02-24-09 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
February 24, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Pat Elliott; Fred Wroge; Tom Fitzhenry; and Sue
Sandahl.
Staff Present: Steven Devich, City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Jim
Topitzhofer, Recreation Services Director; Chris Regis, Finance Manager;
Barry Fritz, Public Safety Director; Betsy Osborn, Health Administrator; and
Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item # I DISCUSSION REGARDING CURRENT CITY OF RICHFIELD GAS AND ELECTRIC
FRANCHISE FEES, PROPOSED STREET LIGHT SERVICE FEE AND PROPOSED
BOULEVARD TREE SERVICE FEE (COUNCIL MEMO NO. 26)
City Manager Devich discussed the three fees and related potential increase in City revenue.
Public Works Director Eastling discussed the legality of charging these fees. He also
discussed the possibility of not having a boulevard tree fee for properties on County roads because
there are no boulevard trees. There are boulevard trees on most residential City streets. The
estimated street light service fee revenue is based upon all properties being charged.
Council Member Wroge said he believed it unfair to charge only the properties that have
street lights and boulevard trees because they are benefits to the community.
Public Works Director Eastling explained why the street light service fee was discontinued in
1998.
City Manager Devich stated the length of time a service fee is in place is a City Council policy
decision. He added that during the five years the previous street light fee was in place, there were
minimal concerns from the community.
Council Member Wroge expressed his preference for placing fees like this directly on the
property tax. He added that residents would complain now because of the current economic
situation.
Council Member Wroge stated there should be a time certain limit on charging the fees.
Council Member Elliott stated he was originally opposed to franchise fees because of their
purpose and the way they were implemented. Now it is worth assessing the fees if it enhances
Richfield and the revenue is needed sooner rather than later.
Special Worksession Minutes -2February 24, 2009
-
Council Member Fitzhenry discussed the public safety aspects of the street lights and he
expressed support for the fee. He questioned the boulevard tree fee when the property does not
have one.
Public Works Director Eastling stated staff suggests there be no fee on a property with no
boulevard tree, but it is a City Council policy decision.
Council Member Wroge suggested when boulevard trees are removed, they be replaced with
a tree on private property with the property owner maintaining it.
Council Member Sandahl expressed support for the boulevard tree and street light service
fees because the funding is needed. She was concerned regarding property owners on County
roads not wanting to pay for boulevard trees because the City is encouraging boulevard trees on
those roads to slow traffic.
Mayor Goettel stated support for a certain sunset on the fees because of future technology
and power generated changes.
City Manager Devich said the current law states levy limits are scheduled to come off in
2011. Most cities have the street light service fee and Richfield could have the average rate with a
sunset to decide on its continuation.
Council Member Sandahl stated she would prefer not having a sunset but rather a timeframe
for City Council review again.
Public Works Director Eastling said the fees are reviewed annually as part of the budget
process.
Council Member Sandahl suggested the forestry portion of the franchise fees be included in
the same budget as the boulevard tree fee.
City Manager Devich stated a Council Memo with additional information on the street light
service fee and boulevard tree fee will be provided to the City Council.
Item # 2 DISCUSSION REGARDING TRANSITORY ORDINANCE PROVIDING
EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FROM SPECIAL REVENUE FUND FOR CERTAIN
RECREATIONAL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS (COUNCIL MEMO NO. 27)
City Manager Devich discussed the differences between the Capital Improvement Plan and
Capital Improvement Budget. He added that it is a City Council decision regarding these types of
expenditures.
Mayor Goettel stated rearranging the projects may be a way to preserve jobs and prevent
staff layoffs.
City Manager Devich explained, by City Charter, Special Revenue Fund expenditures can be
used for capital improvement projects only, not salaries or operating costs.
Council Member Wroge suggested the Lincoln Athletic Complex project be the primary payoff
project, with other projects limited, so recreational activities are increased.
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer discussed the Community Service Commission’s
recommendation and proposed recreational capital projects changes which does support postponing
some projects. He said the funding for the Lincoln Athletic Project could be borrowed internally so
the work could be done this summer.
Council Member Sandahl stated reluctance to delay the skate park project for two years and
preferred a one year delay because it is not an organized sport like some others. She suggested
the City apply for any grants that are available.
Special Worksession Minutes -3February 24, 2009
-
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer stated there is some interest from the public in
doing the skate park.
Mayor Goettel expressed support for the skate park but also understood the issues with
baseball activities.
Item # 3 DISCUSSION REGARDING PROPERTY EXCELLENCE TASK FORCE (COUNCIL
MEMO NO. 28)
City Manager Devich provided history regarding the proposed task force and the City Council
request for a worksession to discuss membership composition and goals.
Mayor Goettel said there should be a balance in members.
Council Member Fitzhenry suggested nine members with other commissions having liaisons.
He suggested including students as a community service project to assist properties with
maintenance issues.
Council Member Sandahl suggested 15 members.
Council Member Wroge suggested new people as members, not those who serve on other
commissions; more than nine members with business representation and the majority of the
members being homeowners.
Public Safety Director Fritz discussed the task force could develop alternatives to
enforcement issues; including the current property maintenance inspection program. He also
discussed the Public Safety and Community Development Departments approach to the home
foreclosure issues.
Council Member Elliott suggested sanctions at the end of the process for residents or some
may depend upon others to maintain their property.
Mayor Goettel stated immigrants need to be educated on property maintenance standards.
Council Member Sandahl agreed with new people being on the task force and having liaisons
from other commissions as non-voting members.
Council Member Wroge suggested escalating the enforcement process and escalating fees.
City Manager Devich stated the City has been more aggressive recently in fines.
Health Administrator Osborn explained the ticket/citation process, the distribution of the
costs, and related court appearance which may not change the property owner’s behavior.
Council Member Elliott suggested keeping the ticketing an in-house administrative fine so the
money stays with the City.
Public Safety Director Fritz discussed the proposed administrative fines legislation.
Council Member Fitzhenry stated he envisioned mitigation of problems by the task force
before a fine is given – prevention before enforcement.
Council Member Sandahl said no current commission member should be on the task force.
Council Member Elliott said the City Council should provide direction to the task force on their
purpose.
The City Council consensus was that:
?
The task force will continue for nine months with the City Council determining its
further continuation
Special Worksession Minutes -4- February 24, 2009
• 15 members maximum
• Members cannot be from other current commissions or task force groups
• Liaisons will not vote on the task force
• Council Member Fitzhenry and Council Member Wroge serve as City Council liaisons
• City Council will select the task force Chair
• Task force will meet two times per month - 2nd and 4th Wednesday
• Wards be indicated for the applicants
• Chair will provide a three month status update at a City Council Meeting.
The City Council will conduct interviews on Saturday, March 14 beginning at 8:15 a.m. at City
Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:41 p.m.
Date Approved: March 10, 2009
r
Cheryl KrGmholz~ ,/ Stev L. Deg
Recording Secretary y Manager