06-26-1989CITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
June 26, 1989
MEMBERS PRESENT: Steven Quam, Mayor; Edwina Garcia; Ivan
Ludeman; Michael Sandahl; and Martin Kirsch.
STAFF PRESENT: James Prosser, City Manager; Steven Devich,
Administrative Services Director; Thomas P.
Ferber, City Clerk; Donald Fondrick,
Community Services Director; Hyron Wallace,
Community Development Director; John Erskine,
Public Safety Director; William Fillmore,
Liquor Operations Director; and John Dean,
City Attorney.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Quam at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENTATION OF COLORS AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Quam led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
1
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/Kirsch, S/Garcia to a~Drove the minutes of the regular
City Council Meeting of June 12, 1989.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #1 OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON
ANY ITEM NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA.
Rosanna Duich, 6821 ZOth Avenue, stated concerns about
property maintenance and animal control issues related to a
property on 20th Avenue and urged further actions by the City to
resolve these problems.
Delores Minchow, 6815 20th Avenue, reviewed her concerns
regarding property maintenance and animal control related to the
same 20th Avenue property. She also indicated that when she
called the City to complain about the dog that someone hung up on
her.
Council Meeting Minutes
A. Lervik, 6814 21st
control issues and large
Avenue.
Cheryl Weiberg, 6811
to complain about the dog
-2-
Avenue, stated
Loud parties at
20th Avenue, s'
on 20th Avenue
June 26, 1989
concerns about animal
a property on 21st
tated that she had called
and was hung up on.
Public Safety Director Erskine summarized the City's past
activities in dealing with the neighborhood problems referenced
by the neighbors. He reviewed due process and judicial issues
related to enforcement activities for property maintenance. He
stated-that it is unacceptable behavior that the caller was hung
up on and that the City would review this matter.
Council Member Garcia noted that these problems in this
neighborhood had been going on for some time and that the City
needed to work harder to correct this situation.
Item #2 CONFIGURATION PROPOSAL FOR USE OF 77TH STREET AS THE
1494 FRONTAGE ROAD IN RICHFIELD EAST OF 35W, PROVIDING
FOR FOUR LANES, DIVIDED, WITH RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION
TO THE NORTH OF 77TH STREET. C.L. N0. 144
City Manager Prosser reviewed Council Letter No. 144
regarding the proposal for the use of 77th Street as the I494
frontage road in Richfield east of 35W.
Tony Heppelmann, BRW consultant, reviewed the 77th Street
Study and the criteria used by the Ad Hoc 135W/I494 Traffic
Committee to make their recommendation.
Connie Murray, Chair of the Ad Hoc 135W/I494 Traffic
Committee, presented to the council the recommendation of the
Committee that the City Council determine the configuration of
77th Street, as an I494 frontage road east of 135W, to be a four
lane divided roadway, with right of way acquisition and buffering
of residential properties directed to the north of 77th Street,
connecting with 24th Avenue.
Tom Mitchell, representing Chi-Chi's, advocated maintaining
the existing I494 accesses if possible. He spoke in support of
the recommended 77th Street plan except that he preferred a
center lane be provided on 77th Street to provide left turn
movements into the Chi-Chi's and BEST parking lots.
Don Foss, representing BEST Products, stated concern that
access from 77th Street to BEST Products be provided, including
access for westbound 77th Street traffic.
I
Council Meeting Minutes -3- June 26, 1989
Robert Cyza, 7426 Oakland Avenue, spoke in support of
maintaining existing 1494 access.
John Gieske, 7644 1st Avenue, spoke in support of the
proposed 77th Street plan.
Lawrence Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, stated that he
felt other alternatives had not been fully explored and expressed
concerns about costs, tax base, and the impact on mayor north-
south arterials.
Mrs. Cyza, 7426 Oakland Avenue, stated concern about the
lack of access from the north to 77th Street for the residential
area, concerns that Lyndale Avenue and Portland Avenue would need
to be widened, and concerns that vehicles would tend to speed on
the proposed 77th Street.
Joe Sausen, 6320 Portland Avenue, stated that this proposed
77 Street plan dealt with the reality that I494 will be widened
because of the increasing traffic volumes. He stated it will
provide an opportunity to expand the tax base and to provide a
buffer between residential and commercial property.
Iona Hunt, 7644 10th Avenue, stressed the importance of
knowing the timetable for implementing the plan so that the
affected properties are not in limbo.
Tom Leuma, 7645 11th Avenue, spoke in support of the plan
but stated his one concern was knowing when the plan will be
implemented.
Gertrude Ulrich, 7601 Aldrich Avenue, spoke in support of
the Ad Hoc Committee's recommendation.
City Manager Prosser summarized the alternatives and
advantages of the recommended alternate. City staff and Tony
Heppelmann of BRW responded to the questions and issues raised by
the audience.
