03-09-10 RegularJ
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Meeting
March 9, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 7:04 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Sue Sandahl; Pat Elliott; Fred Wroge; and Tom
Fitzhenry.
Staff Present: Steven L. Devich, City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director;
Karen Barton, Acting Community Development Director; Kristin Asher, City
Engineer; Corrine Heine, City Attorney; and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording
Secretary.
OPEN FORUM
Steve McKeown, 7104 Portland Avenue, stated his concerns regarding the poor road
condition of Portland Avenue and potential house and utilities damage from the Metro Transit
buses.
Public Works Director Eastling stated the City is having discussions with Hennepin County
regarding the County doing reconstruction of their roads, i.e. Portland, Nicollet, rather than
patching.
PRESENTATION OF COLORS AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Goettel led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Council Meeting Minutes -2- March 9, 2010
M/Fitzhenry, S/Sandahl to approve the minutes of (1) Special City Council Worksession of
February 23, 2010 and (2) Regular City Council Meeting of February 23, 2010.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #1 COUNCIL DISCUSSION
• HATS OFF TO HOMETOWN HITS
City Manager Devich discussed the public survey, as requested by the City Council, on the
website to gather input on the community's willingness to pay additional taxes for infrastructure
costs for the Dispatch Center in the new City Hall. He added the survey information and link to the
website are on the City's Twitter and Facebook accounts and will be in the Richfield Sun Current.
Council Member Fitzhenry stated he is doing research on possibly Richfield dispatching for
other cities.
Council Member Elliott and Mayor Goettel expressed concern regarding potential costs of
joining Hennepin County.
Mayor Goettel acknowledged the successful efforts of Council Member Sandahl and staff at
a Metropolitan Council meeting to stop the delay of the Richfield-Edina Interceptor Project and to
have it move forward as planned.
Mayor Goettel discussed The Biggest Loser television special taped earlier at Richfield
High School and is to be aired in the spring.
Council Member Fitzhenry stated complaints regarding the condition of Hennepin County
streets in Richfield should be directed to the City Public Works Department so a record can be
maintained and forwarded to the county.
Council Member Wroge acknowledged the death of Bob Turner, a Richfield resident active
in sports programs.
Council Member Sandahl acknowledged the recent media recognition of Frank White,
Programs/Athletics Manager, and the history of black baseball leagues.
Item #2 COUNCIL APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mayor Goettel removed Item #3A from the Consent Calendar and moved it to Item #4 for
separate consideration.
M/Wroge, S/Fitzhenry to approve the agenda as amended.
Motion carried 5-0.
Council Meeting Minutes -3- March 9, 2010
Item #3 CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Item was removed from the Consent Calendar to be considered separately as Item #4.
B. Consideration of approval of scheduling public hearing on April 13, 2010 regarding issuance
of new on-sale wine and 3.2 percent malt liquor licenses for Joy's Pattaya Thai Kitchen,
7545 Lyndale Avenue S.R. No. 38
C. Consideration of approval of amendment to Metropolitan Council Family Affordable Housing
Cooperation Agreement to convert ten Family Affordable Housing Program units located in
Richfield to project based Section 8 units S.R. No. 39
M/Goettel, S/Sandahl to approve the Consent Calendar as amended.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #4 CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT
CALENDAR
Former Item #3A -Consideration of approval of resolution authorizing Trailway
Cooperative Agreement between Three Rivers Park District and City of Richfield for
construction, easement rights, maintenance and use of Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail
associated with Edina-Richfield Interceptor Improvement Project S.R. No. 37
Council Member Wroge presented Staff Report No. 37.
Council Member Wroge asked about the overall cost of the trail, including cost sharing and
winter use.
City Engineer Asher explained the level of winter maintenance is still under discussion.
Kelly Grissman, Planner for Three Rivers Park District, explained the funding from the Park
District to reimburse the City for construction costs.
M/Elliott, S/Sandahl that the following resolution be adopted and that it be made part of
these minutes:
RESOLUTION NO. 10347
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF RICHFIELD TO ENTER
INTO A TRAILWAY COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE THREE
RIVERS PARK DISTRICT FOR THE NINE MILE CREEK REGIONAL
TRAIL
Motion carried 5-0. This resolution appears as Resolution No. 10347.
Item #5 CONSIDERATION OF SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE AMENDING
SECTION 210.01 RELATED TO CITY COUNCIL SALARIES S.R. NO. 40
Council Meeting Minutes -4- March 9, 2010
Council Member Sandahl presented Staff Report No. 40.
Council Member Sandahl suggested the City Council receive a 0% salary adjustment.
M/Sandahl, S/Goettel that this constitutes the second reading of Bill No. 2010-1 amendina
Section 210.01 related to City Council salaries, that it be published in the official newspaper and
that it be made part of these minutes.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #6 CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION CALLING FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON
APRIL 27, 2010 TO CONSIDER MODIFICATION TO REDEVELOPMENT PLAN
FOR RICHFIELD REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA AND PROPOSED
ESTABLISHMENT OF 2010-1 HOUSING TAX INCREMENT FINANCING
DISTRICT RELATING TO DEVELOPMENT OF 90-UNIT MARKET RATE
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT WITH AFFORDABLE COMPONENT AT 6401
LYNDALE AVENUE (WOODLAKE PLAZA) S.R. NO. 41
Council Member Wroge presented Staff Report No. 41.
