08-04-97 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Study Session
August 4, 1997
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present:Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Michael Sandahl; Susan Rosenberg; and
Kristal Stokes.
Members Absent:Russ Susag.
City Manager Prosser stated that Council Member Susag had informed him that he
would not be present at tonight’s meeting because of vacation travel.
M/Sandahl, S/Stokes to determine the absence of Council Member Susag as an
excused absence.
Motion carried 4-0.
Staff Present :James Prosser, City Manager; Steve Devich, Administrative
Services Director; Thomas Ferber, City Clerk; Michael Eastling,
Public Works Director; Gretchen Blank, Recreation Services
Director; Randy Hughes, Operations Coordinator; Bruce Palmborg,
Community Development Director; Mark Hall, Streets Supervisor;
John Thom, Utility Superintendent; Rick Beane, Mechanic
Supervisor; and Barry Fritz, Police Captain.
Item #IANNUAL MEETING WITH HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
City Manager Prosser stated that the City Council and Human Rights Commission
meet annually to discuss commission activities.
Study Session Minutes2August 4, 1997
The following members of the Human Rights Commission were present:
Ron Glaub, Chair
Connie McDonald
Michael Speidel
Eric Lundquist
Anthony Bibus
Tashika Sykes
Ellen Smith
Mark Gleason
Pamela Dowell, Youth Member
Human Rights Commission Chair Ron Glaub stated that a slide presentation
regarding the commission activities had been prepared and is available for presentations
in the community. Human Rights Commission Members Mark Gleason and Pamela
Dowell presented the slides and narration reviewing the following:
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Human Rights Commission Mission
x
City of Richfield Demographic Statistics
- Housing
- Age Distribution
- Racial Distribution
- Gender Distribution
- Annual Income
- Public Assistance
x
Human Rights Commission Membership
x
Human Rights Commission Activities and Responsibilities
- Encourage respect and appreciation for diversity
- Recognition of human rights contributions
- Education
- No Fault Grievance mediation for human rights disputes
- Gene and Mary Jacobsen Outstanding Citizen Award
- Participation in community celebrations and events
- Cooperation with the Diversity Connection
- Hate crime response
Human Rights Commission Chair Glaub stated that the commission would like to
receive input from the City Council regarding the Gene and Mary Jacobsen Outstanding
Citizen Award program for the future.
SPECIAL HRA STUDY SESSION WITH CITY COUNCIL
Study Session Minutes3August 4, 1997
Item #IDISCUSSION OF SELECTING SITE FOR STORMWATER STORAGE POND
NEAR RICHFIELD LAKE. S.S. LETTER NO. 31/HRA LETTER NO. 47
The HRA met with the City Council for the purpose of reviewing and discussing the
issue of selecting a site for a stormwater storage pond near Richfield Lake.
City Manager/HRA Executive Director Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No.
31/HRA Letter No. 47 regarding the alternative sites considered for providing additional
stormwater ponding capacity related to the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s
(MnDOT) plans for I-35W improvements. He recommended the Lyndale Garden Center
location which was also the site recommended by the City’s engineering consultant and
the Planning Commission. He stated that the City Attorney has proposed the following
courses for condemnation should that be necessary: Two parcels would be identified.
Parcel one, that portion of the site needed for ponding, would follow a quick take
condemnation process by the City. The decision to acquire parcel two would wait until a
redevelopment plan is approved. Then if acquisition is required as part of the plan, then
parcel two, the remainder, could follow a regular condemnation path in accordance with
the approved redevelopment plan. Condemnation of parcel two could be by the HRA in
the future.
Community Development Director Palmborg reviewed the efforts to inform Mr. Tim
Duoos, owner of the Lyndale Garden Center, regarding this issue, potential
redevelopment of the area, the Richfield Lake Area planning process, and the future of
the Lyndale Garden Center.
Staff responded to questions regarding the following:
x
Minimum requirement of 2.5 to 4.4 acres of ponding.
x
Whether a partial taking from the Lyndale Garden Center property for a
stormwater pond would require a total taking of the property.
x
The potential impacts of a partial taking on parking and inventory space at
Lyndale Garden Center.
x
The stormwater treatment purpose and process of the pond related to water
quality in Richfield Lake.
Steve Lindgren, President of the Richfield Chamber of Commerce, stated that the
Chamber Board is concerned about the possible loss of a viable business and that their
preferred option is the apartment site. He stated that the Chamber has a subcommittee of
Steve Kirchner and Dr. Robert Dietl meeting with business owners to discuss this issue.
