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10-07-91 agendaCity of Richfield, Minnesota Study Session Letter No. 41 Agenda, October 7, 1991 Issue Statement: Policy and Strategy Recommendations for Airport Related Issues. Background: The Richfield Airport Strategy Group has met and reviewed issues and events related to the airport. R.A.S.G. has provided recommendations for policy and strategy implementation. Recent developments regarding the airport include the following: • MSP Long Term Comprehensive Plan The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) held a public information meeting, hosted by the Richfield Planning Commission, for Richfield residents on September 25, 1991 at Richfield High School. The purpose of the meeting was to provide information regarding the preliminary selection of an airport development concept for the MSP Long Term Comprehensive Plan. On August 27, the MAC selected the north-south runway and a replacement west terminal as the preferred expansion option at MSP. This plan will require acquisition of some Richfield properties, removal of Rich Acres Golf Course, and result in airport noise impacts for property owners west of Cedar Avenue. At the meeting, Mayor Martin Kirsch stated objections of the concept because the north-south runway will cause extraordinary negative impacts on the City. Approximately 300 Richfield residents attended the public meeting on September 25. Most of the residents who spoke at the meeting stated opposition to the proposed north-south runway. Mayor Kirsch publicly stated objections to the runway concept at the meeting because of the negative environmental impacts it will cause the community. The Mayor stated that the City's opposition to the proposed runway plan does not affect the buyout of New Ford Town and Rich Acres. Regardless of which runway concept is chosen, the City is in favor of the immediate buyout of the two neighborhoods. Reference was made to the City/MAC Feasibility Study currently being conducted for the complete buyout and redevelopment of the area. The MAC Planning and Environment Committee will meet on October 8 to review the input received from the public meetings held in September and October and make a recommendation to the full MAC Commission of the preferred runway/terminal expansion concept at MSP. The MAC Full Commission will make a final vote on the Long Term Comprehensive Plan and forward its completed plan to the Legislature by the statutory deadline of January 1, 1992. • City/MAC Feasibility Study The City and MAC staff are jointly conducting the feasibility study for the complete buyout and redevelopment of New Ford Town • and Rich Acres properties. On September 20, staff and consultants from the City and MAC met to discuss a scoping document which includes all the elements of the work plan to complete this project. The joint staffs agreed on all the elements of the scoping document including distribution of costs. The total cost for this phase of the project is estimated to be $70,000. The approved work plan/scoping document will be presented for consideration at the MAC Planning and Environment meeting on October 8. Attached is the work plan and schedule. ® FAA Part 150 Program The MAC developed an MSP Land Use Policy Committee (PAC) which monitors and makes recommendations on the development of the land use implementation plan (Part 150 Program) to improve the noise environment around the airport. The committee includes representatives from the FAA, Met Council, MASAC, and the five cities adjacent to MSP airport. City Planner Bill Weaver represents Richfield. The PAC has set the Part 150 funding priorities for 1992. The PAC decided that it would utilize the same funding priority throughout all the program years. As a consequence, the committee adopted a base allocation plus percent of population formula upon which to base funding allocations. The following formula was adopted: • 1. Across the board allocation of 2% of the amount allocated to MSP, and 2. Additional supplement based on the percent of population falling within the 1996 Ldn 65 Contour. Since Richfield accounts for 18.67$ of the total population within the 1996 Ldn 65 Contour (map attached), it will receive 18.67% of the remaining funds after this base allocation. It was felt that use of a base allocation weighted by degree of population exposure would more equitably distribute funds to those areas most in need. The amount of funding available per year will not exceed $4-$5 million. New Ford Town, Rich Acres. and areas west of Cedar Avenue are eligible for Part 150 projects. Attached is the 1992 allocation of Part 150 funds for eligible communities. In regards to mitigation programs and the methods of implementation, the PAC generally agreed that each community should be free to select the most appropriate program and the content of these programs needed to be consistent. The Part 150 mitigation programs include: land use acquisition, sound insulation, purchase guarantee, avigation easement. Attached are descriptions of these programs. The PAC has yet to agree upon the contents of the Avigation Easement and Purchase Guarantee Programs. • s Legislative Strategy for Funding Off-site Improvements As stated above, funding priorities have been set for the Part 150 Program. The City of Richfield will receive about 20% of the $4-$5 million per year allocated for Part 150 Program projects. The MAC has already identified projects it intends to fund with Passenger Facility Charges (PFC's) for 1992. PFC's are fees charged for passenger