08-02-99 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Study Session
August 2, 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; Jim Topitzhofer,
Recreation Services Director; Tom Foley, Transportation Engineer;
Dan Scott, Public Safety Director; John Stark, Community
Development Manager; Betsy Christensen, Health Administrator;
and Scott Williams, Research and Planning Specialist.
Item # IANNUAL MEETING WITH FRIENDSHIP CITY COMMISSION
Chad Leverson, Chair of the Friendship City Commission, summarized the activities
of the Commission during the past year, which enhanced the cultural exchange
relationship with Richfield's Sister City, Heredia, Costa Rica. He also discussed the future
activities of the Commission.
Study Session Minutes-2-August 2, 1999
Item # IIPRESENTATION REGARDING I-494 CORRIDOR COMMISSION
ACTIVITIES. S.S. LETTER NO. 25
Lisa Raduenz, LJR Transportation Planners and Consultants, consultant to the I-
494 Corridor Commission, presented the highlights of the Executive Summary Report on
the activities of the Commission including the following:
x
Commission membership and mission
x
Congestion along I-494 and future projections
x
Solutions and strategies to address the problems
x
Commission Services
x
Transportation Management Associations (TMAs)
x
Marker identification for transit, carpools and vanpools
x
Developer Transportation Management Plan (TMP) agreements
x
Infrastructure
x
Construction prioritization process
x
Future directions
Item #IIIDISCUSSION OF PROPOSED LAYOUTS AND FINANCIAL AGREEMENT TO
TH
WIDEN 66 STREET BRIDGE AND TRUNK HIGHWAY 77 AND BUILD NEW
ENTRANCE AND EXIT RAMPS. S.S. LETTER NO. 26
Public Works Director Eastling reviewed S.S. Letter No. 26 regarding a proposed
Memorandum of Understanding prepared by the Minnesota Department of Transportation
(MnDOT). He stated the memorandum outlines the responsibilities and financial costs for
each participating agency including the City, the Metropolitan Airports Commission,
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MnDOT and the Metropolitan Council relating to the widening of the 66 Street bridge at
Trunk Highway 77 and building new entrance/exit ramps.
Transportation Engineer Foley reviewed and discussed concept plan drawings
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depicting the proposed 66 Street Trunk Highway 77 interchange including the following
issues:
x
Bridge widening design
x
Clearance under bridge-widening must occur to north
x
Access ramp changes
x
Proposed land exchanges
x
Cost split proposal
x
Land swap to provide property for City maintenance facility
x
Required acquisitions of commercial properties
x
Impact regarding airport traffic and mitigation redevelopment
th
x
Highway 77 access at 77 Street
x
Future closing of Diagonal Boulevard access
x
Contacts with property owners
Study Session Minutes-3-August 2, 1999
x
August 25 Open House information meeting about the proposal
x
Presentation of the Memorandum of Understanding to the City Council on
August 9
Ralph Weichselbaum, Animal Care Clinic, 6421 Cedar Avenue, discussed the
importance of communication and knowing the timing of the project.
Public Works Director Eastling discussed the potential process and schedule.
Larry Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, asked about pedestrian and bicycle
access over the bridge and connecting to Fort Snelling.
Transportation Engineer Foley stated that there would be a ten-foot sidewalk on the
bridge, but that MnDOT has suggested bike traffic utilize Bloomington Avenue, other
residential streets or the future potential new north-south collector street. He stated MAC
has stated it is not feasible or desirable to encourage pedestrian or bike traffic through the
airport area to Fort Snelling.
Dennis W. Manson, 6901 Park Avenue, asked questions about the loss of tax base,
right-of-way costs and desirability of the area for redevelopment area due to airport noise.
Public Works Director Eastling reviewed the right-of-way issues and proposed land
exchanges.
Acting City Manager Devich stated Ryan Companies has indicated that the area is
very marketable for airport compatible redevelopment because of its desirable location.
Item #IVDISCUSSION OF CONTINUING STREET LIGHT USER FEE.
S.S. LETTER NO. 27
Acting City Manager Devich reviewed S.S. Letter No. 27 regarding the possible
continuation of the street light user fee.
Public Works Director Eastling reviewed the history of the street light user fee and
indicated that the retrofitting of the street light system will be completed with the user fee
scheduled to end in February, 2000. He discussed various street maintenance needs and
he indicated that continuation of the street light user fee to pay the electric bill could free
up general fund money to help address street maintenance needs.
