03-22-06 Special
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special City Council Meeting
March 22, 2006
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 1:12 p.m.
Members Present:
Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Fred Wroge; Bill Kilian; and Sue Sandahl (arrived at
1 :35 p.m.).
Members
Not Present:
Susan Rosenberg.
Staff Present:
Steven Devich, City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Jim
Topitzhofer, Recreation Services Director; Bruce Palmborg, Community
Development Director; Brad Sveum, Fire Services Director; Dan Scott,
Public Safety Director; Bill Fillmore, Municipal Liquor Operations Director;
Pam Dmytrenko, Assistant to City Manager; and Cheryl Krumholz,
Recording Secretary
Item #1
Mayor Kirsch welcomed everyone to the meeting and specifically recognized Nathan Wolf,
Mexican Consulate; Juan Matus, Consulate Staff Coordinator; and Monica Sanchos, Consulate
staff.
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer requested those attending introduce themselves
and state the organization they represented. Those present included Richfield Public Safety,
Recreation Services and Human Services staff, MIRA, Richfield Community Council, Richfield
School District, Bloomington Health, Human Rights Commission, Chamber of Commerce and the
Academy of Holy Angels.
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer stated the Latino community has a strong
presence in Richfield and Hennepin County. Richfield is trying to reach out and develop better
Special Council Meeting Minutes
-2-
March 22, 2006
relationships with the Latinos. The Mexican Consulate was invited to this community meeting to
provide their perspective on how to improve relations, understanding of the community, and better
access to services for people who moved to Richfield from Mexico.
Nathan Wolf, Mexican Consulate, St. Paul, Minnesota, discussed the role of the Mexican
Consulate. He explained that having a driver's license does not mean the person is documented, it
means the person knows the laws of the road.
Mr. Wolf continued with discussion regarding a documented and undocumented status. He
added the Latino businesses are the fastest growing and taxes are paid so there are contributions
to the nation, not just a seeking of services.
Mr. Wolf discussed the Consular Identification that is becoming more acceptable.
Public Safety Director Scott stated he visited the Consulate and the documentation required
by the Consulate to issue a consular ID was explained.
Municipal Liquor Operations Director Fillmore said that having one standard ID would be
helpful to the liquor stores because ID is required and there are many different versions.
Mr. Wolf explained the purpose of a business-type card distributed for use by the Hispanic
community with the United States authorities.
Mr. Wolf explained the required proof before a Counsular ID is issued.
Council Member Sandahl arrived.
A member of the meeting spoke about the immigration status issue and some of the
misconceptions and misinformation. She said there are many levels of enforcement authorities
and investigations can take a long time.
Gretchen Valdez, MIRA, asked about immigration investigations and how to check if they're
legitimate.
Mr. Wolf explained that investigations are sometimes gossip but their office can be
contacted to verify each case.
Council Member Kilian stated there is a language barrier and communicating is a two-way
street.
Mr. Wolf explained Mexicans are encouraged to learn English.
Edwina Garcia, Community Council, discussed immigrants paying taxes and that this is
encouraged because in the citizenship process, it is a show of a good faith interest.
Mr. Wolf added that paying taxes is encouraged.
A member of the meeting spoke about being told by the City that some I D is not acceptable
for a passport.
Mr. Wolf explained a passport is a federal document with completely different requirements,
of which the City has no control.
Special Council Meeting Minutes
-3-
March 22, 2006
A school district representative asked about a birth certificate being required at the
Consulate.
Mr. Wolf explained the requirements for someone born in Mexico, to obtain a birth
certificate while in the U.S.
Police Captain Fritz asked what types of proof are required for an 10.
Mr. Wolf explained proof includes a birth certificate, proof of nationality, expired passport,
proof of address - all of which are checked in data bases.
Camillo DeSantis, Richfield Community Council, asked about the Consulate role in the
documented vs. undocumented issue.
Mr. Wolf explained it is a federal issue and no concern of the local authorities.
Unfortunately, it makes the media news.
Mr. Wolf continued that according to U.S. law, someone without documentation is not a
criminal but rather just undocumented.
Wood Lake Nature Center Manager Shragg asked how the Consulate makes various
resources known to the Mexican community, including recreation activities.
Mr. Wolf said the Consulate would be glad to hand out brochures to try to be a bridge
between communities.
Mr. Wolf was asked to explain his background.
At 2:00 p.m. Council Member Wroge said he needed to leave due to a prior commitment
and thanked the Consulate and different groups for their time. A good process has been started,
one he hopes will continue.
Mr. DeSantis asked about Hispanics being a terroristic threat to the U.S.
Mr. Wolf said none of the terroristic acts in the U.S. have been done by people from
Mexico. What happens in the U.S., also affects Mexico.
A school district representative said Mexico does not have a free entry.
Mr. Wolf explained entering Mexico is very difficult.
Ms. Garcia said the term, illegal alien, is used by the federal government. The Mexican
community is very sensitive to that term. No one is illegal. People commit illegal acts. The
terminology is "undocumented people".
A Richfield school district representative said Mexican parents want to learn English so it
would be helpful for the Consulate to encourage them.
A Richfield Intermediate School representative said a central location to meet the needs of
the people should be established.
Pedro Rohas said Richfield has always been an open door for the Mexican community.
A member of the meeting asked about Richfield Public Safety accepting the Consular 10.
Special Council Meeting Minutes
-4-
March 22, 2006
Public Safety Director Scott stated it is not accepted at this point. He explained the
Richfield Public Safety process for assisting a person from the Mexican community to get
documents replaced by the Consulate when their information is lost.
Mayor Kirsch stated the City will follow the Police procedures but is looking for new ways to
handle situations.
A member of the meeting asked about the status of the immigration separation resolution.
Mayor Kirsch stated the City has not taken a firm stand on this issue and is waiting for the
State's response on this matter.
Public Safety Director Scott said the City Council directed City staff to build on community
relations.
Mr. Wolf stated the Mexican community is afraid of authorities and encouraged public
statements to comfort them.
Public Safety Director Scott discussed the next steps in organizing a community meeting
with residents.
Mr. Wolf expressed support for these meetings.
Mr. DeSantis said at future meetings there should be broader discussions because these
issues involve more than police enforcement.
Public Safety Director Scott stated the original focus on the documentation issue was the
police which increased police efforts to improve but he agreed with Mr. DeSantis that there needs
to be a broader focus. .
A Richfield school district representative said it appeared the best way to reach the
community was through the School District.
City Manager Devich stated that Public Safety and Recreation Services are the most visible
City departments at today's meeting, and he assured the group the entire City staff is looking at
these issues. He said the City would work with the School District to move forward.
Mr. Devich thanked the Consulate and all the represented groups for participating in this
meeting.
Council Member Kilian encouraged the Mexican community to consider volunteering to
serve on an advisory commission.
Mayor Kirsch extended a thank you to everyone for attending and encouraged the
continuation of building bridges of communication.
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 2:27 p.m.
Special Council Meeting Minutes
Date Approved: April 11, 2006
c~~
Recording Secretary
-5-
v L. Devich
City Manager