07-26-05 Regular
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Meeting
July 26, 2005
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 6:31 p.m.
Members Present:
Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Sue Sandahl; Susan Rosenberg; Fred Wroge; and
Bill Kilian.
Staff Present:
Steve Devich, City Manager; Bruce Palmborg, Community Development
Director; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation
Services Director; Bruce Nordquist, Housing and Redevelopment
Manager; Pam Dmytrenko, Assistant to the City Manager; Cheryl
Krumholz, Recording Secretary; and Bryan Shirley, City Attorney.
No one was registered to speak.
Mayor Kirsch led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
M/Rosenberg, SlWroge to approve the minutes of (1) Reqular City Council Meetinq of July
12. 2005 and (2) Special City Council Meetinq of July 18. 2005.
Motion carried 5-0.
Council Meeting Minutes
-2-
July 26, 2005
Item #1
Mayor Kirsch invited Karen Shragg, Wood Lake Nature Center Manager, to explain the
events leading up to the appearance of Mr. Leslie on the David Letterman show.
Mayor Kirsch presented a certificate of recognition to Dave Leslie regarding his recent
David Letterman show appearance.
Item #2
Susan Rosenberg, Richfield Beautiful co-chair, announced the 2005 Landscaping Good
Neighbor Award top 16 recipients:
Judy Aim
Lynn and Gary Bolmgren
Dale Dockin and Lee Connelly
S. Miller and K. Grady
Joseph Krzyzaniak
Duke and Shirley LaBissonniere
Darlene and Tom Lund
Susan and Tom Luttenegger
Phil and Kris McWilliams
Julie and Jim Miller
Dan and Nancy Nelson
Dan and Christy Nickles
Sue Poore
Jim and Mary Suess
Gary and Diane Wiederhoeft
Ruth and John Wiegard
Mayor Kirsch stated that at an earlier City Council Worksession there was discussion
regarding property maintenance issues and the need for areas of improvement but this award
indicates a group of residents leading the way on excellent maintenance.
The City Council expressed their appreciation for all the efforts related to the awards,
especially Council Member Rosenberg for being on the cutting edge of ideas.
Mayor Kirsch announced the Top 5 finalists will be presented with an award and gift
certificate on National Night Out.
Item #3
Council Member Sandahl reported on the recent NOISE conference held in Eagan, MN.
- -~"':t:-:i'-;".)',;,~,~.,~._~;-~.. -.
Council Meeting Minutes
-3-
July 26, 2005
Council Member Wroge reported on his recent ride-along with Richfield Police. He said it
was a fantastic experience and it was a pleasure to see the professionalism of the Police.
Item #4
Mayor Kirsch removed Item 5D from the consent calendar and placed it on the regular
agenda for consideration as Item 6.
M/Kilian, S/Sandahl to approve the aoenda as amended.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #5
A. Approved canceling public hearing on July 26, 2005 regarding request for conditional use
permit to allow used car sales at 7720 Wentworth Avenue in general commercial zoning
district S.R. No. 137
B. Approved first reading of amendments to Richfield City Code Sections 500.05, 500.13 and
500.25, Subd. 1 to update and clarify subdivision regulations and schedule public hearing
and second reading for September 13, 2005 S.R. No. 138
C. Approved authorizing lease for antenna space on Penn Avenue water tower to Sprint
Spectrum, L.P. S.R. No. 139
D. Removed from the consent calendar and placed on the regular agenda for consideration as
Item 6.
E. Approved submitting federal TEA-21 transportation grant application S.R. No. 141
F. Approved award of contract to Effective Golf Course Systems for marketing analysis study
for proposed golf practice facility in Richfield in amount of $2,950 S.R. No. 142
M/Kilian, S/Sandahl to approve the Consent Calendar as amended.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #6
50. Consideration of approval of petition and waiver agreement with Mainstreet
Village, 7601 Lyndale Avenue S.R. No. 140
Council Member Wroge presented Staff Report No. 140 regarding consideration of an
approval of a petition and waiver agreement with Mainstreet Village at 7601 Lyndale Avenue.
Council Member Wroge said he had a problem with the City paying for this improvement
because the contractor and architect should be responsible to resolve the public nuisance of water
and ice on the sidewalk. The City ordinance states that when the building owner, contractor and
Council Meeting Minutes
-4-
July 26, 2005
architect create the public nuisance, they should fix it. This is potentially setting up others to return
to the City to correct their problems.
Council Member Wrage said he visited the site and the maintenance person indicated a
number of construction-related issues with the building that are unrelated to the water drainage
outside.
Public Works Director Eastling stated Twin City Christian Home has raised an issue of their
being responsible for paying for this improvement. He explained the sidewalk was not there when
the building was constructed and the developer has some uncertainty with the building being right
up to the City sidewalk so a 50/50 split of the cost appeared to be the solution. Drainage issues are
handled on a case-by-case basis since there are no exact rules. The storm sewer drainage fee
would be the City's funding source.
Mayor Kirsch asked about the City's liability when paying for the improvement.
Public Works Director Eastling said it is on the right-of-way so the drainage should be
placed underground. The architect thought there would be more space available for drainage. It's
a 10' sidewalk and there needs to be space for snow storage.
Council Member Kilian asked what work would be performed.
Public Works Director Eastling explained how the drainage would be installed and improved.
