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06-05-95 Worksession CITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION June Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Michael Sandahl; Susan Rosenberg; MEMBERS PRESENT: Russ Susag; and Don Priebe. James Prosser, City Manager; Steven Administrative STAFF PRESENT: Services Director; Byron Wallace, Community Development Director; Donald Fondrick, Community Services Director; William Fillmore, Liquor Operations Director; Jack Erskine, Public Safety Directory; and Thomas Ferber, City Clerk. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 7:00 p.m. Item #IDISCUSSION OF ELECTION SIGN SAFETY. S.S. LETTER NO. 16 City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 16 regarding safety issues raised by a resident related to the use of steel re-bar rod to hold election signs in John 7233 Girard Avenue, reviewed his concerns about children’s safety caused by the use of steel re-bar rod to hold election signs in place. Discussion followed regarding different ways to address these safety concerns such as using the re-bar in a u-shape or covering the tips in some manner. City Manager Prosser indicated that the City could regulate by ordinance or ask for voluntary compliance. hold up election signs. The City will provide this information to candidates along with the sign ordinance information they receive at candidate filing time. Item #IIDISCUSSION OF PUBLIC ISSUES IN THE OF RICHFIELD. S.S. LETTER NO. 17 Public Safety Director Erskine reviewed and answered questions about the following public safety issues: Vandalism in the Parks Initiatives to address this area of concern include the Park Watch Program, bike patrol, marked squad car patrol, neighborhood education presentations, police reserve patrols, articles in Your City and the Sun Newspaper, and the Crime Watch newsletter. Curfew Enforcement Hennepin County has initiated a juvenile curfew. Richfield has an existing curfew ordinance which may be revised in the future to be consistent with the County. Enforcement efforts will be increased in response to increasing juvenile problems, and to coordinate with County efforts. Arsons in West Richfield A pattern of arson on the west side of Richfield indicates an arsonist. A $1000 reward is being offered, leads are being followed, and residents are urged to lock their garages since the arsonist is entering unlocked garages and using gasoline from them to start the fires. These arsons will be one of the topics at the neighborhood education presentation at Jefferson Park on June 6. Crime Statistics In response to Mr. Bucher’s comments regarding media reports on crime statistics, Public Safety Director Erskine reviewed Richfield’s statistical trends. He explained the difference in how certain types of crimes are reported by jurisdictions making it difficult to compare statistics. He indicated that Richfield must address its crime problems regardless of statistical comparisons. It was the consensus of the Council that additional communication to residents will help lessen fear, explain the status of crime issues in the City, and what the City is doing to address the issues. Council Member Susag requested Public Safety Director Erskine to provide information to the Council on the number of officers on duty during various shifts and when the next block captain meeting is scheduled. DISCUSSION OF POLICY AND STRATEGY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR Item AIRPORT RELATED ISSUES. S.S. LETTER NO. 18 City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 18 regarding the following airport related issues: New Ford Town/Rich Acres Acquisition MAC and W. D. have scheduled an open house for residents on June 14 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Richfield City Hall to provide an overview of the acquisition and relocation processes. June Runway 4-22 Extension The Metropolitan Council approved a recommendation to utilize the Minnesota Office of Dispute Resolution to mediate the Runway 4-22 issue. Council Member Dual Track Planning Process MAC has released the Second Phase Scoping Report for the Dual Track Planning Process Environmental Impact Statement. Scoping meetings for the public will be held during the last week of June. Part 150 Sound Insulation Program Staff is working with MAC and W.D. to possibly include a resident of south Richfield as an emergency participant for sound insulation because the resident is selling his home and the prospective buyer is relocating from New Ford Town. TheN.O.I.S.E. Conference is scheduled for July 26-29, 1995 in Washington, D.C. Jamie Verbrugge is planning to attend paying his own travel and lodging expenses. Lawrence Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, questioned Mr. Verbrugee representing the City at the conference because he was not a resident of Richfield. City Manager Prosser stated Mr. Verbrugge was attending for educational purposes not as a voting delegate. Council Members Priebe or Sandahl may attend on behalf of the City. Lawrence Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, asked for a copy of a report on the expenditures for the Runway 4-22 litigation. City Manager Prosser stated he would provide a copy of the report to Mr. Wozniczka. Item #IV DISCUSSION OF ADDING RIGHT TURN AND LEFT TURN LANES AT INTERSECTION OF LYNDALE AVENUE AND 77TH STREET. S.S. LETTER NO. 19 Community Services Director reviewed Study Session Letter No. 19 and design drawings regarding the projected need for the addition of double left turn lanes from southbound Lyndale Avenue to westbound 77th Street and the addition of a right turn lane from westbound 77th Street to southbound Lyndale Avenue. He stated the addition of the double left turn lanes would require the acquisition of several business properties on He stated the construction of the the east side of Lyndale Avenue north of 77th Street. right turn lane would necessitate the acquisition of the Conoco Service Station. City Manager Prosser stated that the Planning Commission has been asked to investigate the feasibility of the redevelopment of the Lyndale Avenue area. June 