07-28-09 WorksessionJ
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
July 28, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 5:35 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Sue Sandahl; Pat Elliott; Fred Wroge; and Tom
Fitzhenry.
Staff Present: Steven Devich, City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Kristin
Asher, City Engineer; and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item # I DISCUSSION REGARDING STORMWATER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM (MEMO NO. 126)
Public Works Director Eastling and City Engineer Asher made a PowerPoint presentation (City
Clerk File No. C-453) including history, quantity versus quality, Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
status, quantity projects, quantity benefits, City Hall, and regional projects.
Pete Willenbring, WSB consultant, discussed feasibility reports related to the flooding issues
in the vicinities of 65th Street/Newton Avenue and 68th Street/Oliver Avenue.
Mr. Willenbring reviewed various alternatives to address the problems and recommendations
for the most cost-effective, feasible options for each area.
Sherry Barnes, 6525 Newton Avenue, who stated she does not experience flooding in her
home, spoke in opposition to a retaining wall due to safety and liability issues. She suggested a
different style wall and that the City purchase two homes that are currently in foreclosure and flood
regularly as a way to address flooding problems.
Council Member Wroge agreed this may be an opportune time to contact the financial
agencies regarding purchasing the foreclosed homes and consider creating a pond for overflow
water.
Mr. Willenbring stated the location of the homes will determine if purchasing is a reasonable
use of public dollars for private benefit.
Council Member Sandahl added that obtaining unanimous decisions of the homeowners on
how to address the flooding may be difficult.
City Engineer Asher discussed the Legion-Taft-Nokomis area water quality improvement
project.
Special Worksession Minutes -2- July 28, 2009
Mr. Willenbring stated this project could significantly reduce pollutants loading in Lake
Nokomis from Richfield.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:47 p.m.
Date Approved: August 11, 2009
Cheryl Kr mhol
Recording Secretary