07-06-99 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Study Session
July 6, 1999
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present:Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Sue Sandahl; Susan Rosenberg; Russ Susag;
and Kristal Stokes.
Staff Present:Steven Devich, Acting City Manager; Thomas Ferber, City Clerk;
Bruce Palmborg, Community Development Director; Michael
Eastling, Public Works Director; Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation
Services Director; Tom Foley, Transportation Engineer; Randy
Hughes, Operations Coordinator; and John Evans, Administrative
Aide.
Item # IANNUAL MEETING WITH COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
Community Services Commission members present:
Rick Jabs, Chair
CarolynKrohn
MaureenScaglia
Denise Schaefer
TimErlander
ArnieAuchstetter
ChadSharkey
JohnEasterwood
Study Session Minutes-2-July 6,1999
Community Services Commission member/Multi-Purpose Community Center Task
Force Chair Rick Jabs provided the Council with a status report on the Multi-Purpose
Community Center proposal including discussion on a tax impact estimate from Ehlers and
Associates, amenities, a draft floor plan layout, recommended location in Veterans
th
Memorial Park along Portland Avenue just south of 64 Street, the plan to hold
neighborhood meetings in the parks for public discussion on the proposal, and suggesting
that a bond referendum election be scheduled for November 2 on the issue.
Council Member Stokes asked about the existing Community Center.
Mr. Jabs said that it would no longer be needed but other uses are being examined.
City Clerk Ferber answered questions about a possible referendum election which
could be held with the November 2 school board election. In response to a question from
Community Services Commission member Auchstetter, City Clerk Ferber stated that a
stand-alone referendum election would cost about $10,000 to $15,000, while many costs
would be shared with the school district if the elections were conducted at the same time.
Mayor Kirsch acknowledged the hard work of the Task Force. Council Member
Stokes praised the group for incorporating much of the resident feedback into the plan.
Mr. Jabs told the Council that the Community Services Commission had been
considering their role and mission, particularly related to action items. He said that a
resolution from 1973 indicated that the group serves in an advisory function on park and
recreation matters to the Council and this should be updated to reflect Public Works
issues, as well.
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer said that policy issues, such as user fees
and banquet facility issues will come to the CSC while administration decisions are be
handled by staff.
Council Member Sandahl said that during her time on the CSC, staff looked to them
for approval on issues passed to the Council.
Mayor Kirsch thanked the group for its hard work and handling of important issues.
Item # II
DISCUSSION OF RELOCATION OF 130 TREES FROM RICH ACRES
GOLF COURSE TO VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK. S.S. LETTER NO. 22.
Acting City Manager Devich reviewed Study Session Letter No. 22 regarding the
possible relocation of trees from the Rich Acres Golf Course to Veterans Memorial Park.
He stated that the MAC had notified the City that the golf course should be vacated by
April 1, 2000.
.
Study Session Minutes-3-July 6,1999
Public Works Director Eastling reviewed and answered questions regarding the
feasibility of relocating the trees and coordination with the park planning process and Multi-
Purpose Community Center proposal.
DISCUSSION OF PLACING OVERHEAD UTILITY LINES UNDERGROUND.
Item #IIIS.S. LETTER NO. 23
Acting City Manager Devich reviewed Study Session Letter No. 23 regarding the
issue of the feasibility of undergrounding of private utilities in Richfield.
Public Works Director Eastling reviewed the legal and historical perspectives
regarding the undergrounding of private utilities. He discussed how the issue had been
handled in redevelopment areas and street construction projects.
Transportation Engineer Foley reviewed the response from Northern States Power
Company. He discussed the following issues:
x
undergrounding as the standard for utility lines.
x
100% cost recovery from city ratepayers.
x
the pricing of the cost recovery rate.
It was the consensus of the City Council that staff further explore this issue and
gather information for review by the Community Services Commission and City Council.
Item # IVSTATUS OF AIRPORT RELATED ISSUES.
Acting City Manager Devich reviewed Study Session Letter No. 24 regarding the
status of the following airport issues:
x
runway 4-22 usage.
x
redevelopment funding for mitigation Runway 17/35 – FAA ruling pending.
x
the level of MAC cooperation in seeking the mitigation funding.
x
the Richfield/MAC Agreement “good faith” issues.
x
Low Frequency Noise Policy Committee (LFNPC) report.
x
MASAC meeting.
Item #VDISCUSSION OF COMMUNICATION MECHANISMS FOR
REDEVELOPMENT AREAS. S. S. LETTER NO. 25
Acting City Manager Devich reviewed Study Session Letter No. 25 regarding
communication materials used regarding redevelopment in the City.
Study Session Minutes-4-July 6,1999
Council Member Rosenberg discussed resident feedback regarding redevelopment
communication and the need to look at methods to improve the process to create more
trust and understanding for residents.
Discussion followed regarding:
1)The Community Feedback Network (CFN) Richfield Redevelopment
Communications Report Issues and Recommendations.
2) The Richfield Redevelopment Ombudsperson program and brochure.
AimeeGourlay from the Mediation Center for Dispute Resolution, Richfield
RedevelopmentOmbudsperson, stated her observations regarding redevelopment
communications and processes including sharing information when available,
acknowledging how difficult the process is for residents, and receiving appropriate input.
Discussion followed regarding the following issues:
x
process
x
trust
x
complexity of airport issues
x
information changes
x
flow chart of responsible agencies
x
advisories that information is subject to change
x
realtor disclosure issues
x
interchange west
x
PASSS
x
CFN recommendations
The Mayor and City Council acknowledged the work of the CFN and their
suggestions.
Item #VIUPDATE FROM ACTING CITY MANAGER.
Acting City Manager Devich discussed the following issues:
x
Fourth of July celebration
x
Fourth of July celebration committee to report to the Council at the August Study
Session Meeting
x
City Manager Recruitment status
x
Scheduling issues related to City Manager recruitment process
x
Budget review meeting schedule
Study Session Minutes-5-July 6,1999
Item #VIIADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:25 p.m.
Date Approved:
Martin J. KirschMayor
Thomas P. FerberSteven L. Devich
City ClerkActing City Manager