enplanements on commercial flights at airports. The fees are added to the ticket costs, collected by the airline, and forwarded to the airport authority. Other financing options are needed to fund off-site airport improvements in Richfield. o NWA Financial Assistance Package On July 8, the Richfield City Council adopted a resolution calling for the inclusion of aircraft noise abatement measures be incorporated as an integral part of the State's financial assistance package to NWA. The City Council adopted this resolution as a way to minimize aircraft noise from MSP for Richfield and adjacent airport communities. Similar resolutions have been adopted in the cities of Mendota Heights, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Burnsville and St. Louis Park. Copies are being sent to all State officials, the Congressional delegation from Minnesota, and other involved agencies. • On August 22, representatives from the cities developed a list of major noise issues that NWA should be contractually bound to address as part of the State's financial assistance package to the airline. The group agreed that if NWA hopes to secure from the State $740 million in taxpayer financing, NWA.should be forced to aggresively tackle the aircraft noise problems affecting the Twin Cities residents. A letter was sent to State elected and appointed officials from the mayors of the cities introducing their collective concerns at MSP with the enforced utilization of Stage III aircraft. Representatives from these cities met with Jeff Hamiel, Executive Director of MAC, in September to bring attention to their concerns. e Communiciation of Airport Issues to Richfield Residents City staff is receiving conflicting feedback from Richfield residents regarding recent MSP airport expansion plans and other airport issues. Some residents seem confused regarding the airport proposals and the City's position on the issues. The City provides information to the residents on these subjects through the regular bi-monthly publication of Your City and Schools and the Our Town newsletter. ® MSP Symposia A committee is planning the overall design of a series of public forums which will address issues surrounding the present and future use of MSP airport, and possible future alternative airport sites. The planning committee includes: John Berkford, Mark Bernhardson, Bob Collette, Nigel Finney, Don Groen, John Kenealy, Larry Lee, Charlie LeFevere, Tom Martinson, Jim Prosser, Rob Smith, Byron Wallace and Bill Weaver. The group meets once a month. Attached is the airport symposia outline developed by the committee. e Public Meeting with the Minnesota House Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs Committee At the request of Representative Edwina Garcia, a public meeting has been scheduled with the House Committee for the City of Richfield on October 30, 1991. Rep. Garcia serves on the committee. The purpose of the meeting is to provide the City's position, concerns, and input on several airport issues that will impact Richfield and provide feedback on the overall airport decision process. The meeting will be held from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers at the Richfield City Hall. Following the meeting, the Committee will tour New Ford Town and Rich Acres from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. Recommended Motion: With this background information, the following recommendations are provided to address these issues: e MSP Long Term Comprehensive Plan The recommended strategy regarding the MAC's selection of the north-south runway.as the preferred expansion option includes: 1. Educate the Legislature of the airport decision process and inform them of the City's concerns regarding the expansion option at MSP. The following committees and individuals will be contacted and informed of the City's concerns: Sue Sandahl will send a letter to the State Advisory Council on Airport Planning which oversees the dual- track airport planning process. Jill Schultz, Minnesota Senate Research, who is assigned to various Senate transportation committees. U.S. Representative James Oberstar's Office. Richfield Public Meeting with the House Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs Committee on October 30. 2. Inform the Metropolitan Council. 3. Contact the FAA regarding the need for a FAA Task Force Capacity Study to be conducted on the proposed expansion options at MSP airport. This study is needed to provide objective input on MAC's proposed plans. e FAA Part 150 Program Given the limited amount of funds available to Richfield for Part 150 mitigation projects, the City should focus on the sound insulation program. The program will be implemented on a block- • by-block basis for all eligible properties within the 1996 Ldn 65 noise contour. The property-by-property priority system will be based on the severity of airport noise exposure as determined by the noise contour map. e Legislative Strategy for Funding Off-site Improvements The Legislature should request that MAC find alternative financing methods to fund off-site airport improvements in Richfield. City officials should discuss mitigation issues and the need for alternative financing methods.for Richfield with members of the House Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs Committee at the public meeting scheduled at the Richfield City Hall on October 30. City officials should emphasize that Part 150 Program funds are not enough. e NWA Financial Assistance Package Negotiations are proceeding now for approval of financial assistance from