; Dan Scott, Public Safety Director; John Stark, Assistant
Community Development Director/Community Development Manager; Chris
Regis, Finance Manager; and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item # I ANNUAL MEETING WITH LOCAL LEGISLATORS STATE REPRESENTATIVE PAUL
THISSEN, STATE REPRESENTATIVE LINDA SLOCUM, STATE SENATOR DAN
LARSON, METROPOLITAN COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 5 RUSS
SUSAG AND HENNEPIN COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 5 RANDY JOHNSON
City Manager Devich stated Hennepin County Commissioner Randy Johnson notified his
office that he has a conflict this evening and will try to attend.
City Manager Devich reviewed the 2008 Legislative Issues for the Executive, Administrative
Services, Liquor Operations, Public Works and Fire Services Departments. He clarified that the Fire
Services Department issue to allow cities to bargain with fire unions for residency requirements
refers to living within a certain response area.
Assistant Community Development Director/Community Development Manager Stark
discussed the issues related to the Cedar Corridor development, including setting a zero base tax
increment and extending exceptions from the eminent domain legislation which is sun setting.
Public Safety Director Scott discussed the issues related to establishing spray paint
legislation, repealing the prohibition of law enforcement agency management from requiring officers
to write traffic citations and changes to allow cities to charge a fee for processing gun purchase
applications.
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer discussed the amending or deleting of certain
provisions of the State Statute regarding funding for Memorials for War Veterans. He also
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December 11, 2007
bonding requests for recreation asset replacement and the Honoring All Veterans' Memorial in
Richfield.
Senator Larson stated that he is having legislation drafted to repeal certain provisions of this
statute and did not anticipate opposition.
Representative Slocum and Thisse.n expressed support for the bonding but the amount is
uncertain.
, City Manager Devich discussed a briefing paper on cable franchise fees, the definition of
gross revenues and institutional networks/municipal services. He said Richfield opposed local
jurisdictions losing the ability to use franchise fees to assist with the costs of maintating rights-of-way.
Representative Thissen stated cable competition needs to be encouraged to reduce pricing
and enhance access. -
Council Member Sandahl discussed establishing permanent new revenue sources for
transportation and support for the 35W Urban Partnership Agreement for early passage so it moves
forward.
Senator Larson discussed delegation support to obtain a funding compromise package.
Representative Thissen stated the technical legislative issues presented are within the realm
of possibilities. Funding will be the largest restraint. He expressed some optimism for the
reimbursement for First Responder Medical response. Bonding will be an uphill battle.
Senator Larson stated legislation for the extension of the sun setting of eminent domain for
Cedar Corridor can be explored. Zero base tax increment will be difficult due to strong opposition
from some legislators.
Senator Larson thanked the City Council for their leadership in the recent settlement of the
lawsuit with the Metropolitan Airports Commission.
Hennepin County Commissioner Johnson arrived at 6: 15 p.m.
Council Member Wroge requested legislative assistance on changing the Local Government
Aid formula so the "roller coaster" of allocations to cities can end.
Representative Thissen stated Local Government Aid will be difficult to address because of
the State budget deficit.
Mayor Goettel discussed the issue of spray paint and the need for the metropolitan area to
join in restricting access. She expressed support for the Hennepin County curfew for youth.
Representative Slocum stated the spray paint legislation is ready and she is hopefui it will
move forward with little opposition.
Mayor Goettel discussed the increase in home foreclosures.
Representative Thissen stated he believed the largest issues this legislative session will
include bonding bills, transportation funding, health care reform and school funding.
Senator Larson agreed.
Representative Slocum (lgreed and added there should be a variance in the "No Child Left
Behind" program in the school system.
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December 11, 2007
Representative Thissen stated he has received calls from residents regarding safety concerns
at the Crossroads apartment complex and the apartment complex on Lyndale Avenue and 74th/75th
Streets.
The City Council stated both complexes were under new management and screening of
renters has improved.
Hennepin County Commissioner Johnson agreed with the Legislators on the largest issues
this year, and added that a high priority for the County is the Hennepin County Medical Center.
Metropolitan Council Representative Susag discussed the 75th/76th Streets sewer project
which will cause a disruption but may also permit Richfield to complete projects at the same time. He
also discussed his positive experiences with the Richfield Parkway/66th Street roundabout.
Lisa Pielen, Metropolitan Airports Commission representative, stated she was pleased with
the recent airport lawsuit settlement.
I ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:44 p.m.
Date Approved: January 8, 2008
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Recording Secretary