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12-12-1990 SpecialCITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING December 12, 1990 MEMBERS PRESENT: Steven Quam, Mayor; Ivan Ludeman; Michael Sandahl; and Martin Kirsch. STAFF PRESENT: James Prosser, City Manager; Steven Devich, Acting City Clerk; and John Dean, City Attorney. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Quam at 7:00 p.m. Item #1 WARD THREE CANDIDATES Mayor Quam reviewed the purpose of the meeting and asked for comments concerning the order of presentation. Council Member Sandahl stated that it was his feeling that applicant's names be drawn to determine the order of presentation. Council Member Ludeman suggested that Ward 3 applicants be reviewed first. M/Kirsch, S/Sandahl to have applicant presentation order drawn by lot and that Ward 3 be reviewed first. Motion carried 4-0. Mayor Quam stated that there was also an opportunity for the general public to speak on this issue. He asked that applicants limit their presentations to 15 minutes total, including the applicant's statement and those speaking on behalf of the applicant. Mayor Quam instructed the Acting City Clerk to draw the order of names and keep track of each 15 minute presentation limit. The first name drawn was Ronald Fossum. Ronald Fossum, 7344 Oakland Ave. South, addressed the City Council regarding his qualifications for appointment. He stated he was a sixteen year resident who was a people helper and problem solver. Mr. Fossum referenced his experience with Minneapolis Moline, ADT Systems and his current experience as an insurance agent for thirteen years. He also described his work with legislators in the past. Mr. Fossum states that he is non- partisan. Council Meeting Minutes (2) December 12, 1990 Council Member Sandahl asked Mr. Fossum his view of property taxes in Richfield. Mr. Fossum stated he felt the property taxes were fair and equitable for the services rendered. Council Member Ludeman asked what Mr. Fossum felt might be the main thrust of the City Council for the next five years. Mr. Fossum said the airport, pollution, transportation and finding out what the people want. Mayor Quam asked, as a council member, what might be Mr. Fossum's main goal. Mr. Fossum stated to represent the people and to be someone they could come to. Council Member Kirsch asked what Mr. Fossum's thoughts were on - the park situation in the City noc~ that the referendum had been defeated. Mr. Fossum said he felt the City could use more parks and something should be done with park maintenance. The Acting City Clerk next drew the name of Robert Doebler. Jan Cerny, 6648 4th Ave. South, addressed the City Council and spoke on behalf of Robert Doebler. She cited his work on the Gity Charter Commission. Dan Rude, 7101 12th Ave. South, also spoke on behalf of Robert Doebler. Robert Doebler, 6920 10th Ave. South, addressed the City Council concerning his qualifications for appointment. Mr. Doebler indicated he was a 38 year resident of Richfield and spent 37 years at Honeywell. He cited his experience on a church board as a treasurer and part of a church bonding program. He cited his finance and long-range planning as his strongest assets and stated he felt it was important to prevent Richfield being impacted by inner city conditions. Council Member Sandahl asked Mr. Doebler how he felt about property taxes in Richfield. Mr. Doebler stated that they were as high as they should be, especially when many of the Richfield residents are reaching retirement age. Council Member Ludeman asked what Mr. Doebler's perspective of goals on the City Council would be for the next five years. Council Meeting Minutes (3) December 12, 1990 Mr. Doebler stated that he had not given that a lot of thought. He was concerned about a clean city developing properly and being conscious of the maturing population. Council Member Kirsch asked his views on parks in Richfield in light of the defeated referendum. Mr. Doebler stated that he felt that the defeat was because of the size of the proposed bond issue and because of lack of communication to the public from the City. He stated that he felt some work needs to be done on the parks but not of that magnitude. Mayor Quam asked how Mr. Doebler would encourage people to move into the City, people who would be young families of ethnic diversity. Mr. Doebler felt that if the City were to stay a clean, growing community and giving park upkeep a priority, that would occur. Mayor Quam asked if he thought we had an open type of government process in Richfield. Mr. Doebler stated that the City could do abetter fob of publicizing some issues. Tom Larson, 6644 11th Ave. South, spoke on behalf of Robert Doebler. The Acting City Clerk next selected the name of Stephanie Muenzhuber. Pam Seibert, 7411 16th Ave. South, spoke on behalf of Stephanie Muenzhuber. Ms. Seibert stated that she felt that Stephanie followed through on issues. Stephanie Muenzhuber, 7638 11th Ave. South, addressed City Council concerning her qualifications for appointment. She spoke of her experience on various City organizations such as the PTA, PTO, Cub Scouts, Title One Board and church councils. She stated her strengths would be in planning and management. Council Member Sandahl asked Ms. Muenzhuber what her feelings of property taxes in