the MAC and the State of Minnesota to NWA. Staff will continue to keep the Council informed of the inclusion of noise abatement policies as part of the negotiated financial assistance package to NWA. e Communication of Airport Issues to Richfield Residents The strategy group recommends that a survey should be conducted of Richfield residents for their input on airport planning issues. The resident survey feedback will provide the City with • resident concerns and opinions on airport issues and how the City could better inform them of matters affecting the community. It will also determine whether the City needs to change its communication plan. e MSP Symposia Staff will continue to provide the Council with information regarding the planning for MSP Symposia. Alternative Recommendations: A variety of alternative recommendations may be discussed at the October 7, 1991 Study Session. Discussion/Decision Mode: These matters will be discussed at the October 7, 1991 Study Session. Respect ully submitted, Jame . Prosser City anager JDP:kb . Attachments • zV F? Ln r-I a N 0 0 0 0 • 0 O' 0 0 0 Cl 00 H dP N Q ON M O N ?O C.l O co co r4 En. %.O N t? (/Y t? x O O O O O N u1 N O - M N M ra vs V)- </> O O O O ?O ?O W 00 dP O 00 %D ON G4 O? O ?O ? U 00 00 %-0 ,-d N V)- O E-f :. O O O O O C7: O N N dP O ^ .' 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Q ? s Q P r, s., "NEW APPROACHES" SYMPOSIA OUTLINE Draft 9/11/91 CONCEPT A series of symposia on a regular (perhaps quarterly) basis which objectively address airport issues. Well-known experts would be asked to appear and speak on selected topics. A "celebrity" (such as retired Congressman Bill Frenzel) moderator will be asked to emcee the sessions on an ongoing basis. These forums will take a hard look at real issues which affect the present and future quality of life in this area.. Conducted on a factual, unbiased basis, the symposia will quickly establish a legacy,of legitimacy and become a trusted source of credible information for residents of the metro area and Minnesota. PURPOSE To provide a high-profile public forum to present and discuss substantive issues surrounding present and future use of Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP), and possible future alternative airport sites. . REASONS FOR HAVING SYMPOSIA • People are confused by the vast array of airport-related matters. e Certain airport views are advanced by groups with selfish or partisan agendas, which clutters the landscape. • Some important subjects are not receiving sufficient notice. e Many airport plans and ideas are too focused on an eventual end result, rather than immediate problems or interim effects. • The two-track planningprocess has put many valid concerns effectively "on hold" until 1996 or beyond. e The phasing of the airport planning process often causes inordinate attention to be focused on transient, "sensational" events to the neglect of other significant issues. • The local media is not an adequate source of neutral, accurate - and comprehensive information. • An ongoing dialogue, accessible to the public, is critical to the legitimacy of the airport decision-making process. C? AUDIENCE • Local government officials from metro area communities, especially airport contiguous communities. •'State legislators, especially legislators from contiguous communities and legislators who will be involved in the airport decision making processes. • Businesses from communities adjacent to airport, airport related businesses, airlines, Chambers of Commerce from communities surrounding airport, MAC, Metro Council, Legislative staff, Federal Legislative staff, news media, public television, Citizens League and other good government organizations. TOPICS • Demonstrations of how land uses surrounding the airport could be converted to make the uses more compatible with the airport and more productive for city purposes, i.e., higher value, higher tax producing capacity, better residential quality, improved esthetics, removal of either current blight or future blight. • Discussion of the potential impact of relocating MSP to a remote site on the core cities surrounding the airport, use of • experience of cities where this has occurred, i.e., Dallas, Kansas City. • Exploration of the impact of dispersing the economic development core by virtue of relocating the airport. • Identification of the "real world" - cost of new airport and financing options, as well as review of the impact of those financing options on financing organization agencies, i.e., Northwest Airlines, state, users (per ticket cost). • Noise impacts • What are the real capacity requirements for MSP - review of Met Council adequacy reports for future; impact of modification of Northwest hubbing procedure on these projections; examination of runway capacity issues; impact of technology; review of historical trends for MSP as well as other airports. COST/FINANCING The budget for the initial symposium is estimated to be $25,000.. Cost primarily related to development of land use plan and graphic presentation. Other symposium costs may vary depending upon topics. Symposium would be sponsored by business contributions. Some potential donors include: • Major businesses, including hospitality industry (Curt Carlson) "NEW APPROACHES" SYMPOSIA OUTLINE Draft 9/11/91 CONCEPT A series of symposia on a regular (perhaps quarterly) basis which objectively address airport issues. Well-known experts would be asked to appear and speak on selected topics. A "celebrity (such as retired Congressman Bill Frenzel) moderator will be