03-02-15 CC-SB Worksession CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
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Special Concurrent City Council/
Richfield School Board Worksession
March 2, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
The worksession was called to order by School Board Chair Toensing at 6 p.m. in the
Richfield School District Board Room, 7001 Harriet Avenue.
ROLL CALL
Council Members: Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Pat Elliott; Edwina Garcia; Michael Howard;
Present: and Tom Fitzhenry.
City Staff Present: Steven L. Devich, City Manager, Mike Eastling, Public Works Director;
Jay Henthorne, Public Safety Director; Mike Koob, Deputy Public Safety
Director; Wayne Kewitsch, Fire Services Director; Mike Dobesh,
Assistant Fire Chief; Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation Services Director; and
Pam Dmytrenko, Assistant City Manager.
School Board Peter Toensing, Chair; John Ashmead; Christine Maleck, Todd
Members Present: Nollenberger; and Tim Pollis.
School District Steven Unowsky, Superintendent; Michael Schwartz, Business
Staff Present: Director; Craig Holje, Business Director; Shirrie Jackson, Director; and
Pat Vaughan, Executive Secretary.
A discussion was held about providing free community bus transportation possibly in a
loop through Richfield for Richfield citizens to use for school functions, school conferences,
student sports, shopping, doctor appointments, etc. An issue for this type of transportation is
long term funding.
Superintendent Unowsky commended the City for their attention to code issues and
safe, affordable housing. Richfield is still in need of safe, stable, affordable housing.
Mayor Goettel congratulated the School District on their graduation rates which was
good news. She also spoke about issues of Richfield School District in areas of the City of
Edina.
The School District is now in negotiations with Park Nicollet to provide a free school
based health care center in the high school, and discussed what and who will likely be covered
in this facility. Mayor Goettel offered to write a letter of support for this project from her and the
City Council.
Council Member Garcia talked about the Forum for Mental Health in Youth taking place
Saturday March 14 from 9:30 — 11:30 am at the Richfield Municipal Center. The goal of the
forum is to educate and inform people about mental illness and to help reduce the stigma
surrounding mental illness. Peter Toensing talked about the merits of mental health first aid,
which is an intervention for a mental health event.
Council Member Fitzhenry offered his services if the District has any problems with
airport noise.
There was mention that major street improvements will be done. Mr. Unowsky asked for
advance notice so that school bus routes could be adjusted.
Early education and universal PreK were discussed. These programs are challenging
because there is no universal funding. Mr. Unowsky would like to see extra recruitment of
families in poverty. He said transportation is again a challenge.
Public Safety talked about a student felony level probation center located at the 287
building on 75th and Penn. Pending approval by the County Commissioners, the center will
open this spring or early summer. This is a 13 week program, and students are escorted to
and from the center.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:58 p.m.
Date Approved: March 24, 2015 `7
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•eb?'e Go--ttel, Mayor t
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Cheryl rumholz, Executiv=)Coordinator Steven L. Devich, City V anage