City Council discussion followed regarding the purpose of initiating the fee for the
street light retrofit program and opposition to continuing the fee if the purpose was for
street maintenance rather than off-setting the street light electricity bill.
Acting City Manager Devich stated the issue would be identified in the proposed
budget with options to continue the fee or to let it end.
Study Session Minutes-4-August 2, 1999
Item #VDISCUSSION OF TIMELINE FOR PROPOSED RICHFIELD COMMUNITY
AND RECREATIONAL CENTER BOND REFERENDUM PROCESS.
S.S. LETTER NO. 28
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer reviewed S.S. Letter No. 28 regarding the
following proposed timeline for the proposed Richfield Community and Recreational Center
bond referendum process:
DateMeetingItem
August 2Council Study SessionDiscussion of timeline of events
leading to bond referendum
August 9Regular Council MeetingRequest for public hearing approving
the bond referendum election
August 10Regular Community ServicesCSC recommendation of approval of
Commission Meetingbond referendum election
August 23Regular Council MeetingFinal approval of bond referendum
election
September 14County Filing DeadlineFile referendum election with County
Auditor
November 2School Board/Bond Referendum
Election
Further public hearings would be held following the referendum to comply with the
provisions of the City Charter for project planning efforts that exceed $75,000. This
amount would not be exceeded before the referendum.
Larry Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, requested information regarding the tax
levy impact of the bond or a household and the authorized cost for the architect's feasibility
study related to this proposal.
Acting City Manager Devich stated this information would be provided to Mr.
Wozniczka.
Item #VIDISCUSSION OF DRAFT ORDINANCE THAT WOULD LICENSE AND
REGULATE PRACTICE OF THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE IN RICHFIELD.
S. S. LETTER NO. 29
Acting City Manager Devich reviewed S.S. Letter No. 29 regarding a draft of an
ordinance that would license and regulate the practice of therapeutic massage in the City.
Public Safety Director Scott reviewed the draft ordinance provisions and
requirements related to legitimate therapeutic massage services.
Study Session Minutes-5-August 2, 1999
Health Administrator Christensen reviewed her contact with a Richfield business
owner who has expressed an interest in incorporating massage therapy into his business
and also discussed how other communities address this issue.
It was the consensus of the City Council that staff present the draft ordinance for
Council consideration at the August 23 Council meeting.
Item #VIIDISCUSSION OF NEW 800 MEGAHERTZ RADIO SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC
SAFETY. S.S. LETTER NO. 30
Public Safety Director Scott reviewed S.S. Letter No. 30 regarding discussion of the
City participating in the regional 800 MHz radio system and commencing negotiations with
Hennepin County, Motorola and the Regional Radio Board on a cooperative agreement
that will establish the financial and operational requirements of participation.
Research and Planning Specialist Scott Williams reviewed the background, options
and advantages to joining the new 800 MHz regional radio system.
The City Council requested that it be communicated to the public that the City will
still retain its independent dispatch center with this radio system change.
It was consensus of the City Council that consideration of this recommendation be
scheduled for future Council action.
Item #VIIIDISCUSSION OF QUESTIONNAIRE REGARDING METROPOLITAN
COUNCIL RELATIONS AND PERFORMANCE. S.S. LETTER NO. 31
Acting City Manager Devich reviewed S.S. Letter No. 31 regarding developing the
City's response to a questionnaire regarding Metropolitan Council relations and
performance.
Discussion followed regarding City staff and City Council input on the questionnaire
issues with final consideration of the responses scheduled for the August 9 City Council
Meeting.
Acting City Manager Devich stated Metropolitan Council Representative Phil
Riveness would also be present at the August 9 City Council meeting.
Study Session Minutes-6-August 2, 1999
Item #IXSTATUS OF AIRPORT RELATED ISSUES. S.S. LETTER NO. 32
Acting City Manager Devich reviewed S.S. Letter No. 32 regarding the status of the
following airport issues:
x
Governor's Task Force on Community Stabilization
x
Low Frequency Noise Policy Committee
x
Real Estate Work Shop
x
Mayor's trip to Washington, D.C.
x
MASAC
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 10:20 p.m.
Date Approved:
Martin J. KirschMayor
Thomas P. FerberSteven L. Devich
City ClerkActing City Manager