05-28-96 Regular
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Meeting
May 28, 1996
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENTATION OF COLORS AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Kirsch led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
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; Mike Eastling, City
Engineer; Jack Erskine, Public Safety Director; Randy Hughes,
Operations Coordinator; and Corrine Thomson, Assistant City
Attorney.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/Sandahl, S/Priebe to approve the minutes of the Local Board of Equalization
Meeting of May 13, 1996; the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of May 13,
1996; and the minutes of the Special City Council Meeting of May 20, 1996.
Motion carried 5-0.
Council Meeting Minutes-2-May 28, 1996
Item #1OPPORTUNITY FOR PERSONS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON
ANY ITEM NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA.
No one wished to address the Council.
Item #2 COUNCIL APPROVAL OF AGENDA
M/Sandahl, S/Susag to approve the agenda.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #3 CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Kirsch stated that Consent Calendar Item #3A. would be removed from the
Consent Calendar and placed on the regular agenda for consideration as Item #10A.
A.Removed from the Consent Calendar and placed on the regular agenda for
consideration as Item #10A.
B.APPROVED PURCHASE IN EXCESS OF $5,000 FOR 1996 FORD 860
TRACTOR TO BE USED AT RICH ACRES GOLF COURSE FROM LONG LAKE
FORD TRACTOR & EQUIPMENT COMPANY IN TOTAL AMOUNT OF
$10,669.17 C.L. 165
C.APPROVED PURCHASE IN EXCESS OF $5,000 FOR 1996 TORO 216 TRIPLEX
MOWER FOR USE AT RICH ACRES GOLF COURSE FROM MTI
DISTRIBUTING COMPANY, INC. IN TOTAL AMOUNT OF $10,068.51 C.L. 166
D.APPROVED PURCHASE IN EXCESS OF $5,000 FOR STREET REPAIRS AT
6400 PORTLAND AVENUE AND 7700 PILLSBURY AVENUE FROM NTC
RESTORATION IN AMOUNT OF $6,163.79 C.L. 167
E.APPROVED RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR
FEDERAL GRANT TO INSTALL NEW TRAFFIC SIGNAL TECHNOLOGY AND
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT ON LOCAL STREETS AS PART OF I-494
INTEGRATED CORRIDOR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT DEMONSTRATION
PROJECT C.L. 168
RESOLUTION NO. 8349
Council Meeting Minutes-3-May 28, 1996
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A COOPERATIVE CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT
WITH THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
ON THE I-494 ICTM PROJECT
This resolution appears as Resolution No. 8349 in Resolution Book No. 66
M/Sandahl, S/Priebe to approve the consent calendar as amended.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #4PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT OF CLOVERLEAF
ADDITION. C.L. NO. 169
City Manager Prosser reviewed Council Letter No. 169 regarding consideration of
approval of the preliminary and final plat of the Cloverleaf Addition.
M/Sandahl, S/Susag to close the public hearing.
Motion carried 5-0.
M/Sandahl, S/Susag that the following resolution be adopted, that it be spread in
the resolution book and that it be made part of these minutes:
RESOLUTION NO. 8350
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING GRANTING PRELIMINARY
AND FINAL APPROVAL OF A SUBDIVISION FOR RICHFIELD HRA
(CLOVERLEAF ADDITION)
Motion carried 5-0. This resolution appears as Resolution No. in Resolution Book
No. 66.
Item #5CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION APPROVING LABOR AGREEMENT
BETWEEN CITY OF RICHFIELD AND INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
FIREFIGHTERS LOCAL 1215 BARGAINING UNIT FOR 1996. C.L. NO.
170
Council Meeting Minutes-4-May 28, 1996
City Manager Prosser reviewed Council Letter No. 170 regarding consideration of a
1996 Labor Agreement between the City and the International Association of Firefighters
Local 1215.
Council Member Priebe asked how this contract compared with other
municipalities.
City Manager Prosser stated that there are few cities with professional full time fire
departments, however, Richfield’s overall contract package appears to be about average
in comparison to those cities.
Council Member Priebe asked how these contract costs compare with communities
that utilize volunteer firefighters.
City Manager Prosser stated he did not have that information available to respond
at this time.
M/Sandahl, S/Susag that the following resolution be adopted, that it be spread in
the resolution book and that it be made part of these minutes:
RESOLUTION NO. 8351
RESOLUTION APPROVING LABOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE CITY OF RICHFIELD AND THE INTERNATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS LOCAL 1215
BARGAINING UNIT FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 1996
Motion carried 5-0. This resolution appears as Resolution No. 8351 in Resolution
Book No. 66.
