01-22-08 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
January 22, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 6:09 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Sue Sandahl; Susan Rosenberg; Fred Wroge and
Bill Kilian.
Staff Present: Steven Devich, City Manager; Dan Scott, Public Safety Director; Rick
Regnier, Chief Building Official; Betsy Osborn, Health Administrator; Corrine
Heine, City Attorney; and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item # I DISCUSSION REGARDING PARKING/STORAGE OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS (COUNCIL MEMO NO. 17)
City Manager Devich stated the City Council asked staff to research ordinances from
neighborhood cities on the parking and storage of recreational vehicles in residential areas.
Health Administrator Osborn reported on the findings from the cities of Bloomington,
Burnsville, Oakdale, Minneapolis, Edina, St. Louis Park, and Rosemount. The City of Minnetonka
had not responded to staff’s request for information.
Council Member Kilian expressed his concerns about using driveways as storage areas for
RV’s all winter. He said he supported off-site storage during that time. However, residents should
be permitted to have RV’s parked in their driveway for approximately a week to prepare for trips or if
there are visitors who have an RV.
Council Member Kilian added that storage in the backyard would not be an option on most
Richfield properties because of a lack of space. Screening would depend upon the size of the RV.
Council Member Kilian continued that he found storage of any recreational vehicles
objectionable including snowmobile trailers and boats.
Health Administrator Osborn explained Richfield’s current recreational vehicle ordinance
includes all forms of recreational vehicles, not just specific to RV’s.
Council Member Wroge discussed visual restrictions caused by RV’s, the ability to afford off-
site storage, and having the ability to bring the RV to the property to prepare for its use. He added
that moving the parking to the back or side of the yard only changes who has to see it.
Special Worksession Minutes -2- January 22, 2008
Council Member Wroge said the concerns of the other cities regarding not wanting to take
this issue on are not the right answers.
Health Administrator Osborn stated that most cities suggested that if any alterations to the
ordinance are to be considered, the RV owners should be included in the discussion.
Council Member Wroge suggested a compromise of permitting RV parking from April/May 15
to September 15 with winter storage off-site.
Council Member Kilian agreed a dialogue with residents on both sides of the issue should be
started.
Council Member Kilian suggested the RV must be registered to someone living at the
property and that storage for others not be allowed.
Mayor Goettel suggested an open house on this issue be held in the spring when the RV
owners are back in town.
Public Safety Director Scott said the City receives approximately 12 complaints a year on this
matter.
Ernie Lindstrom, 7406 Fremont Avenue, addressed the City Council regarding his concerns
that this is not an RV issue but rather it’s the neighborhoods and quality of life.
Item # 2 DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO CITY CODE
SECTION 425.07 REGARDING LOCATION OF SATELLITE ANTENNAS (COUNCIL
MEMO NO. 18)
Public Safety Director Scott stated the rise in popularity of “dish” type satellite TV antennas
and the need to place them with line of sight to stationary satellites prompted regulations from the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that prohibit restrictions on a property owner or tenant’s
right to install, maintain, or use an antenna to receive video programming from direct broadcast
satellites.
Chief Building Official Regnier discussed Richfield’s current ordinance and the FCC
regulations for local governments. The proposed ordinance amendment brings Richfield into FCC
compliance.
Council Member Wroge asked if staff contacted the FCC in Washington, D.C. because he
was told it was within the City’s ability to regulate the location.
Public Safety Director Scott stated the City Attorney researched this matter and that the City
cannot force the relocation of an antenna if it creates a problem with the signal.
Council Member Wroge asked about the location in a right-of-way.
City Attorney Heine explained the City has the ability to impose regulations on setbacks for
the location of antennas. Any regulation by the City cannot unreasonably impair the ability to receive
the signal. If the City flat-out prohibits the location, it probably would not be upheld. She stated that
exceptions could include another location if the signal cannot be received in a restricted area or
cannot be moved without unreasonable costs.
City Attorney Heine stated the proposed exception recognizes administrative abilities.
Chief Building Official Regnier said the location would still not be allowed in right-of-way.
Special Worksession Minutes
I ADJOURNMENT
-3-
January 22, 2008
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:57 p.m.
Date Approved: February 12. 2008
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Recording Secretary
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