06-02-97 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Study Session
June 2, 1997
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present:Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Michael Sandahl; Susan Rosenberg; Russ
Susag; and Kristal Stokes.
Staff Present :James Prosser, City Manager; Thomas Ferber, City Clerk; Bruce
Palmborg, Community Development Director; Michael Eastling,
Public Works Director; Tom Foley, Transportation Engineer; and
George Atkinson, Engineering Supervisor.
Item #1 DISCUSSION OF ISSUES RELATING TO GROUP HOMES.
S.S. LETTER NO. 19
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 19 regarding federal,
state, and local authority in the licensing and location of group homes.
Vernon Knudsen, 6509 Fifth Avenue, questioned Bloomington’s opposition to a
group home at 89th Street and Portland Avenue that he read about in the paper.
City Manager Prosser stated that state law requires cities to consider licensed
residential facilities serving six or fewer persons as a permitted single family residential
use.
Wesley Borgeson, 6401 Fifth Avenue, suggested that the City challenge the state
law as being discriminatory.
Study Session Meeting Minutes-2-June 2, 1997
M. N. Dillion, 6521 Fifth Avenue, stated opposition to the recommendation from the
City Attorney that the zoning ordinance be amended to remove the unenforceable
distance requirement.
Eugene Matthews, 6508 Portland Avenue, stated concerns about who purchases
the properties to operate a group home, the possibility that someone could buy up a whole
block for group homes, and whether the residents are dangerous.
City Manager Prosser stated that Fraser would operate the group home. He stated
Fraser operates facilities for developmentally disabled individuals. He stated the intent of
the group home concept is to integrate the residents into a community, not concentrate
them in one spot. He stated the residents of group homes are no more or no less a risk
than anyone else who may live in a house.
Vernon Knudsen, 6509 Fifth Avenue, asked how the number of group homes in
Richfield compares to other cities.
City Manager Prosser stated that it appears that Richfield has about the same
proportionate number as other similar communities.
Henry Lundquist, 6520 Portland Avenue, stated concerns about the condition of the
wall and fence of the apartment building adjacent to his property.
M. N. Dillion, 6521 Fifth Avenue, stated that this group home next door to him
should not be licensed because a window well does not meet the building set back
because it is 2 1/2 inches too close to his property.
City Manager Prosser discussed and reviewed the City’s authority and discretion in
matters such as this in which the 2 1/2 inch variance was allowed and granted by the
Building Official with the approval of the City Manager.
Delores Knudsen, 6509 Fifth Avenue, asked about two Fraser group homes which
closed in Eden Prairie.
City Manager stated he was not aware of why Fraser closed the group homes in
Eden Prairie.
Mrs. Henry Lundquist, 6520 Portland Avenue, stated she preferred that women
rather than men be residents in the group home. She stated concern about someone
buying her house and renting out rooms to young men.
City Manager Prosser reviewed crime statistics and property value statistics which
indicate group homes do not generate an unusual number of police calls nor have a
negative impact on property values.
Study Session Minutes-3-June 2, 1997
Item #2ANNUAL MEETING WITH FRIENDSHIP CITY COMMISSION.
S.S. LETTER NO. 20
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 20 regarding the annual
meeting of the City Council with the Friendship City Commission.
Joanne Ehren Dahlquist, 6913 11th Avenue, Chair of the Friendship City
Commission, summarized the 1996 commission accomplishments and 1997 commission
projects including the following:
x
Participation in the Fourth of July Celebration
x
Participation in the Community Expo
x
Designation of Heredia Park
x
Designation of Heredia Conference Room
x
Video Project
x
Newspaper subscription for the library and schools
x
Host family book
x
Potential for a newsletter
x
Hosting visiting delegations
x
Sponsoring community connections
x
Formulation of a mission statement
x
“Tour ‘98” planning
x
Status of student memberships
Item #3DISCUSSION OF DESIRABILITY OF GRANTING TO NON-CONFORMING
BUSINESS SIGN OWNERS AN ADDITIONAL THREE YEAR AMORTIZATION
PERIOD. S.S. LETTER NO. 21
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 21 regarding the
desirability and options of ordinance amendments related to non-conforming business
signs.
