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01-05-87 agendaCITY OF RICHFIELD; MINNESOTA Council Letter No. 5 Study Session January 5, 1987 Issue Statement: Consideration of Minnesota Polars or Minnesota Timber Wolves for a Minnesota NBA Basketball Team Background: In anticipation of bringing a professional basketball team to Minnesota, the Minnesota NBA Basketball organization has conducted a "Name the Team" contest. They have selected two names from those submitted, the Minnesota Polars and the Minnesota Timber Wolves. The Minnesota NBA Basketball organization has requested each city in the state to consider the two alternatives and make a selection by January 9, 1987. Recommendation: Select either the Minnesota Timber Wolves or the Minnesota Polars as Richfield's choice for a professional basketball team. Basis for Recommendation: 1. The Minnesota NBA Basketball organization has requested input from city council's in the State of Minnesota. Alternative Recommendation: 1. Do Nothing. Discussion/Decision Mode: The organization has requested that they be notified of the city's choice by January 9, 1987. Therefore, this item is placed on the January 5, 1987 study session for consideration. Respectfully submitted, Jam D. Prosser City Manager JDP/eja Cj CITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA Council Letter No. 4 January 5, 1987 Study Session Issue Statement: Consideration of Date to Conduct Commission Applicant Interviews Background: The terms of many members of the city's various boards and commissions expire on January 31 each year. The city is presently advertising for applicants, and has requested that all applications be submitted no later than January 9, 1986. In the past, the city council has requested an opportunity to briefly interview each applicant before making appointments to the boards and commissions. Even though the interviews are very brief, because there is usually a large number of applicants, these interviews can take up to three hours to complete. Recommendation: It is recommended that the city council select the evening of either January 21 or January 22 to conduct commission applicant interviews, beginning at 6:15 P.M. Basis for Recommendation: 1. The city council has expressed a desire to meet applicants before making appointments. 2. The deadline for applications is January 9. Selecting either January 21 or January 22 for interviews would allow the staff sufficient time to notify the applicants of their interview appointments. Alternative Recommendation: 1. Make the appointments to the boards and commissions without interviewing applicants. 2. Select another date for the interviews. Discussion/Decision Mode: Appointments to the various boards and commissions is scheduled for the January 26, 1987 city council meeting. This will help to ensure that the various boards and commissions have a full membership for their February meetings. Respectfully submitted, Jame D. Prosser City Manager JDP/eja CITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA Council Letter No. 3 Council Study Session January 5, 1987 Issue Statement: Council liaison appointments for 1987. Background: Members of the city council act in a liaison capacity to various city and metropolitan boards and commissions. The liaison appointments are usually made at the first council meeting each January. A list of the 1987 appointments, and the 1986 liaisons is attached to this council letter. Recommendation: It is recommended that city council members review these liaison appointments and express their opinion on which boards and commission they would like to serve. Basis for Recommendation: 1. This will give council members an opportunity to discuss among themselves which boards and commissions they wish to represent. 2. Council members will be able to check their schedules to make sure that they can attend meetings of those boards and commissions to which they are appointed as liaison. Alternative Recommendation: 1. Do not discuss the appointments. Discussion/Decision Mode: This item has been placed on the January 5 study session for council recommendations. The appointments will be acted upon formally at the January 12, 1986 city council meeting. Respectfully submitted, Jame . Prosser City anager JDP/eja r _1 ?.J COMMISSION-LIAISON APPOINTMENTS AGENCY 1986 LIAISON ASSOC. METRO. MUNICIPALITIES (AMM) One representative, one alternate Meets: Annual Mtg. + Various CATV COMMISSION Two directors, two alternates Meets: First Wednesday, 7:30 P.M. January-April-June-October LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES (LMC) One representative, one alternate Meets: Annual Mtg. June + Various MASAC Two representatives, two alternates Meets: Fourth Tuesday, 