05-21-01 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Study Session
May 21, 2001
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present:Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Gertrude Ulrich; John
Enger; and Sue Sandahl.
Staff Present:Samantha Orduno, City Manager; Bruce Palmborg, Community
Development Director; Steven Devich, Acting City Clerk; Mike
Eastling, Public Works Director; and John Stark, Community
Development Manager.
Item # IDISCUSSION OF ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS FOR 7600 BLOCK OF
LYNDALE AVENUE
Public Works Director Eastling presented a brief summary of the history and status
of the roadway improvements for the 7600 block of Lyndale Avenue. Mr. Eastling
informed the City Council of the timing issues posed by the delay of redevelopment on the
west side of Lyndale Avenue and the road improvements. He stated that staff would bring
the 7600 block of Lyndale Roadway bids to the City Council next week and ask that all
bids be rejected because there is not enough time to start the project at this time, with no
agreement on the proposed development on the west side of Lyndale Avenue between
76th and 77th Streets.
Council Member Rosenberg asked about a sidewalk along Lyndale Avenue in front
of T. C. Christian homes.
Special Study Session Minutes-2-May 21, 2001
Public Works Director Eastling stated that a temporary walk of asphalt could be
constructed. Mr. Eastling stated that he would report back to the Council on this item at
the next meeting.
Council Member Sandahl asked how we ended up with such a small setback on the
north side of the T. C. Homes site.
Community Development Manager Stark responded that it was a tight site and that
the setback appears smaller than it actually is. He added that it had been approved as
part of the planned unit development.
Council Member Enger asked about the status of the Walgreens lease.
City Manager Orduno stated that no lease had been signed as of this morning.
Council Member Enger asked what would be done with the sidewalk on the east
side of Lyndale Avenue if the west side development with CSM goes away.
Public Works Director Eastling explained how the sidewalk could be dealt with.
Council Member Enger asked what would happen if the west side of Lyndale
Avenue along the 7600 block didn’t get developed before the roadway project or Lyndale
Avenue bridge. Mr. Enger stated that in such a case the City should assist the existing
businesses to upgrade their properties if they chose to stay there.
Council Member Sandahl stated that those buildings have not been well maintained
and may not be worth saving.
Community Development Director Palmborg spoke to a previous review done of the
buildings on the west side of Lyndale Avenue and the conclusion that came out of the
process were negative in terms of finding ways to save the existing buildings.
Council Member Enger asked if the owners were willing to upgrade their buildings.
Community Development Director Palmborg responded that it got down to costs
and where do they get the money.
Council Member Ulrich stated in the study done 15 years ago, one major issue was
the lack of parking and no feasible way to get adequate parking for expansion. She also
added that the roofs of certain buildings were in deteriorating condition.
Item # IIDISCUSSION OF CITY’S BOND RATING
City Manager Orduno presented a status report of the City’s present fund balance
and its impacts upon our bond rating. The City Manager stated that staff received
Special Study Session Minutes-3-May 21, 2001
comments from Moodys bond rating service indicating that they felt the City’s General
Fundfund balance was inadequate and should be closer to a 40% level.
Council Member Ulrich stated that she was not comfortable with the 26% fund
balance as compared to the 40% target.
Council Members Ulrich and Sandahl both felt that our bond rating is critical and
this issue must be addressed.
Mayor Kirsch directed staff to come back to the City Council with a recommendation
and further information on how the City may address this issue.
Larry Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue, asked how the percentage had
changed in the past few years.
Administrative Services Director Devich responded that he wasn’t sure, but felt the
percentage had remained relatively flat. He stated that he would research this question
and include the result in the report to the City Council.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:08 p.m.
Date Approved:
Martin J. Kirsch
Mayor
Steven L. DevichSamantha Orduno
Acting City ClerkCity Manager