Council Member Sandahl stated he would not favor extending the amortization
period but would support an ordinance amendment to provide for a hearing examiner to
decide requests for time extensions.
Council Member Susag stated he had suggested the additional three years for
amortization to be equitable with the extension given for outdoor advertising displays. He
stated he would support an ordinance amendment to provide for a hearing examiner
process for time extensions and also for variances under special circumstances. He
stated that time extensions or exception should also be available in active redevelopment
areas.
Discussion followed regarding defining active redevelopment areas and variances.
Study Session Minutes-4-June 2, 1997
After discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council that an ordinance
amendment be prepared for Council consideration providing for a hearing examiner to
hear requests for time extensions and variances. It was the consensus of the City Council
that the hearing examiner’s decision would be final and not be appealable.
Steve Moore, representing the Richfield Chamber of Commerce, thanked the City
for its efforts to address business concerns on this issue.
Item #4DISCUSSION OF TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES TAKEN IN AREA
BOUNDED BY PENN AVENUE, 76TH STREET, I-494 & I-35W.
S. S. LETTER NO. 22
Transportation Engineer Foley reviewed Study Session Letter No. 22 regarding the
status of traffic calming measures taken in the area bounded by Penn Avenue, 76th
Street, I-494 and I-35W. He stated that the results of a opinion survey of residents and
businesses regarding the traffic diverter at 77th Street and Morgan Avenue showed
almost an even split in support and in opposition. He reviewed the traffic counts for the
streets in the area before and after the installation of the barrier which indicated a
reduction on most streets but an increase on Logan Avenue.
Paul Kachelmeyer, 7610 Logan Avenue, and Trent McKay, 7614 Logan Avenue,
stated concerns about increased traffic, speeding, and truck traffic on Logan Avenue after
installation of the traffic diverter.
Discussion followed regarding the on-going history of traffic conflicts between
residential and commercial properties in the area, the influence of the stop sign at 77th
Street at Logan Avenue encouraging traffic to turn onto Logan Avenue, allowing the
diverter to remain until the after Galyan’s opens, and additional traffic calming options.
After discussion of various alternatives, it was the consensus of the City Council
that the traffic diverter remain at this time, that staff meet with the businesses on Morgan
Avenue regarding closing or vacating Morgan Avenue with the possible use of mediation
to arrange shared access, that the stop signs on 77th Street at Logan Avenue be
removed, that staff will explore the use of “bump out” traffic barriers at some of the
intersections, and that the driveway from Wally McCarthy to 77th Street be closed.
Item #5DISCUSSION OF STATUS OF 6900 BLOCK OF PENN STORMWATER
PROJECT. S. S. LETTER NO. 23
Public Works Director Eastling reviewed the status of the 6900 block of Penn
Stormwater Project indicating that five of the seven homes in the block have been
purchased from willing sellers. He stated that Pete Willenbring, WSB, the City’s
Study Session Minutes-5-June 2, 1997
consultant stormwater engineer, recommends that prior to lowering 70th Street and
Russell Avenue, the City should acquire the two remaining homes. He stated that the two
remaining property owners have not as yet expressed a willingness to sell.
Property owners Patrick and Judith Thul, 6932 Russell Avenue; Steven and Mary
Kay Santos, 6936 Russell Avenue; James and Tracie Nielsen, 6940 Russell Avenue; and
Bruce and Jamie Benz, 6944 Russell Avenue, requested that the City take action to
proceed with the project by condemnation of the remaining homes in order to provide
flooding relief to their neighborhood. They stated concern that they have waited four
years already and it was uncertain how much longer it would be until the other owners
would willingly sell.
Discussion followed regarding the original policy to purchase from only willing
sellers, acquisition by condemnation, relocation costs and requirements for condemnation
acquisitions, equity issues related to those who sold previously, redevelopment issues,
timeframes for completing the project, ponding requirements, and the Stormwater Capital
Improvement Program.
