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10-02-95 Worksession OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA COUNCIL STUDY SESSION October Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Michael Sandahl; Susan Rosenberg; MEMBERS PRESENT: Russ Susag; and Don Priebe. James Prosser, City Manager; Steven Administrative STAFF PRESENT: Services Director; Donald Fondrick, Community Services Director; William Fillmore, Liquor Operations Director; Jack Erskine, Public Safety Directory; and Thomas Ferber, City The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 7:00 p.m. Item # IPRESENTATION OF RICHFIELD CO-OP SUMMER SCHOOL VIDEO A video of a KARE 11 feature on Nel Johnson’s Richfield Co-op Summer School program was viewed by the City Council. Item # IIDISCUSSION OF ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY COMMUNITY CELEBRATION. S. S. LETTER NO. 23 City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 23 regarding the annual Fourth of July Community Celebration. Gary Groen, President of the Richfield Fourth of July Celebration; Tom Scaglia treasurer of the Richfield Fourth of July Celebration; and Kathy Richfield Royalty Ambassadors, reported on the financial status of the Fourth of July celebration. They requested increased support from the City. Council Member Sandahl stated he would support increased financial support for the event because it helps create a sense of community in the City. Council Member Rosenberg stated support for the same reason and suggested the additional financial support for the celebration should come out of the Community Services Mr. Groen stated that the Fourth of July Committee could give an annual report and base the amount of their request on their needs for that year. Mr. Scaglia responded to questions from the City Council regarding the financial statements of the celebration. Council Member Susag stated that the maximum tax levy had been set by the Council on September therefore it would be difficult to commit any additional assistance at this time. needs for 1997. funding for 1996 and then consider the Discussion followed regarding additional fundraising efforts to support the celebration. It was the consensus of the Council that City staff and the Fourth of July Celebration representatives review and explore fundraising alternatives for providing additional financial support to the Fourth of July celebration and report back to the City Council in December. City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 24 regarding discussion ofthe 77th Street maintenance assessment options and (LHN) maintenance special assessment. Community Services Director responded to questions regarding issues and rates, and differences related to level of service, types of service, assessment ratios between the LHN and 77th Street assessment district areas. He explained the basis of costs that are assessed are those costs in excess of the standard level of maintenance provided to the rest of the City. Elayne Gilhousen and Arnold Auchstetter, members of the Community Services Commission, discussed the Commission’s position that the 77th Street area maintenance assessment should be assessed to both commercial properties and multi-family dwellings in the district with multi-family dwellings being assessed one-third the rate paid by commercial properties. They also recommended that the LHN district assessment should be made consistent with the policy of assessing multi-family properties one-third and thirds to commercial properties. specific assessment costs Community Services Director reviewed parcel for different assessment formulas. Council Member Susag discussed issues related to being sensitive to multi-family and commercial property owners, the benefits to the community as a whole to the community of the 77th Street project and the sound wall, and the benefit to the community redevelopment and expansion of the tax base. He suggested that the Council consider assessing 50% of the maintenance costs to commercial properties with the general tax base paying for the other half beginning in 1997. City Manager Prosser stated that this would represent a $60,000 impact on the general fund requiring equivalent budget reductions or a tax increase. Council Member Sandahl stated that it would have a $3 per household cost and that he preferred the commission’s recommendation. Council Member Priebe stated that the area west of Lyndale on 77th Street is different because the CSM development directly benefited from Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and it is appropriate that they pay the assessment. He stated the area east of Lyndale Avenue did not benefit in the same way because it was a highway project to provide a secondary route to replace the frontage road if l-494 is widened. He stated that the City as a whole should pay for this benefit. He stated the LHN area benefited from TIF also and it is appropriate for them to pay the assessment. He indicated the new multi- family units such as Village Shores probably are able to charge higher rents due to the amenities and therefore do also benefit. Dr. Robert Dietl, Veterinary Hospital, 6436 Lyndale Avenue, discussed his experience in the LHN area, maintenance assessments, community benefits, and ideas from the perspective of a small businessman. He suggested that both the LHN and 77th Street assessment districts should be assessed in the same manner and be treated the same. Council Member Rosenberg stated support for being consistent with both districts. Discussion followed regarding whether the Council could come to a consensus on that issue. Council Member Susag suggested addressing 1996 and then later determining the maintenance assessment policy for the districts for 1997 and beyond. He suggested first that the 1996 LHN maintenance policy remain unchanged. It was the consensus of the Council that the 1996 LHN maintenance policy remain unchanged. Council Member Susag then suggested and discussed possibilities for the 77th Street area. After discussion, there was general agreement that staff should proceed with the process for the City Council to consider a 1996 maintenance assessment for the 77th Street area which would be assessed to commercial property only. was the consensus of the Council that consideration of various