01-17-06 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
January 17, 2006
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 5:32 p.m.
Members Present: Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Bill Kilian (arrived at 5:38 p.m.); Fred Wroge; Susan
Rosenberg; and Sue Sandahl.
Staff Present: Steven Devich, City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Brad
Sveum, Fire Services Director; Randy Hughes, Operations Superintendent;
Dave Conrads, Building Maintenance Supervisor; and Cheryl Krumholz,
Recording Secretary.
City Hall Task Force"
Members Present: Rick Jabs, Chair; Dick Hughes; Allen Heddle; Gary Ness; Dick Franzmeier;
John Bjostad; Jennifer Verbrugge; Tom Rublein; Jay Hermann; and Deb
Erickson.
Item#1
Rick Jabs, City Hall Task Force II (CHAT II) Chair, reviewed the timeline and topics of the
CHAT II meetings held to date regarding the proposed new City Hall. He also discussed the current
status of the task force and the public feedback received at the two open houses. The guiding
principles for potential sites were also reviewed.
Mr. Jabs stated that based upon the open house feedback and the consensus of the task
force, their recommendation was that the current location be used for the new City Hall.
Council Member Sandahl questioned the principle of considering sites that are least likely to
maximize value to the community.
Mr. Jabs explained this relates to sites that do not impact development growth.
Council Member Sandahl questioned the principle to consider sites that allow the ability/space
to partner with other entities/businesses.
Mr. Jabs explained the proposed building could be designed so its use could be something
else in the future. Municipal government could be a storefront opportunity.
Dick Franzmeier, CHAT II member, said the post office could be considered a partner.
Council Member Wroge, CHAT II City Council liaison, added that government offices could be
located on top of a building at the K-Mart site.
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January 17, 2006
Tom Rublein, CHAT II member, said a revenue stream for the City could be created.
Mr. Franzmeier stated the COP site would have a built in tenant already and is an under
utilized space.
Council Member Sandahl asked about the square footage needed for City Administration
versus what is in place now.
Mr. Rublein explained the current footprint is approximately 50,000 sq. ft. Space for the Fire
Department is a separate consideration. The needs analysis conducted by Tushie Architects several
years ago is flawed. A new, complete needs analysis is needed.
Mr. Jabs stated the task force does not have the expertise to identify the square footage
needed. The space shouldn't grow any but should shrink so the current square footage should be the
basic footprint.
Council Member Wroge said that Richfield is not getting bigger in regards to technology and
productivity. Also, money will be saved by building a garage space for the squad cars so they are not
subjected to the weather.
Mr. Rublein commented the demands on staff is not shrinking.
Council Member Kilian asked that if something else was on this current location, would the
task force's choice be this site.
Jay Hermann, CHAT II member, said the residents around the current site are used to the
sirens and the task force did not want to set another area to become used to them.
John Bjostad, CHAT II member, said another consideration for keeping this site is that the City
owns the land.
Council Member Kilian questioned if staying at this current site was a foregone conclusion
because the land is already owned.
Mr. Jabs said the City Council was provided the pros and cons for the 16 sites considered.
The top five sites determined by the task force include:
. Current site on Portland Avenue
. City maintenance facility current location
. Old COP building on 66th Street/Cedar Avenue
. Veterans Park across from Richfield Flower
. Community Center site in Augsburg Park
Mr. Jabs said a strong point made by the public at the open houses was financing. The task
force conducted an objective appraisal of the sites with the guiding principles developed first with no
foregone conclusion for this site.
Council Member Kilian said he is trying to buy in to the recommendation of the current site of
the City Hall for the new building.
Mr. Rublein commented he wanted to consider sites near Wood Lake Nature Center and
Augsburg Park due to their landscaping and picturesque location. However, the current City Hall site
is the most expedient site and the least problematic from several different levels.
Council Member Kilian questioned if the decision was based upon expediency and the least
costly rather than looking out 40 - 50 years. To stay a competitive community, other amenities may
need to be provided. Shared space with other entities, such as the school, may need to be
considered. There should be a synergy with other areas.
Council Member Kilian stated that the current location for a new City Hall would not be his first
choice if it were not here already. He questioned if the task force used an acceptance approach or
elimination approach.
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January 17, 2006
Mr. Rublein said there is no area in Richfield without residential impacts.
Council Member Kilian asked if the City would permit an office building on the current site with
the current planning requirements and development potential.
Council Member Wroge asked where City Hall could be built if housing was built on the
current site. He said emergency response time needs to be considered. Residents do not want
parkland taken. The current site was picked for a reason a long time ago and it's worked. The site
selection was not an easy decision.
Mr. Jabs said keeping City Administration and Police together is preferred. People like the
current site. Financing and parks are big issues. The financing plan should be for efficiency and not
building a Taj Mahallike Bloomington.
Council Member Sandahl stated that, historically, City facilities have moved twice on parkland-
the library from the current City Hall site to 70th Street/Nicollet Avenue at Augsburg Park, then moved
again on that parkland and the Community Center built at 70th Street/Nicollet Avenue. She didn't
recall an overwhelming objection from the public. The K-Mart site is interesting as well as moving
City Hall and the Fire Department to along Veterans Park. There is a sense of cohesiveness of
administration. Some of Veterans Park was not originally parkland, but that site could involve
controversy because of past experience.
