03-16-98 Special
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Joint City Council/Richfield
School Board Meeting
March 16, 1998
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Sandahl and Vicki Rorie,
School Board Chair at 5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Council Members
Present:Susan Rosenberg, Kristal Stokes, Russ Susag and Michael
Sandahl.
Council Members
Not Present:Martin Kirsch, Mayor.
City Manager Prosser stated that Mayor Kirsch had indicated he would be late.
Staff Present:James Prosser, City Manager; Steven Devich, Administrative
Services Director; Thomas Ferber, City Clerk; Gretchen Blank,
Recreation Services Director; Bruce Palmborg, Community
Development Director; Dan Scott, Public Safety Director; Dawn
Weitzel, Communications/Special Project Assistant; and Al
Payne, Ice Arena Manager.
School Board
Members:Vicki Rorie, Chair; Nancy Rowley; David Lamberger; Terry
Freeman; Steven Gamble (arrived at 5:27); and Pam
Dymentrenko.
School District
Staff:Barbara Devlin, Jeannie Ryan, Bruce Abrahamson, Linda Gault,
Judy Miller, Jerry Kjorlein, and Jim Sloss.
Joint Council/School Board Meeting Minutes-2-March 16, 1998
Item #IDISCUSSION OF BALLFIELD REPLACEMENT CONCEPT PLANS
City Manager Prosser reported on the status of legislation which would provide
$4 million in funding for ballfield replacement.
Recreation Services Director Blank reviewed the Recreation Asset Replacement
Study and Concept Plans. She stated that each park and/or school space requires
final designs and specification to be completed with the involvement of the appropriate
jurisdiction and neighborhood. She stated inter-agency agreements with the schools
for use and maintenance will need to be executed.
Discussion followed regarding contacting Senator Langseth to support the
legislative funding for ballfield replacement and the status of the Rich Acres Golf
Course.
Item #IIDISCUSSION OF PROPOSED SECOND ICE SHEET AT RICHFIELD ICE
ARENA.
Administrative Services Director Devich stated that a citizen group called the
Richfield Ice Group has requested that the City construct a second sheet of indoor ice
in 1998. He stated that the City Council has authorized a feasibility study regarding
their request. He presented the following status report and schedule of events
regarding the feasibility study:
x
The feasibility data including concept drawings, construction costs, potential
financing operating costs, debt repayment implications & DNR approval are
complete.
x
The preliminary information will now be presented to the various governing
bodies involved.
x
The likely cost of the project without dedicated locker rooms is about $2.7
million
x
Dedicated locker rooms for the high schools would cost about $325,000 -
$400,000.
x
Discussion of building spectrum between lowest cost alternative and desired
facility.
Schedule of Events
March 12 - Special Community Services Commission Meeting to review feasibility
report.
March 16 - Concurrent City Council/School Board Meeting status report and discussion
of options.
Joint Council/School Board Meeting Minutes-3-March 16, 1998
March 16 - Special City Council Study Session to present feasibility report and discuss
options/future direction.
March 23 - City Council Meeting to consider amending Capital Improvement Budget
and whether to hire an architect to prepare plan and specifications and
advertisement for bids.
John Easterwood, 7121 Morgan Avenue, representing the Richfield Ice Group,
gave a presentation describing the need for a second ice sheet and the considerations
relevant to the community to support this request.
Item #IIIDISCUSSION OF MASTER PARK PLAN SUBCOMMITTEE AND
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION DETERMINATIONS REGARDING
NEW COMMUNITY CENTER
Recreation Services Director Blank gave the following status report on the issue
of a multi-use community center:
x
The Community Services Commission and the Master Park Plan Sub-Committee
have been working on the concept of a multi-use facility for over one year and
consider it a high priority.
x
Interest in a multi-use facility is based on information received at various
meetings to get input on the Master Park Plan including:
1.The aging pool and community center facilities.
2.The shortage of gym space for drop in activities.
3.The conflicts experienced with City activities being displaced by school
events.
4.Interest by seniors and others for a safet place to exercise and meet.
5.The loss of the teen center.
x
The Commission and the Master Park Plan Sub-Committee visited multi-use
facilities in Maplewood, Shoreview and New Brighton.
x
Commission and Committee members have reached an agreement 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.
x
Research is currently being compiled on types of programs/services the
community would desire in such a facility.
x
Consideration is being given to contract a feasibility study for a new multi-use
facility.
City Manager Prosser answered questions regarding potential funding,
feasibility, and location for such a facility.
Joint Council/School Board Meeting Minutes-4-March 16, 1998
Item #IVDISCUSSION OF RICHFIELD AIRPORT MITIGATION STRATEGY
City Manager Prosser gave a status report on Richfield airport mitigation
strategy resulting from the high and low frequency noise impacts which are expecting
from the proposed north-south runway. He invited community input and participation in
this issue.
Don Brauer, President of The Brauer Group, Inc., reviewed a map depicting the
north-south runway noise impacted areas in east Richfield, existing land uses, and
possible mitigative redevelopment uses including commercial and townhomes.
Discussion followed regarding the impact on the school district population. It
was suggested that students participate in the process.
Item #VDISCUSSION OF RICHFIELD COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER
Public Safety Director Scott reported on the search and selection process being
used to replace former School Liaison Officer Jay Henthorne who was promoted to
Sergeant. He also indicated that he will be proposing the addition of a second School
Liaison Officer position in order to provide better flexibility and staffing for the position.
Item #VIDISCUSSION OF HOUSING INITIATIVES
Community Development Director Palmborg reviewed a summary of recent
activities in housing initiatives including:
x
Video - Richfield Housing for the Future
x
Parade of Homes
x
Richfield Rediscovered Program
x
Transformation Housing
x
Remodeling
x
Various brochures/publications
Schools Superintendent Devlin requested copies of the “Richfield Confidence”
brochure for distribution by the School District.
Joint Council/School Board Meeting Minutes-5-March 16, 1998
Item #VIIGENERAL DISCUSSION
Council Member Rosenberg discussed the City Council’s efforts to recognize
youth through the Healthy Community for Healthy Youth initiatives. She requested help
from the School Board in making the Council aware of future opportunities to recognize
youth achievements.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:42 p.m.
Date Approved:
Michael Sandahl
Mayor Pro Tem
Thomas P. FerberJames D. Prosser
City ClerkCity Manager