02-02-98 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Study Session
FEBRUARY 2, 1998
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; Russ
Susag; and Kristal Stokes.
Staff Present :James Prosser, City Manager; Steven Devich, Administrative
Services Director; Thomas Ferber, City Clerk; Bruce Palmborg,
Community Development Director; William Fillmore, Liquor
Operations Director; Gretchen Blank, Recreation Services Director;
Michael Eastling, Public Works Director; Barry Fritz, Police Captain;
and Tom Foley, Transportation Engineer.
Item # IDISCUSSION OF PROPOSED WIDENING OF 66TH STREET AS PART OF
NEW I-35W BRIDGE OVER 66TH STREET AND PUBLIC REVIEW
PROCESS. STUDY SESSION LETTER NO. 9
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 9 regarding discussion of
project review issues for the proposed widening of 66th Street as part of the new I-35W
bridge over 66th Street and the public review process.
Traffic Engineer Foley reviewed a draft layout of the 66th Street at I-35W
intersection. He reviewed the following design options for Council consideration:
x
Approve widening 66th Street
x
Rebuild 66th Street “As Is”
Study Session Minutes-2-February 2, 1998
x
Modify two alleys
x
Guidance on bridge aesthetics
x
Approve or modify public involvement process
x
Schedule for action
Mr. Foley then discussed and answered questions regarding the following:
Widening 66th Street Option
x
Capacity/accidents
x
Left turn lanes
x
Right of way acquisition
x
Wider sidewalk
x
Bikeway
x
Transit accommodations
x
Urban design/landscaping
Rebuild 66th Street Option
x
Avoids ROW acquisition
x
Inadequate left turn storage
x
Narrow sidewalks on curb
x
Unsafe for bikers
x
No provision for transit
Other Options
x
Relocate Girard Avenue alley
x
Vacate Emerson Avenue alley
x
Guidance on bridge aesthetics
Citizen Involvement
x
Meeting with residents of affected properties
x
Mailings to project area
x
Public information meeting
x
Press releases
Schedule
x
Public info meeting - February 1998
x
Council decision - March 1998
x
ROW acquisition - Fall 1998
x
Construction start - Spring 1999
x
Construction end - Fall 2000
Mr. Foley presented several bridge design concepts.
Adam Josephson, MnDOT I-35W Project Manager, responded to questions and
concerns expressed by the City Council regarding lighting, design, and safety related to
the bridge. He stated MnDOT allocates an amount equal to 7% of the cost of the bridge
for aesthetic treatments - with the local community responsible for any additional costs.
Study Session Minutes-3-February 2, 1998
Roger Gordon, 6345 17th Avenue, a Richfield representative on the Aesthetic
Design Review Committee, discussed the desire for aesthetic treatment including planters
and landscape plantings.
Vince Castelluzzo, 1314 West 66th Street, discussed safety issues related to the
alley and freeway exit, support for plantings, and issues related to maintaining the area.
Council Member Sandahl requested that the Council be informed regarding the
costs, if any, that exceed the 7% MnDOT allocation.
After discussion of the citizen involvement process, it was the consensus of the
Council to expand the mailing area for the public information meeting to First Avenue on
the east and to both sides of Penn Avenue on the west and to also notify the Chamber of
Commerce.
Larry Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, asked if MnDOT would be responsible
for the costs of widening 66th Street, questioned the signal timing for pedestrian crossing
and suggested putting the notice in the Sun-Current.
Mr. Josephson stated that MnDOT is responsible generally for the bulk of costs in
the project area one block on each side of the bridge. He stated that signal timing is an
issue yet to be addressed.
Mr. Castelluzzo responded to Mr. Wozniczka that he does not always get the Sun-
Current delivered to his house.
Brad Olson, 1317 West 66th Street, asked questions regarding the process and
timing of MnDOT’s acquisition of property.
Mr. Josephson gave an overview of the process and timing for property acquisition.
Mr. Castelluzzo discussed safety concerns regarding the freeway exit and alley
adjacent to where he lives. He suggested that a fence be provided if his home is not
totally taken. He discussed concerns about the ownership and maintenance of the alley.
Jeff Book, 1315 West 66th Street, asked if the process for acquisition could occur
earlier because of concern about timing of school.
City Manager Prosser suggested that the Community Development Department
could provide assistance for relocation within Richfield through the Richfield
Rediscovered Program.
Charles Strauch, 6601 Emerson Avenue, suggested eliminating the freeway
entrances and exits.
Study Session Minutes-4-February 2, 1998
Mark Thorson, 1107 West 66th Street, expressed concern about traffic congestion
during the construction process and the timing of traffic signals to allow traffic to flow
easier.
It was the consensus of the City Council that the City proceed with the participation
process.
