11-01-1993 Study SessionCITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
NOVEMBER 1, 1993
MEMBERS PRESENT: Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Michael Sandahl; Susan
Rosenberg; Russ Susag; and Don Priebe.
STAFF PRESENT: James Prosser, City Manager; Steven Devich,
Administrative Services Director; Thomas
Ferber, City Clerk; Jack Erskine, Public
Safety Director; Donald Fondrick, Community
Services Director; Byron Wallace, Community
Development Director; and William Fillmore,
Liquor Operations Director.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 7:00 p.m.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION. ITEMS
City Manager Prosser asked the City Council if they were
interested in scheduling City Council goal setting/team building
sessions with consultant Jim Lynn as was done last year.
Council Member Priebe stated that if this was done, he wanted
more time spent on City issues rather than personality issues. He
questioned the value received in relation to the consultant.
Council Member Rosenberg stated that it was important to have
some form of team building.
Council Member Sandahl stated it was important for the
Council to discuss goals and a vision for the City indicating the
consultant facilitator was helpful for the process.
City Manager Prosser stated he would provide consultant
alternatives and cost information to the Council for their
consideration in making a decision regarding goal setting/team
building sessions.
Item #i REVIEW OF 1993 RESIDENT SURVEY WITH DECISION RESOURCES
LTD. S. S. LETTER N0. 28
Bill Morris, President of Decision Resources, Ltd., presented
a comprehensive summary and analysis of the resident survey
conducted by his firm. He analyzed charts and graphs related to
resident responses about to the following issues:
* Quality of life * City services value
* Resident likes/dislikes * Park system components
* Neighborhood appearance * Periodic inspection
* Fiscal knowledge * Infrastructure reconstruction
Study Session Minutes -2- November 1, 1993
* Service evaluations * Municipal liquor stores
* Safety perceptions * Safety problems
* Police Department services * Police in action
* Health priorities * Pollution
* Mayor and City Council * City staff
* Community issues * Development status
* Public transportation * Airport issues knowledge
* Airport issues efforts * Mergers
* Sources of information * Cable television
* Your City and Schools publi cation
Mr. Morris stated that the survey indicated that the
community had a very high level of satisfaction with the City
services and City government. He suggested that the City may wish
to review the following issues indicated by the survey:
1) Concern about a perception of
2) A low level of understanding
transportation issue.
3) A low level of readership for
publication.
a crime problem.
of the airport and
the Your City and Schools
Discussion followed regarding changes to the format and
frequency of the Your City and Schools publication.
Mr. Morris indicated that he found that some of the
readership problem is related to the combined School/City
publication. He stated he had also discussed this issue with the
School District in his work on their survey.
City Manager Prosser discussed options to changing the format
of this communication medium, including outside assistance,
newsletter format, and more frequent, shorter publications. He
asked for City Council direction as to changes in the Your City
and Schools publication.
Discussion followed regarding initiating a new format with
the first issue in 1994.
Council Member Priebe stated that based on the high level of
satisfaction expressed in the resident survey, he was not so sure
there is a serious problem with Your City and Schools. He stated
it may dust need some refining and updating.
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Item #II DISCUSSION OF COMMUNITY APARTMENT PROGRAM STATUS.
S. S. LETTER NO. 29
Sill Schatzlein, Affordable Suburban Housing (ASH), reviewed
the formulation and implementation of the Community Apartment
Program authorized by the HRA. He stated the purpose of the
program is to improve apartment living in Richfield and to more
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Study Session Minutes -3- ~ November 1, 1993
fully integrate the residents into the community. He reviewed
some of the issues discussed at the October 19 meeting of
apartment owners and managers including:
* Public Safety visibility
* Crime
* Tenant references
* Linkage with schools
* Connection with human
service agencies
* Public Safety communication
* Tenant selection
* Marketability
* Child program needs
* Formation of a steering
committee
Discussion followed regarding tenant selection concerns and
issues, perceptions of crime in apartments, and tenant linkage to
the community.
Public Safety Director Erskine reviewed the perceptions of
crime activity, actual statistics, and police assistance related
to apartments.
Hill Schatzlein stressed the proactive approach of the
Community Apartment Program. He stated that he would keep the
Council appraised of the status of the program.
Item #IIi DISCUSSION OF POLICY AND STRATEGY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
AIRPORT RELATED ISSUES. S.S. LETTER NO. 30
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 30
regarding the following recommendations related to airport issues:
• New Ford Town and Rich Acres Acquisition
Staff will attempt to find out more about the acquisition process.
Staff will also assist in qualifying Rich Acres for the buyout and
work with MAC to identify funds to assist with funding Rich Acres
hardship cases.
• Mt. Calvary School Insulation
Staff will continue to work with MAC and legislators to determine
if there is a way to provide clear assurance of the timing of
insulation for Mt. Calvary School.
• Runway 4-22 Extension Draft Environmental Impact Statement(DEIS)
Staff will provide comments to MnDOT regarding the scoping
decision to clarify the intent of the scoping study in regard to
the displaced takeoff threshold.
• MSP Long Term Comprehensive Plan
Staff will establish a mechanism to monitor the development of the
MSP Long Term Comprehensive Plan. It will be important to assure
that environmental issues are adequately reviewed especially in
regard to north-south runway construction.
Study Session Minutes -4- November 1, 1993
• FAA Airport CaUacit
Staff will seek careful analysis of the accuracy of the cost,
delay, and impact estimates related to the two basic runway
additions being considered for MSP.
Item #IV DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE RELATING TO SIGNAGE IN THE 77TH
STREET CORRIDOR. S.S. LETTER NO. 31
Community Development Director Wallace reviewed Study Session
Letter No. 31 regarding the proposed sign ordinance amendment
related to the 77th Street Corridor to provide a balance between
business needs, residential impact and aesthetic control. He
summarized the mayor components of the proposed amendment as
follows:
1. The applicable corridor is generally defined as south of 77th
Street between I-35W and Cedar for a distance of about a 150
feet excluding frontage on mayor intersections and along I-
494. Signage both needed and appropriate for visibility to I-
494 is clearly not appropriate along `~`~th Street.
2. Simple directional signage is permitted to direct customers to
businesses along 78th Street that do not have direct access to
77th Street. A logo is permitted on the sign but no
advertising.
3. Pedestal signs are not permitted.
4. Ground monument signs are permitted in a landscaped or
specifically improved area. Lighting of such signs must not
impact residential areas north of 7?th Street.
5. Wall signs are permitted on the front wall of a business
facing 77th Street but not on side or rear walls.
6. Banners and similar promotional devices, projecting signs and
window signs facing 77th Street are not permitted.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:55 p.m.
Date Approved : 11 / 8/ 93 ~ '/
^^~ ~ ~ ~ Marti sch Mayor
Thomas P. Ferber J s D. Prosser
City Clerk ty Manager