02-04-1991 Study SessionCITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
February 4, 1991
MEMBERS PRESENT: Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Ivan Ludeman; Michael
Sandahl; Kristal Stokes; and William Bullock.
STAFF PRESENT: James Prosser, City Manager; Steven Devich,
Administrative Services Director; Thomas P.
Ferber, City Clerk; Donald Fondrick,
Community Services Director; Bruce Palmborg,
Housing & Redevelopment Coordinator; John
Erskine, Public Safety Director; William
Fillmore, Liquor Operations Director; Karen
Batchelder, Administrative Aide; and William
Weaver, City Planner.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 6:40 p.m.
Item #I DISCUSSION OF STORM WATER ANALYSIS FOR 6900 BLOCK OF
XERXES AVENUE. S.S.L. N0. 4
Community Services Director Fondrick reviewed Study Session
Letter No. 4 regarding a proposed project to prevent structures
in the 6900 block of Xerxes Avenue from being inundated during
rainfall events having up to a 1$ chance of occurrence in any
given year. He indicated additional capacity could be provided
by constructing a 42" gravity storm sewer from the alley along
Xerxes Avenue to Adams Hill Pond at an estimated cost of
$572,000. He stated the staff is seeking an indication of the
council's desire as to whether to pursue this project in 1991 or
schedule it for 1992.
Council Member Sandahl asked what funding would be used for
the project.
City Manager Prosser indicated that funding would come from
the storm utility which has about 5200,000 available and
borrowing from the P.I.R. Fund.
Council Member Sandahl stated support for proceeding with -
the project this year.
Council Member Ludeman asked for a report about the
resources available for the project and asked whether the gravity
elevations were adequate to drain to Adams Hill.
Community Services Director Fondrick reviewed the drainage
pattern elevations to Adams Hill. He stated it was important to
remember that this project would be a significant improvement but
that it does not guarantee that the area will never flood. He
reviewed the anticipated scheduling of construction.
Council Member Bullock asked about construction impacts and
asked that the neighbors be informed about the project.
Study Session Minutes
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City Manager Prosser indicated that a
would be conducted for the properties that
the construction. He indicated plans and
ready in approximately 2 months.
February 4, 1991
neighborhood meeting
will be affected by
specifications would be
It was the consensus of the City Council that the proposed
project be scheduled for 1991.
Item #II REVIEW OF THE CITY OF RICHFIELD 1991 LEGISLATIVE
INITIATIVES AND POLICY PACKAGE. S.S.L. N0. 5
State Senator Phil Riveness, State Representative Edwina
Garcia, and Metropolitan Council Member Gertrude Ulrich were
present.
City Manager Prosser indicated that State Representative
Joyce Henry called indicating she was unable to attend.
City Manager Prosser reviewed the following five legislative
challenges:
Challenge 1
Richfield is a fully developed residential community, with some
retail, and is significantly challenged to provide sufficient
resources for redevelopment, maintenance, and essential service
needs.
Challenge 2
Richfield has made significant progress in reversing the
deterioration and decline in commercial-retail areas of the city.
Market conditions, the significant lead time required for
remaining blighting conditions and planned public improvements
requires additional resources.
Challenge 3
Richfield has approximately 11,200 single family homes (5 percent
built prior to 1939, 62 percent built prior to 1960). The single
family homes require renovation and repair to be livable and
desirable. Resources are insufficient to counter flight to
developing suburbs and potential abandonment.
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Study Session Minutes -3- February 4, 1991
Challenge 4 ~~
Richfield has approximately 4,600 rental units (63 percent 1
bedroom, 29 percent 2 bedroom), which were built primarily from
1960 to 1970. The apartments require renovation and repair to be
livable and desirable. Vacancy rates are increasing. The rental
housing investment climate does not make owner investment
attractive. MHFA rental housing loan programs require rent
control and income qualifying which are disincentives to owner
participation. An increasingly lower income and more diverse
population places greater demands on health and safety programs.
Challenge 5
Support a package of new and modified revenue sources to ensure
that resources are of a sufficient quantity to have an impact on
housing, redevelopment, maintenance, and essential services in
Richfield.
Discussion was held regarding the suggested legislative
initiative responses to each of these challenges and strategies
to address them.
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Item #IIi POLICY AND STRATEGY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AIRPORT RELATED
ISSUES. S.S.L. NO. 6
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 6
regarding airport policy and strategy recommendations related to
interactive community planning at MSP, property acquisition in
New Ford Town and Rich Acres, and the new airport candidate
search area process.
Mayor Kirsch and City Planner Weaver reviewed the MSP
Planning Workshop held on January 30, 1991.
Don. Priebe, MASAC Representative, advocated staying flexible
on the possible relocation of the airport because of the
potential for severe environmental impacts from some plans to
expand the current airport.
Council Member Sandahl stated that is also should be noted
that the assumptions about air traffic projections may well need
to be revised to reflect current trends.
City Manager Prosser indicated that MAC has a new Chair and
that he would try to schedule a meeting with him for the council
in the future.
Study Session Minutes
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Item #IV PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF A GRAPHIC DESIGN
RECOMMENDED TO BE USED FOR CITY OF RICHFIELD ENTRANCE
SIGNS AND OTHER CITY IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES.
S.S.L. NO. 7
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 7
regarding graphic designs for entrance signs and other city
identification purposes.
Mayor Kirsch reviewed the results of the entrance sign
contest.
After discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council.
to utilize the first place entrance sign design for entrance
signs and to gradually phase.in it's use for other identification
purposes.
Mayor Kirsch also indicated a quilt will be made for City
Hall and for our Sister City from one of the honorable mention
desiga~s o
Item #V UPDATE AND DISCUSSION OF PLANS FOR WOOD LAKE NATURE
CENTER'S 20TH ANNIVERSARY AND "FRIENDS OF WOOD LAKE -
NATURE CENTER" S.S.L. N0. 8
Community Services Director Fondrick reviewed Study Session
Letter No. 8 regarding plans for Wood Lake Nature Center's 20th
Anniversary celebration on Sunday, May 5, 1991. He also reviewed
the initiation of the "Friends of Wood Lake Nature Center"
concept to broaden the funding base for the Center.
Item #VI DISCUSSION OF COUNCIL DESIGNATION OF MAYOR PRO TEMPORE.
S.S.L. NO. 9
It was the consensus of the council to schedule
consideration of the designation of Council Member Stokes to
serve as Mayor Pro Tempore for 1991 for the February 11, 1991
agenda.
Study Session Minutes -5- February 4, 1991
Item #VII ESTABLISH A DATE FOR COUNCIL TEAM BUILDING/GOAL
SETTING WORKSHOP. S.S.L. N0. 10
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 10
regarding establishing a date for a City Council team
building/goal setting workshop.
It was the consensus of the council that March 8 and March
15 would be available dates.
Council Member Ludeman indicated he preferred to use someone
other than Mr. Vinton as a facilitator.
It was the consensus of the council to direct staff to
schedule the interviews by the council of several consultants who
could provide this sQrvice.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:25 p.m.
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Date Approved: 2/11/91 ~~'Gv~ • /
Martin J. irsch Mayor
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Thomas P. Ferber J mes Prosser
City Clerk C ty anager