Item # IIDISCUSSION OF PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE FOUR POLICE CORPORAL
POSITIONS TO SERGEANT POSITIONS WITHIN POLICE DIVISION OF
PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT. STUDY SESSION LETTER NO. 10
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 10 regarding a proposal
to upgrade four police corporal positions to sergeant positions within the Police Division of
the Public Safety Department.
Police Captain Fritz reviewed and answered questions regarding the following
issues:
x
The police union contract provides that shifts are bid on the basis of seniority. This
frequently leads to situations where some shifts have less experienced officers.
Since sergeants do not bid shifts, appointing additional sergeants would provide
the flexibility to assure that more experienced sergeants would be available for
supervision of teams of less experienced officers.
x
The addition of four sergeants would not increase overall staffing levels or reduce
the number of officers on the street at any time. During times when two sergeants
are on duty, one of the sergeants would continue to provide the services of a police
officer.
x
Development of additional sergeants would permit more formal supervisory
training.
x
Appointment of sergeants would provide for a clearer definition of supervisory roles
and responsibilities.
x
Currently, the average level of experience of the evening shift officers is about
2 1/2 years. Within six months, it is expected that turnover will bring the
experience level to two years.
x
Corporals currently receive a pay differential for this position. If approved, the
sergeants would receive a higher promotional pay increase. The first year’s cost of
implementing this change would be less than $5,000. The incremental cost would
cap out at about $27,400 in four years based on today’s salaries. This compares to
a total Police Division budget of $3,144,840.
It was the consensus of the City Council that this item be placed on a future
Council agenda for Council consideration.
Study Session Minutes-5-February 2, 1998
DISCUSSION OF STATUS OF AIRPORT RELATED ITEMS
Item # III
STUDY SESSION LETTER NO. 11
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 11 regarding the status of
the following airport issues:
x
Runway 4-22 Litigation
The City’s legal brief has been submitted to the Eighth Circuit Court. The FAA will
now need to reply to Richfield’s brief. They have already asked for an extension
period for this reply.
x
Proposed Runway 17-35
Met Council Meeting: Don Brauer, Jim Prosser and Dawn Weitzel met with the
Metropolitan Council’s Transportation Committee on January 12.
EQB Meeting: Staff is in the process of setting up a meeting with the Environmental
Quality Board’s (EQB) March meeting.
Your City’s Airport Q&A: Citizen response to the “frank” airport Q&A section on low
frequency noise impacts, has been very positive.
Low Frequency Noise Drop Piece Up-Date: A February 1998 Airport Q&A was
created for distribution at the Remodeling fair.
x
Low Frequency Noise Mitigation Strategy
The City staff is requesting council feedback on the ideas of hiring a community
organizer to coordinate and facilitate meetings with residents regarding the noise
mitigation. In addition, the Planning Commission had several suggestions for
communications on this issue.
Discussion followed regarding the north-south runway mitigation strategy and
activities related to MASAC.
DISCUSSION OF EXPANDING WAYS TO EXPAND COMMUNICATION
Item # IV
EFFORTS WITHIN RICHFIELD. STUDY SESSION LETTER NO. 12
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 12 regarding the concept
of developing the Richfield Community Feedback Network (CFN) to receive feedback from
residents on items such as:
x
the effectiveness of City communication efforts;
x
adequacy of information about projects;
x
requests for services;
x
customer service;
x
City services; and
x
items of particular concern regarding development proposals.
He stated that the operation framework for the CFN has not been established but might
include the following elements:
Study Session Minutes-6-February 2, 1998
x
Volunteers from the community would be requested to serve as members of the
network. A special emphasis would be placed on including individuals not
previously involved with City government.
x
Meetings would be held on a quarterly or bimonthly basis facilitated by Council,
staff or others, i.e., League of Women Voters. The group meetings would be
organized more like focus group discussions and not as a board or commission.
x
Mechanisms would be established to assure network members would receive
detailed information on community issues they identify as important.
x
A mechanism would be established to encourage feedback and report that
feedback received from network members to City Council and staff to assist with
developing and improving public policy and services.
x
Network members would be requested to meet with their “home” groups; either
neighbors, friends, club members, organization members.
x
Existing community organizations, such as the League of Women Voters and the
Richfield Community Council, could be encouraged to become partners in the
feedback network.
Discussion followed regarding the role of facilitators, training, costs, methods of
feedback, focus group concept, the role of community groups, structure and operational
framework.
Discussion also occurred regarding other communication methods.
It was the consensus of the City Council that the Richfield Community Feedback
Network concept be further developed as an additional method of communicating and
receiving feedback from the public.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:25 p.m.
Date Approved: 2/9/98
Martin J. KirschMayor
Thomas P. FerberJames D. Prosser
City ClerkCity Manager