Item #6CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION APPROVING WETLAND
REPLACEMENT FOR CLOVERLEAF SITE FOR MEDIAN CROSSINGS
OFFICE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN NORTHEAST QUADRANT OF
INTERSECTION OF I-494 AND I-35W. C.L. NO. 171
City Manager Prosser reviewed Council Letter No. 171 regarding consideration of
approval of the Wetland Replacement Plan for the Cloverleaf Site for the Meridian
Crossings office development project in the northeast quadrant of the intersection of I-494
and I-35W.
Council Member Rosenberg asked about the status of any wildlife or aquatic life on
the Cloverleaf site.
Council Meeting Minutes-5-May 28, 1996
Pete Willenbring, WSR & Associates, Inc., stated that his firm and the Corps of
Engineers had evaluated the site with the determination that this wetland is significantly
impacted and degraded as a result of land use activities in the area over the past 50
years. He stated no significant wildlife or aquatic plants existed at the site. Mr.
Willenbring described the replacement wetland at Legion Lake as providing twice the size
and open water to enhance wildlife and aquatic plant activity. He stated the replacement
wetland would be hydrologically connected to Legion Lake by a culvert under the
pathway.
M/Sandahl, S/Susag that the following resolution be adopted, that it be spread in
the resolution book and that it be made part of these minutes:
RESOLUTION NO. 8352
RESOLUTION APPROVING WETLAND REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
Motion carried 5-0. This resolution appears as Resolution No. 8352 in Resolution
Book No. 66.
Item #7CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZATION TO PROCEED WITH RICHFIELD
ICE ARENA LOCKER ROOM EXPANSION PROJECT, APPROVAL OF
PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS, AND SOLICITATION OF BIDS FOR
CONSTRUCTION. C.L. NO. 172
City Manager Prosser reviewed Council Letter No. 172 recommending that the City
Council authorize staff to proceed with the Ice Arena locker room expansion project by
preparing plans and specifications to solicit bids for construction.
Council Member Rosenberg asked if the $110,000 that was originally allocated for
the Veterans Memorial Park parking lot expansion, which was postponed, could be used
to help fund this project.
City Manager Prosser stated that the funding for the project, in addition to the
$50,000 “Mighty Ducks” grant, was anticipated to come from an interfund loan from the
Capital Improvement Fund. He stated staff will ask the Community Services Commission
to review and recommend the funding source for the project.
M/Sandahl, S/Susag to authorize the preparation of plans and specifications for the
Richfield Ice Arena locker room expansion project and direct staff to solicit bids for
construction.
Motion carried 5-0.
Council Meeting Minutes-6-May 28, 1996
Item #8CONSIDERATION OF WORK ORDER FOR SCOPE OF SERVICES WITH
WSB AND ASSOCIATES, INC. TO PERFORM WORK ASSOCIATED WITH
DESIGN OF 76TH STREET WEST OF I-35W PROJECT IN AMOUNT OF
$63,400. C.L. NO. 173
City Manager Prosser reviewed Council Letter No. 173 recommending that WSB
and Associates, Inc. be selected to perform a scope of services associated with the
design of 76th Street west of I-35W Project.
Council Member Rosenberg suggested that some provision be made for a waiting
area for bus passengers at intersections on the south side of 76th Street where the
existing sidewalk will be removed for the project.
City Engineer Eastling stated alternatives will be reviewed to address this issue.
M/Susag, S/Rosenberg to authorize the City Manager to sign a work order for a
scope of services with WSB and Associates in the amount of $63,400 to perform the work
associated with the design of the 76th Street west of I-35W project.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #9CONSIDERATION OF SELECTION OF PROJECT SCOPE FOR
COLUMBUS AVENUE STORM SEWER IMPROVEMENT AND
CONSIDERATION OF WSB AND ASSOCIATES, INC. AS CONSULTING
ENGINEERS TO DESIGN, PRODUCE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT. C.L. NO. 174
City Engineer Eastling reviewed Council Letter No. 174 regarding the proposed
Columbus Avenue storm sewer improvements. He recommended that the project be
expanded to include the 70th Street storm water flow. He reviewed a graphic presentation
of the proposed project and described how the expanded project would reduce the
drainage to Norby Pond. He stated this would increase flood protection to all the homes
tributary to Norby Pond. He stated the cost of the expanded project was estimated to be
$465,000.
M/Susag, S/Rosenberg to approve the following actions:
1.Authorize the City Manager to execute the Scope of Services agreement with WSB
and Associates, Inc.
Council Meeting Minutes-7-May 28, 1996
2.Authorize staff and WSB and Associates, Inc. to expand the scope of the project to
divert water from the Milner Pond/Norby Pond system.
3.Authorize staff to retain WSB and Associates, Inc. to design the Columbus Avenue
storm sewer project and to create construction plans and specification as provided
in the Scope of Services agreement at an estimated cost of $35,500 for the
expanded project.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #10CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION CALLING FOR PUBLIC HEARING
ON PROPOSED ISSUANCE OF REFUNDING REVENUE BONDS FOR
MARKET PLAZA HOUSING PROJECT. C.L. NO. 175
City Manager Prosser reviewed Council Letter No. 175 regarding consideration of a
resolution calling for a public hearing on the proposed issuance of refunding revenue
bonds for the Market Plaza Housing Project.