7:30 P.M. RICHFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT One delegate, one alternate Meets: First and Third Mon., 7:00 P.M. STOREFRONT/YOUTH ACTION, INC. One liaison, one alternate Meets: Fourth Tuesday, 7:30 A.M. SOUTH HENN. HUMAN SVCES. COUNCIL (SHHSC) Four directors, staggered two-year terms Meets: Third Wednesday, 7:30 P.M. SUBURBAN RATE AUTHORITY One director, one alternate Meets: As Needed ADVISORY BOARD OF HEALTH One liaison, one alternate Meets: Third Monday, 7:00 P.M. COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION One liaison, one alternate Meets: Second Tuesday, 7:00 P.M. ENERGY AWARENESS ADVISORY COMMISSION One liaison, one alternate Meets: Third Tuesday, 7:00 P.M. 1987 LIAISON Martin Kirsch John Hamilton, Alt. John Hamilton, Dir. James Prosser, Dir. Ivan Ludeman, Alt. Steven Devich, Alt. Ivan Ludeman, Rep. Edwina Garcia, Alt. Edwina Garcia, Rep. Don Priebe, Rep. John Hamilton, Alt. James Prosser, Alt. John Hamilton, Del. Michael Sandahl, Alt. Edwina Garcia, Lia. John Hamilton, Alt. Sgt. J. Nelson, Dir. Ivan Ludeman, Dir. Michael Sandahl, Dir. Don Hassenstab, Alt. Martin Kirsch, Lia. Thomas Morgan, Alt. Michael Sandahl, Lia. Ivan Ludeman, Alt. Michael Sandahl, Lia. Edwina Garcia, Alt. w t MAGENCY - 1986 LIAISON 1987 LIAISON AN RIGHTS COMMISSION HUM Edwina Garcia, Lia. One liaison, one alternate John Hamilton, Alt. Meets: First Tuesday., 7:00 P.M. HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION Martin Kirsch, Lia. One liaison, one alternate Ivan Ludeman, Alt. Meets: Second Thursday, 4:30 P.M. PLANNING COMMISSION Martin Kirsch, Lia. One liaison, one alternate Edwina Garcia, Alt. Meets: Fourth Tuesday, 7:30 P.M. SISTER CITY INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD John Hamilton, Lia. One liaison, one staff member James Prosser, Alt. Meets: Second Thursday, 7:00 P.M. ACTING CITY MANAGER Steven L. Devi ch MAYOR PRO TEMPORE Ivan Ludeman Mayor Pro Tempore: 1986-Ludeman 1985-Sandahl 1984-Ludeman 1983-Ludeman 1982-Ludeman 11 CITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA Council Letter No. 2 Study Session January 5, 1987 Issue Statement: Request by Walser Corporation for the City to vacate a portion of 78th Street (see attached diagram), and construct a new street segment redirecting traffic from 78th and Penn to 77th Street. Background: Several months ago, as part of its general review of the Penn/77/78 Street intersection, the City of Richfield explored the possibility of redirecting the east leg of the 78th/Penn intersection to 77th Street for the purposes of reducing potential traffic conflicts in this area and improving general traffic control. This alternative was one of several alternatives examined as part of the intersection design plan. City discussions regarding this change ceased at that time. Once discussion relating to 494 improvements were initiated it became clear that there was a need to delay any changes in this area until such time as it was known how 494 improvements would impact the Penn/78th Street area. Subsequent to the discussion with Walser regarding this possibility, Walser began planning improvements within their site, including the acquisition of the Viking Center for a new Mazda site, possible location of a BMW dealership on the old Mazda site, and general improvements to the Buick site. Two special use permits were conditionally approved by the City Council in order to accommodate some changes in the Buick and proposed Mazda (Viking Center) site. It was the opinion of the city staff that the proposed improvements by Walser Corporation would improve the general operation and appearance of the Walser Dealerships in this area and also improve the impact of the site on the neighborhood. One of the conditions of the special use approval was execution of a lease agreement between Walser Corporation and the City of Richfield for the portion of right-of-way currently used by Walser to store and display vehicles. As previously reported to the Council, Walser has indicated a reluctance to execute the agreement because the total cost of the improvements does not apparently provide sufficient benefit to the-Walser Corporation. Part of the cost of improvements calculated was the cost of the lease, $6,000 annually. In recent discussions with city staff, Walser Corporation indicated a desire for the City to examine the option of redirecting 78th Street to 77th Street per previous discussions and for the City to pick up a portion or all of the estimated cost ($15-20,000 for a 9 ton street of the same size) of this improvement. City staff response at that time was that it did not appear appropriate to consider such a change because of the uncertainty of the impact the 494 improvements would