03-02-98 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Study Session
MARCH 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; Gretchen Blank, Recreation
Services Director; Michael Eastling, Public Works Director; Dan
Scott, Public Safety Director; Randy Hughes, Operations
Coordinator; and Tom Foley, Transportation Engineer.
STATUS OF NEW COMMUNITY CENTER DISCUSSIONS BY MASTER
Item # I
PARK PLAN SUB-COMMITTEE AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
COMMISSION. STUDY SESSION LETTER NO. 13
Maureen Scaglia, 6410 Washburn Avenue, Chair of the Master Park Plan sub-
committee, and Tom Loweth, 7016 Columbus Avenue, Chair of the Community Services
Commission, gave a report on the status of discussions regarding the possibility of a new
community center. They discussed the role of the Community Services Commission,
Master Park Plan sub-committee, Richfield Visions, and the League of Women Voters in
the discussion process. They indicated that the Master Park Plan sub-committee and
Community Services Commission have determined there is an interest in a multi-use
facility in Richfield. They stated this determination is based on information received at
various meetings to get input on the Master Park Plan, including the aging pool and
Study Session Minutes-2-March 2, 1998
community center facilities, the shortage of gym space for drop in activities, the conflicts
experienced with City activities being displaced by school events, interest by seniors and
others for a place to exercise and meet, and the loss of the teen center. They stated that
the Commission and sub-committee visited community centers in Maplewood, Shoreview
and New Brighton. They stated that there was agreement from the Commission that
Richfield needs to be competitive to draw new residents to the community and a new
multi-use community center would enhance the City’s image as a great place to live, work
and recreate.
They suggested that the City conduct a feasibility study to help determine the
ability to fund a facility and resident interest in having a multi-use facility in the community.
Discussion followed regarding the following community center facility issues:
x
public involvement process
x
public input to date
x
identifying program elements
x
construction financial feasibility issues
x
operational financial feasibility issues
x
swimming pool/water slide issues
x
location
x
parking
x
community versus special interest group needs
x
defining program and space needs
City Manager Prosser stated the need to first determine the public involvement
process, identify program elements and conduct a feasibility study.
It was the consensus of the City Council that the City should proceed with
preparing a public involvement process and schedule Council consideration of
authorization for a feasibility study regarding the potential for a new community center
facility.
Item # IIDISCUSSION OF STATUS OF 6900 BLOCK OF PENN AVENUE
STORMWATER PROJECT AND FUTURE. STUDY SESSION LETTER
NO. 14
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 14 regarding the status of
property acquisition for a stormwater project in the 6900 block of Penn Avenue and
options for future action.
Pete Willenbring, WSB and Associates, reviewed concept drawings for a
stormwater holding pond and possible reuse concepts if the remaining two properties are
acquired. He stated that the other properties have been acquired from voluntary willing
sellers.
Study Session Minutes-3-March 2, 1998
Discussion followed regarding the possibility that the acquisition of one of the
remaining properties would be enough to build the stormwater retention pond, hydrostatic
pressure issues for adjacent properties, possible reuse of a portion of the property for
dentist office parking, reuse housing redevelopment potential, condemnation costs and
issues, pond design, pond maintenance and ownership issues and the level of protection
from flooding that the improvements would provide.
Council Member Sandahl stated he was opposed to using condemnation to acquire
the remaining two properties because of the precedent it would set. He indicated that if
the stormwater problem could be solved by acquiring just one property that is preferable.
Judy Thul, 6932 Russell Avenue, stated that the longer the City waits, the more it
will cost to acquire the properties and meanwhile no flood relief is provided to the Russell
Avenue residents.
Council Member Susag requested that consideration of the options, including
condemnation, be scheduled for the next City Council meeting.
Steve Santos, 6936 Russell Avenue, stated that the Council had previously made
the decision to acquire the properties and make stormwater improvements, therefore they
should move forward to complete the necessary steps to accomplish the work.
City Manager Prosser stated that this issue would be scheduled for action at the
March 9 City Council meeting.
