02-07-00 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Study Session
February 7, 2000
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 (arrived at 7:25 p.m.); Susan
Rosenberg; Russ Susag; and Kristal Stokes.
Staff Present:Samantha Orduno, City Manager; Thomas Ferber, City Clerk; Bruce
Palmborg, Community Development Director; Michael Eastling,
Public Works Director; Tom Foley, Transportation Engineer.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE
City Manager Orduno gave a report on the February 7 Low Frequency Noise Policy
Committee Meeting presenting the Expert Panel’s majority findings regarding the 87Db (75
DNL equivalent) contour in Richfield. She stated the Low Frequency Noise Policy
Committee will be meeting next Monday to review the findings and to make a decision on
the final contour map. She stated the findings validated the legislatures action regarding
mitigation, the Governor’s Airport Community Stabilization Funding Task Force and
Richfield’s position regarding mitigation.
Study Session Minutes-2-February 7, 2000
Item # IDISCUSSION OF SECOND GENERATION COMPREHENSIVE
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN(S) AND BOUNDARY CHANGE
BETWEEN MINNEHAHA CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT AND RICHFIELD-
BLOOMINGTON WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION S. R. NO.1
Public Works Director Eastling reviewed Staff Report No. 1 regarding development
of the Second Generation Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan and a boundary
change between the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and the Richfield-Bloomington
Watershed Management Organization.
Pete Willenbring, WSB & Associates, Inc., reviewed the process and schedule for
the revised Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan and the boundary change.
Todd Hubmer, WSB & Associates, Inc., presented an overview of a draft of the
updated Richfield-Bloomington Watershed Management Organization (RBWMO) Plan
indicating the RBWMO Board would be asked at their March 27 meeting to authorize
distribution of the draft plan for agency review and approval. Mr. Hubmer summarized the
content of the following sections of the draft plan:
x
Executive Summary
x
Land and Water Resources Inventory
x
Goals and Policies
x
Problems and Corrective Actions
x
Implementation Program/Priorities
x
Impact on Local Government
x
Amendment Procedures
Discussion followed regarding the boundary change and the status of Mothers Lake
drainage area.
Item # IIDISCUSSION OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT BUDGET PROJECTS S. R. NO. 2
Public Works Director Eastling reviewed Staff Report No. 2 regarding a proposal to
develop an annual public hearing in the spirit and intent of the City Charter for all projects
in the Capital Improvement Budget which have estimated costs in excess of $500,000 or
with design/engineering fees in excess of $75,000. He stated this would provide the public
with an early opportunity for input and comment on proposed capital improvement projects.
He outlined the critical issues as follows:
x
Preparation and execution of Capital Budgets and Capital Improvement Projects
are an on-going process. Establishing a schedule for public input and comment
will add definition and clarification to the process. It also will enhance the City’s
Study Session Minutes-3-February 7, 2000
chances at applying for certain federal grant programs where Council approval
of the Capital Improvements Budget is a requirement.
x
The time needed to provide first reading, publication, second reading and public
hearing can be critical in preparing for construction of an improvement project.
x
If Council approves, the Council will hold a public hearing annually in late fall for
the following year’s proposed Capital Improvement Budget. Council will be
asked to approve the Capital Improvement Budget at the same time.
Larry Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, stated that State Statutes require a
public hearing on the Capital Improvements Budget.
Public Works Director Eastling stated that the public hearings had been held in
conjunction with the Truth in Taxation hearing, but that this proposal would give an earlier
opportunity for input at a public hearing on the Capital Improvement Budget.
It was the consensus of the City Council that staff proceed with the proposed
process.
Item #IIIDISCUSSION TO EVALUATE TRANSIT NEEDS AND IDENTIFY
IMPROVEMENTS S. R. NO. 3
Traffic Engineer Foley reviewed Staff Report No. 3 regarding the advisability of
evaluating the City’s transit needs and identify improvements based on the following
factors:
x
Governor Ventura has proposed a new source of regional funding to support
transit service.
x
Metro Transit has undertaken a review of its Regional Transit Plan and will be
developing recommendations soon.
x
Reconstruction of 494 and the 62 Crosstown Commons will reduce the capacity
of the regional highway network for a number of years.
x
Airport expansion has enabled Richfield to propose significant changes in land
use and transit.
x
Major redevelopment is poised to be built in Richfield and will need both a Travel
Demand Management component as well as good transit service.
x
Southwest Transit has initiated a new east-west transit service along 494. Major
road improvements will greatly improve this transit route over time.
x
A transit plan will provide detailed recommendations on transit improvements
that are not contained in the current City Comprehensive Plan.
