07-23-01 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
July 23, 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 (arrived at 5:42 p.m.)
Staff Present:Samantha Orduno, City Manager;Mike Eastling, Public Works
Director; Bruce Palmborg, Community Development Director; Jim
Topitzhofer, Recreation Services Director; Dan Scott, Public Safety
Director; George Atkinson, Engineering Supervisor; Cheryl Krumholz,
Recording Secretary; and Corrine Thomson, City Attorney.
Item # IANNUAL MEETING WITH COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
Community Services Commission members present:
Rick JabsJohn Easterwood
Chad SharkeyGary Ness
Chair Jabs provided a report on the commission’s accomplishments and goals. He
also reported on current projects, including the improvements at Monroe, Fairwood and
Augsburg Parks.
Council Member Ulrich expressed her appreciation for the “Concerts in the Park”.
Council Member Enger asked about the status of the pool repairs.
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Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer explained that the pool was shut down for
five days to repair pipe leaks resulting in sand entering the pool. He said this repair was a
short-term fix and future renovation of the pool should be discussed.
The Council requested discussion of the pools future be placed on the September 10
Council Worksession.
The Council thanked the Community Services Commission for all their work.
Item # IIANNUAL MEETING WITH HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
Human Rights Commission members present:
Brent PaviaTashika Sykes
TonyBibusBarbaraWhiteman-Brown
Dean Karau
Chair Pavia reviewed the commission’s accomplishments and goals, including the
revising of the by-laws.
Council Member Enger asked about the youth qualifications.
Mr. Pavia answered that students should have an interest in human rights issues.
The Council thanked the commission for their work.
Item # IIIDISCUSSION OF BACKGROUND INFORMATION RELATIVE TO CHANGES
IN SECTION 805 OF CITY CODE REGARDING BUS BENCHES AND
SHELTERS
City Manager Orduno stated the City Council requested this issue be removed from a
past Regular City Council meeting agenda and placed on a Worksession agenda for
discussion.
Public Works Director Eastling reviewed the history related to the proposed changes
in the City Code regarding bus benches and shelters. He said the Community Services
Commission had reviewed this matter on three occasions and their principal concerns were:
1.The ordinance allows enough flexibility so that, if needed, a bench and shelter
could be placed at the same location.
2.The amended ordinance requires that both shelters and benches include a
garbage container, which is emptied twice weekly.
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3.The amended ordinance should not contain language that prohibits political
advertising on benches and shelters.
He said the concerns were incorporated into the proposed ordinance.
Council Member Ulrich said she is not happy with bus bench maintenance. She
stated she finds Outdoor Promotions, Inc. services very attractive. She said she agrees with
limiting advertising, but the City Council should not approve the subject matter. She said she
did consider the advertising an opportunity to promote Richfield.
Council Member Enger supported the removal of liquor and beer advertising because
of the exposure to children. He said this could permit establishments outside Richfield to
advertise which could affect the City’s municipal liquor sales. He questioned the political
sign regulations. He said he had no problems with the bus shelters, but some looked large
so a variance may be necessary to allow enough space. He mentioned sidewalk plowing
may be a concern. Mr. Enger said trash removal should depend upon the location and be
handled on a case-by-case basis.
Council Member Ulrich said she would rather stand outside than inside a poorly
maintained shelter.
Council Member Enger asked who maintained the benches and shelters in
Minneapolis.
Council Member Sandahl said she has observed MTCO doing maintenance. She
stated there appeared to be a variety of styles for the shelters – some more open than
others.
Engineering Supervisor Atkinson said the walls are added or removed depending on
the season of the year.
Council Member Sandahl asked who changed the advertising.
Engineering Supervisor Atkinson answered it was up to the shelter owner.
Council Member Rosenberg stated that trash cans needed to be included with the
service. She supported both benches and shelters because some corners are more
conducive to one or the other or both. She asked if the proposed ordinance was adequate
for both benches and shelters.
Council Member Ulrich said a bench and shelter should not be side by side on the
same corner because of space concerns. She stated that the bench company should meet
the same requirements as the shelter company.
Mayor Kirsch asked who made the decision regarding benches and/or shelters.
Public Works Director Eastling said the decision should be based upon whatever
provides the highest level of service.
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Steve Lindgren, representing the Richfield Chamber of Commerce of which U.S.