M/Garcia, S/Kirsch to aporove the concept of the use of 77th
Street as the I494 frontage road in Richfield east of I35W and to
accept the configuration alternative for 77th Street which
provides for a four lane divided roadway with right of wav
acquisition and buffering of residential properties directed to
the north of 77th Street, and connecting with 24th Avenue.
Motion carried 5-0.
Council Meeting Minutes -4- June 26, 1989
Item #3 AUTHORIZATION FOR RICHFIELD HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION TO
PARTICIPATE IN MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY CELEBRATION
IN JANUARY, 1990. C.L. NO. 145
Gordon Anderson, Chair of the Richfield Human Rights
Commission, requested authorization to participate in a Martin
Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration in January, 1990 in cooperation
with the cities of Bloomington, Eden Prairie, and Edina.
Julie Heinz, Member of the Bloomington Human Rights
Commission, described the series of potluck dinners hosted by
various persons in Bloomington last year as part of the Martin
Luther King Jr. celebration.
Council Member Garcia inquired about how the program is
funded.
Julie Heinz stated that the City of Bloomington had assisted
with mailings and publicity with the food being provided by the
participants.
M/Quam, S/Ludeman to authorize the Richfield Human Rights
Commission to participate in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Celebration in January, 1990.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #4 COUNCIL APPROVAL OF AGENDA
M/Ludeman, S/Kirsch to approve the agenda.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #5 CONSENT CALENDAR
A. APPROVED PURCHASE IN EXCESS OF $5,000 TO REPLACE
WINDOWS AT WATER PLANT. C.L. 146
B. AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR TENNIS COURT REPAIR TO TENNIS
WEST LTD. FOR $37,601. C.L. 147
Council Meeting Minutes -5- June 26, 1989
C. APPROVED A RESOLUTION APPROVING GAMBLING EXEMPTION FOR
SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION SQUADRON 435 AND WAIVER OF
$100 PERMIT FEE. C.L. 148
RESOLUTION N0. 7520
RESOLUTION APPROVING LAWFUL GAMBLING EXEMPTION FOR SONS OF THE
AMERICAN LEGION SQUADRON 435
This Resolution appears as Resolution No. 7520 in Resolution
Book No. 57.
D. REJECTED TOWING CONTRACT BIDS AND APPROVED
AUTHORIZATION TO REBID. C.L. 149
E. APPROVED CHANGE ORDER FOR ASPHALT FOR VETERANS MEMORIAL
PARK AND RICH ACRES GOLF COURSE. C.L. 150
F. APPROVED ESTIMATE #11 FOR ACADEMY OF THE HOLY ANGELS
FIRE & LIFE SAFETY RENOVATIONS CP799, METRO BUILDING
SYSTEM $4,118.10.
G. APPROVED ITINERANT FOOD LICENSE AND WAIVER OF PERMIT
FEE, RICHFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY FOR AUGUST 13, ICE
CREAM SOCIAL.
H. APPROVED ITINERANT FOOD LICENSE AND WAIVER OF PERMIT
FEE FOR FRIENDS OF HOME, CONCESSION STAND FOR FOURTH OF
JULY.
M/Ludeman, S/Kirsch to approve the consent calendar.
Motion carried 5-0.
Mark Bonstrom and Dave Salonen, representing Mark's Towing,
asked for reconsideration of the decision to reject the towing
bids.
City Attorney Dean stated that this request for proposals
was not a statutory bid process and explained the City's right to
select proposals which are in best interest of the public.
City Manager Prosser reviewed Council Letter No. 149
regarding the issues recommended to be addressed in a revised
request for proposals which will provide a better agreement
between the City and a contractor for provision of towing
services.
Robert Schoenborn, Chief's Towing, reviewed his submittal of
proposal's for the towing contract.
The council did not reconsider their decision to reject the
towing service proposals.
Council Meeting Minutes -6- June 26, 1989
Item #6 REQUEST FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO EXPAND RETAIL
SALES, ADD A DETACHED ACCESSORY DRIVE-THRU CAR WASH
FACILITY, AND REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE EXISTING BUILDING
AT 7645 LYNDALE AVENUE. C.L. NO. 151
City Manager Prosser reviewed Council Letter No. 151
regarding a request by Total Petroleum, 7645 Lyndale Avenue, for
a conditional use permit to expand retail sales and add a
detached accessory drive-thru car wash facility.
Walter Rockenstien, attorney for the applicant, reviewed the
issues raised by the City regarding the expanded retail sales.
He indicated the applicant would comply with the parking,
handicap ramp, curb cut and landscape requirements. Regarding
the car wash, Mr. Rockenstien stated that if Section 1125 of the
ordinance code applies, then the car wash cannot be approved. He
stated that the applicant does not agree that Section 1125
applies to this application. Mr. Rockenstien requested that if
the City is of the opinion that .Section 1125 applies and the car
wash is not allowed, then separate consideration be given to the
applicants request for expanded retail sales.
Council Member Sandahl stated he felt that the intent of
Section 1125 was to exclude car wash facilities such as this from
being adjacent to residential neighborhoods.