Council Member Wroge questioned the proposed services and uses, appraisal of the site,
concerns related to how current tenants are treated, retail impacts in that area, and the lack of
knight.
Terry McNellis, Michael Development, explained the financial risks and responsibilities of the
owner and that the lender-ordered appraisal had not yet been received.
Council Member Wroge stated he liked the plans but not the providing of public financial
assistance.
Mayor Goettel expressed concern of using too much tax increment financing (TIF),
especially with the current budget issues facing the City. She added that residents have voiced
concerns with higher density, increased public safety issues, and aless-intrusive project. She also
had been contacted by current and former tenants.
Council Member Elliott stated the HRA presentation the previous evening had addressed
the concerns raised tonight. The building is attractive and tailored to lessen neighborhood impacts.
He expressed concerns voiced to him about the broker used by the owner to try to fill vacancies.
Council Member Elliott said he was not fond of TIF but he did like the higher-scale, new
development which the City had not experienced in several years.
Council Member Sandahl agreed with Council Member Elliott and expressed support for the
proposed development as new upper scale ,yet affordable, rental housing and alternative for the
community.
Council Member Fitzhenry also expressed support that this development may encourage
other development in the area.
Council Meeting Minutes -5- March 9, 2010
Mayor Goettel clarified that several developers have shown interest in the Lyndale Garden
Center but that property has a difficult owner. She added other commercial sites in the City have
recently been purchased without TIF assistance.
Council Member Wroge suggested more financial negotiating be done.
end.
Mr. McNellis stated they have done other projects like this and the financial risk is on their
M/Wroge, S/Goettel that the following resolution be adopted and that it be made part of
these minutes:
RESOLUTION NO. 10348
RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING BY THE CITY
COUNCIL ON THE PROPOSED ADOPTION OF A MODIFICATION TO
THE REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR RICHFIELD REDEVELOPMENT
PROJECT AREA; AND THE PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF THE
2010-1 HOUSING TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT, AND
THE ADOPTION OF A TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN
THEREFORE
Motion carried 5-0. This resolution appears as Resolution No. 10348.
Item #7 CONSIDERATION OF SELECTION OF RAILING TYPE FOR INSTALLATION
ON PORTLAND AVENUE BRIDGE OVER TRUNK HIGHWAY 62 AS PART OF
MN/DOT 2010 REHABILITATION PROJECT S.R. NO. 42
Council Member Fitzhenry presented Staff Report No. 42.
Council Member Fitzhenry clarified Mn/DOT will pay the cost difference if an upgrade is
selected.
The City Council selected the Lyndale Avenue over I-494 bridge railing.
M/Fitzhenry, S/Sandahl to approve selection of railing type for installation on Portland
Avenue bridge over trunk Highway 62 as part of Mn/DOT 2010 rehabilitation project.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #8 CONSIDERATION OF PURCHASE OF INJECTION EQUIPMENT AND
CHEMICALS FROM JRK SEED TO INITIATE TREE INJECTION PROGRAM
TO PREVENT SPREAD OF OAK TREE DISEASE (TWO LINED CHESTNUT
BORER) IN AUGSBURG PARK FOR APPROXIMATE AMOUNT OF $21,000
S.R. NO. 43
Mayor Goettel presented Staff Report No. 43.
Public Works Director Eastling made a presentation, "Combating Tree Disease."
Council Meeting Minutes -6- March 9, 2010
Chris Link, Street Maintenance Supervisor, discussed the guidelines for diagnosing private
and public trees.
Public Works Director Eastling explained the inoculation/removal timeline.
M/Goettel, S/Sandahl to approve purchase of iniection equipment and chemicals from JRK
Seed to initiate tree iniection program to prevent spread of oak tree disease (Two Lined Chestnut
Borer) in Augsburg Park for approximate amount of $21 000.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #9 CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION ADOPTING EMERALD ASH BORER
REMOVAL/TREATMENT POLICY S.R. NO. 44
Council Member Elliott presented Staff Report No. 44.
Public Works Director Eastling explained the inoculation of private trees is not offered by the
City but a list of professional service providers is given. Financial assistance similar to Dutch Elm
Disease is an option.
Public Works Director Eastling discussed the role of the Community Services Commission in
establishing criteria for the inoculation process. The recommended criteria would be presented to
the City Council for their consideration.
M/Elliott, S/Goettel that the following resolution be adopted and that it be made part of these
minutes:
RESOLUTION NO. 10349
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF RICHFIELD TO ADOPT
THE FOLLOWING POLICY FOR THE REMOVAL AND TREATMENT
OF ASH TREES INFECTED WITH EMERALD ASH BORER
Motion carried 5-0. This resolution appears as Resolution No. 10349.
Item #10 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Devich discussed the Metropolitan Council meeting regarding the Richfield-
Edina Interceptor Project.
Item #11 CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
M/Wroge, S/Sandahl that the following claims and payrolls be approved:
Council Meeting Minutes -7- March 9, 2010
U.S. BANK 03-09-10
A/P Checks: 192791 - 193018
PAYROLL 64810 - 65125
TOTAL
Motion carried 5-0.
OPEN FORUM
None.
ADJOURNMENT
$ 1, 613,189.85
$ 525,249.37
$ 2,138,439.12
The City Council meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:40 p.m.
Date Approved: March 9, 2010
M
Cheryl Krumholz ' d ' yf L. Devi
Recording Secretary City Manager