10-11-05 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
October 11, 2005
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 5:30 p.m.
Members Present:
Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Bill Kilian; Fred Wroge; Susan Rosenberg; and Sue
Sandahl.
Staff Present:
Steven Devich, City Manager; Bruce Palmborg, Community Development
Director; Dan Scott, Public Safety Director; Betsy Osborn, Health
Administrator; and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item#1
Health Administrator Osborn stated that the City Council directed staff at a Worksession on
July 26, 2005 to prepare an action plan that supported a more proactive approach to handling
property maintenance issues within the community. She reviewed the contents of the action plan to
improve the current process.
Ms. Osborn discussed a proposed fall 2006 City Clean-Up/Drop Off Day at the Central
Garage site and a garbage hauler has shown interest in participating. She explained the
communication plan to notify residents.
Council Member Kilian asked about the cost for the City.
Ms. Osborn explained the only cost to the City would be staff overtime. The resident would
pay the hauler directly for certain items at the time of the drop off. The hauler will make the cost
attractive to drop off rather than pickup at the home.
Council Member Wroge suggested the hauler be asked about picking up items at homes if
there is a pre-payment. Some residents may not have the means to get items to the drop-off site.
Mayor Kirsch said that may be an opportunity for the Neighborhood Watch group to
coordinate hauling to the site. .
Council Member Kilian suggested the common ordinance violation sheet be inserted in the
"Welcome to Richfield" booklet given to residents at the time of homesteading. This may bring
additional attention to the ordinance since the same basic information is somewhat buried in the
booklet.
Ms. Osborn explained how staff will work with the Richfield Apartment Manager Association to
provide similar information to multi-residential tenants.
Special Worksession Minutes
-2-
October 11, 2005
Public Safety Director Scott discussed the City of Eagan's approach to nuisance-type calls
and recovering associated costs. Richfield's City Attorney is reviewing this process and a new
ordinance may be before the City Council at a future meeting.
Ms. Osborn explained a proposed pilot program to increase CSO hours.
Council Member Wroge asked about the number of single-family rental properties in Richfield.
Charging a fee for excess nuisance calls may offset additional staffing costs. He also asked about
increasing hours now when the season will be changing and some maintenance problems will not be
visible due to snow coverage.
Public Safety Director Scott stated additional staff and equipment costs are not included in the
budget.
City Manager Devich explained the pilot program will get going in the spring. He added that
with Public Works staff assisting in reporting maintenance issues, it may not be necessary to increase
hours.
Ms. Osborn suggested that with additional CSO hours, there may be a need to increase
clerical staff hours to process potentially more complaints.
Council Member Kilian asked about staffing when maintenance issues peak and then stay
good because residents are more aware of community standards. He said there could be one or two
years of inquiries resulting in a higher level of compliance.
City Manager Devich stated staffing levels are included in the budget process and come
before the City Council for approval.
Council Member Wroge complimented staff on a great action plan.
Council Member Kilian requested the City Council be provided with nuisance abatement
resolution statistics to assist in determining if the action plan is successful.
Item #2
This item was postponed due to time constraints.
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:25 p.m.
Date Approved: October 25, 2005
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Cheryl ruml1 Iz '
Recording Secretary