08-03-98 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Study Session
August 3, 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; Susan Rosenberg; Russ Susag; and Kristal
Stokes.
Members Not
Present:Michael Sandahl.
City Clerk Ferber stated Council Member Sandahl was out of town on business.
Staff Present :Steven Devich, Acting City Manager; Thomas Ferber, City Clerk;
Bruce Palmborg, Community Development Director; William
Fillmore, Liquor Operations Director; Michael Eastling, Public Works
Director; Dan Scott, Public Safety Director; Betsy Christensen,
Health Administrator; and Tom Foley, Transportation Engineer.
Item # IDISCUSSION OF NEW ORDINANCE RELATING TO TOBACCO AND
TOBACCO PRODUCTS. S.S. LETTER NO. 36
The following Advisory Board of Health members were present for this item:
Judy Thul
Janet Pierson
Elisabeth Kingdom
Study Session Minutes-2-August 3, 1998
Health Administrator Christensen reviewed Study Session Letter No. 36 regarding
a new ordinance pertaining to tobacco and tobacco products being proposed and
recommended by members of the Richfield Advisory Board of Health.
Jan Bernard, Assistant Project Facilitator with the Bloomington Health Department,
reviewed and discussed the following:
x
Youth access to tobacco state legislation.
x
U.S. smoking related death statistics.
x
Richfield youth tobacco use statistics.
x
Reducing youth access to tobacco.
x
Local ordinances that include the provision that an individual must be 18 years
old to sell tobacco.
Janet Pierson, Advisory Board of Health Member, discussed and reviewed the
response from retailers regarding the proposed ordinance, particularly the 18 year old
requirement.
Council Member Susag asked what the minimum standards were for the employee
training requirement.
Health Administrator Christensen indicated guidelines would be included with the
application in addition to the requirement that the applicant provide proof of
implementation of the employee training program on tobacco sales.
Council Member Susag asked questions and requested clarification regarding the
following proposed ordinance provisions:
x
1146.01 Purpose - should the philosophical reasoning be a part of an
ordinance?
x
1146.03 Subdivision 7. Why is the word “natural” used to describe a person?
x
1146.09 and 1146.11 Why is prohibition for vending machines duplicated?
x
1146.09, 1146.13, and 1146.03 Subdivision clarification for definition of self
service.
x
1146.21 There should be no opportunity for a hearing before the City Council
for an individual who has violated the ordinance by selling tobacco to a minor.
Public Safety Director Scott discussed criminal and civil liability related to the
business owner.
The City Council requested that staff review and clarify some of the proposed
ordinance provisions as discussed prior to First Reading.
The City Council acknowledged the work of the Advisory Board of Health in
developing the proposed ordinance.
Study Session Minutes-3-August 3, 1998
Item # IIDISCUSSION OF RESULTS OF INVESTIGATION INTO BASEMENT
SEEPAGE PROBLEMS IN 6700 BLOCK OF THOMAS AVENUE AND
SHERIDAN AVENUE. S.S. LETTER NO. 37
Discussion of this item was postponed to a future City Council Study Session.
Item # IIIUPDATE RELATED TO MASTER PARK PLAN. S.S. LETTER NO. 38
George Watson, Brauer and Associates, stated that Maureen Scaglia, Chair of the
Park Master Plan sub-committee of the Community Services Commission, was ill and
unable to attend this evening’s meeting. He stated the Park Master Plan Committee will be
presenting a draft of the updated plan to the Community Services Commission on August
11. He stated the final plan will be presented to the City Council in October.
The City Council acknowledged the Master Park Plan sub-committee for their
efforts.
Item # IVUPDATE RELATED TO MULTI-USE COMMUNITY FACILITY. S.S. LETTER
NO. 39
George Watson, Brauer and Associates, discussed the status of the process of
reviewing the requests for proposals from consultants to conduct a feasibility study for a
proposed multi-use recreation facilities building. He stated the feasibility study would
probably be split into the following two elements:
x
physical/program feasibility
x
economic feasibility
He stated interviews of consultants had been conducted on July 23 and a
recommendation will be presented to the Council at their August 10 meeting. He
indicated that the results of the feasibility study would be expected in December of 1998.