Richfield were. Ms. Muenzhuber stated that she had lived in Florida and Arizona previously and appreciated the services that Richfield rendered and does not object to the taxes. Mayor Quam asked Ms. Muenzhuber what she would strive to achieve on the Council. She responded that she would strive for a safe community. Council Meeting Minutes (4) December 12, 1990 Council Member Kirsch asked the applicant what her views on the City parks situation was in light of the defeat of the referendum. Ms. Muenzhuber replied that the City should study where the parks that are in need of improvement are. She stated that she lives near Washington Park and that particular park is too near busy streets. The Acting City Clerk next selected the name of Don Priebe. Donald Priebe, 7225 Bloomington Ave. South, addressed the City Council regarding his candidacy for the City Council. Mr. Priebe read his letter of application to the City Council and audience. In it Mr. Priebe cited his service to the City of Richfield as a prior mayor and the first Ward 3 council member elected to the City. He also cited his representation at MASAC and his appointment to the Mall Area Religious Council. He cited his involvement in the recent park bond referendum defeat as an - opp®sitioa~ beades ~snd he cited his membership and participation in the Citizens League since 1980. Mr. Priebe indicated that as the Mayor in 1980-81 he introduced the Consent Agenda to help speed up some of the more routine matters of the City Council and also began the Open Meeting section of the agenda which allows citizens the opportunity to speak and address the City Council. He cited those as examples of his desire to welcome comments from voters and he also stated he endorses an open process of selecting a replacement. Mr. Priebe stated there were a number of problems facing the City including retirees seeking alternative housing and a need for safe, pleasant, affordable housing for new families. And finally, that the City of Richfield must protect its turf in view of issues such as the airport and the highway transportation studies now underway. Mr. Priebe also submitted a listing of 200 names from Ward 3 who support him as the person to represent them on the City Council (Clerks File No. C-317). Edwina Garcia, 6732 18th Ave. South, spoke on behalf of Don Priebe. She stated there were a number of tough decisions ahead and the City will- be faced with more responsibilities and less funding and, therefore, needed an individual such as Don Priebe. Council Member Sandahl asked Don Priebe what he thought of property taxes in Richfield. Mr. Priebe responded that. he felt that property taxes were going to be an increasing problem for local government especially with the shortfalls at state funding levels. He stated the City will have to do a better fob of spending. Council Meeting Minutes (5) December 12, 1990 Council Member Ludeman asked Don Priebe what percentage of the votes he received when he ran for re-election as mayor. Mr. Priebe stated that he ran for the mayor's race originally in 1980-81 and that in 1982, he ran for the Ward 3 Council seat with a term from 1983 through 1985. He stated that during the latter election, he received 68.5 of the vote. He indicated in the re- election for mayor, which he lost, he received approximately 44$ of the vote. Mayor Quam asked Mr. Priebe what his view was of the City parks and of the park bond referendum. Mr. Priebe indicated that he took a lead role in defeating the park bond referendum and felt strongly about it although he feels strongly about upgrading neighborhood parks for young children. He commented about the need for developing Washington Park but only in the context of developing other City parks and not insisting that it be first. He felt the focus should be on upgrading neighborhood parks. Mayor Quam asked Mr. Priebe what he thought of the City government's responsiveness in Richfield. Mr. Priebe indicated that from time to time he had disagreements, with the City staff, but generally speaking, administration was doing a pretty good fob and deserves the support of the Council and residents. Council Member Kirsch asked Mr. Priebe where he thought the City should go with the airport issue. Mr. Priebe responded that it is unlikely that the airport will move and there is little support for such a move. Mr. Priebe felt that the City should seek a runway use system which would distribute airplane noise on all communities more equitably. The Acting City Clerk next selected the name of Robert Lindgren. Mr. Lindgren was not present to address the City Council regarding his qualifications nor was there anyone in the chambers who spoke on his behalf. The Acting City Clerk next drew the name of Kristal Stokes. Kristal Stokes, 6733 17th Ave. South, addressed the City Council concerning her qualifications for appointment. She stated that she has been a £our year resident of the City of Richfield and that her main concern was the quality of life in Richfield. She stated that her management experience, goal setting, taking calculated risks and budgeting were some of her greatest assets with respect to assuming the position of council member. She also stated that she represents young families in the community. Council Meeting Minutes (6) December 12, 1990 Council Member Sandahl