11-04-1991 Study SessionCITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
November 4, 1991
MEMBERS PRESENT: Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Michael Sandahl;
William Bullock; Ivan Ludeman; and Kristal
Stokes
STAFF PRESENT: James Prosser, City Manager; Steven Devich,
Administrative Services Director; Thomas
Ferber, City Clerk; Donald Fondrick,
Community Services Director; Byron Wallace,
Community Development Director; Mike
Eastling, City Engineer; and Thomas Foley,
Traffic Engineer.
OTHERS PRESENT: Sondra Simonson, Metropolitan Council; Joyce
Henry, State Representative District 40B;
Darryl Durgin, MnDot Assistant Commissioner;.
William Crawford, MnDot District Engineer;
Craig Robinson, I35W/I494 Corridor Manager;
and Phil Riveness, Senator District 40
(arrived at 7:30 p.m.)
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 6:10 p.m.
Item #I DISTRICT OF TRANSPORTATION ISSUES FACING THE CITY OF
RICHFIELD WITH COMMISSIONER OF THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION AND STATE LEGISLATORS, S.S. LETTER
NO. 45
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 45
regarding transportation issues affecting the City of Richfield.
Craig Robinson, I35W/I494 corridor Manager, reviewed the
status of the Environmental Impact Statements (E.I.S.) for I35W
and I494 indicating they will be completed in March of 1992.
Discussion was held regarding the coordination of the
Highway 77 Study and the impact of potential airport expansion.
Darryl Durgin, MnDot Assistant Commissioner, summarized the
status of LRT and it's relationship to the Transit Facility Plan,
Federal Funding, legislation, and the I35W Study.
City Manager Prosser stated that the City is neutral
regarding LRT technology but very strongly opposed to the use of
LRT in the Soo Line corridor.
Mr. Durgin reviewed the funding of the 77th Street
Reconstruction Project. He stated concern about precedent,
implications far future projects, and documentation of savings.
Discussion followed regarding the funding formula for the
77th Street Project. No consensus was reached regarding the
MnDot/City cost sharing formula. It was agreed that MnDot and
the City would schedule further meetings to resolve and refine
the funding formula issue.
Study Session Minutes
-2- ~ November 4, 1991
Item #II DISCUSSION OF MINUTES FROM OCTOBER 10, 1991 BOARD AND
COMMISSION CHAIR MEETING, S.S. LETTER NO. 46
City Manager Prosser reviewed the minutes of the October 10,
1991 Board and Commission Chair meeting regarding the following
issues:
Goals and Objectives
Communication Between Commissions
Coordination of Special Events
Coordination of Fund Raising Activity
Attendance Records
Parliamentary Procedures
Frequency of Joint Meetings
Staff liaison
Council discussion followed regarding the standards,
circumstances, and methods of addressing Commission attendance
problems. It was the consensus of the Council that City staff
prepare an attendance policy and process to administer the
policy.
It was the consensus of the council that City staff pursue
the use of a parliamentary procedure concept for City Commissions
that is less structured than Robert's Rules. City Manager
Prosser indicated that the City of Robbinsdale had implemented
such a procedure and he would schedule training for the
Commission Chairs.
Item #III DISCUSSION OF OPTIONS RELATED TO THE SALE OF 7300
FIRST AVENUE, S.S. LETTER NO. 47
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 47
regarding the options related to the sale of 7300 First Avenue
and the concept of raising the foundation of structures in the
vicinity of 73rd Street and First Avenue.
Community Services Director Fondrick reviewed the history of
the property and the level of storm water protection.
Council Member Sandahl stated that the City cannot indemnify
citizens from the potential of flooding.
Council Member Bullock noted that even if $35,000-$45,000
was spent to raise the structure, the structure would only
increase marginally from it's current value and not guarantee
that it would not flood again.
Study Session Minutes -3- November 4, 1991
Lawrence Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, suggested the
house be demolished and the property be made into a holding pond.
City Manager Prosser stated that this option had been
reviewed and raised concerns regarding maintenance, safety,
precedence, level of protection, and frequency of occurrence.
It was the consensus of the council that the City proceed
with Option 1 to pursue the sale of 7300 First Avenue and not to
pursue the alternative to raise the foundation.
City Manager Prosser suggested that he and a City Council
Member meet with Mr. Englund, 7308 First Avenue, to present this
information.
Ytem #IV POLICY AND STRATEGY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AIRPORT RELATED
ISSUES, S.S. LETTER NO. 48
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 48
regarding policy and strategy recommendations related to the
following airport issuese
~ City/MAC Feasibility Study
* Public Meeting with the Minnesota House Local Government
___ and Metropolitan Affairs Committee _ _
-- -----
~ FAA Part 150 Program
* Airport Communications Plan
* MSP Long Term Comprehensive Plan
Lawrence Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, stated concern
that airport noise is increasing and that the airport should not
be allowed to expand if they exceed acceptable noise levels. He
suggested cooperation with Minneapolis to oppose airport
expansion.
Don Priebe, 7225 Bloomington Avenue, stated that airport
noise and operations peaked in 1986. He stated noise has
decreased and operations have declined. He stated that the
City°s position is to direct efforts to address the impact of the
current airport because it will remain at least another 10-20
years. He stated that the Minneapolis activists favor building a
new airport.
Council Member Sandahl stated he does not believe a new
airport will be built because of cost, site opposition, and
Northwest Airlines.
Discussion followed regarding airport expansion and
mitigation of the impact of expansion.
Study Session Minutes -4- November 4, 1991
DISCUSSION ITEMS
City Manager Prosser reviewed the status of snowplowing
related to the mayor snowfall event.
Community Services Director Fondrick reviewed the status of
the Xerxes Avenue storm sewer project.
City Manager Prosser reviewed issues related to the property
maintenance ordinance and it's application to double bungalows.
Administrative Services Director Devich reviewed the truth
in taxation notices which will be mailed to property owners this
week.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:16 p.m.
Date A roved: 11/25/91 ~~~, ~ ~a
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Martin i sch Mayor
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Thomas P. Ferber J es Prosser
City Clerk C anager
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