072611specialWS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
RICHFIELD Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
July 26, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Council Members Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Fred Wroge; Sue Sandahl (arrived 5:35 p.m.); Pat
Present: Elliott; and Tom Fitzhenry.
Staff Present: Pam Dmytrenko, Acting City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director;
Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation Services Director; Mark Hall, Fleet/Park
Maintenance Supervisor; Corrine Heine, City Attorney; and Cheryl Krumholz,
Recording Secretary.
Item # I DISCUSSION REGARDING ORGANIZED GARBAGE COLLECTION
Mayor Goettel invited Richfield haulers to address the City Council.
Bob Elliott, Aspen Waste Systems, Inc., favored the current collection to remain the same
because it provides a chance for a company to grow and prices to be competitive. He added school
buses and delivery trucks also impact the condition of streets.
Mark Stoltman, Randy's Environmental Services, opposed government managed collection
and would rather partner with the City to meet needs. He said larger companies have bigger pockets
than independents but may not provide better services. He added the environment does road
damage, not trucks.
Darrell Hoekstra, Waste Management, stated their corporate position is neutral. The Request
for Proposal could address some of the City's concerns and haulers by participating in the process.
Gregory Burt, Burt's Disposal, opposed organized collection because there should be a
freedom to choose the hauler and could result in some loss of employment. He suggested restricting
the number of licenses issued by the City if legally possible.
Council Member Wroge asked the company representatives if they negotiate prices with their
customers. They all responded yes.
Special Worksession Minutes -2- July 26, 2011
Mayor Goettel discussed sustainability, carbon footprint, developing a way to limit the number
of pick ups and increasing recycling.
Council Member Fitzhenry discussed dividing the City into sections and having haulers bid per
area.
Council Member Elliott said money does not drive most people in the community and
suggested waiting for the outcome at Maplewood.
Council Member Sandahl stated she has mixed feelings on this issue. She suggested
additional information as it becomes available be received on road and environmental impact studies,
business impacts and cost recovery and waiting for the outcome at Maplewood.
Mayor Goettel suggested organized hauling could be a way to have a "Push-to-the-Curb Day"
in Richfield which she believes residents really want.
Council Member Fitzhenry agreed to waiting for the outcome at Maplewood.
City Attorney Heine explained the State Statute requirements for restricting the number of
licenses issued by the City, which is a form of organized collection.
Council Member Wroge stated two years ago he originally favored organized collection but
has since changed his mind because there should be the freedom to choose and he did not want the
City to handle the administration of the service.
The City Council consensus was to direct staff to gather additional information as it becomes
available, monitor this issue in Maplewood and report back to the City Council, and explore the "Push-
to-the-Curb Day."
Item # 2 DISCUSSION REGARDING SIDEWALK SNOWPLOWING
Public Works Director Eastling reviewed the current City sidewalk snowplowing policy and
practices, policies and practices from other cities and possible changes to Richfield's.
Council Member Wroge stated the sidewalk snowplow does not clean down to the cement and
that residents could shovel sooner and do a better job.
Mayor Goettel suggested not shifting the snow removal to residents until better sidewalks are
in place.
The City Council consensus was to not change the current sidewalk snow plowing policy and .
practices and if residents request and City Council approves additional sidewalks in the City,
snowplowing of these sidewalks will be addressed.
Item # 3 DISCUSSION REGARDING HONORING ALL VETERANS MEMORIAL
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer reviewed the Honoring All Veterans Memorial
design drawings and cost estimate for the remaining work on the monument. The Memorial Board
requested the City Council consider providing funds for the remaining work in the form of a loan to be
paid back from future engraving proceeds.
Special Worksession Minutes -3- July 26, 2011
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer reviewed two cost estimate options— partial
completion with a four to five year payback timeframe and full completion with a longer payback
period.
Council Member Sandahl expressed preference for a full completion because payback
would be sooner if it were done.
Council Member Wroge expressed concern regarding maintenance and how the project
has grown since the original plan. He suggested completing the original design plan first and then
expanding because it may be more difficult to obtain proceeds in the future.
The City Council consensus was to have more discussion at a future meeting and include
more landscaping options.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:56 ,.m. /1 , - 4,,
Date Approved: August 9, 2011 1�
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Cheryl holz 'v L. Devich
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Recording Secretary City anager