03-25-08 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
March 25, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 6:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Sue Sandahl; Fred Wroge and
Bill Kilian.
Staff Present: Steven Devich, City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Jim
Topitzhofer, Recreation Services Director; Chris Regis, Finance Manager;
Brad Sveum, Fire Services Director; Karen Barton, Community Development
Manager; Corrine Heine, City Attorney; and Nancy Gibbs, City Clerk.
CHAT II Task Force
Members Present: Rick Jabs, Chair; Tom Rublein; and Dick Franzmeier.
Item # I DISCUSSION REGARDING PROPOSED NEW CITY HALL/POLICE/FIRE FACILITY
City Hall Task Force Chair Rick Jabs presented an update on CHAT I and CHAT II.
Finance Manager Regis explained the financial options available.
Chair Jabs presented a potential timeline if the City Council were to decide to go forward with
the new City Hall/Police/Fire Facility Project.
Mayor Goettel asked about the tax increase. She also stated that when talking to residents
regarding a new facility, the response has been positive.
City Manager Devich stated that the first year tax levy would be approximately a 3 – 3.5%
increase. This increase will be needed to keep general government functioning at the current level.
Council Member Kilian asked about Richfield Parkway. He expressed the need to work on
this project and that in his opinion Richfield Parkway is a higher priority than a new facility.
City Manager Devich stated that if bonds are spread out over three years, Richfield Parkway
could still be completed.
Mayor Goettel has spoken with Senator Dan Larson regarding the possibility of using State
funding for the Parkway.
Special Worksession Minutes
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March 25, 2008
Council Member Kilian stated that he is not in favor of the site chosen for the proposed facility.
He also stated that there are other alternatives such as the site of the former Bridgeman's and the
Post Office site. Council Member Kilian stated that the new design would fit at the alternative sites
based on his research online.
Council Member Kilian continued that other criteria might make the former Bridgeman's
location a more affordable option.
Chair Jabs stated that Council Member Kilian has been aware of what the task force has been
working on and the locations that have been considered over the last three years.
Tom Rublein, CHAT II member, responded to Council Member Kilian's suggestions of
alternate sites and stated that the former Bridgeman's site was considered as a potential site but it
was decided that the location next to the current City Hall was a better option.
Mayor Goettel stated that there was another item on the agenda and this discussion would
have to continue at a later date due to time constraints.
Item # 2 DISCUSSION WITH LASALLE GROUP REGARDING RICHFIELD INN STATUS
(COUNCIL MEMO NO. 51)
Bill Brusman, LaSalle Group representative, and Steve Moore, Richfield Inn representative,
informed the City Council of the current status of the Richfield Inn. The LaSalle Group is currently in
the process of seeking a franchise agreement with the Sheraton Four Points chain and is running into
difficulty meeting franchising requirements concerning the sale of alcoholic beverages.
City Manager Devich explained what the City ordinance would require for a liquor license.
City Attorney Heine explained what the current Minnesota State Statute would require for a
liquor license.
Mr. Brusman stated that the LaSalle Group needs to get a liquor license to meet the franchise
requirements and that if they are unable to do so they would need to seek other franchising options.
Mayor Goettel directed staff to meet with Public Safety and City Attorney Heine to look at a
new ordinance for hotels requesting liquor licenses that would meet State Statute.
I ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous cons~ tat 6:55 p.m.
I
Date Approved: April 8, 2008
~AVOltMJ1
Nancy Gibbs
City Clerk