01-23-1991 SpecialCITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 23, 1991
MEMBERS PRESENT: Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Ivan Ludeman; Michael
Sandahl; and Kristal Stokes.
STAFF PRESENT: James Prosser, City Manager; Thomas Ferber,
City Clerk; Steve Devich, Administrative
Services Director; and John Dean, City
Attorney.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 6:00 p.m.
PRESENTATION OF COLORS AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Kirsch led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Kirsch asked for a moment of silence in honor of our
military in the Middle East.
Mayor Kirsch stated that the following individuals had
applied for consideration for appointment as Ward 1 Council
Member:
William Bullock Timothy Erlander
LaNae Elliot Ted (Guy) Farrington
Jane Myre Thomas Ticen
Jean Fox Kevin Hoemke
Tom Scaglia, 6410 Washburn Avenue, stated his desire to
apply and indicated he had misunderstood the deadline.
After discussion, it was the consensus of the council to
allow Mr. Scaglia to apply this evening.
Mayor Kirsch stated the order of applicant presentation
would be determined by lot and each candidate would have 15
minutes.
The City Clerk drew the name of Jane Myre.
Item #1 INTERVIEW OF COUNCIL MEMBER CANDIDATE FOR WARD I
JANE MYRE
Jane Myre, 7033 Oliver Avenue, stated she had provided
written information with her application and preferred that the
City Council ask her questions.
Council Member Sandahl asked Ms. Myre why she was seeking
the council position.
Ms. Myre stated she`had been a resident of Richfield for 40
years and a member of the Advisory Board of Health. She stated
an interest in the future of the City and the interests of
seniors.
Special Meeting Minutes -2- January 23, 1991
Council Member Stokes asked Ms. Myre how she saw Richfield
changing.
Ms. Myre stated Richfield's schools and parks had changed
slot as it's citizen's matured and that now more children are
being seen in the community.
Mayor Kirsch asked Ms. Myre if she supported keeping the
airport at it's present location.
Ms. Myre stated her husband was a pilot and she supported
keeping the present airport.
Council Member Ludeman asked Ms. Myre what two things the
city could do to encourage new families to locate in Richfield.
Ms. Myre responded that the New Home Program, quality
schools and parks, and fob opportunities are ways the city can
accomplish this.
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THOMAS TICEN
The City Clerk drew the name of Thomas Ticen.
Thomas Ticen, 7011 James Avenue, reviewed his professional
experience including Hennepin County Commissioner, State
Representative, Charter Commission, and Human Services
Commission. He stated when going door to door seniors seemed
troubled about security in their homes. He stated concern about
the possible changes in the fiscal disparities law and stated the
need to pursue redevelopment of the 66th and Penn area. Mr.
Ticen said Richfield is a place for the future of young people as
they replace older citizens and that we should strive to leave a
legacy of home ownership and pride.
Council Member Ludeman asked Mr. Ticen what he thought
should be the City's goals for the next five years.
Mr. Ticen stated the goals as crime prevention, maintenance
of the housing inventory, continued fiscal responsibility and
seek to augment the commercial tax base, and reviewing the park
priorities.
Council Member Stokes asked Mr. Ticen his view on the status
of the airport.
Mr. Ticen responded that the airport should remain at it's
present location, that the City should strive to improve it's
relationship with MAC, and that he favors implementation of
redevelopment of New Ford Town.
Special Meeting Minutes -3- January 23, 1991
Mayor Kirsch asked his views on parks in Richfield in light
of the defeated referendum.
Mr. Ticen stated that the people had spoken and perhaps the
referendum was for too much money. He said that doesn.'t mean we
should dust leave the parks alone; needs should be established
and funding sources reviewed. Mr. Ticen said he had supported
the referendum.
Item #3 INTERVIEW OF COUNCIL MEMBER CANDIDATE FOR WARD I
WILLIAM BULLOCK
The City Clerk drew the name of William Bullock.
William Bullock, 7121 Knox Avenue, indicated he had no
public office experience and had been a resident of Richfield for
8 years. He stated he had previously reviewed his qualifications
before the council and asked if they had any questions.
Council Member Stokes asked Mr. Bullock if he had a plan on
how he would communicate with his constituents.
Mr. Bullock indicated he would do some door knocking but
would tap the resources of the current council members to
identify needs.
Item #4 INTERVIEW OF COUNCIL MEMBER CANDIDATE FOR WARD I
TIMOTHY ERLANDER
The City Clerk drew the name of Timothy Erlander.
Timothy Erlander, 7500 Thomas Avenue, stated that he wished
to continue his remarks where he left off at the last interview
session. He indicated recent reports had proved him right in
opposing LRT.
Council Member Ludeman asked if Mr. Erlander disagreed with
or saw anyway to enhance the Council position regarding the
airport.
Mr. Erlander stated he wanted the airport to remain at it's
current location because he feared the lost of fobs and foresees
that new technology will improve the noise situation. He stated
he favored the New Ford Town redevelopment proposal and that it
would assure people could get their money out of their property.
