03-02-1992 Study SessionCITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
March 2, 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; Byron Wallace,
Community Development Director; and Jack
Erskine, Public Safety Director.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 6:00 p.m.
Item #I DISCUSSION OF RICHFIELD ADVISORY BOARD OF HEALTH 1991
ANNUAL REPORT. S.S. LETTER NO. 15
ADVISORY BOARD OF
HEALTH PRESENT: Carlene Ulmer, Jo Romer, Jane Myre, Kevin
Keller, Jean Spencer, and Mike Schrenk.
Carlene Ulmer, Chair of the Advisory Board of Health,
reviewed the Advisory Board of Health 1991 Annual Report.
Council Member Ludeman asked what future issues the
commission saw as critical in the health area.
Jo Romer stated that two main issues facing the public are
lack of access to health care and domestic violence. She
indicated that commission members are available to testify on
behalf of the City on legislative issues.
Mayor Kirsch thanked the Commission for their diligent work.
He invited the community to participate in the Health Fair
sponsored by the Commission which will be held on April 4, 10:00
a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Market Plaza.
Item #II DISCUSSION OF FOLLOW-UP TEAM BUILDING, GOAL SETTING
EXERCISES WITH JIM LYNN AND ASSOCIATES.
S.S. LETTER N0. 19
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 19
regarding a proposal by Jim Lynn and Associates to conduct a
follow-up team building, goal setting exercise.
It was the consensus of the council that the session with
Jim Lynn be conducted with the preferred dates being March 26-27.
Study Session Minutes -2- March 2, 1992
Item #III DISCUSSION OF ACQUISITION OF 6501 15TH AVENUE.
S.S. LETTER NO. 17
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 17
regarding the proposed acquisition of the property at 6501 15th
Avenue through the Voluntary Acquisition Program. The property
would be redeveloped with a new home through a Vo-Tech project.
He stated that some of the neighbors have expressed strong
concerns about flooding at the intersection of 65th Street and
15th Avenue.
Discussion followed regarding the level of flood protection,
drainage characteristics, and street flooding at the
intersection. It was indicated that construction of the new home
would not impact the drainage at the intersection.
Lawrence Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, asked how the
proposed acquisition would be funded.
City Manager Prosser stated the federal Community
Development Block Program (CDBG) Year XVII funds reserved in the
HRA°s New Home budget will fund this acquisiti®n. He stated
consideration of this item will be scheduled for the March 9,
1992 City Council meeting.
Item #IV DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED 1993/97 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM. S.S. LETTER NO. 11
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 16
regarding the 1993/97 Capital Improvement Program and funding
recommendations of the Planning Commission and the Community
Services Commission. The main differences were in the area of
funding and scheduling of park improvements. The Community
Services Commission recommendation included special revenue funds
and a bond referendum election to ask for $4.5 million for
various park improvements to be accomplished in 1993. The
Planning Commission recommendation utilized only special revenue
funds with park improvements completed over an extended period of
time.
Community Services Director Fondrick reviewed the Master
Park Plan indicating the following neighborhood parks need to be
completed in addition to Veterans Memorial Park: Madison,
Sheridan, Nicollet, and Washington. He indicated a cost of
$500,000 for each neighborhood park redevelopment. He reviewed
plans to acquire the Soo Line R.R. property and the Fort Snelling
Golf Course.
Study Session Minutes -3- March 2, 1992
Greg Allers, Chair of the Community Services Commission,
spoke in support of the Commission's recommendation.
Sue Sandahl, Community Services Commission Member, spoke in
support of a bond referendum to finance the improvements so that
those who use them will pay for them. She indicated a bond
referendum would also address the future by providing funding to
buy the Soo Line and Fort Snelling Golf Course. She stated that
if a bond referendum is not approved, available funds should be
used where the City gets "the biggest bang for it's buck".
Council Member Bullock asked what improvements were planned
for Veterans Memorial Park.
Community Services Director Fondrick stated that a parking
lot expansion, an amphitheater, another play feature, and
enhancements to the swimming pool were planned.
Council Member Ludeman reviewed concerns that acquiring the
Fort Snelling Golf Course is not feasible if the Officers
Buildings are a part of the acquisition.
Community Services Director Fondrick indicated that the City
has asked that the State allow the separation of the two when
proposals for acquisition are solicited.
Council Member Ludeman stated that a bond referendum would
not be passed by the voters. He stated one message from the last
bond referendum was that the community preferred that the
neighborhood parks be improved before Veterans Memorial Park.
Council Member Bullock stated that the City has a rich
tradition of quality neighborhood parks and that Madison Park
needed to be redeveloped. He asked if any additional funding
will be available from the enterprise recreation features such as
the waterslide.
Community Services Director Fondrick stated it would be at
least 5 years before this may occur.
Council Member Ludeman stated that Sheridan Park did not
require $500,000 for redevelopment and that a very good play
feature existed across the street at the school playground.
