10-02-1989 Study SessionCITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
October 2, 1989
MEMBERS PRESENT: Steven Quam, Mayor; Ivan Ludeman; Martin
Kirsch; Edwina Garcia; and Michael Sandahl
(arrived 5:52 p.m.).
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; Melanie Ault,
Administrative Aide; Howard Rowland,
Personnel Manager; and Charlie LeFevere,
Holmes & Graven.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Quam at 5:30 p.m.
Item #I POLICY AND STRATEGY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AIRPORT RELATED
ISSUES. S.S LETTER N0. 25
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 25
regarding issues related to the appointment of Suzanne Sandahl to
the Advisory Council, Editorial Board Meetings, the
Bloomington/Richfield Airport Adequacy Study, local newspaper
articles, the Equitable Distribution System (EDS), the 4-22
objection letter, and the Metropolitan Airports Commission's
intent to buy the Magnuson home.
Charlie LeFevere, Holmes & Graven, reviewed the response
from the Metropolitan Council staff to the City's request for a
comprehensive plan amendment for the TH77/New Fordtown area.
Community Development Director Wallace stated the letter
from the Metropolitan Council asked the City to withdraw its
proposal for changes in the land uses in the TH77/New Fordtown
area pending completion and approval of the MSP comprehensive
airport plan and Part 150 land use management plan. K
Mr. LeFevere reviewed the procedures and appeal process
available to the City.
Administrative Ault discussed some of the responses to the
New Fordtown survey.
City Manager Prosser stated that there needs to be an
extraordinary communication effort by the City to New Fordtown
residents regarding:
1) The dispute between the Metropolitan Council and the
City regarding the comprehensive plan amendment and
2) To answer misconceptions expressed by residents
regarding the City's position about the future of New
Fordtown.
Study Session Minutes -2- October 2, 1989
Council Member Sandahl expressed the need to educate the
residents about the different roles and powers of the
Metropolitan Council, Metropolitan Airports Commission, and City
Council.
Mayor Quam suggested there may be an advantage to discuss
the appeal of the Metropolitan Council decision at a regular
council meeting prior to proceeding.
Council Member Ludeman stated support for mailing a strong
written education material communication piece.
It was the consensus of the council that the city proceed
with the appeal and communication to the New Fordtown area of
information regarding this issue.
Item #II DISCUSSION OF THE CITY'S RECRUITMENT PRACTICES.
S.S. LETTER NO. ~~
Howard Rowland, Personnel Manager, reviewed Study Session
Letter No. 26 regarding the City's personnel recruitment,
interview, and selection practices.
Council Member Ludeman stated his preference for hiring
residents of Richfield and for promotion from within the
organization. He reviewed the advantages of promotion from
within and training.
Council Member Sandahl noted that supervisors are aware of
these advantages and do promote from within when possible.
Public Safety Director Erskine reviewed issues related to
the necessity of having candidates who have the required training
and certifications.
Administrative Services Director Devich reviewed the
educational, career development, and training opportunities for
employees.
Community Services Director Fondrick reviewed the changing
and increasing more technical needs of public agencies.
1
Study Session Minutes -3- October 2, 1989
Item #III STAFF DISCUSSION REGARDING 35W/494/77TH
77th Street Update
Community Services Director Fondrick reviewed recent
discussions with the Metropolitan Council and the State of
Minnesota regarding potential funding for the 77th Street
project. He stated that discussions had also been conducted with
the Metropolitan Airports Commission regarding a potential site
for a City garage replacement on Airport property.
I35W Update
Community Services Director Fondrick summarized the I35W
Council meeting activities. Discussion followed regarding the
issues related to staging I35W improvements.
I494 Update
Community Services Director Fondrick stated that the I494
Scoping Document will be completed in the near future. He
reviewed the circumstances regarding the loss of Federal Aid
Urban (FAU) funding for the 1494/Penn Avenue Improvement Project.
He indicated that the City has asked for the support of Hennepin
County Commissioner Johnson in reapplication for FAU funding.
Council Member Sandahl stated he had received several phone
calls recently regarding the 76th Street and Penn Avenue
intersection.
Community Services Director Fondrick reviewed the connection
between the 1494/Penn Avenue bridge improvement and any -'
improvements to the 76th Street and Penn Avenue intersection.
City Manager Prosser requested that Public Safety Director
Erskine do a traffic study of the 76th Street and Penn Avenue
intersection.
Lawrence Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, asked if there
was any further information regarding the decision by MnDot
narrowing to four the alternatives for I35W.
Community Services Director Fondrick indicated the
information was contained in the flyer that had been mailed to
Mr. Wozniczka.
City Manager Prosser indicated a summary of this information
would be published in Your City & Schools.
Discussion followed regarding the viability of Light Rail
Transit options.
Study Session Minutes -4- October 2, 19$9
Item #IV REVIEW OF SANITARY SEWER CHARGES FOR APARTMENT
BUILDINGS. S.S. LETTER NO. 27
Administrative Services Director Devich reviewed Study
Session Letter No. 27 regarding billing procedures for sanitary
sewer charges for apartment buildings.
Discussion followed regarding the sanitary sewer use and
billing differentiation between single family homes and apartment
buildings. It was stated that deduct meters can be installed by
apartment owners to meter actual outside water usage.
Item #V SETTING DATE FOR MEETING WITH THE CITY COUNCIL AND
BOARD AND COMMISSION CHAIRS. S.S. LETTER NO. 28
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 28
regarding the selection of a date for the City Council to meet
with the Chairs of the City Boards and Commissions. -----
Administrative Services Director Devich stated that as a
result of the passage of the Tax Bill, the Budget Hearing will
not be held on October 18 as originally proposed.
It was the consensus of the council to schedule the Special
City Council Meeting to meet with the Chairs of the City Boards
and Commissions for Wednesday, October 18, 1989 at 5:30 p.m.,
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous
Date Approved: 1019/89
J. Qu
t 8:05
Mayor
%1~2.t9~'+'~l~'•D
Thomas P. Ferber ame D. Prosser
City Clerk it Manager