Council Member Kilian said there appears to be an aversion to commercial and residential
options. Everything is not sacrosanct. Underdeveloped and under utilized areas need to be
considered.
Council Member Kilian discussed options related to the current American Legion site.
Mr. Hermann said a Legion representative was at the open house and asked that their
building not be taken.
Mr. Rublein said there is a sense of expediency and importance to get this project done in 3-5
years. Other sites lengthen the project. When the City indicates interest in a property, the value
increases.
Council Member Kilian commented there is bare land in the Cedar Corridor so a new Legion
could be located there and a new City Hall at their current site.
Mr. Rublein said the task force needs clear direction from the City Council to proceed with that
way of thinking and ability to negotiate.
Mr. Bjostad questioned why Council Member Kilian wants a new City Hall anywhere except
the current site.
Council Member Kilian said he senses everything else is unacceptable, except here; and
because it's currently here, it can remain here. The reasons seem to be because it's the least
resistant approach, not controversial and won't seem new and different.
Mr. Jabs explained the current site is perfect. A new City Hall should represent who we are
and people at the open house were comfortable with it staying here. Financing is a huge issue.
Staying here also improves Heredia Park.
Mr. Jabs said the task force consensus was to build a new City Hall at the current location.
Dick Hughes, CHAT II member, said the City Council wanted a recommendation from the task
force.
Council Member Kilian stated decision-making has challenges and you need to stand up to
that if it's the right decision. How is it determined if this is the right site for the long-term health of the
community.
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January 17, 2006
Mr. Rublein said the task force tried to stay away from the City Council and City staff on the
decision making. If the task force is to think outside the box, the City Council needs to provide them
with direction.
Jennifer Verbrugge, CHAT II member, said residents were talked to, not high-end uses,
because they're the ones paying for the building. Timing is a big factor in selecting the current site.
People are passionate about parks. The history of the tree issue at Veterans Park is not forgotten.
The current site could have another use based on its location.
Gary Ness, CHAT II member as Community Services Commission representative, commented
that the City is losing parkland due to various development and projects so less impact on parks is
paramount. Keeping the current site will not cause Heredia Park to lose land, it will just have a
different configuration. Tree removal would open up old wounds. It is better to not take property
better used by commercial taxpayers. Demographics of the City were also considered. Richfield
consists of mostly senior citizens so the less change, the better. Political issues are also a factor.
Allen Heddle, CHAT II member, stated every site was open for consideration. Discussion lead
to a narrowing down of sites with the current site working the best. There are traffic and access
issues at Veterans Park.
Mr. Franzmeier commented there was independent thinking by the task force. The first vote
was almost unanimous to stay at the current site. There will be resistance at Augsburg Park. A new
building for the American Legion is not a good plan for their future.
Mayor Kirsch questioned the covenants or holds on the Augsburg Park land.
City Manager Devich stated he would provide that information to the City Council and task
force.
Mr. Rublein said there are no covenants or holds on Heredia Park.
Mr. Ness said Taft Park has some limitations due to its size.
Council Member Kilian expressed concern of what would be built on the site if the Legion
goes, since it's near the park. It appears to be protectionistic to not consider the Legion site. There
could be a shared space of a Community Center and City Hall.
Mr. Jabs stated he considered a Community Center a fun, leisure place, and City Hall not a
fun place but rather a business place.
Mr. Jabs asked the City Council for direction how to proceed from this point.
Deb Erickson, CHAT II member as City Hall representative, agreed the current site is the best
location. It provides an opportunity to be innovative with green space and the park.
Mr. Hughes said the second question asked by residents, next to location, was the cost to
taxpayers. The task force needs to be able to provide that information to the residents.
Council Member Wroge commented that people said to leave the parks alone. He said he
has a bias to Veterans Park because he used to live there and the City told him to take a hike or
they'd make him go. The City should not go back to that area. A Community Center and City Hall
together don't work. Existing businesses should not be driven out.
Council Member Wroge added that timing is an issue because the longer the process, the
greater the possibility of the current building not functioning and costs increasing.
Mr. Hughes said that he first thought the COP site was best but considering the pros and
cons, he decided the current site was the best.
Mr. Jabs said the ground rule of the task force decision making was consensus.
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January 17, 2006
Council Member Rosenberg stated the City Council formed the CHAT II and that the City
Council did not provide a lot of direction. She agreed with the task force that the current site was the
only option. Money is an issue and another park should not be touched.
Council Member Kilian suggested the task force weigh the site options based on their level of
importance. He said he was not yet comfortable in supporting the task force recommendation.
Mr. Rublein said the task force needs City Council direction on working with an architect and
funding.
Council Member Sandahl said she found tonight's discussion very helpful and interesting and
suggested the City Council continue the City Hall discussion to the January 20 goalsetting
Worksession.
Mr. Hughes questioned why that is necessary if the City Council thinks the current site is
acceptable.
Council Member Sandahl responded that it is good to get a unanimous vote of the City
Council.
Council Member Wroge asked the City Council if the task force should continue to meet and
for direction regarding an architect.
Council Member Sandahl stated that will be a possible outcome of the January 20 discussion.
City Manager Devich clarified that no City Council action can be taken tonight because it is a
Worksession.
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:58 p.m.
Date Approved: February 14, 2006
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heryl rum Iz
Recording Secretary