05-09-06 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
May 9, 2006
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 5:03 p.m.
Members Present:
Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg (arrived at 5:09 p.m.); Bill Kilian; Sue
Sandahl; and Fred Wroge.
Steven Devich, City Manager; Bruce Palmborg, Community Development
Director; Dan Scott, Public Safety Director; Betsy Osborn, Health
Administrator; Jean Flesher, Health Assistant/Licensing Specialist; Charlie
O'Brien, Code Compliance Specialist; Lynette Chambers, Leased Housing
Specialist; Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary; and Corrine Thomson, City
Attorney.
Staff Present:
Item#1
Health Administrator Osborn explained how the City has organized a small group called
Richfield Rental Property Program to discuss issues impacting rental properties in the community.
Their objectives are to help homeowners and renters maintain healthy and safe standards through
compliance and training. In 2005, the City Council directed staff to undertake a process to address
current occupancy ordinances and provide recommendations.
Health Administrator Osborn stated the group has been working with the City Attorney's office
to draft an ordinance that will prevent stressful, over occupancy issues to homes, neighbors and the
community.
Health Administrator Osborn reviewed the group's intention statement, the current ordinance
(506.07, Subd. 31) defining family and proposed ordinance amendments to Section 405.07.
The City Council and staff discussion included:
. deleting the ordinance language based strictly upon square footage
. minimum space, use and location requirements
. bedroom size as defined in the building code
. exceptions to the ordinance
. appeal process, if challenged
. Richfield being the first city in the metropolitan area to take this approach to address
occupancy issues
. process for staff to become aware of rental properties
. possible additional fees to cover staff costs
Special Worksession Minutes
-2-
May 9, 2006
The City Council agreed with removing the square footage reference because it provides
easier monitoring of the number of occupants in a residence.
The City Council consensus was to have the proposed ordinance match the building code
requirements on bedroom size.
Item # 2
Health Administrator Osborn provided an update on the City's property maintenance plan of
action and the progress on solutions to issues, including enhanced efforts and new initiatives to
streamline the process.
The City Council and staff discussion included:
. availability of communication materials in Spanish
. effectiveness of environmental health violation cards used by staff
. use of the abatement process if there is a failure to comply or continued problem
. Clean-up Day fees
The City Council requested staff contact other cities to determine how they handle the storage
of residential garbage containers and provide a report to them.
Item # 3
Health Administrator Osborn reviewed the City's current commercial vehicle ordinance
(Section 1320.01) related to parking locations.
The City Council and staff discussion included:
. summary of surrounding cities
. need to determine a definition of a commercial vehicle based upon weight, size, loaded,
unloaded
. determination of criteria and threshold for a violation to be considered
. staff concerns regarding code enforcement and administration
The City Council consensus was to provide staff 30 days to develope criteria related to
tonight's discussion and the City Council's intent to keep commercial looking vehicles out of
residential areas.
Public Safety Director Scott stated enforcement of this ordinance on any vehicle is on hold
pending the City Council determination on how to proceed.
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:23 p.m.
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Cheryl K m.
Recording Secretary
Date Approved: May 23, 2006