Item # IIIDISCUSSION OF STATUS OF AIRPORT RELATED ITEMS
STUDY SESSION LETTER NO. 15
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 15 regarding the status of
various airport issues including the following:
Runway 4-22
Increased Use During Reconstruction:
The Metropolitan Airports Commission
(MAC) will soon begin reconstruction on the northwest end of the south parallel
runway at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport. As a result, many more aircraft will be
using Runway 4/22 for departures over Richfield and Bloomington.
Reconstruction on the northwest end of the runway is scheduled to begin in April
and be completed by the end of 1998. The southeast portion is scheduled for
reconstruction between April and August 1999. In the remainder of the year, the
use of 4/22 will return to normal levels.
In addition to this being reported in Your City, the Star Tribune, and Sun Current,
staff has requested the MAC send public notices to the impacted residents and
hold an informational meeting.
Study Session Minutes-4-March 2, 1998
Litigation:
The Federal Aviation Administration asked for an additional extension
of time to file the answering brief. The reasons cited for the extension of time
include representation in active court cases and the pressing nature of “other
work.” The extension has been granted through February 20.
EQB Meeting
Staff met with the Environmental Quality Board staff on February 26 to discuss the
implications of a North-South runway.
DISCUSSION OF 1998 CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE PROJECTS.
Item # IV
STUDY SESSION LETTER NO. 16
Public Works Director Eastling reviewed Study Session Letter No. 16 regarding the
1998 Public Works construction and maintenance projects.
Engineering Supervisor Atkinson reviewed in detail and answered questions
regarding the following projects:
x
70th Street Reconstruction
x
77th Street Clean-up Project
x
Alley Maintenance Project
x
Street Maintenance Projects: sealcoating, rout and seal cracks, and concrete
curb, gutter and sidewalk repair
x
Wood Lake Dredging
x
Parking Lot Reconstruction: City Hall and Lyndale Liquor Store
x
Replace Retaining Walls (joint project with Hennepin County)
x
69th Street and Penn Avenue Storm Water Pond
Larry Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, questioned the Public Works Director’s
judgment for not learning from the LHN sidewalk design the snowplowing difficulties that a
zig-zag sidewalk pattern creates.
Public Works Director Eastling stated that occasionally the design versus
functionality issue is a difficult balance when working to assist in the aesthetic desires of
development such as those along 77th Street.
Item #VDISCUSSION OF STRATEGY FOR LYNDALE AVENUE BRIDGE OVER I-494.
STUDY SESSION LETTER NO. 17
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 17 regarding traffic
congestion issues related to the Lyndale Avenue bridge over I-494.
Study Session Minutes-5-March 2, 1998
Gary Dreher, TOLD Real Estate, developer of Meridian Crossings, reviewed traffic
concerns related to the Lyndale Avenue/I-494/77th Street intersection and the impacts on
tenants/potential tenants of the office buildings. Mr. Dreher gave a status report on the
Meridian Crossings project indicating Phase I was 100% leased and Phase II was 30%
leased. He indicated TOLD is willing to work with the City in any way possible to assist in
addressing traffic congestion in the area.
Discussion followed regarding MnDOT’s plans for the I-35W/I-494 Interchange and
I-494 widening, Traffic Demand Management (TDM) techniques, and the possibility of a
signal at the Colfax Avenue entrance to the Shops at Lyndale.
Item #VIDISCUSSION OF PROPOSED SITE SELECTION PROCESS FOR NEW CITY
MAINTENANCE FACILITY. STUDY SESSION LETTER NO. 18
City Manager Prosser reviewed Study Session Letter No. 18 regarding a proposed
site selection process and work plan for the proposed Public Works Maintenance Facility
Site Selection Task Force.
Council Member Sandahl suggested that a City Council Member serve as a liaison
or non-voting member of the Task Force.
It was the consensus of the City Council that consideration of this issue be
scheduled for action at the March 9 City Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:35 p.m.
Date Approved: 3/9/98
Martin J. KirschMayor
Thomas P. FerberJames D. Prosser
City ClerkCity Manager