Mr. Rockenstien stated that a similar car wash was approved
at 78th Street and 12th Avenue.
Ruth Larson, 7638 Harriet Avenue, spoke in opposition to
allowing a car wash on the site.
Thomas Latham, 7638 Garfield Avenue, spoke in opposition to
allowing a car wash on the site.
M/Garcia, S/Kirsch to close the public hearing.
Motion carried 5-0.
City Attorney Dean summarized Section 1125 of the ordinance
code and stated it should be applied to this application for a
car wash facility. He stated the retail facility could be
considered separately.
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Council Meeting Minutes -7- June 26, 1989
M/Garcia, S/Ludeman to ag~rove the granting of a conditional
use permit to Total Petroleum, 7645 Lyndale Avenue, for expanded
retail sales in the existing building subject to the following
stipulations:
1. That retail operation comply with the city parking.
space requirements.
2. That the handicap parking stall have a ramp or other
access to the sidewalk.
3. That all curb cuts meet the 26 foot width
requirement.
4. That the landscape plan be approved by City staff.
and, to deny a conditional use permit for the proposed car
wash facility.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #7 CONSIDERATION OF APPEAL OF VARIANCE DENIAL TO CONSTRUCT
A HOME COVERING 37~ OF LOT SIZE AT 6841 NEWTON AVENUE
(25$ LOT SIZE ALLOWABLE) C.L. NO. 152
City Manager Prosser reviewed Council Letter No. 152
regarding consideration of appeal of the Hearing Examiner's
denial of a variance to allow the construction of a house at 6841
Newton Avenue which would occupy more than the allowed 25$ of the
lot.
Paul Gunderson, 6720 Upton Avenue, stated that it was
necessary to build a house this size to accommodate the necessary
ramps and wheelchair access for the proposed homeowner. He
requested approval of the variance.
Jeff Holmberg stated that his parents wished to build this
home to continue to live in Richfield. He stated that other
homes have been built in Richfield that exceed 25$ lot coverage
without a variance.
City Manager Prosser indicated that errors had allowed one
home with a lot coverage of 26$ and another of 28$ to be built
without a variance.
M/Sandahl, S/Quam to close the public hearing.
Motion carried 5-0.
Council Meeting Minutes -S- June 26, 1989
Council discussion followed regarding the compatibility of
this size house with the neighborhood and the precedent that may
be set by approving a variance to allow a 37~ lot coverage.
M/Kirsch, S/Sandahl to approve the granting of a variance to
allow the construction of a single family residence which will
occupy more than the allowable 25$ (approximately 37~) of the lot
at 6841 Newton Avenue with the following stipulations:
1. That the South property line area be cleaned up by the
applicant.
2. That two 2-2 1/2 inch trees be planted as replacements
for the trees that will be removed.
Motion carried 3-2. (Quam, Garcia opposed)
It was the consensus of the council to direct the Planning
Commission review the zoning ordinance lot coverage standards.
Item #8 COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF CANCELLATION OF COUNCIL STUDY
SESSION SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, JULY 3. C.L. N0. 153
City Manager Prosser reviewed Council Letter No. 153
regarding consideration of cancellation of the regularly
scheduled study session of Monday, July 3.
M/Ludeman, S/Garcia to cancel the Monday. July 3. 1989 City
Council Study Session.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #9 COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS TO THE ADVISORY BOARD OF HEALTH,
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION, HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION,
AND SOUTH HENNEPIN SERVICES COUNCIL. C.L. NO. 154
M/Garcia, S/Sandahl to approve the following appointments:
Community Services Commission:
Rebecca Jaggars Term to expire January 31, 1990
Robert Lindgren Term to expire January 31, 1991
Human Rights Commission:
Thomas Ulrich Term to expire January 31, 1990
Council Meeting Minutes -9- June 26, 1989
South Hennepin Human Services Commission:
Maureen Scaglia Term to expire January 31, 1990
Advisory Board of Health:
Lois DeGonda Term to expire January 31, 1990
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #10 LEGISLATIVE REPORT
None
Item #11 COUNCIL DISCUSSION ITEMS
Mayor Quam stated that he had surveyed the prices and
services of garbage haulers and stated concern that no incentives
are being offered for recycling lawn waste. He stated this issue
should be monitored as it relates to Richfield's recycling
ordinance.
Item #12 CLAIMS AND PAYROLLS
M/Ludeman, S/Quam that the following claims and payrolls be
approved:
RICHFIELD STATE BANK
Checks 11624-11677; 104019-104313 $ 965,732.96
FIRST MINNESOTA
Check 1091-1092 $ 40,000.00
FIRST WESTERN BANK
Checks 5002-5025 $1,246,889.08
Checks 26086-26117; 27033-27028 Payroll $ 343,784.73
Motion carried 5-0.
Council Meeting Minutes
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanin
Date Approved: _7/10/89
~~~~~
Thomas P. Ferber
City Clerk
-10- June 26, 1989
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