02-09-98 Regular
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Meeting
February 9, 1998
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 Kristal Stokes.
Staff Present :James Prosser, City Manager; Steven Devich, Administrative
Services Director; Thomas Ferber, City Clerk; Bruce Palmborg,
Community Development Director; Dan Scott, Public Safety
Director; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Gretchen Blank,
Recreation Services Director; William Fillmore, Liquor Operations
Director; and Corrine Thomson, City Attorney.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/Sandahl, S/Stokes to approve the minutes of theRegular City Council Meeting of
January 26, 1998; the minutes of the Special City Council Meeting of January 28, 1998;
the minutes of the Special City Council Meeting of January 30, 1998; and the minutes of
the Regular City Council Study Session of February 2, 1998.
Council Meeting Minutes-2-February 9, 1998
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #1PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION TO WILLIAM
WATSON FOR SERVING THREE CONSECUTIVE TERMS ON CIVIL
SERVICE COMMISSION
Mayor Kirsch read and presented a Certificate of Appreciation to William Watson in
recognition of his nine years of service to the community as a member of the Civil Service
Commission.
William Watson, 6929 Harriet Avenue, stated it had been a pleasure to serve on
the Commission and that the City had a well run Public Safety Department.
Item #2PRESENTATION OF VIDEO PRODUCTION
RICHFIELD. . . HOUSING FOR
C.L. NO. 25
THEFUTURE.
Community Development Director Palmborg introduced the video production
“Richfield... Housing for the Future” stating that it presents the following ideas for
maintaining the future vitality of Richfield.
x
Continue to renovate smaller homes in order to attract new families with school-
aged children.
x
Provide alternate housing for residents’ changing needs so that they can
remain in the community.
x
Widen the range of housing choices for current and future residents, providing
more than just single-family homes.
x
Replace housing and keep people from leaving due to airport and highway
projects.
After presentation of the video, discussion followed regarding remodeling and new
construction that has occurred in the City since 1990 which includes:
x
The replacement of more than 70 substandard houses through the Richfield
Rediscovered Program.
x
The construction of another 30 new houses outside of the Richfield
Rediscovered Program.
x
Over 1000 houses or one-tenth of single family homes have been remodeled.
Community Development Director Palmborg reviewed ideas to present the video to
community groups and the community as a whole.
Council Meeting Minutes-3-February 9, 1998
Item #3OPPORTUNITY FOR PERSONS TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON
ANY ITEM NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA.
Gordon Anderson, 7501 Elliot Avenue, discussed the recent announcement by the
Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) about the reconstruction of the south parallel
runway which will result in increased air traffic and noise in southeast Richfield and
northeast Bloomington. He stated that he would like to see St. Paul receive some of this
traffic. He stated agreement with the City’s request that MAC send out notices to
residents in the affected area regarding this issue.
Larry Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, read the following statement to the
Mayor and City Council:
“I want to respond to the article in Your City, February 1998 titled Mayor Comments
on Maintenance Facility Site.That article fails to answer many questions raised at the
January 12, 1998 City Council Meeting. Answers to those questions are requested. In
addition the following questions are submitted.
1.Can the requirements for a new maintenance facility be made public? Specifics such
as the requirements for land area, space budget, estimate growth provisions, outside
storage provisions and expected life of a new maintenance facility are important basic
items.
2.Is there a way for Richfield to use the three acres of New Ford Town park and the 2.6
acres of Rich Acres park for maintenance operations? These parcels are being
considered for sale to the Airport. It seems that Richfield can retain rights to an
equivalent land area east of Cedar Avenue for use as a maintenance facility. Such
location would not have to interfere with airport plans and would enable Richfield to
retain land ownership of a site purported to be the best location for a new facility.
3.Can a satisfactory maintenance facility be achieved by expanding the existing garage
to encompass the entire block north of 77th Street? Taking of three residences and
the Gleason Mortuary are disadvantages of this alternative, but these have been listed
as subject to redevelopment when a new maintenance facility is built. The 2.16 acres
of the present garage site would increase by 1.26 acres to 3.42 acres. In addition, the
City’s fuel station south of 77th Street adds 0.94 acres. The advantages of existing
streets, especially heavy-duty 77th and 76th Streets suggest that less than the desired
5 acres could meet requirements. The potential for salvaging much of the existing
facility offers economies from this approach.
