12-15-98 Special
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special City Council Meeting
DECEMBER 15, 1998
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 7:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg, Russ Susag,
Michael Sandahl, and Kristal Stokes.
STAFF PRESENT:James Prosser, City Manager; Thomas Ferber, City Clerk;
and Chuck Dayton, Airport Counsel.
Mayor Kirsch stated the purpose of the meeting was to receive comments from
public prior to final decision on whether to approve proposed noise mitigation
agreement with the Metropolitan Airports Commission or whether to initiate litigation
regarding mitigation of impacts of the new North-South Runway.
Bill Duffee, Co-Chair of the Richfield CARE Team, presented a procedure for the
order of speakers and decorum.
Audrey Duffee, 6515 18th Avenue, thanked the City Council for the opportunity
for residents to express their wants, needs, and concerns on this issue.
Mark Gleason, 6434 Irving Avenue, urged the Council to file litigation in order to
preserve all options.
Pam Dmytrenko, 7030 Irving Avenue, Richfield School Board Member, stated
disappointment that the City Council was considering this agreement with so little
public review. She requested that the School Board be briefed on the agreement prior
to approval and that the School Board be involved in any legislative remedy.
John Enger, 7328 Bloomington Avenue, discussed concerns about elements of
the proposed agreement, MAC’s lack of sincerity and trustworthiness, and the
importance of the decision. He urged the City Council to vote to litigate the issue.
Shirley Johnson, 7609 12th Avenue, spoke in support of litigation stating the
MAC and Northwest Airlines can’t be trusted.
Edwina Garcia, 6732 18th Avenue, spoke in support of litigation citing the MAC’s
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untrustworthiness. She stated the MAC should pay for mitigation and expressed doubt
that the legislature would fund it. She told citizens to demand that the City Council
litigate.
Bill Duffee, 6515 18th Avenue, stated concerns and frustrations about the impact
that the runway will have on Richfield’s quality of life and the actions of the MAC in
dealing with the City. He stated negotiations could continue even if a lawsuit is filed.
Evelyn Rhines, 7035 18th Avenue, spoke in support of litigation and stated MAC
stands for “many attacking citizens”.
Dick Ziemer, 6400 Vincent Avenue, stated it had been a mistake to allow the
MAC to buyout New Ford Town and Rich Acres and that we can’t afford to make
another mistake. He stated that the MAC can’t be trusted, that the agreement is
ambiguous and flawed, and that no legal rights should be given up. He urged that the
City file a challenge to the FEIS and litigate.
Ron Urbach, 6926 16th Avenue, spoke in support of litigation.
Roger Johnson, 7045 Bloomington Avenue, stated the MAC should be obligated
to take care of any problems before the runway is built. He suggested a neutral
mediator and not giving up the right to litigate.
Connie McDonald, 6400 15th Avenue, spoke in support of filing litigation before
signing an agreement and stated concerns about the responsiveness of the MAC to
these issues.
Charles Murry, 7038 18th Avenue, spoke in support of litigation.
PaulBrabant, 6815 Chicago Avenue, discussed historical perspectives,
concerns about air pollution from airplanes, and asked that airplanes not be allowed to
ruin the community.
Janine Altema, 7320 Columbus Avenue, discussed noise and vibration concerns
and spoke in support of not giving up the right to litigate.
Dan Thurber, 6720 18th Avenue, stated concerns about the impact of the North-
South Runway, changes in the City, the police, and spoke in support of litigation.
Debbie Gustafson, 1606 West 66th Street, thanked the City for warning the
residents about the impact of the North-South Runway and spoke in support of
litigation.
Marion Anderson, 7611 16th Avenue, stated concerns about air pollution, the
MAC’s tactics and trustworthiness, giving up legal rights, and urged the City to litigate.
Michelle Ansorge, Richfield resident, spoke in support of litigation.
Nathan Noble, 7500 12th Avenue, stated concern that people would move out if
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not protected from the impacts of the runway.
Janet Coleman, 7244 Bloomington Avenue, stated concerns about the current
impact of the airport relating to air pollution, noise and quality of life and suggested that
the City not give up the right to litigate.
Doug Olson, 6608 Clinton Avenue, spoke in support of litigation.
Earl Grindheim, 6844 17th Avenue, stated concerns about mitigation indicating
there is no technical way to address noise and asked what has been done to prevent
homeowners from having to move because he wants to stay in his house.
Doug Olson, 6608 Clinton Avenue, spoke in support of litigation.
Dale Pemberton, 6639 Elliot Avenue, stated concerns about noise and vibration,
urging that the right to litigate not be given up.
Audrey Duffee, 6515 18th Avenue, urged citizens to call the airport if they have
noise complaints and urged the Council to make Richfield the mouse that roared.
Bill Duffee, 6515 18th Avenue, thanked all who attended the meeting and invited
residents to join the Richfield Care Team. He stated he expected and demanded that
the City Council vote 5-0 to litigate this issue.
Mayor Kirsch thanked the Richfield Care Team and residents for their
involvement in this issue.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:30 p.m.
Date Approved:_____________________________________________
Martin J. Kirsch, Mayor
__________________________________________________________
Thomas P. FerberJames D. Prosser
City ClerkCity Manager