01-06-97 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Study Session
January 6, 1997
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 6:55 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present:Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Michael Sandahl; Russ
Susag; and Kristal Stokes.
Staff Present :James Prosser, City Manager; Thomas Ferber, City Clerk; Steven
Devich, Administrative Services Director; Gretchen Blank, Leisure
Services Coordinator; Randy Hughes, Operations Coordinator;
Michael Eastling, City Engineer; Bruce Palmborg, Community
Development Director; William Fillmore, Liquor Operations Director;
and Tom Foley, Transportation Engineer.
Item # IDISCUSSION OF DONATIONS FOR FOURTH OF JULY COMMITTEE
S. S. LETTER NO. 1
Gary Groen, Chair of the Richfield Fourth of July Committee, reported on the
financial status of the committee and the status of program events for the 1997
celebration. He indicated that the water bill insert sent to water customers in the City
soliciting donations to the Fourth of July Committee had been successful with over $1500
donated with two of the three sections of billing completed.
Discussion followed regarding the possibility of using another water bill insert in the
months immediately preceding the Fourth of July Celebration and publicizing this fact
through the Richfield Sun-Current and Your City Newsletter.
Study Session Minutes-2-January 6, 1997
Item # IIDISCUSSION OF OUTSIDE SERVICE OF INTOXICATING
LIQUOR/WINE/3.2 MALT LIQUOR AT RESTAURANTS IN CITY.
S.S. LETTER NO. 2
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 2 regarding the City’s
practice of not allowing outside service of intoxicating liquor/wine/3.2 malt liquor at
restaurants in the City and issues related to allowing outside service.
City Council Member Sandahl stated that he had asked for a review and discussion
of this issue as a result of his experience at Fireside Pizza.
After discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council that City staff put
together proposed guidelines regarding such things as food, screening, setbacks, hours,
proximity to residential areas, and noise to regulate outside service at restaurants for
consideration by the City Council. The City Council requested that the Planning
Commission also review the proposed guidelines.
Item #IIIDISCUSSION OF ADDENDUM TO JANUARY 1995 FINAL
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT ON I-35W TO ADD THIRD LANE
FOR HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLES FROM I-494 TO 46TH STREET IN
MINNEAPOLIS. S.S. LETTER NO. 3
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 3 regarding the
addendum to the 1995 Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on I-35W to add a
third lane for high occupancy vehicles (HOV) from I-494 to 46th Street.
Traffic Engineer Foley presented information and answered questions regarding
the following:
x
Background on the I-35W Final EIS
x
Key features of the Proposed I-35W Project and Proposed HOV Lane Extension
x
Issues and concerns regarding the project:
Land needed for storm water ponding
Right of way implications
62 Crosstown access to Lyndale Avenue
Redevelopment opportunities in the area of Richfield Lake
Transit hub
Potential for high speed bus service & carpooling
Traffic impacts on local streets
Potential for bike/pedestrian trails
Design of noise and retaining walls
Study Session Minutes-3-January 6, 1997
x
Council asked to comment on Addendum to Final EIS
Staff review
Public involvement process
January 14, 1997 MnDOT Open House
x
Council Action at January 27 meeting
x
Detailed review of plans will be done separately
Lawrence Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, stated concerns about pedestrian
safety where local streets cross the freeway and requested a copy of the EIS addendum.
Adam Josephson, MnDOT I-35W Corridor Manager, stated that pedestrian safety
issues are included in the EIS and he provided a copy of the EIS addendum to Mr.
Wozniczka.
Item #IVDISCUSSION OF STATUS OF AIRPORT RELATED ISSUES.
S. S. LETTER NO. 4
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 4 and the status of the
following airport related issues:
x
Runway 4-22
Recent discussions with Met Council has revealed that 1) the Met Council must
review any proposal by MAC to construct the taxiway complex needed to use the
extended runway for noise redistribution purposes; 2) no such taxiway project is
contained in the MAC’s 1997 CIP; and 3) the 4-22 project is contained in the MAC’s
1999 CIP. Due to the uncertainty regarding whether (or when) the MAC will
construct the taxiway complex and use Runway 4-22 for noise redistribution
purposes, Richfield does not believe that litigating its petition for review at this time
would be a productive use of resources of the Court or litigants. As a result,
Richfield will seek a “tolling” agreement that enables the lawsuit to be dismissed
without prejudice, subject to the right to seek judicial relief if the MAC should decide
to proceed with the noise redistribution component of the project.
Discussion followed regarding the increasing questions from southeast Richfield
homeowners wanting to be in the noise insulation program and the relationship to
the Runway 4-22 noise redistribution issue. It was the consensus of the City
Council that City staff prepare a draft of a drop literature piece on this issue and a
Your City Newsletter article. The City Council felt that the door to door distribution
of the literature would facilitate answering questions to explain this issue.
x
Termination of Lease Agreement: Relocation of Recreational Aspects
A task force of 12 people has been created to study various possibilities of
relocating recreational activities formerly located on the Rich Acres athletic fields.
Task force members consist of youth and adult field sport representatives. In
addition, City consultant George Watson, of Brauer & Associates, is analyzing all
available park and open space to determine how additional demands can be met.
Study Session Minutes-4-January 6, 1997
Options being considered relate to rescheduling play time; upgrading facilities (i.e.
additional lighting for night use); and the building of new parks.
A task force may soon be created to look at various golf course options.
Representatives of golf leagues will be studying possibilities of how to replace the
Rich Acres Course.
x
Review and discussion of presentation to the Twin Cities Airport Task Force by
Representative Jean Wagenius and Senator Jane Ranum and related airport
analysis.
Council Member Susag presented a draft he prepared for City Council review of a
letter to the MAC Chair outlining the following as the City’s two basic concerns relating to
the construction of a North-South runway:
1.Noise impacts on Richfield residents, especially in areas immediately west of Trunk
Highway 77.
2.Loss of valuable recreational space, including Rich Acres Golf Course, youth
athletic fields and community gardens.
Item #VCOUNCIL DISCUSSION
Operations Coordinator Hughes gave a report and answered questions regarding
snow removal operations and costs resulting from this seasons snowfall events.
It was the consensus of the City Council that information regarding this issue be
included in the Your City Newsletter.
Discussion followed regarding seeking the assistance of block watch groups in
clearing snow from fire hydrants and communicating snow emergency information.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:27 p.m.
Date Approved:
Martin J. KirschMayor
Thomas P. FerberJames D. Prosser
City ClerkCity Manager