asked Ms. Stokes in as much as 50~ of the general fund is designated to Police and Fire, where would she see cuts if they were necessary. Ms. Stokes replied that she would ask the people of the third ward and did not have budget information in front of her to respond to such a question at this time. Mayor Quam asked what Ms. Stokes saw as the most important issues facing Richfield in the next five years. She replied that keeping up the quality of life and keeping the neighborhoods safe were important issues to her. Council Member Kirsch asked what her impression of the City parks in Richfield were especially in light of the defeated referendum. Ms. Stokes said she felt that parks should be user friendly. The City should find out what the people who use the parks want. - Mayor Quam asked her for her perspective of the community welcoming young new leadership and the openness of the community. Ms. Stokes replied that she is here seeking the appointment and she is young.. Ms. Stokes added that she felt that it was important for the City to communicate directly with the people. The Acting City Clerk next drew the name of Jennifer Sutherland. Ms. Sutherland was not present to present her qualifications at the Council meeting nor was there anyone in the chambers to speak on her behalf. The Acting City Clerk drew the name of James Norquist. James Norquist, 6332 15th Ave. South, addressed the City Council regarding his qualifications for appointment. Mr. Norquist indicated that-his appointment would give youth to the City Council and that there was a need to bring new, young families into the community. Mr. Norquist reviewed his credentials stating that he was a lawyer and served as a law clerk in Hennepin County District Court. He also indicated that he had served on the City's Charter Commission and on the Chamber of Commerce. He indicated that he was a compromise candidate although he had campaigned for Edwina Garcia in her recent election. He stated he had no specific goals in mind as a council member.- Instead, he wanted to listen and take suggestions from constituents and the City Council. Council Meeting Minutes (7) December 12, 1990 Council Member Ludeman asked that Mr. Norquist respond to the two mayor areas of redevelopment in the City - the ILN and the Penn Avenue/66th Street area. Mr. Norquist stated that he felt that Richfield's strength was in its residential property tax base and that it should strive to maintain that strength. The Acting City Clerk next drew the name of William Smith. William Smith was not present to address the City Council, nor was there anyone in the Council chambers who spoke on behalf of Mr. Smith. The Acting City-Clerk next drew the name of Robert Gorski. Robert Gorski, 7220 13th Ave. South, addressed the City Council concerning his qualifications for appointment. Mr. Gorski indicated that he had worked as a coach within the Richfield School systems for the past eleven years. He also indicated that he was active on a church council and that he would work for the younger people in Richfield. Council Member Kirsch asked Mr. Gorski what his perspective was on the current airport situation. Mr. Gorski indicated that we should ask the airport what they have to offer us and to work with the airport regarding solving the problems. Council Member Sandahl asked Mr. Gorski to indicate where he may spend less or spend more in the City's General Fund budget. Mr. Gorski responded that he was satisfied with taxes in Richfield and would have to look at the budget before he could make any statement on where he would cut spending. Council Member Ludeman asked Mr. Gorski his perspective on redevelopment and especially the tax increment financing projects in the ILN/LHN. Mr. Gorski stated there were a number of areas ready for redevelopment in City, especially the apartments along 494. Mayor Quam asked what goal he may want to achieve as a council member in the next five years. Mr. Gorski indicated that he was satisfied with keeping things going the way they have been going in the past. The Acting City Clerk next drew the name of Richard Holt. Council Meeting Minutes (8) December 12, 1990 Richard Holt, 7521 Park Ave. South, addressed the City Council concerning his qualifications for appointment. Mr. Holt indicated he was a trucker with Larson Transfer Company and stated he would like to get involved with the City to see why council members frustrate him so much. Council Member Kirsch asked Mr. Holt for his perspective on the current airport situation. Mr. Holt indicated he felt the airport would stay where it is and that New Ford Town should be changed to commercial or airport property. Council Member Sandahl asked Mr. Holt to speak to the issue of the ILN redevelopment or 77th Street proposal that is, buying the homes and widening the street. Mr. Holt said that this project dust creates more problems by doing anything on 77th Street and that it is depleting the tax - base. He indicated that 49~ traffic dust keeps getting worse and widening 494 won't help anything. Council Member Ludeman stated that we live in times o what mayor changes might we expect to see in the next in Richfield. Mr. Holt responded that getting some homes built here families would get done but he could not see doing so $115,000 new home program. We would have to use