Council Member Priebe stated opposition to assisting the Market Plaza Housing
Limited Partnership based on the past arbitrary substantial increase in rent charged to
tenants several years ago. He stated that although some improvements were made to the
building, some tenants indicated it was not in relation to the substantial rent increase and
some were forced to move as a result.
M/Sandahl, S/Susagthat the following resolution be adopted, that it be spread in
the resolution book and that it be made part of these minutes:
RESOLUTION NO. 8353
RESOLUTION CALLING PUBLIC HEARING ON REFINANCING
OF MARKET PLAZA HOUSING PROJECT
Motion carried 3-2. (Priebe, Rosenberg opposed) This resolution appears as
Resolution No. 8353 in Resolution Book No. 66.
Item #10ACONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF REQUEST FOR OFF-STREET
PARKING PERMIT FOR 609 WEST 74TH STREET TO ALLOW
CONSTRUCTION OF FOUR TOWNHOME UNITS. C.L. NO. 164
Council Meeting Minutes-8-May 28, 1996
City Manager Prosser reviewed Council Letter No. 164 regarding the request of
Choice Wood Company for an off street parking permit for the construction of a four unit
cluster townhome development at 609 West 74th Street with the following stipulations:
1.That the Engineering Division approve a stormwater management plan and a
sediment and erosion control plan.
2.That the Hearing Examiner approve setback and lot coverage variances for the
project.
Tom Price, owner of the property at 7421 Lyndale Avenue, stated concerns about
the proposed development including the following:
x
That the courtyard area may end up to be a parking area.
x
That the setbacks are not adequate.
x
That the footprint of the buildings are too big and have been pushed to the
perimeter.
x
That the development may be incompatible with the C-2 zoning of land to the
south and west.
x
That the development would affect future land uses and possibly conflict with
adjacent commercial uses.
x
That the property is too small for the development.
x
That this approval is putting “the cart before the horse” because it is prior to the
Hearing Examiner’s consideration of setback and lot coverage variances for the
project.
Council Member Susag asked if consideration of this issue could wait until after the
Hearing Examiner’s decision.
City Manager Prosser stated that it is not necessary to act on this issue tonight,
although it may affect the builder’s schedule.
Nick Smaby, President of Choice Wood Company, stated that the company had
been working with City staff and the neighborhood on this project for more than a year.
He stated that it appeared that there was much support for the project except for Mr. Price.
He described the proposal as an innovative cluster home concept for empty nesters
consisting of four free standing 1200 square foot units. Mr. Smaby stated the Hearing
Examiner’s decision would be made no later than June 11.
Council Member Rosenberg stated that this project would be a good buffer and
transition from the commercial to the residential area. She stated that there is a
demonstrated need for this type of housing in the community.
Mayor Kirsch asked Mr. Smaby to describe the landscape layout and materials
proposed for the project.
Council Meeting Minutes-9-May 28, 1996
Mr. Smaby stated that the homes were positioned to be symmetrical with a
courtyard area in the middle. He stated the design of the homes was chosen to blend in
with the neighborhood. He stated maintenance free materials would be used on the
homes. Mr. Smaby stated the project was positioned to give a larger buffer for the
abutting residential property to the east. He indicated that parking in the courtyard area
would be an issue addressed by the homeowners association.
Council Member Priebe stated that this is a good project which is needed and
wanted in the community and that the Council should move forward to approve it.
M/Susag, S/Sandahl to table consideration of the request of Choice Wood
Company for an off-street parking permit for a four-unit townhome development at 609
West 74th Street until after the determination of the Hearing Examiner on the requested
setback and lot coverage variances for the project.
Motion carried 3-2. (Priebe, Rosenberg opposed)
Item #11AIRPORT STATUS REPORT
No report.
Item #12LEGISLATIVE REPORT
No report.
Item #13COUNCIL DISCUSSION ITEMS
Council Member Susag invited the public to the Richfield Historical Society annual
book sale scheduled for June 1, 1996 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Bartholomew House Museum,
6901 Lyndale Avenue.
Item #14CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
M/Susag, S/Rosenberg that the following claims and payrolls be approved:
Council Meeting Minutes-10-May 28, 1996
RICHFIELD BANK & TRUST CO.
Checks: 21054-21118$1,179,047.68
NORWEST BANK
Checks: 1247$50,000.00
FIRSTAR BANK
Checks: 9012-9027$414,089.95
Payroll: 92914-92947; 95363-95639$412,661.64
95644-95663; 95664-95670$13,784.64
Motion carried 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 7:56 p.m.
Date Approved:
Martin J. KirschMayor
Thomas P. FerberJames D. Prosser
City ClerkCity Manager