05-12-09 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
May 12, 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; Sue Sandahl; Pat Elliott; Fred Wroge; and Tom
Fitzhenry.
Staff Present: Steven Devich, City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; John
Stark, Community Development Director; Kristin Asher, City Engineer; Chris
Link, Street Maintenance Supervisor; Christine Costello, Community
Development Coordinator; and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item # I DISCUSSION REGARDING DUTCH ELM DISEASE TREE REMOVAL POLICY
COUNCIL MEMO NO. 71)
Don Miller and Susan Burks, Minnesota DNR representatives, discussed the Dutch Elm
Disease (DED) tree removal guidelines, including, notification timeline, beetle and fungus disease
progression, and tree identification.
Public Works Director Eastling requested City Council guidance on elements of the DED tree
removal policy including time limit for removal of private and boulevard trees, summer removal cut-
off date, summer removal by contractor or City staff, and funding options.
Mayor Goettel stated a more aggressive tree removal program until August 1 seems
appropriate.
Council Member Sandahl expressed support for expanding the use of franchise fees to have
a private contractor to remove trees that staff is unable to get to because of other services needing
to be performed.
City Manager Devich explained the issues of staff having adequate time to remove DED
boulevard trees with the current 20 day deadline. He added the funding source needs to be
identified because this is a new level of service previously not in place.
Council Member Sandahl stated the City has encouraged the planting of boulevard trees with
residents doing basic maintenance and if they’re now asked to share in the removal cost, she
suspected there would be resistance.
Mayor Goettel agreed to use franchise fees since all residents share the enjoyment of the
trees.
Special Worksession Minutes -2May 12, 2009
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Council Member Wroge stated boulevard replacement trees are various species, not canopy-
type trees. He suggested boulevard trees not be replanted but rather be placed in the resident’s
yard so it becomes their responsibility.
Council Member Wroge said there needs to be an effort of saving trees and aggressively
removing DED trees.
Council Member Elliott expressed support for franchise fees to cover summer removal. He
added there is a time for residents to participate in the costs in amenities.
City Manager Devich discussed a potential franchise fee increase and what it could cover in
tree removal costs.
Council Member Fitzhenry stated he supported franchise fees for this service with staff
continuing the tree removal in the winter.
Council Member Sandahl said she did not oppose charging residents but franchise fees
should be used for now.
Mayor Goettel concluded that increasing franchise fees should be part of the upcoming
budget process.
Item #2 DISCUSSION REGARDING HOUSING PROPOSAL FOR FORMER CITY GARAGE
SITE (COUNCIL MEMO NO. 72)
City Manager Devich stated that the housing developer Ron Clark Construction and Design
(Ron Clark) is considering the development of a rental housing project at 211 76th Street West,
7600, 7608, and 7700 Pillsbury Avenue.
Community Development Director Stark explained the 3.3 acre site contains a former
mortuary building that the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) purchased in 2000; since
that time it has been used for City storage, the north half of the former Public Works Maintenance
Facility, and three adjacent single-family parcels on Pillsbury. Ron Clark purchased one of the
residential parcels in 2008 and the HRA purchased and cleared another in 1999. The remaining
parcel is still privately owned, and at this time the owner is not interested in selling.
Community Development Director Stark discussed the Comprehensive Plan and zoning
requirements. He also discussed the financial feasibility of the project dependent upon the
developers cost to acquire, demolish, and environmentally remediate the parcels. No high level tax
increment financing (TIF) discussions have taken place.
Ron Clark, Ron Clark Construction & Design, discussed the company’s background and their
current development sites in the metro area, specializing in residential communities. The rental
versus ownership of units is based upon current market trends.
Gary Tushie, Tushie Montgomery Associates, reviewed the proposed site plan for 70th
Street/Pillsbury Avenue, including unit bedroom size and number, amenities, parking, and sidewalks.
Parking includes underground stalls for residents and surface stalls for guests – an approximate
1.75 stall space per unit. He also discussed the reduced setback from the railroad tracks.
Community Development Director Stark discussed TIF guidelines related to the site.
Council Member Wroge stated there is a “gentlemen’s agreement” that when the former
garage site land was sold, that money would be used to pay down the new maintenance facility
bond debt.
Council Member Wroge spoke in support of moving forward with a project proposal.
Council Member Elliott disclosed that he was involved in sheet metal litigation on one of the
Ron Clark projects but found no defects.
Special Worksession Minutes -3-. May 12, 2009
The City Council consensus was to proceed with the project proposal.
Item #3 UPDATE REGARDING STORMWATER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
(COUNCIL MEMO NO. 73)
City Engineer-Asher made a PowerPoint presentation on the Stormwater Capital Improvement
Program. (City Clerk's File No. C-450)
Mayor Goettel expressed concerns that the project to address flooding at 65th/66th Streets
and Newton/Morgan Avenues was not scheduled until 2012. She suggested the City Council review
the list of priorities.
Council Member Wroge agreed that concentration should be on resident-impacted areas.
The City Council consensus was to continue discussion to a future City Council Worksession.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:56 p.m.
Date Approved: May 26, 2009
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Cheryl KfumhoFz 0 ~ S ~ "Deg
Recording Secretary ity Manager