less homes. f change and five years for young with a expensive Mayor Quam asked Holt what frustrates him regarding City Council. Mr. Holt responded that taxes have increased more than the wages and that there is a necessity to hold the line on taxes. Mr. Holt's presentation concluded the applicants for ward three. Mayor Quam invited comments from the general public at this time. Shirley Johnson, 7609 12th Ave. South, addressed the Council and indicated that she would support the appointment of Don Priebe for her ward. Henry Nehls, 6826 Portland Ave. South, stated that he felt that he liked what Kristal Stokes had to say and he felt that the City Council needed a woman's perspective. Rudy Milquist, 6621 11th Ave. South, spoke on behalf of the appointment of Don Priebe. He also wanted to comment that he felt we get a lot for our taxes. Council Meeting Minutes (9) December 12, 1990 Selden Saunders, 6739 17th Ave. South, spoke on behalf of Kristal Stoke's appointment to Ward 3. Mayor Quam indicated that this concluded the presentation portion for Ward 3 and directed the Council and Acting City Clerk to proceed to Ward 1 applications. Item #2 WARD ONE CANDIDATES The first name drawn by the Acting City Clerk was Kevin Hoemke. Kevin Hoemke, 6339 Morgan Ave. South, addressed the City Council concerning his qualifications for appointment. Mr. Hoemke indicated that he was a student at Augsburg College, that he was previously active in DECA and that he was a member of the National Honor Society. Mr. Hoemke stated that his perspective was different than someone who has been within the community for a very long time or from someone who has dust moved in. He moved into the community some ten years ago. Mr. Hoemke read excerpts and letters of recommendation from John Weir and Mary M. Storf of Augsburg College; Bev Weinshoff, 7621 Xerxes Ave. South; Annette Heaudrou, Sister Kenney Institute and Richard Maas, Richfield High School Principal. Mr. Hoemke concluded by stating that his age would provide a unique perspective and that he was very open minded about most things. Council Member Ludeman asked Mr. Hoemke if he might identify one mayor area to improve in the community. Mr. Hoemke responded that specifically on expanding 494 will not effectively deal with the volumes of traffic without taking some additional steps. Mayor Quam asked Mr. Hoemke about his perspective of the statement that Minneapolis was swelling and engulfing Richfield and what might be the solution. Mr. Hoemke stated he was familiar with crack and cocaine problems in his neighborhood and felt there was some sort of spilling over from Minneapolis into Richfield neighborhoods. Council Member Kirsch asked what was Mr. Hoemke's perspective on the airport. Council Meeting Minutes (10) December 12, 1990 Mr. Hoemke responded that it was important to develop a rapport with the airport and to work on scheduling restrictive flight times over Richfield. Mayor Quam asked Mr. Hoemke on his view of the City parks systems in view of the defeated referendum. Mr. Hoemke said he felt the people said no to the referendum because it was improvement to such an extensive degree but he felt it still must be a goal of the community to preserve the status of the City's parks. The Acting City Clerk selected the name of Timothy Erlander as the next candidate. Timothy Erlander, 7500 Thomas Ave. South, addressed the City Council regarding his qualifications for appointment. Mr. Erlander read his letter of application to the Council and audience. - Mr. Erlander stated that he was an attorney practicing family law in Minneapolis and moved into Richfield in 1977. He cited his membership in the Optimist Club. Mr. Erlander said he was a populist conservative who was a believer in human and sexual equality and was concerned how issues impact upon the people. He also stated that he felt neighborhoods were the community's first resource and that we must protect them. Residents must come first. He felt strongly about the need for a full-time Fire and Police Department and a full-time Fire Chief. He stated that he was cautious about the Richfield First philosophy. Mr. Erlander stated his position on a number of positions including the acceptability of part-time employees at the Golf Course, and a charter amendment to provide for more frequent elections. He also stated his position on taxes, LRT, the airport and the New Ford Town area. The Acting City Clerk next drew the name of Guy Farrington. Guy Farrington, 6839 Humboldt Ave. South, addressed the City Council concerning his qualifications for appointment. Mr. Farrington stated that it was a function of government to service the public not to rule it. He indicated his memberships in Rotary, Chamber of Commerce and Richfield Crime Prevention Association Board. Mr. Farrington also spoke of his past involvement in the community with respect to Richfield news editorials concerning the deep well system and the outdoor pool. Council Meeting Minutes (11) December 12, 1990 Council Member Ludeman asked Mr. Farrington what he saw in the next five years as a need for improvements in Richfield. Mr. Farrington responded that the City is going to have to help redevelopment especially along 77~ Street. He stated he thought it was a pipe dream that the airport is ever going to move and that the area