4.Would the Council make public the cost analysis and funding for this proposed
project? The City budget had substantial funding still to be identified. A funding
proposal was presented to the City Council at the January 5, 1998 City Council Study
Session, but has not been considered at any meeting at which the Council may take
action. Such an analysis should explain why the City’s proceeds from the taking of a
major portion of the City garage for Federally funded 77th Street improvements does
not cover most of the cost of replacement.
Council Meeting Minutes-4-February 9, 1998
Answers to public questions need to be made public by the City Council. Time taken to
answer such questions will pay dividends by optimizing a solution to an improved
maintenance facility and avoiding the cost of mistakes.”
Item #4 COUNCIL APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council Member Rosenberg requested that discussion of how to communicate to
the public the responses to the maintenance facility questions raised at the January 12
Council Meeting be added to the agenda.
Mayor Kirsch stated that this item would be added to the agenda as Item #10A.
M/Sandahl, S/Rosenberg to approve the agenda as amended.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #5 CONSENT CALENDAR
A.APPROVED RESOLUTION CONFIRMING CITY MANAGER’S APPOINTMENT
OF LARRY EMOND AND GLENN ERICKSON AS TWO RESIDENT MEMBERS
OF 1998 BOARD OF EQUALIZATION C.L. 26
RESOLUTION NO. 8550
A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING CITY MANAGER’S APPOINTMENT OF
TWO RESIDENT MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
This resolution appears as Resolution No. 8550 in Resolution Book No. 68.
B.APPROVED RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING HENNEPIN COUNTY AUCTION
TAX FORFEITED LAND AT 6639 NICOLLET AVENUE TO ADJACENT OWNERS
C.L. 27
RESOLUTION NO. 8551
RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING THAT HENNEPIN COUNTY
AUCTION TO ADJACENT OWNERS THE TAX-FORFEITED LAND
P.I.N. 27-028-24-42-0107
6639 NICOLLET AVENUE
This resolution appears as Resolution No. 8551 in Resolution Book No. 68.
Council Meeting Minutes-5-February 9, 1998
C.APPROVED CHANGE ORDER #1 TO CM CONSTRUCTION FOR HAT TRICK
HOCKEY PROJECT IN AMOUNT OF $5,193.72 C.L. 28
D.APPROVED PROPOSAL TO CREATE FOUR ADDITIONAL PROMOTED
SERGEANT POSITIONS WITHIN POLICE DIVISION OF PUBLIC SAFETY
DEPARTMENT C.L. 29
E.APPROVED PURCHASE IN EXCESS OF $25,000 FOR NEW TOW TRUCK CAB
CHASSIS AND TILT-BED WRECKER THROUGH HENNEPIN COUNTY
COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PLAN FROM FALLS AUTOMOTIVE, INC. FOR
TOTAL AMOUNT OF $21,972 AND TWIN CITIES WRECKER SALES FOR
TOTAL AMOUNT OF $9,500 C.L. 30
F.APPROVED PURCHASE OF TRUCK CHASSIS FOR USE BY PUBLIC WORKS
DEPARTMENT STORMWATER DIVISION THROUGH HENNEPIN PURCHASING
PLAN IN AMOUNT OF $43,994 C.L. 31
M/Sandahl, S/Susag to approve the consent calendar.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #6PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION GRANTING
APPROVAL OF PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT OF CLOVERLEAF
SECOND ADDITION, 7600 EMERSON AVENUE. C.L. NO. 32
City Manager Prosser reviewed Council Letter No. 32 regarding consideration of
granting approval of the preliminary and final plat of Cloverleaf Second Addition, 7600
Emerson Avenue.
Council Member Rosenberg asked if the developer had buyers for the townhome
units.
Community Development Director Palmborg stated that Rockport Homes had
indicated they have a buyer for one of the units at this time.
Council Member Susag asked about the status of the existing trees.
Community Development Director Palmborg reviewed the impact of the project on
existing trees and the planned landscaping.
M/Sandahl, S/Susag to close the public hearing.
Motion carried 5-0.
Council Meeting Minutes-6-February 9, 1998
M/Sandahl, S/Stokes 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. 8552
RESOLUTION GRANTING PRELIMINARY AND FINAL APPROVAL OF A
SUBDIVISION FOR ROCKPORT HOMES
Motion carried 5-0. This resolution appears as Resolution No. 8552 in Resolution
Book No. 68.
