01-12-10 Worksession (2)J
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
January 12, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Council Members
Present: Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Pat Elliott; Fred Wroge; Sue Sandahl; and Tom
Fitzhenry.
Staff Present: Steven L. Devich; City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Jim
Topitzhofer, Recreation Services Director; Barry Fritz, Public Safety
Director; Chris Link, Street Maintenance Supervisor; and Cheryl Krumholz,
Recording Secretary.
Item #1 DISCUSSION REGARDING EMERALD ASH BORER PREPAREDNESS (COUNCIL
MEMO NO. 1)
Public Works Director Eastling and Street Maintenance Supervisor Link presented
information regarding Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) preparedness. Topics discussed included:
Policy Direction
o Remove/replace trees
o Injection of certain trees
o Timeframe for removals
o Use of contractors
Financial Implications
Possible grant funding
Mayor Goettel stated EAB issues were discussed at a recent regional mayor's meeting;
including legislative funding.
Special Worksession Minutes -2- January 12, 2010
City Manager Devich said it may be difficult to enforce inoculation of EAB trees on private
property. He suggested treating public property trees so costs can be managed for removal.
Council Member Wroge suggested discussion should include placement of a boulevard tree
that has been removed -private property or back on boulevard.
Council Member Sandahl stated that trees are part of the City's infrastructure and a
community value.
The City Council consensus was to monitor the EAB impact, draft an enforcement policy,
and contact other cities and states regarding their preparedness and treatment approaches.
Item #2 DISCUSSION WITH RICHFIELD FOURTH OF JULY COMMITTEE (COUNCIL
MEMO NO. 2)
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer, Recreation Programs/Athletics Manager Frank
White, Public Safety Director Fritz, Rick Jabs, Tom Rubelin, and Andrew Seifert; Fourth of July
Committee members, discussed the following information:
• Committee Structure
• Spectator Estimates
• 2009 Financial Review of the Celebration
• Summary of City Resources for the Celebration
• History of July 4t" Police Calls
Mayor Goettel expressed concern that the carnival is not a family event and attendance is
down due to personal safety concerns.
Council Member Wroge stated he would find funding for the July 4 without the carnival
because it is important to retain the activities.
Council Member Fitzhenry stated he believed the carnival was the draw on July 4 and
residents don't go there due to its volatility.
Council Member Sandahl agreed that a broader range than Richfield residents attend July 4
events. She suggested the late hours of the carnival be restricted on July 4 since that is when it
appears to be the problem.
Mr. Rublein stated that restricting hours would have a financial impact.
The City Council consensus was to continue the carnival with a 1-2 year contract, give the
Public Safety Director or his designee the authority to shut down the carnival if problems occur,
and modify the carnival contract to limit their hours of operation on July 4.
ADJOURNMENT
Special Worksession Minutes -3- January 12, 2010
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous
Date Approved: January 12, 2010
Cheryl Krum olz
Recording Secretary
City. Manager