03-04-1991 Study SessionCITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
March 4, 1991
MEMBERS PRESENT: Martin Kirsch, Mayor; William Bullock; and
Kristal Stokes.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Ivan Ludeman; Michael Sandahl.
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; Jack Erskine,
Public Safety Director; Mike Eastling, City
Engineer; Thomas Foley, Transportation
Engineer; and Betsy Christensen, Health
Administrator.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 5:30 p.m.
Item #1 DISCUSSION OF SAFETY AND TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS ON PENN
AVENUE FROM 80TH STREET TO 76TH STREET. S.S.L. 11
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 11
regarding potential improvements on Penn Avenue from 80th Street
to 76th Street. He indicated that if the council perceives the
need for improvements city staff will inform the Hennepin County
staff to proceed with further design work which will lead to the
public review process and consideration of approval of the
project.
Community Services Director Fondrick reviewed the history of
proposed road improvements to the I494/Penn Avenue area including
previous approval of the project for FAU funding. He stated that
the FAU funding had subsequently been withdrawn because of
Hennepin County's desire to wait for the 1494 EIS and desire to
investigate the use of LRT on 1494. Mr. Fondrick stated that the
current proposal would add a left turn lane on the current Penn
Avenue bridge over I494. Total reconfiguration of that bridge and
intersection would occur at the time I494 is upgraded.
City Engineer Eastling reviewed concept drawings of the
proposed project and three options for the 76th Street/Penn
Avenue intersections.
It was the consensus of the city council that city staff
proceed with the process regarding potential improvements.
Study Session Minutes -2- March 4, 1991
Item #2 DISCUSSION OF POLICY AND STRATEGY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
AIRPORT RELATED ISSUES. S.S.L. 12
City Manager Prosser reviewed Council Letter No. 12
regarding the following airport related policy and strategy
recommendations.
• Interactive Community Planning at MSP
The city supports the development of MSP interactive planning
groups and will continue to encourage the MAC to work with
neighboring communities on future airport planning. The proposed
enhancement plans for MSP will have adverse environmental impacts
on the communities surrounding the airport. These communities
must work together and identify agreeable measures to mitigate
negative environmental impacts from the proposed enhancement
plans. City staff will continue to participate in the MSP
interactive planning groups.
e Property Acquisition in New Ford Town and Rich Acres
City staff and consultants are in the process of developing a
comprehensive proposal that will be submitted to the MAC
identifying all the activities and components necessary for a
complete buy out of New Ford Town and Rich Acres. The working
outline for the proposal includes:
I. Finance Plan
A. Net tax loss plan to schools and city property
1. Interim period (while buy out is occurring)
2. Permanent period (after buy out period in
preparation of redevelopment of the area)
B. Acquisition financing
II. Acquisition Management
A. Acquisition
The city would offer the services of the HRA to manage
the acquisition process including relocation.
B. Interim property management
C. Demolition
III. Legal Framework
A. Legal basis of acquisition
B. Incorporation of financial. assurances for acquisition
C. Indemnification agreement for property tax base
(schools and city)
D. Property management agreements
E. Final property disposition agreement including:
1. Airport use option
a. land use compatibility system
b. net tax loss indemnification
Study Session Minutes -3- March 4, 1991
® MAC Part 150 Program
The Council should designate a representative to serve on the
policy advisory group. In addition, the staff will develop a
core group of representatives to work with the MAC consultants.
This group will specifically identify the homes, schools and
other public buildings located in Richfield affected by airport
noise that are eligible for Part 150 noise compatibility projects
(property acquisition, soundproofing and other measures).
® MASAC
The Council should designate a MASAC representative to replace
Don Priebe.
Item #3 DISCUSSION OF CITY SELECTION PROCESS. S.S.L. N0. 13
Mayor Kirsch stated that this item would be deferred due to
the absence of Council Members Sandahl and Ludeman.
Item #4 DISCUSSION OF POLICY REGARDING PAYMENT OF LEGAL FEES
FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS. S.S.L. N0. 14
Mayor Kirsch stated that this item would be deferred due to
the absence of Council Members Sandahl and Ludeman.
Item #5 DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE REGULATING THE PARKING OF
UNATTACHED UTILITY TRAILERS ON CITY STREETS.
S.S.L. N0. 15
City Manager Prosser reviewed Council Letter No. 15
regarding a proposal for an ordinance regulating the parking of
unattached utility trailers on City streets.
Public Safety Director Erskine stated that the Public Safety
Department receives many complaints about trailers which are not
attached. to vehicles parked on public streets. He stated that
staff is recommending that an ordinance be enacted which will
limit the parking of utility trailers, which include:
Snowmobile trailers
Boat trailers
All-Terrain vehicle trailers
Trailers under 10,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight that are
unattached to a towing vehicle on City streets for more than
two hours.
Study Session Minutes -4- March 4, 1991
Mayor Kirsch asked how the two hour limit had been chosen.
Public Safety Director Erskine stated that originally a
complete ban had been proposed but that he had chosen two hours
to allow for some limited parking situations.
Council Member Bullock asked if the enforcement would be
towing or ticketing.
Public Safety Erskine stated tickets would be issued except
in the case of a safety hazard.
It was the consensus of the council that this proposal be
scheduled for First Reading consideration.
Item #6 DISCUSSION ON USE OF SINKING FUNDS FOR THE
DEPRECIATION OF CERTAIN FIXED ASSETS IN THE GENERAL
FUND. S.S.L. 16
Administrative Services Director Devich reviewed Study
Session Letter No. 16 regarding the use of "sinking funds" for
the depreciation of certain fixed assets in the General Fund and
the following three significant issues:
1. Governmental Accounting and Financial Reporting
Standards
2. Costs
3. Ability to identify such assets
Mr. Devich stated that according to governmental accounting
standards, depreciating fixed assests in the general fund is
improper. He added that even if it was proper to depreciate such
assets, there are no funds available to do so.
Lawrence Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, advocated the use
of operating funds for certain maintenance type capital
expenditures.
Discussion followed regarding capital improvements,
maintenance, and funding availability.
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Item #7 PRESENTATION OF 1990 ANNUAL REPORT BY ADVISORY BOARD OF
HEALTH.
Advisory Board of Health members Jo Romer, Kevin Keller,
Marvis Spencer, and Jane Myre presented the Advisory Board of
Health Annual Report for 1990 to the City Council.
Study Session Minutes -5- March 4, 1991
Council Member Stokes suggested that the Board may want to
address single parent family issues. Discussion followed
regarding this issue and the role of the Board.
Chairperson Romer suggested that it would be helpful to
annually meet with all other city commission chair's to
coordinate any overlapping areas and to be informed as to their
functions.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
City Manager Prosser reviewed the following items:
1. Snowbird enforcement statistics.
2. 35W Legislator Tour - March 6, 1991.
Mayor Kirsch and the City Manager will attend.
3. House Property Tax Subcommittee Hearing on the
Governor's Budget Proposal - March 6, 1991.
Administrative Services Director Devich will make a
statement.
4. Riveness Town Meeting March 7, 1991.
5. A report from the December Town Meeting has been
received.
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ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 7:40 p.m.
Date Approved: 3/11/91 ~l `,7
Martin J. Kirsch Mayor
,~/
Thomas P. Ferber me D. Prosser
City Clerk Ci Manager