Council Member Kilian asked about installing a sidewalk grate.
Public Works Director Eastling responded there would be a potential frost problem and the
more conservative approach is to get the water underground.
Council Member Sandahl stated that while she doesn't want to set a precedent, you learn
from the glitches and this could be a liability for both sides. She expressed support for the split cost
with the City's portion paid from the storm sewer drainage fee. This type of drainage issue should
be considered in future construction.
Council Member Wroge said it appears the City is just walking away from the responsibility
of the contractor and architect. The sidewalk was in the plan so this should not have been a
surprise. This is a misuse of tax dollars because the owner is liable for creating the public
nuisance.
Council Member Kilian said the improvement needs to be done by winter. Going to court
would cost much more in attorney fees than splitting the cost of the improvement.
M/Sandahl, S/Kilian to approve the Petition and Waiver Aoreement with Mainstreet Villaoe.
Motion carried 4-1. 0Nroge opposed.)
Item #7
Council MemberWroge presented Staff Report No. 143 regarding consideration of a
purchase of Engineering Services from Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik and Associates, Inc. to
prepare plans and specifications for roofing improvements at City Hall. The roof options include:
Council Meeting Minutes
-5-
July 26, 2005
Option 1: Continue to patch the roof as it leaks.
Option 2: The City can overlc:tytbe existing roof with a rubber membrane, which
would have a life expectancy of 10 years and cap the parapet with metal for an
estimated cost of $190,000 to $200,000.
Option 3: The City can fix the parapet and overlay the existing roof with a rubber
membrane in sections doing the worst areas first over a period of years. The roof is
divided into four separate sections.
Option 4: The City could do the original replacement budgeted in 2003 of an
asphalt roof with a life expectancy of 20 plus years for an estimated cost of
$350,000.
Public Works Director Eastling stated that staff believes Option 1 should not be pursued.
City Manager Devich added that a 20-year roof would not be practical if a new City Hall is
truly going to be built.
Council Member Wroge asked what areas in the building are leaking.
Public Works Director Eastling explained the Public Safety area is the worst so at least one-
half of the roof should be repaired.
Council Member Kilian said a 10-year roof seemed more practical. He asked about the cost
range for Option 3.
Public Works Director Eastling explained the cost for doing the four sections of the roof.
The cost would be higher if only some sections would be done versus the entire roof.
Council Member Sandahl asked if all four sections of the roof were leaking.
Public Works Director Eastling said two sections are leaking substantially, the other two are
not showing as many signs.
Council Member Kilian said it was a toss of the dice because it depends on how quickly a
new City Hall is built.
M/Wroge, S/Kilian to direct staff to obtain an accurate estimate for Option 3 usino a
consultant and returnino to the City Council for a decision at their Auoust 9 meetina.
Council Member Wroge asked about using a consultant versus a roofing company.
Public Works Director Eastling explained an engineer not a contractor is needed because of
the roof membrane and structural issues.
City Manager Devich added the investment of $200,000 requires bid specifications.
Council Member Sandahl said a consultant should be hired and then a decision made on
the roof.
Public Works Director Eastling suggested an Option 5 for the preparation of specifications
for the entire roof and a bid process for sections as desired and returning to the City Council at their
August 9, 2005 meeting for a decision.
Council Members Wroge and Kilian withdrew the motion.
M/Wroge, S/Sandahl to table further discussion on the City Hall roofino improvements. direct
staff to oather additional information and return to the City Council for a decision at the Auoust 9.
2005 City Council meetino.
Council Meeting Minutes
-6-
July 26, 2005
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #8
Council Member Sandahl presented Staff Report No. 144 regarding consideration of
appointments to the Richfield City Hall Advisory Task Force.
M/Sandahl, SlWroge to appoint the followina individuals to serve on the City Hall Advisorv
Task Force:
Dick Franzmeier
John Bareai
John Biostad
Jennifer Verbruaae
Scott Heddle
Jav Hermann
Tom Pittz
Tom Rublein
Rick Jabs
Dick Huahes
Joel Merriam
Weslev Smith
Josephine Pufpaff
A Plannina Commission representative; a Community Services Commission representative;
and a City Hall emplovee who resides in Richfield;
Rick Jabs to Chair the first meetina;
Council Member Wroae to serve as City Council liaison as a non-votina member.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #9
City Manager Devich reported on the following:
. Minneapolis-St. Paul airport operations and comparison of noise monitoring
measurements.
. NOISE conference in Eagan, including discussions with Professor Ian Waitz of MIT
regarding low frequency noise study data.
. Newsletter regarding 66th Street/Portland Avenue and 66th Street/17th Avenue proposed
intersection improvements.
Public Works Director Eastling reviewed the newsletter.
Council Member Sandahl requested information on other roundabouts be available at
open houses.
Council Member Wroge suggested a real-time video indicating actual use of roundabouts
also be available.
Item #10
Council Meeting Minutes
-7-
July 26, 2005
M/Rosenberg, S/Sandahl that the followinQ claims and pavrolls be approved:
M & I BANK
AlP Checks: 141755 - 142089
PAYROLL 21988-22401,39735 - 39739
TOTAL
$ 1,066,034.62
$ 494,159.90
$ 1,560,194.52
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #11
The City Council meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 7:37 p.m.
Date Approved: August 9, 2005
fl,~~
Cheryl K umhol
Recording Secretary