05-01-89 agendaCITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA
Study Session Letter No. 14
Agenda May 1, 1989
Issue Statement:
Policy and Strategy Recommendations for Airport Related Issues.
Background:
The Richfield Airport Strategy Group has reviewed issues and
events relating to airport issues and has provided
recommendations for policy and strategy implementation.
Recent developments regarding the airport include the following:
o The airport "slow roll-out" questionnaire has been
completed. Final results of the full survey should
be available after May 8, 1989.
The argument which largely swayed respondents who
favored a move into strongly opposing a move, was
argument that local jobs in airport-related
industries would be jeopardized. This is true for
both of the samples. In the Richfield sample,
the "undecideds" tended to fall into the strongly
opposed category after they heard the arguments.
The 13th ward of the Minneapolis sample indicated
they were worried the downtown area would be
affected.
o Airport "dual-track planning" legislation is
quickly moving through both houses of the
legislature. Representatives Tjornhom and Henry
each tried to add local elected officials to the
Advisory Council in the bill, but narrowly failed
in the House Governmental Operations Committee.
Senator Freeman successfully added a local elected
official from Bloomington, Minneapolis, Richfield,
and St. Paul to the Senate version of the bill.
The bill is on the Floors of both Houses.
o Staff continued discussions with MAC regarding the
possibility of support for redevelopment of the
noise-impacted portions of New Ford Town, from
residential uses to uses more compatible to the
airport.
o Audiences and messages have been identified to
further Richfield's public relations efforts
regarding MSP remaining where it is. Approaches to
convey the messages to the audiences have been
suggested.
Recommended Action:
With this background, the following recommendations are provided
to address these issues:
o Airport Questionnaire. The strategy group
recommends that Decision Resources proceed with the
full survey. The "slow roll-out" indicates that
Richfield needs to develop a public information
effort in the areas of affected local jobs and the
costs involved should the airport move. The
strategy group recommends that the City
should educate the public, both locally and
generally on these issues.
o Airport Planning Legislation. Staff has
coordinated efforts with MAC, Met Council and AMM
in drafting an amendment adding Richfield and
Bloomington representation to the Advisory Council.
A version of that amendment was unanimously adopted
in a Senate Committee, and there has been an
indication that a similar amendment will be moved
on the House Floor. The strategy group pointed out
that if the amendment is not eventually adopted,
Richfield can still lobby those who are on the
Advisory Council. Staff will continue to work with
MAC, Met Council and AMM in passing the amendment.
o New Ford Town Property Uses. No action or
recommendations are provided on this issue. Staff
will continue to work with MAC to determine the
financing alternative uses for noise-impacted
property within this area, consistent with the
Part 150 study.
o Public Relations Efforts. The strategy group
recommends that Richfield develop a stakeholders'
group. This could be a coalition including:
airline employees, the service sector, MAC, the
hospitality industry, etc. The common denominator
would be that the airport should remain where it
is. The group should however, remain open-minded
and reasonable.
Possible messages to include in public relations
efforts could be the various costs involved.
Approaches to convey those messages could be: Your
City and Schools, the Richfield Sun-Current, and
downtown merchants.
Additional issues will be identified with the
completion of the telephone survey.
Audiences could include: the general public
(Richfield, and the rest of the metro area),
legislators (state and federal), FAA, airport
employees, MAC, and Met Council. Additional
approaches include seeking help from: NW Airlines,
Chambers of Commerce, media, and area organizations
such as Rotary Clubs.
The strategy group recommends that the messages be
positive. For example, "Our cities need to plan!
We need to help our people!" and not, "No one
looked at these issues." A background piece could
be developed regarding the need for planning for
the future for this issue.
Alternative Recommendation:
1. A variety of alternative recommendations may be discussed
at the May 1st study session.
Discussion/Decision Mode:
This matter will be discussed at the May 1st study session.
Respect lly submitted,
Jame Prosser
City anager
JDP/mba