01-12-16 Worksession CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
J • /l ) Richfield, Minnesota
Hometown I.�e pichwn Special City Council Worksession
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January 12, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 5:45 p.m. in the Bartholomew Room.
Council Members Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Pat Elliott; Edwina Garcia; Tom Fitzhenry; and
Present: Michael Howard
Staff Present: Steven L. Devich, City Manager; Kristin Asher, Public Works Director; Jim
Topitzhofer, Recreation Services Director; Pam Dmytrenko, Assistant City
Manager/HR Manager; Jeff Pearson, City Engineer; and Cheryl Krumholz,
Executive Coordinator.
Mayor Goettel recognized the attendance of Boy Scout Troop 262 from Oak Grove
Lutheran Church who is earning their Citizenship Community Badge.
Item #1 DISCUSSION REGARDING 66TH STREET RECONSTRUCTION STAGING MEDIAN
DESIGN (COUNCIL MEMO NO. 2)
Maury Hooper, Hennepin County Project Manager, discussed construction staging for the 66th
Street Reconstruction project. He reviewed Hennepin County's refined construction staging during
the final design development process, including potential changes related to full closures and field
changes.
Item #2 MAYOR GOETTEL'S SUMMARY AND DISCUSSION OF HER RECENT TRIP TO
CHINA
Mayor Goettel summarized the purpose of her recent trip to China to further develop a
relationship between Richfield and Shouyang County, China and explained how this will benefit
Richfield and Shouyang. Chinese investors and business officials are interested in investing,
business exchange and developing a sister city relationship at the government level. This trip was an
exploratory visit by the invitation of the Chinese government.
Mayor Goettel reviewed the itinerary of the trip. She explained that a Memorandum of
Understanding was signed to pursue a Sister City agreement and asked the City Council to consider
a resolution to consider a Sister City relationship.
The City Council consensus was to review the information provided by the Mayor before
pursuing a Sister City relationship.
Item #3 DISCUSSION REGARDING THE RICHFIELD BAND SHELL (COUNCIL MEMO NO.
3) _
Special Worksession Minutes -2- January 12, 2016
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer discussed the plan to move the band shell project
forward, including funding options and reductions in construction costs. Three ways to reduce costs
were suggested including conducting exploratory borings to find a site where soils will allow a less
expensive foundation, hiring a construction manager instead of a general contractor, and reducing
the size of the ban shell.
Council Member Garcia stated a construction manager is a reasonable way to handle the
project.
Mayor Goettel stated exploratory borings are cost effective.
Council Member Fitzhenry stated he would not support this project because it appears to
continue to have issues.
Council Member Elliott stated he is against providing any additional City funding over what
was already committed.
Council Member Howard stated that within the already approved City funding, he supported
the exploratory borings to make sure this location worked.
Mr. Topitzhofer explained the differences between a construction manager and general
contractor. He also explained the process to change the location of the band shell.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:58 p.m.
Date Approved: January 26, 2016
D•••'e Goettel/ '
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_44 —Tire L. Devich
Cheryl Krumhol /
Executive Coordinator City Manager