Council Member Stokes asked Mr. Erlander what he thought was
the biggest challenge facing the City in the next few years.
Special Meeting Minutes -4- January 23, 1991
Mr. Erlander indicated the need for crime control/prevention,
a strong public safety department, maintaining a full time fire
department and fire chief, and keeping up the housing stock. He
said he wants to keep the City the way it is now.
Mayor Kirsch asked his views on parks in light of the
defeated referendum.
Mr. Erlander stated the need to keep up the neighborhood
parks and to put Legion Lake on the back burner.
Item #5 INTERVIEW OF COUNCIL MEMBER CANDIDATE FOR WARD I
KEVIN HOEMKE
The City Clerk drew the name of Kevin Hoemke.
Kevin Hoemke, 6339 Morgan Avenue, indicated his involvement
in the community showed the dedication he would bring to the
position. He said he would provide a unique perspective and an
open mind. Mr. Hoemke said he was very conservative. He stated
he wanted to preserve the status quo.
Mayor Kirsch asked his views on parks in light of the
defeated referendum.
Mr. Hoemke stated he voted against the referendum and
supported keeping the parks dust the way they are now.
Council Member Stokes asked Mr. Hoemke what one thing he
would change about Richfield.
Mr. Hoemke stated it would be to preserve the school system
dust the way it is now.
Item #6 INTERVIEW OF COUNCIL MEMBER CANDIDATE FOR WARD I
.JEAN FOX
The City Clerk drew the name of Jean Fox.
Jean Fox, 6616 Sheridan Avenue, addressed the City Council
concerning her qualifications for appointment. She stated that
2258 citizens of Ward 1 had voted for her in the last election
showing their support for her. She stated she had a high degree
of community visibility and proven record of service. Ms. Fox
challenged the council to make a bold statement to the community
by taking partisan politics out of the process and to appoint her.
She stated she has the energy, knowledge of the issues, and
ability to work with a diverse community.
Special Meeting Minutes -~- January 23, 1991
Council Member Stokes asks how Ms. Fox would help the City
Council to work together as a team.
Ms. Fox stated that mutual respect is important even if there
is a disagreement on an issue. She stated she has always worked
well in groups.
Item #7 INTERVIEW OF COUNCIL MEMBER CANDIDATE FOR WARD I
TED FARRINGTON
The City Clerk drew the name of Ted Farrington.
Ted Farrington, 6839 Humboldt Avenue, addressed the City
Council concerning his qualifications for appointment. Mr.
Farrington stated it was the responsibility of government to serve
the sick, poor, and aged. He stated he was a supporter of a
strong police and fire department. He indicated a concern about
the budgetary impact of State mandates on local government. Mr.
Farrington stated he was retired and had the time to devote to
this position.
Council Member Ludeman stated that state aid to cities will
be cut and asked Mr. Farrington if he had ideas where to cut the
city budget.
Mr. Farrington responded not a one.
Item #8 INTERVIEW OF COUNCIL MEMBER CANDIDATE FOR WARD I
LA NAE ELLIOT
The City Clerk drew the name of LaNae Elliot.
LaNae Elliot, 6832 Irving Avenue, stated she was a resident
and homeowner in Richfield for 18 years. She stated she had seen
many improvements in streets, parks, senior housing, and
commercial, areas and hopes to continue improving the City. Ms.
Elliot stated her assets for the position include. ability,
leadership, commitment, responsible, dependable, analytical, and
being a good listener. She stated she is not afraid to take a
stand and was aware of the issues. Ms. Elliot stated support for
the airport staying at it's current location, a buyout of New Ford
Town, redevelopment of the Lyndale I494 area, and encouraging
young families to settle in Richfield.
Mayor Kirsch asked her views on parks in light of the
defeated referendum.
Ms. Elliot stated Veterans Memorial Park should be completed
and they do what we can with the others.
Special Meeting Minutes -6- January 23, 1991
Item #9 INTERVIEW OF COUNCIL MEMBER CANDIDATE FOR WARD I
TOM SCAGLIA
The City Clerk drew the name of Tom Scaglia.
Tom Scaglia, 6410 Washburn Avenue, addressed the council
concerning his qualifications for appointment. He stated a strong
support for professional firefighters. Mr. Scaglia said he was on
the Planning Commission and indicated the airport should remain
where it now is located. He indicated a need for dealing with
highway issues and interest in education.
Council Member Sandahl asked his view on parks in light of
the defeat of the referendum.
Mr. Scaglia stated he had opposed the Park Hond referendum
because the amount was too much. He stated the need to prioritize
the park needs and possible seek a smaller referendum after a long
period og educati®n.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Kirsch stated the City Council would meet on Thursday,
January 24, 1991 at 6:00 p.m. to consider an appointment to fill
the Ward 1 Council Member vacancy.
M/Ludeman, S/Sandahl to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried 5-0.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
2/11/91
Date Approved: ~~U
Martin J Kirsch Mayor
• - ~ /~~~
Thomas P. Ferber ame D. Prosser
City Clerk it Manager•