Italternatives in developing the assessment policy for both areas for 1997. made City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 23 regarding outdoor winter skating rinks. Council Member Priebe stated that a number of residents wanted a skating rink located at Washington Park. He stated a skating rink at this park would also enhance the recreational opportunities for nearby apartment residents. Community Services Director reviewed issues and criteria related to the location of general skating and hockey rinks at City parks. Mayor suggested that a skating rink could be located at Washington Park for a one year trial to gauge the attendance. Community Services Director discussed the need for more than one year to fairly determine the participation trend. Council Member Sandahl stated support for providing a skating rink at Washington Park with a review of attendance figures to determine whether it is justified to remain. Community Services Director stated that the Community Services Commission reviews all skating site attendance figures yearly in determining their recommendation. It was the consensus of the Council that a general skating rink should be provided at Washington Park. Item #V Sue Sandahl, Richfield resident member of the State Advisory Council on Metropolitan Airport Planning (SACMAP), gave a report on the visit by to the new Denver International Airport (DIA). She provided background on the political, economic, and environmental climate which led to the decision to construct the new airport in Denver, indicating these conditions do not exist in Minnesota. She stated the group toured the new facility and received a briefing on the economic and financial impacts of the airport. She indicated members were struck by the fact that DIA has received over 27,000 noise complaints in just six months of operations. She stated MSP by comparison, which annually ranks at the top of the United States airports receiving noise complaints, logged 17,000 noise complaints all of 1994. She indicated the complaint problem in Denver is due to new noise impacts on areas that had not previously received direct overflights and most complaints are coming from residents in the 50-55 Ldn Noise Contour. is considering a future visit to Atlanta-Hartsfield International Airport to tour a recently expanded existing airport. City Manager Prosser stated a report on the status of airport related issues was provided for the Council in Study Session Letter No. 26. Item # VI DISCUSSION OF PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES IN CITY OF RICHFIELD. S. S. LETTER NO. 27 Public Safety Director Erskine summarized and answered questions regarding crime statistics for the City. He reviewed how crimes are categorized and how there is a difference in the reporting policies of some jurisdictions, making it difficult to compare. City Manager Prosser reviewed how the Public Safety Department works with the schools, merchants, and apartment owners in encouraging the report of crime and a proactive approach to addressing problems. Public Safety Director Erskine discussed issues related to neighborhood crime alerts and public information on certain crimes. Public Safety Director Erskine discussed the status of the possibility for a joint police/fire training facility for Richfield, Edina, Eden Prairie and the airport. He indicated the proposed facility would be located in Edina and state/federal funding is being sought to finance the facility. Item #VII DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE INCREASING NUMBER OF ON-SALE NON- INTOXICATING MALT LIQUOR LICENSES ISSUED BY CITY. S.S. LETTER NO. 28 City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 28 regarding whether to consider an ordinance amendment which would increase the number of on-sale non- intoxicating malt liquor licenses that could be issued by the City Council. It was the consensus of the City Council that the staff prepare an ordinance amendment that would authorize an increase in the number of available on-sale non- intoxicating malt liquor licenses from 12 to 15 for consideration by the Council. DISCUSSION OF PROCEDURES FOR COUNCIL MEMBER ABSENCE. Item #VIII S.S. LETTER NO. 29 City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 29 regarding City code provisions related to City Council meeting attendance. Council discussion followed regarding the provisions of Section 205.15 regarding rules related to absences of City Council Members from meetings. Council Member Priebe suggested that maybe the Charter Commission review the issue, He stated the system seemed impractical and possibly detrimental to Council working relations. Council Member Sandahl stated care should be taken that the process not be made easier to be influenced by partisan politics. Council Member Susag stated that the rules are contained in the City Code, not the He stated the City City Charter and therefore not an issue for the Charter Commission. Council has the authority to change the ordinance otherwise, they should abide by it. Council Member Sandahl stated that the ordinance provides that the rules be set by resolution of the Council each year. Discussion followed regarding City Charter Section 2.05 regarding Council vacancies. Council Member Susag suggested staff review whether other cities have rules regarding City Council attendance, that the Council comply with the spirit of the rules, and that the Council look at adopting the resolution establishing the rules at the first meeting of each calendar year. Larry Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, suggested that perhaps the Council Members should forego their salary for meetings missed or maybe allow a substitute to be appointed and give the salary for that meeting to the substitute. It was the consensus of the Council that staff further research the issue of attendance rules including how other cities deal with the issue, prior to Council adoption of a resolution on rules. Item #IX DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO CHANGE CITY CHARTER TO REFLECT CURRENT STATE LAW REGARDING CONTRACT BID LAW. S. S. LETTER NO. 30 City Manager Prosser suggested and the City Council concurred that this issue be rescheduled for the November City Council Study Session. ADJOURNMENT 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