eventually will succumb to some sort of light rail transit. Mr. Farrington said he was very pleased with the City's parks but that the community should not stop here. However, he understands that the City does not currently have the resources to proceed with park improvement. Mayor Quam asked whether he felt money should be spread in neighborhood parks or placed in Veterans Memorial Park and how that latter project compares to Woodlake. Mr. Farrington stated that he felt there would always be a conflict between money for neighborhood parka and Veterans Memorial Park. However, he felt he could not compare the - Woodlake project to the Veterans Memorial Park project. The Acting City Clerk next drew the name of William Bullock. William Bullock, 7121 Knox Ave. South, addressed the City Council concerning his qualifications for appointment. Mr. Bullock indicated while he had no public service experience, he did have some campaign experience in the local level. He said he was a manager with Northwest Airlines and that experience had given him knowledge in budgeting and long-term planning. He also stated that he possessed logic and common sense in decision making. He felt that his inexperience and his age were both assets in his bid to become appointed to the City Council. Council Member Kirsch asked Mr. Bullock what he felt was the future of the airport. Mr. Bullock indicated that he had no privileged information concerning the airport. However, he did feel that the airport would be here for the foreseeable future and there was a need to relocate some air traffic wherever possible. He also stated it was not fair to put the air traffic noise on Richfield and South Minneapolis. Council Member Sandahl asked Mr. Bullock how he felt about his property taxes in Richfield. Mr. Bullock stated that compared with property taxes in St. Louis Park, where he previously lived and the south suburbs, he felt he was getting a very fair return for his taxes paid. Mayor Quam asked what goals he sought to achieve on the City Council. Council Meeting Minutes (12) December 12, 1990 Mr. Bullock .said he would like to work on recycling plastics and that mass transit and the freeway system surrounding Richfield are also high priorities. Council Member Ludeman asked Mr. Bullock to look at services and potential cuts in services and asked where he may feel such cuts would be warranted. Mr. Bullock responded that while he would give Police and Fire high priority, that would also be true of education. However, he stated, he hasn't looked at the budget and feels there are no easy answers. The Acting City Clerk drew the name of Jean Fox. Camillo DeSantis, 6508 Newton Ave. South, spoke on behalf of Jean Fox. Mr. DeSantis felt that Ms. Fox ran a clean, positive campaign and gained a sizable portion of the vote in the community. - Jean Fox, 6616 Sheridan Ave. South, addressed the City Council concerning her qualifications for the appointment. Ms. Fox indicated that her appointment would be an opportunity for unique representation in Ward 1. She stated that her 14 years in Richfield were an example of her leadership and service to the community including VEAP, the Camp Fire program, the Teen Center, Chairperson of the Richfield Human Rights Commission and Vision 2004 participation, including a recent committee chair assignment. Ms. Fox stated that she received over 7207 votes in support of her recent election bid this past November which indicated a strong vote of confidence. She also stated that she was knowledgeable of the issues facing the community such as 77th Street, the I35 Corridor and the airport. Ms. Fox concluded by saying that it is time to take the appointment process out of partisan politics for the good of the community and asked Mayor-elect Kirsch directly to give careful consideration to her appointment to represent Ward 1. She stated that citizens of Ward 1 considered her qualifications and 2258 of them have given her their vote of confidence. Ms. Fox also stated that she would like to appear before the City Council again when the Ward 1 appointment is to be made. Mayor Quam asked if there were any members of the audience that wished to speak on the candidates for Ward 1 or if there were any additional candidates in the audience who wished to address the City Council regarding their candidacy for the Ward 1 vacancy. Council Meeting Minutes (13) December 12, 1990 -There were no comments from the audience. Mayor Quam announced that on Thursday, December 13, 1990 at 6:00 p.m. there would be a meeting to consider the appointment for the Ward 3 vacancy. He indicated that there was a possibility that at that meeting he would include a motion for appointments to both Wards 3 and Ward 1. 1 Council Member Ludeman asked the Mayor to confirm that at the Monday night, December 10, 1990 meeting a motion was made to leave Ward 1 applications open until after Martin Kirsch resigned as the Ward 1 Council Member on January 2, 1991. Mayor Quam agreed that that was the motion passed Monday night. Mayor Quam thanked all of the applicants for participating in the process and stated that the City was fortunate to have so many interested and qualified people participate. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:45 p.m. Date Approved : 1 / 14/ 91 r Stever)" L. Dev~ch Acting City Clerk Mayor