11-07-1988 Study SessionCITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
NOVEMBER 7, 1988
MEMBERS PRESENT: Steven Quam, Mayor; Ivan Ludeman; Michael
Sandahl; Martin Kirsch; and Edwina Garcia.
STAFF .PRESENT: James Prosser, City Manager; Steven Devich,
Administrative Services Director; Jack
Erskine, Public Safety Director; and Byron
Wallace, Community Development Director.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Quam at 7:00 p.m.
Item #1 DISCUSSION AS TO WHETHER TO AMEND THE CITY CODE TO
PROEI:BIT THE PARKING OF DTILITY TRAILERS IN FRONT AND
SIDE 7t'ARDS. STUDY SESSION LETTER NO. 20.
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 20
regarding whether to amend the City Code to prohibit the parking
of utility trailers in front and side yards.
Mayor Quam questioned how abandoned vehicle licensing tied
into this ordinance.
Public Safety Director Erskine responded that it is covered
in the Richfield City Code, Section 1320.13.
Council Member Ludeman asked how slip-on campers are
covered.
City Manager Prosser said that it appears the ordinance
section 1324.03 covers such a camper, whether mounted on the
vehicle or not.
Mayor Quam asked staff to review outdoor storage in general
and not limit it to recreational vehicles, trailers and
automobiles.
There was consensus that the City Council would like to
review a draft of a trailer ordinance.
Mayor Quam stated that staff should look at treating corner
lots as having two front yards, rather than as one front yard and
one as a side yard.
Council Member Ludeman added that, in such instances, proper
fence screening may be acceptable.
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City Council Study Session -2- November 7, 1988
Item #Z CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVE TO PRESENT VERSION OF
LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF RIC$FIELD. STORY
SESSION LETTER NO. 21.
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 21
regarding consideration of alternatives to the present legal
service provided to the City of Richfield.
Mr. Prosser described the process involved in soliciting and
reviewing proposals for both corporate and prosecution legal
services to the City. He indicated that the alternative of an
in-house City Attorney for each or both of the areas of legal
service was also considered.
Council Member Ludeman asked why the St. Louis Park legal
fees survey referred to Richfield as having an in-house attorney.
City Manager Prosser responded that it was simply an error
in the survey.
Council Member Ludeman asked how LeFevere, Lefler service to
Richfield will be with the departure of Clayton LeFevere.
City•Manager Prosser stated the City was very satisfied that
John Dean, the Lead Attorney assigned to Richfield, will continue
a high Level of service.
Council Member Ludeman asked why Richfield appeared to be so
high in legal costs per capita in total legal fees and certain
other categories presented in the comparison of metropolitan
communities.
City Manager Prosser responded that the City has faced some
specific issues which required legal assistance that are
particular to Richfield.
Mayor Quam stated that he liked a broader base of knowledge
to draw from in terms of legal services which cannot be obtained
from a solo in-house attorney.
Council Member Sandahl stated that the review of legal
services was not a reflection of the service Richfield has
received from LeFevere, Lefler, but rather a survey of what is
available to the City. He added that the staff did a very
thorough review.
City Manager Prosser and Public Safety Director Erskine
reviewed the process used to screen and interview attorneys for -
the prosecution services.
City Council Study Session -3- November 7,.1988
Mr. Erskine stated that a thorough reference check of the
recommended law firm and its Lead Prosecutor was done with
excellent recommendations of both.
City Manager Prosser recommended the LeFevere, Lefler firm
for corporate legal service and the Peterson, Bell firm for
prosecution. The Lead Attorneys would be John Dean and Marty
Costello, respectively. This recommendation will be presented to
the City Council with annual retainer agreements at the November
14 meeting.
The City Council stated they would like to meet Marty
Costello prior to the November 14 City Council meeting.
City Manager Prosser stated he would ask Mr. Costello to
come in before the November 14 meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Council Member Sandahl asked staff to review the potential
of treating legal services like that of the City's auditors
services. He asked the City Manager to send this issue to the
Charter Commission to ascertain if legal services should remain a
separate department reporting to the City Manager or if it should
report directly to the City Council.
City Manager Prosser stated that he would follow through on
this request.
Item #3 PRESENTATION OF DRAFT FINANCIAL POLICIES FOR THE CITY
OF RICHFIELD. STUDY SESSION LETTER NO. 22.
Mayor Quam postponed this item to a future meeting.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Mayor Quam presented a status report on the airport issue.
Mayor Quam described the position of Minneapolis Council
Member Cramer.
There was general discussion of the City's position with
respect to a new north-south runway and the construction of a new
airport facility.
Mayor Quam indicated he would draft a policy statement on
this issue for an airport issues meeting on Thursday, November
10. Council Member Sandahl will read the statement at the
meeting.
City Council Study Session _4_
ADJOORI~IlKENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m
Date App oved: 11/28/88
St ven J.
November ?, 1988
Mayor
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L. Devich Ja s D. Pro er
City Clerk C ty Manager
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