11-06-1989 Study SessionCITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
November 6, 1989
MEMBERS PRESENT: Steven Quam, Mayor; Michael Sandahl; Martin
Kirsch; and Edwina Garcia.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Ivan Ludeman
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; and Karen Batchelder,
Administrative Aide.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Quam at 5:52 p.m.
Item #I AIRPORT RELATED ISSUES. S.S.L. NO. 29
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 29
regarding the following recommendations of the Richfield Airport
Strategy Group related to the Bloomington-Richfield Airport
Adequacy Study:
1. Present the Executive Summary at available forums, i.e.
a citizens group such as the League of Women Voters,
the Citizens League, and the Chamber of Commerce.
2. Follow the presentations with an opinion editorial
piece in the Star/Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer
Press to educate citizens of the dual track program and
its ramifications to Bloomington, Richfield, and the
entire region. Hob Collette and D.J. Leary will work
on the editorial together.
3. Identify an action committee to start the dialogue in
the metropolitan area. Committee members could
include:
- metro area Chamber of Commerce representatives
- business people
- Citizens League
Diane Traxler, Decision Resources, Ltd., reviewed a summary
of findings and implications of the New Ford Town and Rich Acres
questionnaire.
City Manager Prosser indicated that respondents expressed
disenfranchment from the City and concern about the uncertainity
of the future for the area.
Study Session Minutes -2- November 6, 1989
Discussion followed regarding the information provided by
the questionnaire and land uses of the area.
City Manager Prosser reviewed the following recommendations
made.by the Richfield Airport Strategy Group regarding the New
Ford Town area.
- Increase police visibility.
- Increase efforts to establish Neighborhood Watch Groups.
- Make park improvements at New Ford Town park.
- Increase communications including a special newsletter
directed toward these areas.
- Develop a long term strategy regarding redevelopment.
Lawrence Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, stated he felt
city publications and communications were inadequate.
Discussion followed regarding newsletter formats.
Item #II DISCUSSION OF PORNOGRAPHY PROSECUTION. S.S.L. NO. 30
Martin Costello, Peterson, Bell, Converse, and Jensen,
prosecuting attorney for the City, reviewed statistics relating
to the prosecution caseload of the City. He summarized the
issues and approaches to enforcement of the new state statute
regarding pornography. He stated that additional prosecution
hours and changed priorities for prosecution time would be
necessary for more aggressive enforcement.
Public Safety Director Erskine recommended that the City
continue it's current strong enforcement efforts in responding to
complaints and requiring compliance from video stores.
Discussion followed regarding the difficulty in determining
"community standards" and utilizing resources for other priority
prosecution areas.
Item #III DISCUSSION REGARDING YOUTH RESOURCE SPECIALIST.
S.S.L. NO. 31
Public Safety Director Erskine reviewed Study Session Letter
No. 31 regarding a proposal to create a Youth Resource Specialist
position to focus on juvenile problems within the community. He
summarized the proposed duties of the position; it's relationship
to existing programs, and the costs related to the position. He
indicated that staff will include this proposed position in the
Proposed 1990 Public Safety Budget for City Council consideration
at the City Budget Hearing.
Study Session Minutes -3- November 6, 1989
Item #IV DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CITY'S MASTER PARK PLAN
Community Services Director Fondrick reviewed the Master
Park Plan development investment priorities and recommendations.
He stated the plan recommended that .the City give serious
consideration to establishing bond funding to complete Veterans
Memorial Park of Richfield site, the community activities
building construction, and upgrading neighborhood park sites.
City Manager Prosser indicated that this would require a
Bond Referendum. He indicated that the City's level of bonded
indebtedness would allow for such a bond without a mayor change
in debt payments. He stated that city staff would explore the
feasibility of a General Obligation Bond Referendum,
Mayor Quam stated the need to also explore the alternatives
of bonded debt to provide housing rehabilitation funds.
Lawrence Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, stated he felt
there had not been enough community involvement in the Master
Park Plan process.
Item #V DISCUSSION OF CHANGES TO CITY LOGO. S.S.L. NO. 32
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 32
regarding suggestions for a different logo design for the City.
No consensus was reached regarding a city logo design.
Item #VI DISCUSSION REGARDING COUNCIL AUDIO BROADCAST QUALITY
AND CAPABILITY. S.S.L. NO. 33
Administrative Services Director Devich reviewed Study
Session Letter No. 33 regarding concerns and potential
improvements in City Council audio broadcast quality and
capability.
Item #V DISCUSSION OF CITY HALL PARKING NEEDS. S.S.L. NO. 34
Discussion of this item was deferred to a future date.
Study Session Minutes
ADJOURNMENT
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The meeting was adjourned by unanim
Date Approved: 12J11J89
T omas P. Ferber
City Clerk
Novemiber 6, 1989
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