Council Member Sandahl stated it was desirable to be
equitable in neighborhood park development.
Richard Hughes, 6321 James Avenue, spoke in support of the
development of neighborhood parks rather than Veteran's Memorial
Park. He advocated that Madison Park be redeveloped.
Tom Mee, 6515 James Avenue, stated support for the
development of neighborhood parks, especially Madison Park. He
stated that he felt the community would not support a bond
referendum and that he preferred a pay as you go system.
Study Session Minutes -4- March 2, 1992
Community Services Director Fondrick reviewed the costs and
amenities common to neighborhood park redevelopment.
Michael Karnas, 6344 Humboldt Avenue, suggested that a study
be made to determine use and area child population to help
prioritize which neighborhood parks should be redeveloped first.
He stated he could support a bond referendum if it meant getting
the parks done sooner.
Jim Clinite, Community Services Commission Member, noted the
funding availability had changed dramatically in the last 20
years with the loss of federal and State funding which requires a
different focus.
Steve Parsley, 1600 W. 66th Street, spoke in support of
neighborhood park development.
Richard Hughes, 6321 James Avenue, stated concerns that an
amphitheater and miniature golf course do not meet the local
needs, but instead are regional facilities.
Council Member Ludeman stated that Veterans Memorial Park
did not need additional development such as an amphitheater nor
did Sheridan Park need further development. He suggested that
the special revenue fund would be sufficient to redevelop
Madison, Nicollet, and Washington Parks in phases over the next
2-3 years.
Matt Stokes, Community Services Commission Member, stated
the park system amenities attract people to Richfield and that it
is important to continue to develop them, therefore, he would
support a bond referendum.
Council Member Bullock stressed that the main issue that the
council must first decide is whether to develop neighborhood
parks or Veterans Memorial Park.
Council Member Stokes stated if a bond referendum is
conducted that specific information on costs, information on what
will be constructed, and a focus on neighborhood parks must be
provided.
City Manager Prosser stated that two decisions must be
addressed: funding for park improvements and passage of the
C.I.P. Plan. He indicated that if the decision is to go for a
bond referendum, timing and the impact of current economic times
are very important issues.
Sue Sandahl stated it would be easier to sell a bond
referendum for neighborhood parks.
L~
Discussion followed regarding different bond referendum
amounts, terms, and costs to residents and businesses.
Study Session Minutes -5- March 2, 1992
The City Council asked for further information regarding the
following:
* details of a bond referendum for neighborhood parks only
in the amount of $2 - $2.5 million
* determination of costs for businesses and homeowners for
such a bond referendum
* cost and options for doing a community survey regarding
this issue
* an alternate plan for redeveloping neighborhood parks
beginning in 1993 using the $300,000 from the Special
Revenue Fund and examining other options for augmentation
from other funds.
Mayor Kirsch stated that this information and issue will be
reviewed at a future study session.
Discussion followed regarding the need to approve the C.I.P.
Plan items 19-43, deferring the park improvement portion until
that decision is finalized. It was the consensus of the Council
to proceed with that portion of the C.I.P. excluding the park
improvements. Community Services Director Fondrick indicated
that he would rework the C.I.P. figures for that portion of the
C.I.P. for consideration by the Council.
Item #V DISCUSSION OF POLICY AND STRATEGY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
AIRPORT RELATED ISSUES. S.S. LETTER NO. 18
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 18
regarding recent developments related to the following airport
issues:
New Ford Town/Rich Acres Acquisition
The Metropolitan Airports Commission voted on February 18,
1992 to authorize MAC staff to seek $47.5 million from the FAA
for acquisition of the two neighborhoods.
A public information meeting was held on February 26 at
Assumption Catholic Church for Richfield residents to discuss the
proposed buyout of New Ford Town and Rich Acres.
At the meeting, the following items were addressed:
• Introduction of New Ford Town and Rich Acres
Neighbors Committee and their purpose.
• Update the public on efforts to accomplish a buyout
of Richfield's New Ford Town and Rich Acres
neighborhoods.
• Provide preliminary information on how an acquisition
relocation process works.
• Discuss neighborhood involvement in the process.
Study Session Minutes
Legislation
Representative Edwina Garcia
introduced legislation related to
and noise mitigation.
FAA Part 150 Program
-6-
March 2, 1992
and Senator Phil Riveness have
the Extension of Runway 4-22
The City has developed a general mitigation strategy for
implementation of the Part 150 Program in Richfield.
Item #VI OTHER DISCUSSION
City Manager Prosser indicated the Charter
forwarded a Charter Amendment suggestion regard:
council vacancies for consideration by the City
stated a copy of the proposed Charter amendment
forwarded to the Council and then scheduled for
a future council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Commission had
ing the filling of
Council. He
would be
consideration at
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:55 p.m.
Date Approved:
3/ 9/ 92
~J
Thomas P. Ferber
City Clerk
Martin J. irsch Mayor
J D. Prosser
Ci Manager
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