Item #7PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION APPROVING
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF THREE
ATTACHED TOWNHOME UNITS AT 7615 NICOLLET AVENUE.
C.L. NO. 33
City Manager Prosser reviewed Council Letter No. 33 regarding consideration of a
conditional use permit to allow construction of three attached townhome units at 7615
Nicollet Avenue.
Gordon Anderson, 7501 Elliot Avenue, asked if the land was owned by the City and
whether this project used Tax Increment Financing (TIF).
City Manager Prosser stated that the HRA owned the parcel. He stated that all of
the Richfield Rediscovered properties are TIF projects. He noted that when the program
was started it was not necessarily for the increased tax base but for improved housing
opportunities and “spin off” improvements to the neighborhood.
Mr. Anderson stated concern about the percentage of TIF projects in Richfield.
City Manager Prosser stated that Richfield is about average in the percentage of
TIF projects.
Council Member Rosenberg stated that the Richfield Rediscovered Program
attracts families to the City.
Mike Merriman, 7614 First Avenue, stated his preference for two rambler single
family homes rather than the three townhouse units.
Council Member Sandahl stated that the Council must act on proposals brought
forward by developers and they respond to the market.
Jim Bergman, 7608 Stevens Avenue, stated concerns about possible
encroachment into single family areas by multiple dwellings. He asked about the status of
adjacent properties on Nicollet Avenue.
Council Meeting Minutes-7-February 9, 1998
Community Development Director Palmborg stated that the HRA owns 7645
Nicollet Avenue but has had no proposals to date, although it had been looked at as a
possible site for a duplex. He stated there are currently no plans to acquire additional
parcels.
City Manager Prosser stated that the Planning Commission had extensively studied
the issue of the location of multiple family dwellings as part of the Comprehensive Plan
update. He reviewed some of the issues related to arterial streets and areas impacted by
noise or traffic.
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. 8553
RESOLUTION FOR APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
7615 NICOLLET AVENUE
Motion carried 5-0. This resolution appears as Resolution No. 8553 in Resolution
Book No. 68.
Item #8FIRST READING OF TRANSITORY ORDINANCE PROVIDING FUNDING
FOR CERTAIN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FROM SPECIAL REVENUE
FUND. C.L.NO. 34
City Manager Prosser reviewed Council Letter No. 34 regarding a proposed
transitory ordinance providing for the expenditure of funds from the Special Revenue
Fund for the following capital improvements:
Playfeatures - Fairwood/Monroe Parks$148,500
Tennis Court Improvements 40,000
Wood Lake Furnace/Air Conditioning 30,000
Ice Arena Locker Rooms (repayment) 159,500
Ice Arena Pitch Gravel Roof 20,000
City Hall Remodel - Inspection Lobby 50,000
Traffic Calming 15,000
Retaining Wall Replacement 37,000
Total$500,000
M/Sandahl, S/Stokes that this constitute the First Reading of this transitory
ordinance providing funding for certain capital improvements; and that the Public Hearing
and Second Reading of the ordinance be scheduled for the March 9, 1998 City Council
meeting.
Council Meeting Minutes-8-February 9, 1998
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #9CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZING PREPARATION OF DEMOLITION
SPECIFICATIONS AND SOLICITATION OF BIDS FOR DEMOLITION OF
BUILDINGS ON FORMER LAMPERT LUMBER SITE, 300 WEST 78TH
STREET. C.L. NO. 35
City Manager Prosser reviewed Council Letter No. 35 regarding authorizing to
prepare demolition specifications and solicitation of bids for the demolition of buildings on
the former Lampert Lumber site.
Council Member Susag asked if there were any environmental issues related to the
site.
Community Development Director Palmborg indicated there was some asbestos in
the buildings but no known soil issues.
M/Sandahl, S/Stokes to authorize the preparation of demolition specifications and
the seeking of bids for the demolition and clearance of the structures located at 300 West
78th Street.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #10CONSIDERATION OF LEASE AGREEMENT FOR TOM PRICE FOR TEN
FEET ON NORTH EDGE OF LINCOLN FIELDS. C.L. NO. 36
City Manager Prosser reviewed Council Letter No. 36 regarding consideration of
new lease agreement terms between the City and Mr. Tom Price for the continued use by
Mr. Price of the northern ten feet of Lincoln Hills for his trailer court.