asked to emcee the sessions on an ongoing basis. These forums will take a hard look at real issues which affect the present and future quality of life in this area.. Conducted on a factual, unbiased basis, the symposia will quickly establish a legacy of legitimacy and become a trusted source of credible information for residents of the metro area and Minnesota. PURPOSE To provide a high-profile public forum to present and discuss substantive issues surrounding present and future use of Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP), and possible future alternative airport sites. REASONS FOR HAVING SYMPOSIA • e People are confused.by the vast array of airport-related matters. e Certain airport views are advanced by groups with selfish or partisan agendas, which clutters the landscape. e Some important subjects are not receiving sufficient notice. e many airport plans and ideas are too focused on an eventual end result, rather than immediate problems or interim effects. e The two-track planning process has put many valid concerns effectively "on hold" until 1996 or beyond. e The phasing of the airport planning process often causes inordinate attention to be focused on transient, "sensational" events to the neglect of other significant issues. e The local media is not an adequate source of neutral, accurate and comprehensive information. e An ongoing dialogue, accessible to the public, is critical to the legitimacy of the airport decision-making process. 0 • • Stan Hubbard of Hubbard Broadcasting (recommended by Connie Levi) •'Northern States Power • Minnegasco • U.S. West • Minneapolis. Convention Center • Simon & Associates (Mall of America) •.Norman Green (North Stars) • National Car Rental • Norwest • First Banks • St. Paul Companies The symposium would be sponsored by businesses and/or Chambers of Commerce. Cities should provide very low profile. • OTHER ITEMS Consideration should be given to some type of kick-off event to draw special attention to efforts. C, SEP 23 191 15:53 HOLMES & GRAVEN GENERAL BACKGROUND' AND LEGAL AND REGULATORY MATTERS Determine legal framework for cooperative effort between MAC and Richfield. - determine legal authority for. property acquisition, management and disposition • determine legal authority for alternative property disposition Determine and report on all govern- mental approvals required (planning, financing, environmental, etc.) for any action proposed, including all federal, state and local regulatory requirements. Survey experiences, programs and financing methods used by other airports i around the nation. P.2 WORK PLAN Responsible Time/ Party Participants Completion -- Date Holmes do MAC legal staff 1 Week Graven Holmes do MAC legal staff I Week Graven Holmes & Mac legal staff 1 Week Graven Holmes do Mac staff 3 Weeks 'Graven Ralph White Assoc. Publicorp MAC staff 3 Weeks Ralph White Assoc. 1 SEP 23 '91 15:53 HOLMES & GRAVEN 1VORH PLAN P.3 FINANCIAL MATTERS Responsible Party Parts ants Time/ Completion Date Report on legal authority of MAC to Holmes do MAC legal and 2 Days borrow, including statutory and contrac- Graven financial staff fuel limitations on such borrowing. Determine and report on MAC's current . Publicorp MAC financial 1 Day status of borrowing and remaining i authority to borrow. .Identify and evaluate various possible . Publicorp Holmes & Graven 9 4 Weeks sources of revenue available to MAC MAC legal and • including its general revenues, ad financial staff; valorem taxes, passenger facility Ralph White Assoc. ! charges, part 150 money, tax increment, i land sales, and state or federal grants. Develop financial models showing PubIieorp - MAC staff Z Weeks i various program options and reporting City staff ' on how such models would respond to ' Holmes & Graven changes in such variables as availabil- ity of funds, timetable for acquisition , . availability of tax increment, and other revenue and expenditure variables. • Determine relevant legal limitations on Publicorp Holmes do Graven 4 Weeks use of each of the possible sources of Ralph White Assoc. funds. 2 SEP 23 191 15:53 HOLMES & GRAVEN J i? WO$R PLAN ACQUISITION AND Responsible MANAGEMENT i . Par Particiuat_ s Prepare an *stimate of the cost of City Staff BCL Appraisals acquiring and managing property in Carl Holander NPTRA, including costs of acquisition, S ons relocation expenses, legal and consul- Conworth, Inc. tant costs, and all other related Holmes & Graven expenses. { i I • i I P.4 Time/ Completion Date 60 Days 3 SEP 23 '91 15:54 HOLMES & GRAVEN DISPOSITION OR REDEVELOPMENT OP PROPERTIES Develop alternative plans for disposi- tion of property. The plan should pro- vide for considerable flexibility and keep redevelopment options of the City and MAC open to the greatest. extent possible. i i .t t • i P.5 WORK PLAN Responsible Time/ Completion Party Particigant9 Date City Staff MAC Staff ongoing Holmes be Graven Publieporp Land Use Consultants 4 SEP 23 '91 15:54 HOLMES & GRAVEN P,6 f j i ?. WORK PLAN IDENTIFICATION AND Time/ MITIGATION OF IMPACTS ON Responsible CITY AND SCHOOL DISTRICT Completion Party - Pai't1_eipantD?ate? Determine financial impacts on City Publicorp City Staff g Weeks and School District of loss in popula- tion; reduction in tax base; loss of investment in infrastructure; and costs for abandonment, relocation or replacement of infrastructure. -Identify alternatives and develop proposals for the investigation of • these adverse impacts such as payment in lieu of taxes, impact fees, or the like. Determine legal authority for proposals to mitigate impacts. Holmes & Graven City Staff Publicorp MAC Staff 2 Weeks 5 SEP 23 '91 15:54 HOLMES & GRAVEN i i GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Coordinate and oversee all aspects of i the preparation of the feasibility report. Redline, review, collate, and print feasibility report. Prepare draft joint powers agreement for acquisition, management and rode- -velopment. • Determine when existing legal authority - is not adequate to accomplish any given objective. Identify and propose possible legislative changes. 