06-07-1993 Special CITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
June 7, 1993
MEMBERS PRESENT: Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Russ
Susag; and Don Priebe.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Michael Sandahl
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; and Jack
Erskine, Public Safety Director.
STATE LEGISLATORS: Mark Mahon, State Representative District
40A; Edwina Garcia, State Representative
District 63B; Phil Riveness, State Senator
District 40; and Jane Ranum, State Senator
District 63.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 6:00 p.m.
Item #I MEETING WITH STATE LEGISLATORS REGARDING 1993
LEGISLATIVE SESSION. S. S. LETTER N0. 12
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 12
regarding the 1993 legislative session and two key pieces of
legislation relating to Richfield representation on the
Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) and impact aid which were
not approved by the Legislature.
MAC REPRESENTATION
State Representative Garcia reviewed the status of H.F. 431
which would have given Richfield, Bloomington, Eagan, and Mendota
Heights representation on the MAC. She stated the bill addressed
the fairness issue by not dust asking for a Richfield
representative. She stated the bill is still alive for 1994 and
that she is optimistic that it can pass.
State Representative Mahon stated disappointment that the
Bloomington City Council had not taken a position on the bill.
He then summarized the legislation which passed to initiate the
study of airplane noise in school classrooms.
State Senator Riveness stated that the Senate bill which
would have provided representation on the MAC based on population
within the LDN 65 would have skewed the MAC further in favor of
Minneapolis. He stated that the difference must be resolved
between the House and Senate bills.
Special Meeting Minutes -2- June 7, 1993
State Senator Ranum stated the rationale for her sponsoring
the Senate bill was that noise impact on a neighborhood should be
the basis for proportional MAC representation.
State Senator Riveness stated that noise is not the only
issue for MAC representation.
Discussion followed regarding the differences between the
two MAC representation bills, and whether it would be appropriate
to seek the addition to MAC of only a Richfield representative.
City Manager Prosser asked what the City could do to
facilitate moving forward with legislation when the legislative
delegation is not in total agreement on this issue.
Senator Ranum suggested informal discussion prior to
introduction of legislation.
State Representative Garcia noted that the City had
presented their legislative initiatives package last February.
She suggested the City schedule a work session with legislators
in October or November of this year to reach consensus agreement
on strategy and legislation.
George Karnas, Richfield MASAC representatives, indicated
that Mendota Heights has become a strong force in MASAC and will
want representation on the MAC.
Council Member Priebe suggested that other ideas such as
Bloomington and Richfield sharing a MAC representative could be
pursued to overcome opposition to expanding the size of the MAC.
He stated the MAC is dominated by the core cities and did not
think Minneapolis would lose influence if members were added.
STATE IMPACT AID TO LOCAL_COMMUNITIES
State Senator Ranum stated that philosophically it seems
appropriate to aid local impacted communities but that cost on a
statewide basis is a problem.
State Senator Riveness stated that the threshold point for
impact aid is a problem in addition to State budget concerns.
State Representative Garcia summarized issues related to the
bill and State Representative Ann Rest's amendment to the bill
designating a 1$ of tax base threshold.
State Representative Mahon indicated this bill was viewed as
a transportation issue by the Legislature and transportation
issues did not do well in this session.
Special Meeting Minutes -3- June 7, 1993
Mayor Kirsch stated that Richfield's situation was unique
with extensive highway and airport acquisitions necessary to
support State and metropolitan facilities.
City Manager Prosser discussed the need for better access to
the Senate process to discuss this issue with the Legislature,
which was the case in the House. He indicated it was also
difficult to receive support from the Minneapolis legislators.
State Senator Ranum stated that it is a problem providing
legislated impact aid for dust one community because it is a
statewide issue which could be very costly to implement.
State Representative Garcia noted that local issues are
often statewide issues and there is a need to provide for
stabilization of affected communities.
SUMMARY OF OTHER LEGISLATION
State Senator Ranum reviewed the "this old house" bill.
State Senator Riveness reviewed the high speed bus bill
which was vetoed, the Police/Fire pension bill, and the LGA/RAGA
formula bill.
State Representative Mahon reviewed the Municipal Bonding
Bill, and the Traffic Demand Management Bill.
awe Representative Garcia reviewed bills related to
transportation funding.
Discussion followed regarding LGA, property tax, and income
tax issues.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 7:00 p.m.
Date Approved: 6/14/93 ~~~/t~-~ ~ /oCtiti~~~ _
Martin J~sch Mayor
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Thomas P. Ferber Jame D. Prosser
City Clerk Cit Manager
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