He mentioned the possibility of a referendum in the first quarter of 1999.
Acting City Manager Devich stated that because of the importance of this
community project and the likelihood that the project would require the issuance of
bonded debt, it is very important for the City Council to be comfortable with the process
that is being used to move forward with this project so that major concerns may be
addressed early on.
Item #VUPDATE RELATED TO BALL FIELD REPLACEMENT PROJECT. STUDY
Study Session Minutes-4-August 3, 1998
SESSION LETTER NO. 40
George Watson, Brauer and Associates, provided an update on the status of the
ball field replacement project and input from the neighborhood meetings regarding
proposed plans and design concepts at the various sites. Mr. Watson reviewed the
following site issues:
Donaldson Park
Concerns were raised regarding the following issues:
x
parking on streets to the north
x
late night use of facilities
x
tree loss
x
lighting
x
litter
x
noise
x
unauthorized use of athletic fields
x
soccer field layout and impact on adjacent homes
x
deed restrictions on Donaldson Park
Mr. Watson stated that a mediation process will be initiated with the neighborhood
to work on these issues. He stated that a mediation planning meeting had been
scheduled for August 11.
Discussion followed regarding issues of concern regarding the current use of
Donaldson Park and the impact of the proposed changes on the use of the park.
Council Member Susag stated that the School District should be involved in the
mediation because the School District operates and has jurisdiction over a number of the
existing fields.
Roosevelt Park
Concerns were raised regarding the following issues:
x
parking on streets to the north
x
perceived public safety issues
x
location of the basketball courts
Mr. Watson indicated that after some plan adjustments, it appeared that the neighborhood
was supportive of the concept plan.
Richfield Intermediate/Community Education Site
Concerns were raised regarding the following issues:
x
parking/parking lot layout
x
field layout
Mr. Watson stated discussions continue to assure both the Richfield Intermediate
School Principal and the Community Education representatives mutually agree on the
details for the internal field layout and parking lot configuration. He stated it appeared the
neighborhood was supportive of the concept plan.
Study Session Minutes-5-August 3, 1998
Mr. Watson discussed issues related to preparation of plans and specifications
along with the flexibility to adjust the plans to reflect changes that may occur such as
those from the mediation process regarding Donaldson Park. He stated it is anticipated
that the City Council would be asked to authorize going out for bids in late September or
early October.
Lynda Rolshouse, 7321 Morgan Avenue, discussed her concerns about the
process, lack of detail for the concepts, negative impact on her property, and
communications.
Discussion followed regarding the Recreation Asset Replacement Study, the Task
Force role in this issue, the process of refining concepts, and communication vehicles
such as the Your City newsletter.
Laura King, 7315 Morgan Avenue, discussed her concerns about the impact on her
neighborhood, timing of notification of the neighborhood meeting, communications, and
being able to influence the decision.
Ms. Rolshouse asked about the status of the deed covenants limiting the use of the
park which the Donaldson Company put on the property when it was deeded to the City.
Mr. Watson stated that the City Attorney had reviewed the deed and that it was her
opinion the covenants had expired after 30 years.
Ms. King asked whether a merger of East Richfield and West Richfield
Associations would lessen the need for ballfields.
Mr. Watson stated the associations had not been able to agree on merging;
however, this did not change the number of children in the program or the number of
ballfields necessary to serve them.
Ms. King suggested looking at putting the soccer field adjacent to I-35W.
Ms. Rolshouse stated concerns about existing noise and lighting from Donaldson
Park. She stated concerns about further negative impacts on her property and the
neighborhood if the fields are expanded as proposed.
Larry Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, suggested using the $2 million
received from the State to acquire additional land next to Taft Park to expand there since
the airport mitigation plan called for acquiring this area anyway.
Council Member Stokes indicated Taft Park includes MAC land which the City has
asked the MAC to consider giving to the City.