He identified and discussed the following critical issues:
x
With major redevelopment occurring, it will be important to provide guidance on
the kind of development Richfield desires and its compatibility with transit
service; i.e., the proximity of buildings to the street for the convenience of transit
users. Urban versus suburban design differs in the setback requirements of
Study Session Minutes-4-February 7, 2000
buildings. Transit, to succeed, needs to have the entrances to buildings close to
the street. Ample parking in front of the buildings does not promote transit
usage.
x
An analysis is needed to identify gaps or weaknesses in existing service. Also,
the possibility exists that transit service is inadequate for trips internal to
Richfield, while regional transit service is fairly good. The growth of new transit
hubs has created opportunities to explore new transit options.
x
Discussion is needed on the types of trips best served by transit.
Council Member Susag discussed the use of Travel Demand Management
Components to serve the Best Buy and Meridian Crossings projects. He requested that
staff provide a copy of the Richfield Transit System Map to City Council Members. He
suggested the City press the Metropolitan Council and the State for funding for trip
surveys.
Council Member Rosenberg discussed the need for internal transit in Richfield such
as the Bee Line and the need for smaller buses to feed the main lines.
Item #IVSTATUS OF AIRPORT RELATED ISSUES S. R. NO. 4
City Manager Orduno reviewed Staff Report No. 4 regarding the following airport
issues:
x
Expert Panel’s contour maps presented to the Low Frequency Noise Policy
Committee
x
Final Report of the Governor’s Airport Community Stabilization Funding Task
Force
x
Summary of the Airport Impact Bill
x
Resident input from the Open Houses for the Cedar Avenue Airport
Redevelopment Area
x
Part 150 Update
Item #VDISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE AMENDMENT RELATING TO COUNCIL
SALARIES S. R. NO. 5
City Manager Orduno reviewed Staff Report No. 5 regarding whether or not the City
Council wants to consider an ordinance amendment for a salary adjustment.
It was the consensus of the City Council that this issue be scheduled for the
February 14 City Council agenda for first reading consideration.
Study Session Minutes-5-February 7, 2000
Item #VIDEVELOPMENT UPDATE
Community Development Director Palmborg presented a status report and
answered questions regarding the following development activities:
x
Lyndale Gateway
Bond sale closes on February 14 and then Twin City Christian Homes will
proceed to complete the acquisition process
Ron Clark Homes has successfully negotiated purchase agreements with
property owners
CSM has secured Walgreens for the southern portion of the east side of Lyndale
Avenue and a retail/office component for the northern portion with final
approvals anticipated for February 14
x
Wood Lake Centre
All phases are under construction
Initial occupancy of the Oaks on Pleasant will occur in May
Tenant leasing including three restaurants is going well
Over 1/3 of the housing leases are by current Richfield residents
The City Council requested the scheduling of a tour of the project for the Council.
x
CityBella
Market study is underway
Discussions with Lyndale Hardware and other parties continue
x
Best Buy
Richfield and Best Buy representatives met last Thursday – group will meet on a
regular basis
A contract for redevelopment will be drafted for HRA consideration
Opus has contacted some of major property owners
Paul Walser has hired the Himle-Horner public relations firm for representation
CSM will not be developer
x
Gramercy Park
Project is on schedule
x
Lyndale Garden Center
They have developed a conceptual plan for a downsized Lyndale Garden Center
and Lyndale Hardware along with 350 rental apartments
x
PASSS
Discussions continue with mixed use developers
Study Session Minutes-6-February 7, 2000
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:24 p.m.
Date Approved:
Martin J. KirschMayor
Thomas P. FerberSamantha Orduno
City ClerkCity Manager