5, 1995 Council Member Rosenberg stated concern about the insensitivity of the plan to the the City is currently working with them to solve a parking issue. Council Member Priebe stated that it would be appropriate to look at redevelopment of the area and the road work at the same time and not to do the road work before redevelopment. Council Member Susag stated the need for a redevelopment plan first, even if the turn lanes are justified.He stated concern that the staff did not discuss this plan with the businesses when they discussed the parking issue. John 7233 Grand Avenue, commented on the danger of left turn movementsat Street and Lyndale Avenue. Community Services Director discussed the potential timing of funding and construction for 1996. He stated it would be possible to split the left turn lane and right turn lane portions of the proposal so that the right turn lane could be constructed first. Community Development Director Wallace reported on the meeting staff had with the businesses of the northeast corner of the intersection about options for parking and the long term future of the area. He stated Planning Commission Chair Dan Linnihan had discussed the Planning Commission intent to the long term viability of the area, opportunities for possible redevelopment, financial aspects, and needs of the area. Council Member Susag stated he would strongly oppose this plan and vote against it unless a redevelopment proposal is prepared for the area first. Council Member Rosenberg concurred with Council Member Susag. Mayor asked the Council if they could support the right turn lane at this time, if it was separated from the left turn lane portion of the proposal.It was the consensus of the Council that this would be acceptable. Dan Linnihan, Planning Commission Chair, stated the Planning Commission would make its best effort to prepare viable choices for the City Council to consider for redeveloping the Lyndale Avenue area in approximately four to six months. Item #VDISCUSSION OF REQUEST TO RECONSIDER DECISION REGARDING ADDING FOURTH MUNICIPAL LIQUOR STORE. S.S. LETTER NO. 20 City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 20 regarding reconsideration of the addition of a fourth municipal liquor store.He stated that the addition of the right turn lane on 77th Street and Lyndale Avenue will require taking of the June 5, 1995 Conoco Station located on the southwest corner of the intersection. He indicated sufficient land would be available to construct a liquor store and CSM has indicated they have no interest in that property at this time. Discussion followed regarding the interest of developers in possibly locating a liquor store near the future upgraded 79th Street and Lyndale Avenue intersection if Richfield Community Services Director reviewed access points to the site. Liquor Operations Director Fillmore reviewed and answered questions regarding the Executive Summary of the Fourth Store Analysis. Council Member Susag discussed the concept of a payment to the General Fund from the Liquor Fund in lieu of taxes. Administrative Services Director indicated that payment to be about $4,000 Council Member Priebe noted that this only covers the City portion of taxes. Arnie Auchstetter, 1408 East 69th Street, asked questions about the impact of a fourth store in providing advantages in purchasing product and dram shop insurance. Council Member Priebe asked about the costs to build a fourth store. Liquor Store Operations Director Fillmore reviewed the capital costs of the store building estimated at $716,000, excluding any land costs. Community Services Director reviewed potential federal funding or Municipal State Aid funding for acquisition indicating the residual land could be sold back to the liquor store. The cost of the land is yet to be determined. Council Member Priebe stated that it appeared that it would require approximately a $1 million investment with a ten year payback to generate additional revenues for future capital improvements. He stated it would be less of a risk to invest the $1 million in park improvements now for the enjoyment of the community over the next ten years.He also stated that if the land is valuable as a retail property, it may not be wise to take it off the tax rolls since it would generate tax revenues. Council Member Sandahl stated that he favored taking this opportunity and that the additional liquor store appeared to be a good investment for the future. Council Member Rosenberg stated agreement with the comments of Council Member Priebe and stated the necessity to receive public input on this issue before the Council makes a decision. Council Member Susag stated for further consideration of a fourth liquor Mayor stated support for moving forward to making a decision on whether or consideration of adding a fourth liquor store. DISCUSSION OF IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID AND Item #VI HOMESTEAD AND AGRICULTURAL CREDIT AID AS RESULT OF 1995 LEGISLATIVE SESSION. S.S. LETTER NO. 21 Letter No. 21 Administrative Services Director reviewed Study Session A one-time reduction in HACA to cities, counties, towns and special districts in ¦ 1996. For Richfield, that would mean a reduction of about $73,000 in 1996. Removal of the increase in personal income data from the truth-in-taxation ¦ statements. Move the circuit breaker and targeting programs to the tax statement. ¦ Item #VII COUNCIL DISCUSSION Council Member Susag requested that the City Council receive a briefing on the impact of the legislation passed which allows the HRA to receive and manage several apartment buildings from the Sage Corporation. a concurrent meeting with the HRA on June 19 City Manager Prosser stated that the City’s legislators will be invited to a future Council meeting for discussion of the 1995 legislative session results and status of the City’s legislative initiatives. Council Member Susag suggested that in the future the text of proclamations be broadcast for cable viewers. The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at p.m. Date Approved: Martin J. Mayor James D. Prosser Thomas P. Ferber City Manager City Clerk