Discussion followed regarding the Task Force consideration of various concept
options such as Taft Park.
Study Session Minutes-6-August 3, 1998
Mr. Wozniczka stated he wanted a public hearing about this issue and that the
Task Force did not respond to his comments.
Discussion followed regarding the Donaldson Park mediation planning process and
the ballfield replacement project schedule.
Item #VIDISCUSSION OF REMOVING NO PARKING SIGNS ON 76TH STREET
EAST OF I-35W AND POSSIBLE IMPLEMENTATION OF DOWNSIZING OF
76TH STREET. S. S. LETTER NO. 41
Public Works Director Eastling reviewed Study Session Letter No. 41 regarding
discussion of removing no parking signs on 76th Street east of I-35W and possible
implementation of some downsizing options such as striping for bike lanes.
Traffic Engineer Foley stated that the Planning Commission and Community
Services Commission had recommended delay of the possible implementation of the
concepts of the 76th Street downsizing study. He reviewed recent developments that
have had a direct bearing on the study and implementation issues. He discussed the
following bikeway planning issues:
x
high construction costs
x
analysis of bike accidents in Richfield and Hennepin County
x
principles of good bikeway design
x
needs of experienced and inexperienced bicyclists
x
maintenance of bikeways and sidewalks
x
public roads for mobility versus parking
x
public involvement process
David Gepner, 7503 18th Avenue, 76th Street Downsizing Study Task Force
member, discussed his opinions regarding the Task Force recommendations and the
current status of the issue. He stated concerns that if 76th Street were opened up to on-
street parking now, it would be difficult to change back in the future.
Ron Glaub, 7209 12th Avenue, 76th Street Downsizing Study Task Force member,
discussed his opinions regarding the Task Force recommendations noting his dissenting
position due to the high cost. He discussed the possible problem of removing the parking
signs and having to reinstate the regulations in the future. He indicated the striping for
bike lanes could provide a good opportunity to evaluate bike usage and to make 76th
Street less conducive for automobile through traffic.
Council Member Susag stated concerns that the Council Letter did not adequately
address the bikeway issue and the need for parking on the street.
Larry Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, spoke in support of striping both sides
to tie in with the future 76th Street pedestrian/bicycle bridge over I-35W.
Study Session Minutes-7-August 3, 1998
Discussion followed regarding various parking, bikeway, and intersection issues.
The Public Works staff indicated that they would evaluate interim option of striping
both sides for bike lanes and further evaluate the demand for on-street parking.
Item #VIIDISCUSSION OF SCHEDULING SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING(S)
RELATED TO 1998 REVISED/1999 PROPOSED BUDGET.
Acting City Manager Devich discussed the need to change the date previously
chosen for a special council meeting to review the 1998 Revised/1999 Proposed Budget
and 1999 Preliminary Tax Levy.
Discussion followed regarding possible dates for the meeting focusing on August
27, 1998 or September 1, 1998. The City Council will take action to schedule the meeting
at the August 10, 1998 regular City Council meeting.
Item #VIIIDISCUSSION OF STATUS OF AIRPORT RELATED ITEMS. STUDY
SESSION LETTER NO. 42
Mayor Kirsch and Council Member Stokes provided a summary of the discussion
and issues raised at the July 30, 1998 North/South Runway Noise Mitigation Meeting.
Acting City Manager Devich reviewed Study Session Letter No. 42 regarding recent
developments related to the following airport issues:
x
Runway 4-22
x
Proposed Runway 17/35 (north/south)
x
Other community comments
x
MASAC Meeting
x
Gubernatorial questionnaire
Council Member Susag questioned the need and appropriateness of including in
the Study Session Letter the second sentence in the Runway 4-22 paragraph.
Discussion followed regarding the North/South Runway Noise Mitigation process
and sending the airport issues questionnaire to legislative candidates.
ADJOURNMENT
Study Session Minutes-8-August 3, 1998
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:40 p.m.
Date Approved:
Martin J. KirschMayor
Thomas P. FerberSteven L. Devich
City ClerkActing City Manager