1 } RC145^011 WORK PLAN P.7 Responsible Time/ -P_ Party _ Participants Completion Date e City Staff Holmes dt Graven Holmes '& MAC legal staff Graven Holmes do Publieorp Graven MAC staff 6 2 Days 1 Week ongoing N 0? 1 M 1 n N I N O N 1 N rl M rl 1 N ri ?O 1 N rl 01 N 1 14 1-4 N N 1 rl t-I rl I ri rl m 1 rl rl 1 r1 119 N 1 O rl 0 m T 'AA Y L O Q. VJ ? Z 1 y C Q. yr C cc c ? C r C L D L y C\l C14 Z p co cC C 'a 3 c 3 J o? U v c c Os as cc CM cts r Q N arc o ' C to c O L n 2 a M W g as c as c C. S g L p w 0 ?dw E c - d C $ + g '? d ' a V o J ? rr Ez ?r M l I ? ?' 0? D ^ use a o?? w ???• a-? .,,,,o .f , ? c0 • CITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA Study Session Letter No. 42 Agenda October 7, 1991 Issue Statement: Status of Redistricting Background: Minnesota State Statutes (204B.135 and 204B.14) and the City Charter (2.03) address the issue of redistricting with respect to both the City's obligations and restrictions. In addition, the City is also impacted by Supreme Court cases dealing with the issue of equal protection and the "one person-one vote concept." Currently there are also court challenges in progress concerning the most recent legislative redistricting enacted by the 1991 Legislature. The current status of redistricting as it affects the City of Richfield is now more clear. With the court cases involving legislative redistricting currently unresolved, Hennepin County sought and attained a stay granted until the first week in December 1991. The stay precludes any municipal action on redistricting until after the Legislature lines have been established, which may be as early as the first week,in December. That means that the cities such as Richfield will have 60 days from that time to complete their redistricting work. All • redistricting, both legislative and local ward/precinct boundaries, would become effective for the September 1992 primary election. Richfield's specific task with respect to local redistricting is to equalize the population contained within the City's three wards. While this does not mean that each ward must have exactly the same population, the U.S. Supreme Court in White v. Register indicated that differences larger than 9.9% would clearly suggest a possible equal protection deprivation. Under the present ward configuration the deviation between the largest and smallest (Wards One and Two) is 10.48% (expressed as a percent of the average or ideal district). A relatively minor boundary adjustment could balance the wards well within the 9.9% benchmark. Recommended Motion: Discuss the redistricting process and what direction the City will take in this issue. Basis for Recommendation: 1. A recent stay granted by the courts extends the timeframe within which cities may complete their redistricting. The city now has 60 days past the first week in December to complete its redistricting. • 2. A process should be established to proceed with redistricting, if any change in City ward/precinct boundaries are to be made. • 3. The City's current ward alignment exceeds a court established 9.9% deviation benchmark. Therefore it may be desirable to make some adjustment in ward boundaries to even out the population distribution. Alternative Recommendation: 1. The City Council could decide to make no changes and risk a future challenge based upon equal protection. 2. The City Council could postpone this issue to a future meeting. Discussion/Decision Mode: If the City Council establishes a process now for dealing with the redistricting issue, the City will be in a good position to undertake and complete this task within the statutorily established timeframe. The City Charter indicates that redistricting changes must be done by ordinance. Thus, with the need for two ordinance readings as well as necessary publications, timing will be extremely important. 0 JDP:ds Respe f ly submitted, Jame Prosser City J-- anager Attorneys at Law ROBERT A. ALSOP PAUL D.BAERTSCHI "ONALD H. BATTY ARYJ.BRENDEN STEPHEN J. BUSUL ROBERT C. CARLSON CHRISTINE M. CHALE JOHN B. DEAN MARY G. DOBBINS JEFFREY ENG STEFANIE N. GALEY DAVID L. GRAVEN CORRINE A. HEINE JAMES S. HOLMES DAVID J. KENNEDY JOHN R. LARSON WELLINGTON H. LAW August 2,19 91 Mr. Thomas P. Ferber City Clerk City of Richfield 6700 Portland Ave. S. Richfield, MN 55423 HOLMES & GRAVEN CHARTERED 170 Pillsbury Center. Minneapolis. Minnesota 55102 (612) 337-9300 JULIE A. LAWLER Facsimile (612) 337-9310 CHARLES L. LEFEVERE JOHN M. LEFEVRE.JR. ROBERT J. LINDA LL LAURA K. MOLLET DANIEL R. NELSON BARBARA L.PORTWOOD WRITER'S DIRECT DIAL !NARY FRANCES SKALA JAMES M. STROMMEN STEVEN M.TALLEN JAMES J. THOMSON. JR. LARRY M. WERTHEIM 337-9207 BONNIE L. WILKINS OF COUNSEL ROBERT L. DAVIDSON JOHN G. HOESCHLER Re: Issues raised in your letter of July 2, 1991 • Dear Tom: In your above-referenced letter you have asked for my comment regarding the phrase "as nearly equal as practicable" as that term is used in Section 2.03 of the Richfield Charter relating to redistricting. That phrase, and phrases of similar import, have been found in charters and statutes for many years. However, the need to have a clear understanding of the phrase became apparent when the U.S. Supreme Court decided the case of Avery v. Midland County in 1968. According to that case, disproportionate voting strength violated the equal protection clause of the Constitution. "The Constitution permits no substantial variation from equal protection in drawing districts for units of local government . . ..It This decision has given rise to the "one person - one vote" concept; and has resulted in a great number of cases in the federal courts. Although it is difficult to give a concise summary of all the cases, three points appear to be common themes: 1. Districts need not have exactly. the same population. 