Bench is a member, stated the Chamber opposed the advertising in shelters. He requested
this matter be brought before the Planning Commission. He said advertising may make a
major cultural difference in the community. Mr. Lindgren asked the City Manager what her
thoughts were since she has managed different cities.
City Manager Orduno said the metro transit riders needed a safe, warm, sanitary
place. She said that as a manager, she has concerns about advertising because it could put
the City at risk as some may find it offensive. She said there are advantages and
disadvantages to shelters because of the advertising. She said it is a City Council decision
to evaluate and determine the needs of the community and how they can be best met.
Council Member Ulrich asked if it would be legally easier to have a no advertising
policy.
Council Member Sandahl said the City currently does not control the advertising on
benches. She added that some shelters appeared lighted and the City does have an
ordinance regarding lighting.
Steve Lindgren said the Chamber would like to work with the City to evaluate if
shelters helped with ridership. He said the City should do a study or survey to determine
what the City wants. He commented that trash pickup needs to be carefully considered if it is
to be the shelter or bench company’s responsibility. He asked what would happen if the
shelter company went out of business. He was concerned how local businesses would be
affected because of the cost of advertising in the shelters. He distributed pictures of various
shelters. (Clerk’s File No. C-371.)
Council Member Sandahl asked that additional information regarding MCTO policies
on shelters be provided.
Engineering Supervisor Atkinson explained that there are 12 MCTO shelters in
Richfield and the availability to provide more is limited.
Council Member Rosenberg suggested that this matter not be sent to the Planning
Commission because the Community Services Commission had already reviewed it. She
said that there already is advertising on benches and billboards.
Mr. Lindgren stated the Community Services Commission did not give due diligence to
this matter.
Council Member Rosenberg said she did not agree with Mr. Lindgren that the
Community Services Commission did not give due diligence. She attended the meetings
and believes there has been adequate discussions by the commission.
Council Member Enger stated he agreed with Mr. Lindgren that there needs to be
additional research on advertising and the placement of the benches and/or shelters. He
supported asking Met Council representative Phil Riveness for his opinion regarding the
MCTO locations in Richfield.
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5-July 23, 2001
Council Member Sandahl said that when this matter is discussed again, she wanted
the City Attorney’s opinion regarding advertising and the proposed ordinance amendments.
She also wants a map reflecting current locations. She said a standard needs to be set
regarding trash pickup.
Council Member Enger stated that the shelter advertising is a large income so the
same standards cannot be expected from the bench company.
City Manager Orduno said the same standard should be maintained and spread
across all vendors.
The Council requested this matter to be brought back to the Council at the October 8
Worksession. Phil Riveness or another appropriate Met Council representative should be
invited to participate in the discussion.
Item # IVDISCUSSION OF PARKING, BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS AND LAND USES
AT GRAMERCY PARK
Council Member Enger said he was not happy with the parking situation at Gramercy.
He stated ten spaces at the Wood Lake Nature Center for overnight parking was out of line.
He said it was unfortunate Gramercy was built with inadequate parking.
Council Member Sandahl said she believed it wasn’t an issue of the number of
spaces, but rather the location of the spaces. She said the proposed changes should make
the entryways more accessible.
City Manager Orduno said the consultant concluded that the parking was a perception
problem.
Council Member Enger asked about the location of the handicapped parking for
overnight guests and if the parking met the code requirement.
Community Development Director Palmborg said the parking is in the garage as
required by code. He said the code requires one stall per unit.
Council Member Enger said the Gramercy parking issues need to be resolved so the
City is ready for the development at 66th Street and Lyndale Avenue. He said Gramercy
could build an underground parking lot on the HRA lot west of the building. He said he does
not support the building of luxury apartments. He believes it will spoil the view and it will
mean a loss of open space.
City Manager Orduno stated the development and redevelopment of areas will be
much different due to the 2001 Legislature’s compression of tax rates. She said the removal
of the 32 units would not make City Bella work.
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Council Member Sandahl stated the changes proposed are a short-term fix; they will
be fixed long-term when City Bella is built. She said City Bella cannot be jeopardized for the
Gramercy parking lot.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:58 p.m.
Date Approved: _________________
Martin J. Kirsch
Mayor
Cheryl KrumholzSamantha Orduno
Recording SecretaryCity Manager