04-03-1995 Study SessionCITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
April 3, 1995 .
MEMBERS PRESENT: Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Michael Sandahl; Russ Susag;
. and Don Priebe.
MEMBERS NOT
PRESENT: Susan Rosenberg.
STAFF PRESENT: . James.Prosser, City. Manager; Steven Devich, '
Administrative Services Director; Thomas Ferber, City Clerk;
Donald Fondrick; Community Services Director; Jack
Erskine, Public Safety Director; Mike Eastling, City Engineer;
and Larry Miller, Hennepin County Principal .Property
Appraiser.
ADVISORY BOARD
OF HEALTH: Carlene Ulmer, Chair; Russ Rooney; Jane Myre; and Bill
Swanson.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 7:00 p.m.
Item #I PRESENTATION OF ADVISORY BOARD OF HEALTH ANNUAL
REPORT FOR 1994. S.S. LETTER N0.9
Carlene Ulmer, Chair of the Advisory Board of Health, presented the Advisory
Board of Health 1994 Annual Report to the City Council describing activities related to
the following issues: , ,
• Promotion of smoke free restaurants
• Letter to legislators supporting a tobacco tax increase
• Information session on drugs for senior citizens
• Smoking/Drug poster contest for elementary children
• Senior issues
• Domestic violence forum
• $3,000 grant received from the Minnesota Department of Education for the work
of the Richfield Coalition Against Family Violence
• Parenting
• Health care reform
• Health related legislation
City Manager Prosser suggested that the Advisory Board of Health appoint a
liaison to the Richfield Human Services Planning Council.
Study Session Minutes ~ -2- Apri13, 1995
Discussion followed regarding how to increase the involvement with churches in
the domestic violence issue.
The City Council commended the Advisory Board of Health for their work on
these important community issues.
Item #II ~ DISCUSSION OF BOARD OF~REVIEW PROCEDURES
S.S. LETTER NO. 10
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 10 regarding the 1995
assessment and Board of Review procedures.
Larry Miller, Hennepin County Principal Property Appraiser, reviewed and
answered questions regarding the following Board of Review issues:
• .Local Board of Review duties
• MLS average sates prices
• Reevaluation areas by assessment year
• Property assessment procedures
• Market to sales ratios
• Residential market value trend
• The "This Old House" tax deferral program
• Comparable data format
Council Member Priebe suggested that the Board be given the assessed market
value in addition to the sales price. of the comparable properties.
. ~ Council Member Sandahl disagreed with Council Member Priebe about having
this information available because it would not be useful in relation to setting the correct
valuation for a property: He stated it would distract the discussion from the real issue of
the market value of the property. -
Council Member Priebe stated he wanted the information provided to him even if
the other members did not.
City Manager Prosser stated a separate memo with this information would be
provided to the Council Members. .
Discussion followed regarding the status of court proceedings related to the
assessed market value of Southdale.
Study Session Minutes -3- April 3. 1995
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Item #III DISCUSSION OF POLICY AND STR~4TEGY RECOMMENDATIONS
~_ FOR AIRPORT RELATED ISSUES. S.S. LETTER NO. 11
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 11 regarding the
following airport policy and strategy issues:
• New Ford Town and Rich Acres Acquisition ~.
Phase II is progressing as Phase I is being completed. Matching funds are
expected to provide enough money to finish acquiring all single family ~~
residential units. Additional funds are necessary for commercial and multi-
family units.
• Runway 422 Extension
The F.A.A. Record of Decision has not yet been released. Staff met with
Charles Dayton from~~the law firm of Leonard, Street and Deinard regarding
being local counsel if litigation is pursued. Counsel Steve Pflaum has
prepared a letter related to alternatives for participation of Bloomington and
Eagan in the potential lawsuit.
• Metropolitan Aircraft Sound Abatement Council (MASAC)
Council Member Priebe reviewed issues related to the ANONS noise
monitoring statistics and the noise impact patterns affecting Richfield.
• Dual Track Planning Process.
MAC authorized spending $50,000 to analyze the remote runway concept.
• Part 150 Sound Insulation Program.
Sound proofing continues to progress through northeast Richfield.
Item #IV DISCUSSION OF PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES IN CITY OF RICHFIELD.
S.S. LETTER N0.4
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 12 regarding public
safety issues in the City.
Public Safety Director Erskine reviewed crime statistics for the City. He
cautioned that cities classify and report crimes in different manners making it difficult to
compare. He reviewed the importance of the neighborhood watch program in deterring
crime. Mr. Erskine reviewed and discussed recent robberies committed in the Hub area
and the public safety response to these incidents.
Study Session Minutes -4- Apri13, 1995
Item #V DISCUSSION OF UPDATE OF RICHFIELD WATER SYSTEM.
S.S. LETTER NO. 13
Community Services Director Fondrick reviewed the changes in the chlorine
feed system and monitoring system re~entfy implemented at the water plant. He
indicated that it appears that these changes have resulted in a water taste about the
same as consumers experienced prior to the water plant renovation project.
City Engineer Eastling reviewed the chemical properties of chlorine and types of
residual chlorine levels which impact taste of water. He reviewed a graph depicting
different levels of residual chlorine and the level which currently appears to best
achieve the desired water taste.
Council Member Susag questioned the relevancy of the chart in relationship to
"raw" and treated water.
Discussion followed regarding contacting residents who have previously
complained about water taste and odor to see if they are now satisfied with the water
product.
City Manager Prosser indicated that a survey is being prepared by Decision
Resources.
Item #VI DISCUSSION OF SUPPORT FOR NINE MILE CREEK WATERSHED
DISTRICT'S SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN.
S.S. LETTER NO. 13
City Engineer Eastling reviewed Study Session Letter No. 14 regarding the issue
of support for continuing the reliance of the Board of Managers of the Nine Mile Creek
Watershed District on the cities within the District to provide the technical and political
support to accomplish their surface water management goals.
It was the consensus of the Council that the Mayor sign a letter of support and
that Council Member Sandahl attend the April 5, 1995 meeting of the District Managers
and the Board of Water and Soil Resources to present the letter and represent the City
Council.
Item #VII DISCUSSION OF AUTOMOBILE REIMBURSEMENT ALLOWANCE.
S.S. LETTER NO. 15
Study Session Minutes -5- Apri13, 1995
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 15 regarding
discussion of adjusting the City mileage and automobile reimbursement allowances.
He indicated the rates were last adjusted in 1990 aid were as follows:
• $200 per month for Department Directors and other designated employees
• 25.5 cents for mileage reimbursement
Mr. Prosser recommended an increase of $25 in the monthly automobile
allowance and an increase of the rnileage reimbursement to 30 cents, the current
standard mileage rate established by the IRS.
Council Member Sandahl stated that the increase appeared to be appropriate.
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Council Member Susag suggested that the reimbursement allowance should be
reviewed on an annual basis.
Council Member Priebe questioned whether some employees, such as the
Liquor Operations Director, should receive the 30 cent mileage reimbursement rather
than the car allowance. He suggested that the City look at verifying the needs of those
currently receiving the car allowance to assure they are warranted.
OTHER DISCUSSION
City Manager Prosser distributed information to the City Council on the DFL
Senate leadership proposal for a property tax freeze.
City Manager Prosser reviewed the format of the open house forum scheduled .
for April 4 on:the alternatives~to address traffic concerns on 76th Street between I-35W
and Xerxes Avenue.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:17 p.m.
Date Approved: 4/ 10/ 95
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Thomas P. Ferber
City Clerk