01-06-1992 Study SessionCITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
January 6, 1992
MEMBERS PRESENT: Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Ivan Ludeman; Michael
Sandahl; William Bullock; and Kristal Stokes.
STAFF PRESENT: James Prosser, City Manager; Steven Devich,
Administrative Services Director; Thomas P.
Ferber, City Clerk; Donald Fondrick;
Community Services Director; -Bruce Palmborg,
Housimg & Redevelopment Coordinator; Mike
Eastling, City Engineer; Jack Erskine,
Public Safety Director; and Tom Foley,
Transportation Engineer.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 6:00 p.m.
Item #I DISCUSSION OF FURTHER OPTION FOR DISPOSITION OF
CITY-OWNED PROPERTY AT 7300 FIRST AVENUE. S.S. NO. 1
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 1
regarding the following options for disposition of the property
at 7300 First Avenue:
1) Scheduling the public hearing and second reading of the
ordinance authorizing the sale and offering the property to the
highest qualified bidder "as is".
2) Remove the structures from the site and maintain the
site as a vacant City owned property.
Council Member• Ludeman stated that the cost of a new storm
sewer £or the intersection did not make it feasible, but that
selling the house was not a solution.
Council Member Bullock stated there is no solution to the
problem but that the City should not own the property.
Council Member Sandahl stated that the cheapest alternative
is to sell the property "as is".
Russell Susag, 7305 1st Avenue, stated that water from other
areas like Nicollet Avenue contribute to the problem at this
intersection. He said that the house was built on fill and this
caused pressure on the foundation in heavy rains. Mr. Susag
stated the property is not being maintained by the City to the
neighborhood standards. He offered to organize the neighbors to
provide maintenance for the lots. He advocated demolition of the
houses at 7300 and 7304 First Avenue with the property becoming a
park.
Study Session Minutes -2- January 6, 1992
Council Member Sandahl stated that the offer by Mr. Susag to
provide maintenance was appreciated but that this method could
not be relied upon in the long term. He stated that it would be _
bad public policy to buy the second house and that the City
cannot indemnify it's residents against natural disasters.
Community Services Director Fondrick reviewed cost/benefit
analysis and level of protection information related to this
intersection.
Council Member Bullock stated he supported dealing with this
issue by selling the house.
Council Member Ludeman asked about the feasibility, cost,
and impact of the diversion of Nicollet Avenue stormwater.
Community Services Director Fondrick indicated that this
information would be provided to the council.
Council Member Stokes stated concern about the precedent set
and indicated that the City should attempt to sell the property.
Mayor Kirsch directed that staff proceed to schedule council
consideration of the "as is" sale of the property at 7300 First
Avenue.
Item #II DYSCUSSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AFFECTING THE I35W
AND I494 RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. S.S. NO. 2
The following individuals were present to discuss and answer
questions regarding the draft Environmental Impact Statements
(EIS) for both the I35W and 1494 Reconstruction Projects:
Craig Robinson, MNDOT
Ron Rochelle, BRW (I494)
Tony Heppelmann, BRW (1494)
Adam Josephson, SRF (I35W)
Charlene Zimmer, SRF (I35W)
Connie Kozlak, Metropolitan Council staff
Tony Heppelmann, BRW, reviewed the Executive Summary of the
I494 Reconstruction Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Charlene Zimmer, SRF, reviewed the Executive Summary of the
I35W Reconstruction Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
It was indicated that both EIS processes may be completed by
the end of 1992, with the first potential construction in 1997.
The EIS public hearings are tentatively scheduled for April,
1992.
Study Session Minutes -3- January 6, 1992
Item #III DISCUSSION OF AIRPORT COMMUNICATIONS PLAN. S.S. NO. 3
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 3
summarizing the implementation of the expanded airport
communications plan consisting of the following elements:
~ Your City & Your Schools
~ Citizen Feedback
* Richfield Sun Current
* Council Meetings
* Speakers Bureau
* Cable TV
* Board and Commission Communications
Item #IV DISCUSSION OF 4-22 EXTENSION DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT STATEMENT COMMENTS. S.S. NO. ~
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 4
regarding identification of the following deficiencies in the 4-
22 Runway Extension Draft Environmental Impact Statement (E.I.S):
* Project description mayor objectives
* Range of alternatives explored
* Impact of safety issues
* Mitigation of impact
* Post Hoc Rationalization --
Discussion followed regarding Bloomington's role and
interest in Richfield's response to the E.I.S.
Don Priebe, ?225 Bloomington Avenue, stated agreement with
the stated deficiencies and indicated other groups would also be
submitting comments. He stated that the project must also be
reviewed by the Metropolitan Council because the cost exceeds 10
million dollars.
City Manager Prosser stated staff would continue preparing a
written response to the Draft 4-22 E.I.S.
Item #V DISCUSSION OF FEASIBILITY REPORT FOR ACQUISITION OF NEW
FORD TOWN AND RICH ACRES NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE CITY OF
RICHFIELD. S.S. NO. 5
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 5
regarding the completion of the draft of the "Report on the
Feasibility of Acquisition of the New Ford Town and Rich Acres
Neighborhoods of the City of Richfield". He stated the City and
MAC staff will meet on January 8, 1992 to make final changes to
the feasibility report and to develop a schedule for presentation
of the document to the Metropolitan Airports Commission and the
Richfield City Council.
Study Session Minutes -4- January 6, 1992
Item #VI DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL NEED TO SPLIT ONE OR MORE CITY
PRECINCTS FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER REDISTRICTING.
S.S. NO. 6
Administrative Services Director Devich reviewed Study
Session Letter No. 6 regarding the meeting of December 19, 1991
of Hennepin County Commissioner Randy Johnson with Mayor Kirsch
and himself. He stated that Commissioner Johnson discussed the
possibility of the redistricting of Hennepin County Commissioner
Districts which may-split Richfield into more than one
commissioner district and the possibility that the Richfield be
asked to split some precincts to help aECOmmodate balancing
population in the commissioner districts. Mr. Devich indicated
that splitting precincts would involve a change in district
designation for some residents, a possible new polling place and
the costs associated with setting up a new voting precinct or
precincts. The cost of a new precinct is approximately a $8,900
one-time cost and 52,800 in additional ongoing costs.
City Clerk Ferber reviewed the statutory provisions of the
redistricting process. He stated that the sequence requires that
legislative boundaries be established first, the city precinct
and ward boundaries be established second, and-then the county
commissioner districts are determined. The county commissioner
districts must follow the precinct boundaries established by the
municipality.
It was the consensus of the City Council to support the
total City remaining in one county commissioner district if
possible and to oppose splitting any Richfield precincts.
Item #VII DISCUSSION RELATING TO COUNCIL SALARIES. S.S. N0. 7
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 7
regarding whether or not an ordinance amendment related to
Council salaries should be prepared and scheduled for First
Reading at a subsequent council meeting.
Council Member Sandahl stated the council had adopted a
policy to review council salaries on a regular basis to avoid.
creating a disparity in salaries and adjustments. He suggested a
proposed 4$ increase for consideration.
Council Member Ludeman stated it was preferable to adjust
council salaries regularly in small increments rather than in one
large increment. He stated the last increase occurred in 1989
and that if a proposed increase was approved it would not be
effective until 1993.
It was the consensus of the cou3ieil that an ordinance
amendment proposing a 4$ increase in council salaries be
scheduled for consideration at a regular City Council meeting.
Study Session Minutes -5- January 6, 1992
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous cons tat :15 p.m.
Date Approved: 1/13/92
Martin irsch Mayor
Thomas P. Ferber
City Clerk
J e D. Prosser
Ci Manager
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