Dr. Robert Dietl, 6837 Newton Avenue, owner of the Woodlake Veterinary Hospital,
stated concern that the Richfield Lake Area planning process appeared to de-emphasize
commercial development which was the focus of the LHN Redevelopment. He stated
concern about Planning Consultant Fred Hoisington’s comments regarding the
appearance of the area.
Study Session Minutes4August 4, 1997
Mr. Lindgren stated that Mr. Kirchner disagreed with Mr. Hoisington regarding the
trend of commercial property valuation in the area.
City Manager Prosser stated that some commercial properties in the north Lyndale
Avenue area have generated resident concerns about their declining appearance. He
noted that commercial redevelopment is important to maintaining adjacent residential
vitality.
Ted Farrington, 6839 Humboldt Avenue, spoke in support of retaining the Lyndale
Garden Center because of its community tradition, attraction of shoppers, and
employment opportunities for the youth of the community.
It was the consensus of the City Council that this issue be scheduled for
consideration at the August 25, 1997 City Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The special HRA Study Session with the City Council was adjourned by unanimous
consent of the HRA at 8:05 p.m.
The Regular City Council Study Session resumed at this time.
Item #IIDISCUSSION OF PROGRESS TO DATE REGARDING CONCEPT PLANS
FOR NEW CITY MAINTENANCE FACILITY. S.S. LETTER NO. 32
Public Works Director Eastling reviewed Study Session Letter No. 32 regarding the
status of concept plans for the proposed new City maintenance facility. He reviewed the
following three concept plans and the advantages and disadvantages of each concept:
x
Full Program Concept Plan81,000 sq. ft.$6,441,000
x
Revised Concept Plan A69,000 sq. ft.$5,252,000
x
Revised Concept Plan B52,000 sq. ft.$4,218,000
Discussion followed regarding the alternatives and assuring a facility will meet the
needs of the City. It was the consensus of the City Council that staff further refine the
Revised Concept Plan A regarding the various space and function alternatives to be
included in the concept.
City Manager Prosser stated that financing this concept with inclusion of some of
the menu of options discussed will require some debt issuance since the estimated cost
would be about $5.5 million.
Study Session Minutes5August 4, 1997
Lawrence Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, asked questions about whether
the estimated costs included roads and parking on the site and if other sites could be
used more efficiently for the City maintenance facility.
Public Works Director Eastling stated that the cost estimates included engineering
costs, site improvements, and a 7% contingency.
Operations Coordinator Hughes stated that a number of alternative sites had been
analyzed including airport property, property in Minneapolis, expansion of the existing
site, and all other possible sites in the City. He stated this was the most feasible
alternative.
Item #IIIDISCUSSION OF STATUS OF AIRPORT RELATED ITEMS. S.S. LETTER
NO. 33
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 33 regarding recent
developments related to the following airport issues:
x
A drop piece on various airport issues and contact telephone cards were given
to Council Members for distribution to residents.
x
Runway 4-22
The MAC is preparing an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW)
regarding the proposed extension of Runway 4-22 to 12,000 feet.
x
Runway 4-22 Litigation
The Eighth Circuit Court has required all parties to submit a written status report.
Steve Pflaum reported receiving a phone call from MAC Attorney Steve
Bloomberg suggesting that MAC may agree to a tolling agreement on the 4-22
litigation if the City agrees not to litigate the north/south runway issue.
x
Proposed North-South Runway
A panel meeting of the MAC, Metropolitan Council, and Richfield staff and
consultants was held on July 15 regarding the potential impact on the City.
x
NOISE Annual Meeting and Aviation Noise Symposium
This conference was held in Eagan on July 23-26. A great deal of discussion at
the conference was regarding the airport issues Richfield is facing.
x
New Ford Town and Rich Acres Acquisition
The acquisition and relocation process continues.
ADJOURNMENT
Study Session Minutes6August 4, 1997
Ron Glaub, Chair of the Human Rights Commission, stated that the commission
had met and discussed the status of the Gene and Mary Jacobsen Citizen of the Year
Award. He stated that the commission is requesting that the City Council clarify whether
the award is a good citizenship award or a human rights award. He suggested that the
Council could provide direction at a future Study Session.
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:20 p.m.
Date Approved:
Martin J. KirschMayor
Thomas P. FerberJames D. Prosser
City ClerkCity Manager