04-06-1987 Study SessionCITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
April 6, 1987
MEMBERS PRESENT: John Hamilton, Mayor; Ivan Ludeman; Michael
Sandahl; Martin Kirsch; and Edwina Garcia.
STAFF PRESENT: James Prosser, City Manager; Steven Devich,
Administrative Services Director; Thomas P.
Ferber, City Clerk; Donald Fondrick;
Community Services Director; Byron Wallace,
Community Development Director; Ron
Richardson, Police Captain; Paula Okerstrom,
Recycling Coordinator; and Clayton LeFevere,
City Attorney.
ENERGY AWARENESS
COMMISSION: Sid Sanford, Richard Holt, Paul Peabody,
Donald Buck, and John Praetorius.
PLANNING
COMMISSION: Gordon Herrboldt, Barbara Kritzman, Charles
Kauth, Robert Jensen, Connie Murray, and
Russell Kennedy.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hamilton at 7:00 p.m.
Item ~1 DISCUSSION OF GOALS AND OBJECTIVES WITH MEMBBRS OF THE
ENERGY AWARENESS COMMISSION. STUDY SESSION LETTER
NO. 10.
Sid Sanford, Energy Awareness Commission Chairman, reviewed
the contents of Hennepin County Ordinance No. 13 which requires
municipalities to reduce by 16q the amount of mixed municipal
solid waste by 1990 and:requires a source-separation recycling
program be implemented by January 1, 1988. He stated that the
current Richfield recycling program accounts for 5.1% of the
waste being collected for recycling.
Paula Okerstrom, Recycling Coordinator, stated that
Richfield's program has achieved one of the highest percentages
in the metro area. She stated other communities are considering
two per month pick ups and municipal garbage service to increase
recycling participation. Additionally, Hennepin County is
developing model ordinances for city's to implement as required
by Hennepin County's ordinance No. 13.
Discussion followed regarding the feasibility of allowing
residents to rake leaves into the street so that a larger
percentage of waste can be captured and the potential for storm
water and liability claims that this could create.
Study Session Minutes -2- April 6, 1987
Sid Sanford reviewed the affect of the Pope-Reid base figure
assigned to Richfield and the need to seek a more accurate base
figure .
Richard Holt stated his concern that the housing maintenance
code will conflict with the storage of recycled materials by the
homeowners.
Mayor Hamilton stated the importance of educating the public
to increase recycling efforts.
City Manager Prosser stated that the expanded Your City/Your
Schools publication will provide a forum for recycling
information.
Sid Sanford reviewed Energy Awareness Commission Resolution
No. 22 which suggests that the City purchase at least 15~
recycled products and that the city encourage cooperative buying
groups in which it participates to purchase recycled materials.
City Manager Prosser reviewed the city's purchasing
practices regarding recycled materials and stated that the city
would work to encourage the cooperative buying groups to
investigate the increased use of recycled materials. However,
the City Manager also pointed out that there were currently some
problems with the quality and price of certain recycled products.
Sid Sanford complemented Paula Okerstrom for her efforts in
making Richfield's recycling program successful.
Item ~2 DISCUSSION OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO LICENSB RENTAL
UNITS INCLUDING APARTMBNTS, DUPLE%ES, AND RENTED SINGLE
FAMILY HOMES AND POINT OF SALE INSPECTIONS FOR OWNER
OCCUPIED HOMES FOR THE PURPOSB OF ASSURING COMPLIANCE
WITH THE HOUSING MAINTENANCB ORDINANCE. STUDY SESSION
LETTER NO. 11.
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 11
regarding the discussion of a proposed ordinance to license
rental units including apartments, duplexes and rented single
family homes and point of sale inspections for owner occupied
homes for the purpose of assuring compliance with the housing
maintenance ordinance.
Council Member Sandahl stated his concern that the city
would incur liability by an implied warranty of the livability of
the dwelling.
City Attorney LeFevere reviewed court decisions regarding
this issue and stated that the city would state on the license or
certificate that the city does not warranty the dwelling by this
inspection.
Study Session Minutes -3- April 6, 1987
City Manager Prosser stated that the benefits of the
proposed ordinance must be weighed against the potential
liability risks.
Council Member Ludeman asked what the affects of the
proposed ordinance would have regarding the current procedures.
City Manager Prosser stated that the proposed ordinance
would give the city a mechanism to conduct inspections to assure
compliance to the housing maintenance code. He stated that
currently these inspections occur bn a complaint basis.
City Attorney LeFevere stated that the ordinance would
identify health and safety problems and provide leverage to
enforce the standards of the code. He reviewed the view of the
courts regarding enforcement proceedings.
Council Member Ludeman noted that Richfield has
approximately 4000 rental units and asked what staffing would be
necessary for conducting the inspections.
City Manager Prosser stated that it is anticipated that 2
additional employees would be necessary to conduct the program.
He stated these costs would be covered from the licensing and
inspection fees.
Discussion followed regarding whether multiple family
dwellings would require yearly inspections and the role of the
police and fire divisions in the process.
The city council requested that city staff provide further
information regarding revenues, costs, staffing, license and
inspection fees, and legal issues regarding the proposed
ordinance.
Item ~3 DISCUSSION OF AMENDMENTS TO THE S%ISTING SIGN
ORDINANCE. STUDY SBSSION LETTER NO. 12
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 12
regarding proposed amendments to the existing sign ordinance.
City Planner Rick Jopke reviewed the existing sign ordinance
noting that it was difficult to understand and interpret and
permits unnecessarily excessive signage. He presented slides of
different types of signs existing in the city and gave an
overview of the proposed sign ordinance revisions as they relate
~to specific signs and uses. He stated a formal hearing before
the Planning Commission is scheduled for May 19, 1987 for review
and recommendation to the City Council.
Council Member Ludeman asked if the Richfield Chamber of
Commerce had reviewed the proposed ordinance revisions.)
Study Session Minutes
-4-
April 6, 1987
City Manager Prosser stated that city staff had met with the
Chamber for discussion of the proposed revisions and received
input from them in developing the revision. He stated the
Chamber had not taken a formal position on the ordinance.
Council Member Garcia
restrict excessive signage
should further tighten the
and displays. She stated
the upkeep and maintenance
extended to businesses.
stated that reasonable regulations to
were necessary and that the city
regulations for car dealership signs
that the city's efforts to encourage
of dwelling units should also be
Item ~4 CONSIDBRATION TO AUTHORIZB DON PRIBBE TO REPRBSBNT THE
CITY OF RICHFIELD AT NOISE CONFERBNCB. STUDY SBSSION
LBTTBR NO. 13.
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 13
regarding the authorization for Don Priebe, representative to
MASAC for the City of Richfield, to attend the annual NOISE
Conference for the City of Richfield and to reimburse his
expenses.
The city council concurred that Mr. Priebe would provide
informed representation for Richfield at the NOISE Conference.
Item #5 CONSIDBRATION OF DISPOSITION OF VFW LOYALTY DAY PARADE
FEES. STUDY SESSION LETTER NO. 14.
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 14
stating that the city would absorb the costs related to the VFW
Loyalty Day Parade as requested by the council and that city
staff would develop a policy for council consideration that would
address the disposition of parade related expenses.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:14 p.
Date Approved • 4/27/87
hn ~I~ti'fi~.`lton Mayor
~ r ~ ~~
homas P. Ferber ~ J me Prosser
City Clerk C Manager
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