It was the consensus of the City Council that staff communicate with the owners of
the two remaining properties about their willingness to sell at this time. It was the
consensus of the City Council that if the owners are unwilling to sell at this time, the staff
should schedule consideration by the Council of authorizing acquisition through
condemnation proceedings. It was indicated that this would likely be scheduled for the
July 14 City Council meeting.
Item #6DISCUSSION OF STATUS OF AIRPORT RELATED ITEMS.
S.S. LETTER NO. 24
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 24 providing a status
report regarding the following airport issues:
x
Runway 4-22 Extension - MAC is proposing an additional 1000 foot extension
x
Communication strategies/briefing paper
x
Proposed North-South Runway
x
Findings of the analysis by Dr. Sanford Fidell regarding low frequency noise
impacts related to the North-South Runway
x
Relocation of recreational assets proposals and task force
x
May 27 MASAC meeting vote on “Distant Community Departure Profile” and
“Close-in Community Departure Profile”
x
Part 150 Sound Insulation Program
x
Federal Interagency Committee on Aviation Noise public forum
x
New Ford Town and Rich Acres Acquisition
Item #7DISCUSSION OF ACCESS TO SEVERAL 77TH STREET BUSINESSES
AND USE OF DIRECTIONAL SIGNS S. S. LETTER NO. 25
Study Session Minutes-6-June 2, 1997
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 25 regarding the issue of
access to several 77th Street businesses and the use of directional signs.
Public Works Director Eastling reviewed situations where off site directional signs
could be used to address difficult access to businesses along 77th Street such as the
Hampton Inn. He reviewed a schematic drawing of a business directional sign concept
that could be used to address this problem. He indicated the signs could be a
demonstration project and if the demonstration is a success, an ordinance amendment
would be brought to the Council to allow similar signs in other areas. He stated
businesses would pay for the costs of the signs.
After discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council that staff proceed with
the business directional sign concept.
Item #8UPDATE OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS SCHEDULED OF RICHFIELD
DURING 1997. S. S. LETTER NO. 26
City Manager reviewed Study Session Letter No. 26 presenting a status report and
answering questions regarding the following public works construction projects:
STREET IMPROVEMENTS
77th Street Cleanup Projects
x
Crosswalk at Colfax Avenue
x
78th Street entrance to Lyndale Avenue
x
Sod south boulevard east of Portland Avenue
x
77th Street turn lane at Lyndale Avenue
x
Lyndale Avenue median
Street Resurfacing
x
Lyndale Avenue - Lakeshore Drive to 74th Street
x
Lyndale Avenue/66th Street intersection
x
65th Street - Penn Avenue to Xerxes Avenue
x
76th Street - Sheridan Avenue to Xerxes Avenue
Traffic Control
x
Meridian Crossings entrance
x
Meridian Crossings signal
x
77th Street/12th Avenue signal - left turn arrow
Storm Sewer Improvements
x
Columbus Avenue storm sewer
x
Water treatment plant wetland
Study Session Minutes-7-June 2, 1997
x
Galyan’s/Fountainhead lift station
x
Wood Lake dredging
Maintenance Projects
x
Blacktop crack routing and sealing
x
Blacktop sealcoating
x
Curb, gutter, and sidewalk repair
x
Alley joint resealing and repair
Projects by Other Agencies
x
Portland Avenue/I-494 bridge redecking
x
Humboldt Avenue/Lakeshore Drive overlay
x
76th Street/I-35W exit signal
x
Penn Avenue/74th Street storm sewer
Larry Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, questioned the quality, effectiveness,
and cost benefit of seal coating and crack sealing techniques.
Engineering Supervisor Atkinson cited MnDOT quantitative studies regarding these
techniques. He also indicated that there was a three year warranty and that the contractor
will be back to repair the joint failures.
Steve Moore, representing Hampton Inn, asked to meet with staff regarding
clarification of responsibility for the cost of a driveway related to the 78th Street entrance
to Lyndale Avenue project.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:51 p.m.
Date Approved:
Martin J. KirschMayor
Thomas P. FerberJames D. Prosser
City ClerkCity Manager