2. The U.S. Supreme Court in the case of White v. Register indicated that differences larger than 9.9% would clearly suggest a possible equal protection deprivation. 3. Variations, and especially those which are 10% or more, will still be • considered constitutional if they can be justified by "legitimate state considerations." Mr. Thomas Ferber • August 39 1991 Page 2 On the basis of the material which you provided me, it appears that the deviation between Wards 1 and 2 (the smallest and largest) is 10.48%. As a result of this analysis, it appears that the City may not be able to rely upon the 9.9% "minor deviation" rule. Consequently, the disparity between Wards 1 and 2 should be supported on other practical considerations which make it unrealistic to come within the "minor deviation" rule. Among the factors which might be relevant are: (i) location of legislative districts (when they become known); (ii) location of physical barriers such as, major roadways; and (iii) location or precincts. After you have had an opportunity to review this material, please advise so that we can discuss it further. Respectfully yours, r John B. Dean JBD:rsr RC160-001 1 "Deviation" is used in the cases to mean the difference in population between the largest and smallest districts expressed as a percentage of the • average or ideal district. • CITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA Study Session Letter No.43 Agenda October 7, 1991 Issue Statement: Discussion of final action approving consolidation of Police Relief Association and PERA-Police and Fire Fund. Background: At the October 8, 1990 City Council meeting, a resolution supporting certain improvements to the Police Relief Association benefit structure and an expression of intent to consolidate with the Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA) Police & Fire Fund was adopted. The benefit improvements included the following: - College incentive pay to be included in salary calculation for pension computations. - A reduced retirement based upon earned service credit upon age 50.- - Elimination of the two unit reduction for deferred pensions. . Since that initial action, several events have occurred:. - On May 3, 1991, an election of all eligible members of the Richfield Police Relief Association was conducted and resulted in overwhelming member support for consolidation. - The.Legislature passed and the Governor signed a bill authorizing the proposed member benefit improvements upon the approval of the City Council. - The City Council gave preliminary approval to consolidation of the Richfield Police Relief Association with the PERA Police & Fire Fund at the June 10, 1991 City Council meeting. - All formal notification have been made pursuant to Minnesota statutes. - An actuarial analysis has been completed by the Wyatt Company, reflecting the costs of consolidation including the new.proposed benefit enhancements. The City and Police Relief Association are awaiting final information from the State Board of Investments and PERA Police and Fire. After those notifications are received, the City will • have 60 days to take final action on the consolidation, or lose the opportunity to consolidate for a year. Two financial comparisons accompany the Council Letter. first is a Wyatt Report entitled "Actuarial Calculations Preliminary to Consolidation." The second is a one-page cost comparison. • The employer The data from both sources reflects a first year's worst case contribution by the City of $521,364 as compared to a contribution of $314,122 prior to consolidation and benefit enhancements. However, under consolidation, the City would save approximately $75,000 annually in administrative costs. Further, the worst case annual contribution is reduced by each Police Relief Association member who selects benefits under the PERA Police and Fire Fund. If every member selected benefits under the PERA Police and Fire Fund after consolidation, the City's annual contribution would be $110,005. Thus, the unknown factor of what portion of Police Relief Association employees select PERA Police and Fire Fund benefits has a significant impact upon the City's future cost of consolidation. Recommended Motion: Discuss the consolidation package, especially with respect to the actuarial cost estimate. Basis of Recommendation: 1. The City and Richfield Police Relief Association are moving through the process of consolidation with all requirements completed except for final City approval. 2. The City Council will soon have to make a decision on whether or not to adopt final approval of the consolidation including the benefit enhancements. Alternative Recommendation: 1. The City could choose to make a final decision without the . preliminary discussion of costs. 