03-06-1989 Study SessionCITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
March 6, 1989
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; Thomas P.
Ferber, City Clerk; Donald Fondrick,
Community Services Director; Byron Wallace,
Community Development Director; John Erskine,
Public Safety Director; William Fillmore,
Liquor Operations Director; and Melanie Ault
Administrative Aide.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Quam at 5:30 p.m.
Item I DISCUSSION OF IR S. STUDY SESSION LETTER
NO. 5
City Manager Prosser and Administrative Aide Ault reviewed
Study Session Letter No. 5 updating the status of the airport
strategy implementation and recommendations regarding the
continuation of strategies to implement city policy concerning
the airport:
Mayor Quam reviewed a meeting with officials of several
communities regarding their participation. in the proposed
Richfield/Bloomington study regarding the dual track approach.
Discussion followed regarding the position and reaction of
the Metropolitan Council, Metropolitan Airports Commission, and
legislators to this issue.
Item II DISCUSSION OF WORKER'S COMPENSATION COVERAGE FOR
ELECTED OFFICIALS. STUDY SESSION LETTER NO. 6
Administrative Services Director Devich reviewed Study
Session Letter No. 6 regarding the possible provision of workers
compensation coverage for elected officials.
City Manager Prosser reviewed the advantages and
disadvantages related to providing this coverage for elected
officials. He asked that council members decide whether to
consider an ordinance to cover elected officials or remain
without worker's compensation coverage.
Study Session Minutes
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March 6, 1989
Item III DISCUSSION OF PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
SESSION LETTER NO. 7
STUDY
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 7
regarding consideration of a potential property maintenance
ordinance.
Council Member Sandahl stated concern that the city not be
warranting or giving the perception of warranting housing as a
result of an inspection.
Thomas Harms, HRA Chairman, stated that written disclaimers
on the inspection form and provision of an information booklet
could address these concerns. Mr. Harms reviewed the primary
reasons why he supports a property maintenance ordinance. He
stated that the HRA recommends adoption of this proposed
ordinance.
Council Member Ludeman stated that ordinances already exist
to address the property maintenance problems and stated concern
. that a property maintenance ordinance could be punitive to the
good landlords.
Public Safety Director Erskine reviewed property maintenance
code violation issues observed at some rental properties and
methods used to address them.
Discussion followed regarding evaluation of effectiveness of
such an ordinance, tenant selection issues, frequency of
inspections, public education issues, and the feasibility of
putting a sunset provision on the ordinance.
Council Member Sandahl stated support for some type of
sunset provision to assure that the council would have to take
affirmative action to continue the ordinance after evaluation of
the impact of it.
City Manager Prosser stated that a specific date could be
set for a public hearing and review after a period of time. He
suggested 3-5 years would be necessary to provide adequate
experience prior to evaluating the impact.
City Manager Prosser reviewed several options for
notification of a public hearing to consider a proposed property
maintenance ordinance. After council discussion, City Manager
Prosser indicated the Your City/Your Schools publication would be
used for notification in addition to the legal notice
publication. He also indicated that those who appeared last time
it was considered would be notified.
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Study Session Minutes -3- March 6, 1989
Item IIIA COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Council Member Sandahl requested that the City Manager
schedule a team building session for City Council Members.
City Manager Prosser stated he would provide the City
Council with information regarding several consultants from which
to choose from to provide team building sessions.
City Manager Prosser, in response to Council Member Ludeman,
reviewed issues regarding the solarium addition to the Richfield
Floral and Nursery building at 811 E. 66th Street and the
requirement that the total building have a sprinkler system.
Council Member Sandahl suggested that staff communications
regarding this type of issue be documented in writing.
_ Council Member Ludeman stated concern about sidewalk
plowing.
Community Services Director Fondrick reviewed issues related
to sidewalk plowing and plowing response to the recent snow
storm.
Item IV DISCUSSION OF NOISE MEMBERSHIP. STUDY SESSION LETTER
NO. 8
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 8
regarding the City's membership in the NOISE organization.
Council Member Sandahl reviewed the advantages of membership
including networking, learning how other communities approach
airport noise problems, and resource information relating to the
impact of airport noise.
Discussion .followed regarding attendance at NOISE meetings
and conferences.
City Manager Prosser stated that in the future copies of the
NOISE newsletter would be distributed to all council members.
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Study Session Minutes -4- March 6, 1989
Item V DISCUSSION OF NOISE ANNUAL CONFERENCE. STUDY SESSION
LETTER NO. 9
Council Member Garcia reported on the discussion at the
NOISE Conference planning meeting regarding events to be hosted
locally during the July 12-15, 1989 conference. She stated
concern that the conference program not contain a presentation
regarding the MSP Airport favoring any particular strategy.
It was decided that a conference call between Council Member
Garcia, Council Member Sandahl and Tom Duffy of NOISE would be
arranged to discuss these concerns.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Date Approved:
3/13/89
en J. Qua Mayor
s D. Prosser
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Thomas P. Ferber
City Clerk