12-21-98 Special
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Joint City Council/Richfield
School Board Meeting
December 21, 1998
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch and Vicki Rorie, School Board
Chair at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Council Members
Present:Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Kristal Stokes; Russ Susag; and Michael
Sandahl.
Council Members
Not Present:Susan Rosenberg.
City Manager Prosser stated that Council Member Rosenberg had indicated she
would not be present at tonight’s meeting because of a family commitment.
M/Sandahl, S/Stokes to determine the absence of Council Member Rosenberg
as an excused absence.
Motion carried 4-0.
Staff Present:James Prosser, City Manager; Steven Devich, Administrative
Services Director/Acting City Clerk; Bruce Palmborg, Community
Development Director; Dan Scott, Public Safety Director; Mike
Eastling, Public Works Director; and William Fillmore, Liquor
Operations Director.
School Board
Members:Vicki Rorie, Chair; Nancy Rowley; David Lamberger; Terry
Freeman; David Larson; and Pam Dmytrenko.
Joint Council/School Board Meeting Minutes-2-December 21, 1998
School District
Staff:Barbara Devlin, Jeannie Ryan, Bruce Abrahamson, Judy Miller,
Jerry Kjorlein, and Loren Hanson.
Item #I DISCUSSION OF BALLFIELD REPLACEMENT PROJECT
City Manager Prosser presented an update of the ballfield replacement program.
George Watson, Brauer and Associates, presented a status update of the
Roosevelt Park project.
There was general discussion regarding the procedural status of the lease
agreement required by the state grant.
Item #IIDISCUSSION OF PROPOSED MULTI-PURPOSE RECREATIONAL FACILITY
PROJECT
City Manager Prosser reviewed the community needs that the City is seeking to
address through a proposed multi-purpose recreational facility. He stated that a task
force of individuals in the community has been instrumental in working on the project in
conjunction with City consultants.
Mr. Prosser stated that it was likely that at least some portion of the cost of any
proposed facility would be paid for through a bond issue. He said this fact is just one
that makes it very important that there is full community involvement in the project. The
City and citizen group is now starting a second round of community discussions.
Commissioner Susag reported on his involvement with this process. He
described other metro area multipurpose city facilities that he toured and the amenities
those facilities included.
Superintendent Devlin stressed that an inventory of existing facilities available to
the public, especially through the school district be compiled before the multi-recreation
facility is planned. She stated that some facilities may already be available that the
general public is unaware of.
Item #IIIDISCUSSION OF MARKETING EFFORTS
Joint Council/School Board Meeting Minutes-3-December 21, 1998
City Manager Prosser summarized the City’s marketing efforts. He stated that
the City would soon develop and distribute a marketing piece. The four major
marketing points covered by the piece are as follows:
1.Location
2.Solid and growing variety of quality housing
3.The community itself - churches, shopping, etc.
4.Schools
City Manager Prosser stated that the schools may have a different perspective
on the marketing points for the community.
Commissioner Susag stressed that the community should take greater
advantage of positive community aspects at the beginning of our City Council meetings.
This would include achievements of the school district personnel.
Item #IVSTATUS OF RICHFIELD AIRPORT MITIGATION
City Manager Prosser reported that the City has reached an agreement with the
MAC, which will serve as a platform to a mitigation process for Richfield.
Some of the major parts of the agreement include the following:
x
MAC agrees that low frequency noise is an impact.
x
MAC will assist the City in seeking funds for low frequency noise.
x
Assistance to the City and Schools for loss of school aged children due to
redevelopment.
School Board Member Dmytrenko stated that she felt that it was extremely
important that the schools and City work together on this important issue.
Superintendent Devlin stated that it would be helpful if a representative from the
schools were involved in the formulation of legislation so that the schools can see how
they fit into the overall mitigation plan.
Item #VDISCUSSION OF SCHOOL REORGANIZATION
Superintendent Devlin reviewed the district re-organization. She stated among
the many changes, Spartan Elementary would be closed because the need for that
facility no longer exists. She indicated the changes would serve to enhance the
operating efficiency of the schools. Ms. Devlin stated one major advantage of the re-
organization is that students from the third grade and up until graduation will be
together in the same school buildings.
Joint Council/School Board Meeting Minutes-4-December 21, 1998
Item #VIDISCUSSION OF SCHOOL START TIME DELIBERATIONS
Superintendent Devlin described the work of a task force working on school start
times. Ms. Devlin summarized some of the options available and stated that the School
board would be making a decision sometime in the next several weeks.
Item #VIIDISCUSSION OF STUDENT EXIT SURVEY
Superintendent Devlin summarized exit interview survey results collected from
students and their families who exited the school system during the 1997-98 school
year. She stated the main reason for students leaving Richfield schools is a family
moved (over 50%). Ms. Devlin indicated most families surveyed were very satisfied
with the Richfield schools.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 7:44 p.m.
Date Approved:
Martin J. Kirsch, Mayor
Steven L. DevichJames D. Prosser
Acting City ClerkCity Manager