2. The City Council could ignore the matter entirely, thereby causing the consolidation bid and benefit enhancements to expire. Discussion/Decision Mode: The City Council must formally act on this matter within the next few months if the consolidation is to occur. Therefore, an informal discussion of the relevant data would be very timely at the October 7, 1991, Study Session. Respe ully submitted, Ja D. Prosser • City Manager JDP:ds 0 Current Active Police Relief Association members 10-1-91 Captains Fritz Lambert Lieutenants Suech Sergeants Hanson Johnson Merabella Sandell Investiaators/Agents Hollick • Lotzer Mead Pilcher Patrol Officers Benedict Burge Dubberke Edwards Fitzhenry Gabrysh Kleist Thill t~ ?4 .,? ? U b?? LO O If) O r-i 0 0 ? H H oa U a' •ri 4 ) Lr) 001 - - , L17 M 10 N N d? ? a ((a % CAP to '0 r-I b 0) LO LO LO C- ON w H co M LO N O r-I 0 CC) O O Ea ? a ? aD 10 t0 .0 In ra tR •K 0 Ica M O M ?OCr/L??/? C7% L4,% MdgW co r•IMt? L" LO N CO co El- L- O LO d? ca 4-) - Ow E •r1 a) •r1 0 w w ? °' N M M r -I m d? 0\0 10 LO a% (0 P +) L? r-f LO LO r -I M 10 o o ro co o (A CD co LO H m co a i 0 O Oro u co 00 M r1 11 01% M ko ko M ••i ro •rl •I-> ro V Ua Ua w O f4 r•1 ao M E- A N a ? a) A b 0 M ca p Ua r•I w p w 14(1) BOO O NAP OUw a)aa) r -I -r1 0 O a > > 3 t~ U () O •rl O •r4 H U) U 4-)d* iJ (? cd co <0 c0 a) p V ? V V u O r. a) •A CO • l .r., H ri O a) 0 4-) r-I CO N O .0 •ra Ua •r1 00 0% ON M O V-q T-4 C14 4J 4-) W ro (D d P 0 0 10 N ca 0 Q 0404 % Ln N co r-I l? CY) ? Q O r-I N . 0 ' . 4-) W rr %D LO r-I N r-I 11 r -I a) w O •rq 0 00 N 00 r-I r-1 I . t!? t!? 4 14 i!? t!? O4 Ow t m U -H W U •r1 N 3 > >1 O cd d-) r-4 c 0 .-1 4-) O ^ co p O O V] •? •r1 Oro $4 a a) 1 H + ? a A A E 4-) a' z tio a • •I-) co a m>1 0 Ua •?a?i LL a) ca roU r- va ? 'Q N P E W O U w P Ua P ro a 4' ro 04 ry a i O a W a) w • W S-I - ri O ca 4-1 a r-I 4-) 0 wro ar? Ua O O .,-l 045 Ua Ua m .H m p E ro r. c0 Ua f~ O •r1 04 5 O co Ua c? O •r1 cC 0 m a) O O m O a) 0 ro •x • RICHFIELD POLICE RELIEF ASSOCIATION ACTUARIAL CALCULATIONS PRELIMINARY TO CONSOLIDATION 0 • GV4'1intt RECEIVED 3133 2 3 1991 .. Y--- • July 18, 1991 Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement 55 State Office Building St. Paul, Minnesota 55155 RE: RICHFIELD POLICE RELIEF ASSOCIATION lJ Commission Members: We have performed actuarial calculations preliminary to consolidation for the Relief Association as of January 1, 1991 based on membership and financial data supplied by the Relief Association. We certify that to the best of our knowledge anc performed in accordance with the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, and the requirements of the adopted by the Commission on September 20, 1989. belief this actuarial work was Sections 353A.05 and 356.215, Standards for Actuarial Work, Respectfully submitted, THE WYATT COMPANY Robert E. Perkins, FSA Michael C. Gunvalson, FSA Consulting Actuary Actuary cc: The Honorable Mark Dayton, State Auditor The Honorable Joan Anderson Growe, Secretary of State Howard Bicker, State Board of Investment Laurie Hacking, Public Employees Retirement Association James Noble, Legislative Auditor Peter Hutchinson, Commissioner of Finance Kenneth Pilcher, Richfield Police Relief Association Steven L. Devich, City of Richfield 'aft REPORT PRELIMINARY TO CONSOLIDATION The purpose of this report is to estimate the cost of consolidating the Relief Association with PERA Police and Fire (P&F) as specified in Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 353A prior to potential final municipal approval of the consolidation question. The consolidation process provides the Relief Association members and their beneficiaries an opportunity to change their retirement benefit plan coverage by electing between Relief Association and P&F benefits. In order to evaluate the financial aspects of consolidation, the costs in Table 1 have been determined under three possible outcomes - all individuals elect Relief Association benefits (column 2), all individuals elect P&F benefits (column 3) and each individual elects the benefit plan which has the greater total benefit plan actuarial value (column 4). Table 1 also compares the consolidation calculations to those found in the actuarial valuation of the Relief Association as of December 31, 1990, prepared by Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Company. The Relief Association benefits in columns 1 and 2 are not identical. The benefits in column 2 incorporate the changes in plan provisions found in the 1991 Bill (Chapter No. 96, House File No. 579). That Bill provides for changes in the definition of salary, benefit eligibility and benefit level. Another source of the difference in liabilities and costs is the use of different actuarial assumptions as required by statute. Table 2 shows the data and lists the major assumptions. 