04-13-10 WorksessionJ
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
April 13, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 5:33 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; Brad Sveum, Fire Services
Director; Wayne Kewitsch, Assistant Fire Chief; Pam Dmytrenko, Assistant
to the City Manager; and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item #1 DISCUSSION REGARDING PARKS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (COUNCIL
MEMO NO. 47)
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer discussed the capital improvement plan related to
parks. He also discussed the insurance coverage for the proposed skate park, including insurance
requirements and maintenance responsibilities.
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer stated the Community Services Commission
recommended aTier-One skate park.
Roger Schmidt, 7504 Aldrich Avenue, explained the concept and design for a skate park,
including community interest levels, site selection criteria for Augsburg Park, and budget. He
suggested the City Council move forward on the skate park and hold open houses for the public to
review designs of a streetscape plaza.
Council Member Elliott asked Mr. Schmidt if skateboarders find aTier-One skate park
acceptable or will there be lobbying for aTier-Two in the future.
Special Worksession Minutes -2- April 13, 2010
Mr. Schmidt responded that what he has developed is acceptable based on uniqueness
rather than challenges.
City Manager Devich reviewed the existing capital improvement plan and recommended
plan. He clarified that liquor operations funds are to be used for capital projects, not specifically
designated for recreation projects, although that, historically, is the primary choice. The City
Council decides the use of the funds.
Council Member Wroge expressed concern regarding using liquor funds for other non-
recreational projects.
Council Member Fitzhenry stated support for the skate park and liked the idea of
skateboarders taking ownership.
Council Member Sandahl stated the skate park is needed.
Council Member Elliott stated concerns regarding self-policing the site. He questioned the
annual long-term budget impacts and what design could be prepared with the current funding.
Council Member Wroge expressed concern regarding enforcement of rules with no
supervision being required.
The City Council consensus was to proceed with designing aTier-One skate park this year.
Item #2 DISCUSSION REGARDING FIRE STAFFING MODELS (COUNCIL MEMO NO. 49)
Fire Services Director Sveum discussed several alternative fire staffing models, including
concepts, costs, and comparisons to the current model. He also reviewed impacts of callbacks
and overtime.
Fire Services Director Sveum stated the Governor has signed legislation regarding
residency requirements for new hires.
City Manager Devich stated City Council direction will be needed at budget time regarding
staffing models. He discussed cuts in services should be for every City department, the callback
issue requiring staff turnover to make the legislation effective, his goals to preserve City positions,
and his proposing a staff salary adjustment in 2011 to stay competitive with other cities.
City Manager Devich requests City Council direction on the continued review of fire staffing
models.
Council Member Wroge expressed concern regarding a salary adjustment.
Mayor Goettel stated support to retain the Richfield Fire Department but budget cuts are
necessary.
Council Member Fitzhenry stated demographics may indicate an interest in part-time
firefighter positions.
Fire Services Director Sveum responded the response time requirement would need to be
considered.
Special Worksession Minutes -3- April 13, 2010
The City Council consensus was to have discussions continue between the firefighters and
the City and return to the City Council with proposed staffing models for their consideration.
Representative Linda Slocum discussed her involvement with the new legislation.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:55 p.m.
Date Approved: April 13. 2010
7
Cheryl Kr mholz
Recording Secretary