have upon this area; and secondly, that it did not appear to be in the city's interest to pay for such improvements considering the fact that there are a number of other improvements that could be made which would have a more significant impact upon the community than this proposed improvement. Concern was also expressed relating to the wisdom of paying for such improvement with the uncertainty of the 494 changes. Walser proposed a compromise whereby they would suspend the lease payment for that portion of the right-of-way used by Walser until such time as the roadway issue was clarified. Alternatively, they suggested that the city return the revenue gained from the lease of this right-of-way to pay for,the roadway changes to 78th Street. Staff rejected all of the concepts, but recommended that since this was a policy issue, that the matter would be best heard by the City Council. It was suggested that this matter be presented at a workshop session for discussion. Recommendation: It is the opinion of staff that no changes in roadway be authorized at this time, given the uncertainty of 494 improvements. Furthermore, it may be appropriate to give an indication to Walser that even if such roadway improvement would be appropriate given once 494 improvements are definite that the city should not pay for the cost of those improvements to 78th Street. Basis for Recommendation: 1. Uncertainty of 494 improvements. 2. It would be inappropriate for the City to expend funds at this point in time pending final outcome of 494 study. 3. Even if such improvement were appropriate given once 494 plans are definite, the funds for leasing city property are General Fund monies and should not be considered for use just within the scope of the Walser area, but should be' considered as General Funds and the Walser project should compete with other projects as it relates to overall community needs. If this is done, the Walser project would not appear to rank high. Walser has indicated that unless they receive the support of the city in this roadway improvement, they would not be able to undertake any of the changes to the site, including improvements to the Buick site, the improvements to the Mazda site, including acquisition of Viking Center, and the improvements to the Viking Center site as a BMW dealership. While this indeed would be unfortunate, it is nevertheless the opinion of the staff that the position of the city remain ?- firm. The overall financial impact of the Walser operation on the city is not favorable, comparing the cost of our ,.r r ` services for this site and the revenues received. Revenues of the city should be used to promote areas which have a more positive cost impact upon the community, especially considering the fact that we do have limited resources. Alternative Recommendation: 1. The city could certainly comply with the request of Walser. However, it does not appear to be in our best interest to utilize scarce city resources in order to promote businesses which are not as cost beneficial to the community as other businesses might be. Discussion/Decision Mode: This item has been placed on the January 5, 1987 study session agenda for discussion purposes. Respectfully submitted, D. P rosser Ja /V, Ci nager JDP/eja C3 a P7 CITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA Council Letter No. 1 Study Session January 5, 1986 Issue Statement: Restaurants Ventures II Incorporated Versus the City of Richfield Background: Depositions in the above case have been scheduled to begin January 6, 1987. In order to prepare for the depositions, the city attorney and the attorneys representing the insurance company, have requested an opportunity to meet with the Planning Commission and City Council Members. That meeting has been scheduled as an Executive Session at 7:00 P.M., Monday, January 5. Recommendation: 1. It is recommended that the City Council and the Planning Commission meet in Executive Session with the city attorney and the attorneys representing the insurance company at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, January 5, 1986 to prepare for the taking of depositions in the matter of Restaurants Ventures II Incorporated Versus the City of Richfield. Basis for Recommendation: 1. It is important for Council Members and Planning Commission Members to prepare for the taking of the depositions. Alternative Recommendation: 1. Not hold the executive session. However, this may mean that some persons may not be prepared for the taking of depositions. Discussion/Decision Mode: Depositions are scheduled to begin on January 6, 1987. Therefore this Executive Session has been scheduled for January 5, 1987. Respectfully submitted, Jame D. Prosser City Manager JDP/eja