0 -1- GU'nff .. y. - • Whenever a retired member or the retired member's surviving spouse elects P&F benefits, the reserve for that benefit must be transferred to the Minnesota Post Retirement Investment Fund (MPRIF). The amount to be transferred if all benefit recipients who are eligible for MPRIF elect P&F benefits is $3,994,089, which is less than the current market value of assets. This amount includes an estimated increase of 4.00% for those who meet the MPRIF eligibility rules for a January 1, 1992 benefit adjustment. Current benefit recipients who are not eligible for MPRIF will be paid directly by PERA. Their benefits will be escalated by the same percentage that applies to MPRIF annuitants, however no funds are required to be transferred to MPRIF. Although the costs shown in Table 1 represent an appropriate range of estimates available today, the costs are subject to change in future years following the consolidation. The true cost of any pension plan is not completely determined until the last benefit payment has been made to the last benefit recipient. Prior to that date, annual budgets are determined by making assumptions regarding future experience. Each year in the future following consolidation, municipal costs will be redetermined based on the elections made by members and beneficiaries and will consist of the following components: Regular contributions (line 7Z - a variable cost which will depend on the compensation of members still active. C -2- 6W2, ntt Additional contributions (line 6) - a fixed cost which is an annual • amount of $410,932, the amount required to amortize the initial unfunded consolidation actuarial liability shown in column 4 of Table 1 by the year 2010. Additional contributions (undeterminable at this time) - a variable cost which will depend on actual experience. 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U 01 O O L T L ++ C d Q L E . U U 4-1 N y C a C N O i i CITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA Study Session Letter No. 44 Agenda October 7, 1991 Issue Statement: Discussion of the need to purchase a replacement broadcast camera and ancillary equipment. Background: Approximately five years ago, the City purchased a three-tube broadcast grade camera. The three-tube camera is being used in conjunction with a new three-chip broadcast camera and a single- chip ceiling mount camera to cablecast City Council meetings. All three cameras are merged through the central control panel which allows the director to select various camera views based on Council meeting activity, public speakers and other considerations. One difficulty staff has been encountering with the current arrangement is that the color balancing of the outdated three- tube camera and chip-cameras is extremely difficult. Even with the best equipment available on the market, it is not possible to completely match a tube camera with a chip camera. With the limited equipment the City presently has available, the cameras cannot be balanced beyond a reasonable guess. The result, combined with an aging camera, has been some very poor quality • broadcasts recently. Some of those broadcasts have come out unusually green tinted and there is a marked difference between colors from one camera shot to another. The solution to the problem would be twofold: First, the antiquated three-tube camera should be replaced with a three-chip camera model as similar as possible to the City's current three- chip camera. This would provide for matching camera light intensity and colors as nearly as possible. Second, a simple vectorscope should be purchased so the broadcast staff has a piece of equipment capable of color balancing a multi-camera broadcast. Items such as a vectorscope are normally considered standard equipment in a studio cable production setting. A new three-chip camera along with the appropriate lens and power source would cost somewhere in the vicinity of $5,600. The vectorscope would be approximately $1,850. Adequate funds are available for these purchases in the Cable Television/Public Information Fund. Franchise fees paid to the City of Richfield quarterly provide funding for cable broadcast of the City's Council meetings and other selected public meetings. Those funds are provided to cover the expenses of purchasing equipment and personal services necessary to bring these and other public • service productions to Richfield citizens. If the Council is generally in agreement with the purchase of this equipment, City staff will proceed to get quotations from .appropriate vendors and present this item to the City Council at a future Council meeting for formal approval. Recommended Motion: Discuss the need for additional cable equipment and replacement of a camera. Basis of Recommendation: 1. The City's cable broadcast of City Council meetings provides an invaluable service to Richfield citizens allowing everyone connected to the system with an opportunity to be informed on current City issues. 2. Public access broadcasts, such as the presentation of the City Council meetings, are covered under franchise fees collected through the cable company and remitted to the City. Those fees are meant to provide cities with the funds to provide public access. 3. There is adequate funding in the Cable Fund to pay for the purchase of the camera and the vectorscope. 4. The current quality of the City Council broadcasts with the older three-tube camera is not of a level that the City • cable production staff feel comfortable with. Alternative Recommendation: 1. City Council could elect to continue using the equipment that the City presently has for broadcasting City Council meetings. However, the quality will either remain at the current level or perhaps deteriorate as the equipment ages. 2. The City Council could suggest that staff proceed with purchasing either the camera or the vectorscope but not both. However, it should be noted that both are needed to completely solve the problem. At minimum, the three-tube camera should be replaced. Discussion/Decision Mode: This item is being discussed at the October 7 meeting so that if Council generally agrees, staff could attain competitive quotations in time to present this item at a Council meeting in October and have the new equipment on board for the last few Council meetings of 1991. Respectfully submitted, Jam Prosser 0 Cit g ager JDP:ds