M/Sandahl, S/Susag to approve the lease agreement between the City and Mr.
Price for the northern ten feet of Lincoln Fields as presented for a period of two years in
the amount of $1,400 payable immediately.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #10ADISCUSSION OF HOW TO COMMUNICATE TO THE PUBLIC
REGARDING RESPONSES TO MAINTENANCE FACILITY QUESTIONS
RAISED AT JANUARY 12 CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
Council Meeting Minutes-9-February 9, 1998
Council Member Rosenberg stated she had requested this issue be added to the
agenda so the City Council could discuss distribution of this information to the public and
response to the questions such as Mr. Wozniczka asked earlier this evening. She
discussed reading the responses at a City Council meeting and other methods to
communicate this information.
Council Member Sandahl stated that he wanted time to complete review of the
information provided by staff to feel comfortable that the information is complete. He
suggested that once the City Council has completed this review, the written responses be
provided to the Richfield Sun-Current and abbreviated answers be published in Your City
with a phone number to answer further questions or to obtain the complete written
responses.
Council Member Susag agreed with this suggestion. He also suggested including
a timetable for the process to address the maintenance facility site issue.
It was the consensus of the City Council to also include information on the process
to determine a site for the maintenance facility.
Council Member Stokes suggested that the City Council set up a date so that
people know ahead of time when the responses will be read.
Council Member Rosenberg requested a hard copy also be available for those who
request it.
It was the consensus of the City Council that at the February 23 City Council
meeting final review by the Council of the information would occur and that the responses
would be read at the March 9 City Council meeting.
Item #11AIRPORT STATUS REPORT
City Manager Prosser reviewed the status of the following airport issues:
Runway Reconstruction
The Metropolitan Airports Commission has announced reconstruction of the
northwest end of the south parallel runway. The construction will take place from
April to August. In 1999 reconstruction will take place on the southeast end from
April to August. Residents in southeast Richfield will be receiving much more air
traffic at this time. Flights will increase from an average of 10 a day to a possibility
of 205 a day. The City is requesting that the MAC send out notices to people in the
affected area, as well as holding a public informational meeting. MAC staff did not
seem supportive of this idea.
Council Meeting Minutes-10-February 9, 1998
The City will use the Your City and the Richfield Sun-Current to provide information
on this issue.
Runway 4-22 Litigation
The MAC and FAA have asked for a second extension in replying to the City’s
brief. They will now have to reply by February 20. The City of Richfield will then
need to prepare a written rebuttal. After receiving the rebuttal, an appellate judge
will listen to oral arguments before making a decision on the suit. A decision
should be made by late summer.
North-South Runway
The City is in the process of setting up a meeting with the Environmental Quality
Board (EQB). They, along with the Met Council, will make the final decision on
MAC’s Environmental Impact Statement. The presentation will follow the same
format as the meeting with Met Council’s Transportation Committee. The February
1998 Update on Airport Issues will soon be available. In it, the City requests the
assistance of residents in development of a noise mitigation strategy. At latest
count, the City has about 30 people who are interested in becoming “airport-
related” spokespeople in their neighborhoods.
Item #12LEGISLATIVE REPORT
City Manager Prosser reviewed the status of the following legislative issues:
x
Public Facility Replacement Funding for the Ballfields
x
Metropolitan Council Review of Projects Regarding Liveable Communities Act
x
TIF Modification for Airport Mitigation Redevelopment
Item #13COUNCIL DISCUSSION ITEMS
Council Member Susag invited the public to the Augsburg Park Friends of the
Library Book Sale which will be conducted on Saturday, February 14 from 10:00 a.m. -
2:00 p.m. at the Augsburg Park Library.
Mayor Kirsch stated that the February issue of Your City has been mailed out and
encouraged residents to call City staff if they need more information on any issues.
Item #14CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
M/Sandahl, S/Stokes that the following claims and payrolls be approved:
Council Meeting Minutes-11-February 9, 1998
RICHFIELD BANK & TRUST CO.
Checks: 79345-73882$325,494.72
H/C: 74219-74536$507,954.87
FIRSTAR BANK
Payroll: 110715-111008$549,772.29
Motion carried 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:12 p.m.
Date Approved:
Martin J. KirschMayor
Thomas P. FerberJames D. Prosser
City ClerkCity Manager