09-10-01 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
September 10, 2001
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 5:31 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present:Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Gertrude Ulrich; John Enger;
and Sue Sandahl.
Staff Present:Samantha Orduno, City Manager;Tom Foley, Transportation
Engineer; Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation Services Director; Dan Scott,
Public Safety Director; Randy Hughes, Operations Coordinator; and
Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item # IDISCUSSION OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS FOR MAINTENANCE SERVICES
City Manager Orduno explained that the purpose of the discussion was for the City
Council to receive new information related to special assessments for maintenance services
in the Interstate-Lyndale-Nicollet (ILN)/77th Street District and Lyndale-HUB-Nicollet (LHN)
District. She said the Council, at their July 23, 2001 meeting, after comments from some of
the commercial owners, decided to address this matter at a worksession. She said some
businesses believed there to be an equity issue because residential properties were not
included in the assessments.
Transportation Engineer Foley distributed and reviewed background information on
the LHN and ILN assessments. (Clerk’s File No. C-376)
Council Member Rosenberg apologized that the staff letter to some property owners
notifying them of tonight’s meeting was not received earlier.
Special Worksession Minutes-
2-September 10, 2001
Operations Coordinator Hughes said when he was notified of the mailing error, the
letters were hand delivered to the affected owners.
Council Member Sandahl said that, historically, the commercial properties requested
maintenance services and she did not believe there was rationale to change the
assessments at this time. She said future development assessments could be reviewed by
the City Council.
Council Member Enger stated he did not support assessing residents for business
enhancements even when they’re part of the development.
Mayor Kirsch stated he does not support assessing residents.
Council Member Ulrich stated she did not disagree with the other Council Members,
but wanted the public to clearly understand that these policies are reviewed. She said
discussing the matter at a worksession provides an opportunity for residents to provide
comments.
A representative of Bradley Operating Limited Partnership, owner of the HUB
Shopping Center, said the assessments put in place years ago were beneficial to the
businesses, but that is not the case any longer. He said it was not just an equity issue, but
that the pool is larger.
The City Council requested consideration of the matter related to special
assessments for 2002 maintenance services for 77th Street district and LHN district be
scheduled for the September 24, 2001 City Council meeting for Council action. The
assessments will be unchanged and not include residential properties or churches.
Item # IIDISCUSSION OF STATUS OF RICHFIELD OUTDOOR SWIMMING POOL
RENOVATION PROJECT
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer discussed the following:
x
Condition of the outdoor swimming pool and the lost revenue due to the closure.
x
The Pool Task Force seeking direction on hiring a specialized consultant to
develop a preliminary plan to include specific recommendations of needed pool
improvements, cost estimates and phasing schedule.
x
Possible funding sources identified in the capital improvement program, including
New Ford Town/Rich Acres park condemnation proceeds, special revenues and
donations.
Tom Rublein, Pool Task Force member, explained that the do nothing option was no
longer available. He suggested having an engineering team determine the best approach.
Nelson French, Pool Task Force member, said that there has been some shift in pool
usage because of the unattractiveness of the facility.
Special Worksession Minutes-
3-September 10, 2001
Council Member Ulrich said she supports the hiring of the engineering firm. She said
the outdoor pool is part of Richfield’s culture.
Council Member Enger said he would like to keep the pool open during renovation.
He stated support for hiring an engineering firm to determine plumbing needs and future
improvement needs.
Council Member Ulrich asked if a policy had been established on the use of the park
condemnation funds.
City Manager Orduno explained the status of the funds and stated that the
proceedings were not complete.
Council Member Sandahl said she supports hiring an engineering firm and believes
the costs are not insurmountable.
Mayor Kirsch expressed support for an engineering firm.
The City Council directed staff to report back to them with a recommendation for an
engineering firm and funding options related to the renovation of the outdoor swimming pool.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 5:44 p.m.
Date Approved: _________________
Martin J. Kirsch
Mayor
Cheryl KrumholzSamantha Orduno
Recording SecretaryCity Manager