04-09 Regular
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Meeting
April 9, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Regan Gonzalez at 7:00 p.m. in the Council
Chambers.
Council Members Maria Regan Gonzalez, Mayor; Mary Supple; Edwina Garcia; Simon
Present: Trautmann; and Ben Whalen.
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Mary Tietjen, City Attorney; Jay Henthorne,
Police Chief; Kristin Asher, Public Works Director; Chris Regis, Finance
Director; Kris Weiby, Facilities Manager; Logan Vlasaty, Civil Engineer; and
Jared Voto, Executive Aide/Analyst.
OPEN FORUM
None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Regan Gonzalez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/Regan Gonzalez, S/Supple to approve the minutes of the: (1) Special concurrent City
Council, HRA, and Planning Commission work session of March 26, 2019; and (2) Regular City
Council meeting of March 26, 2019.
Motion carried 5-0.
PROCLAMATION: NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS
Item #1
WEEK (APRIL 14-20)
Chief Henthorne introduced Tony Martin, PSAP Manager with the City of Edina. Mr. Martin
spoke regarding the work of the 911 dispatchers who work hand-in-hand with the Richfield Police and
Fire Departments.
Council Meeting Minutes -2- April 9, 2019
Council Member Garcia stated her appreciation for the work that the dispatchers do for the
city’s residents.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez read the proclamation aloud and presented it to Mr. Martin.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Item #2 Hats Off to Hometown Hits
Attending the Richfield Red, White & Blue Days Parade (4th of July)
Council Member Garcia spoke regarding Mayor Regan Gonzalez visiting her high school in
Janesville, Wisconsin, and received a plaque celebrating her achievements; the possible upcoming
snowfall predicted for Thursday; offered her condolences to the family of Tom Rublein who passed
away recently, and discussed his contributions to Richfield. She said a memorial service would take
place on April 13 from 5-6 p.m. at Cremation Society of MN on France Ave.
Council Member Supple offered her condolences to the family of Tom Rublein and spoke
about her memories of him and how he tried to make the world a better place.
Council Member Trautmann offered his condolences to the family of Tom Rublein; and also
remembered his grandmother, Rosa Margarita Cordova, who recently passed away. A memorial
service will be held on April 20 at 10 a.m. at Straitgate Church in Minneapolis.
Council Member Supple thanked the Richfield Rotary for providing a free library to the
Richfield Arts Commission that will be located near the Richfield Band Shell and they are building free
libraries on May 11 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. (more information on their Facebook page); thanked the
community who help clean up our parks and mentioned the City of Richfield staff and commission
members are doing a clean-up of Veterans Park on Tuesday, April 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and
spoke regarding a D Line tour hosted by the Metropolitan Council that she attended and discussed
the bus rapid transit (BRT) line.
Council Member Whalen spoke regarding the Richfield Arts Commission and Friendship City
Commission’s co-hosted event at the Community Center and the photographs are still on display
through May; the Community Wellness Expo is in the morning on April 13 at the Richfield High
School; and the Friends of Wood Lake is hosting their annual fundraising dinner on April 26 and
encouraged people to get their tickets.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez offered her condolences to the Rublein family and Trautmann family;
and spoke regarding her opportunity to meet and talk with Richfield police officers; on July 27 the
Urban Wildland 5K and half marathon is taking place and encouraged people to sign-up; the
rescheduled State of the Community is taking place on April 11 and encouraged everyone to attend
(even if it snows); and discussed the upcoming Red, White & Blue Days and encouraged everyone to
attend.
Item #3 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
M/Supple, S/Whalen to approve the agenda.
Motion carried 5-0.
Council Meeting Minutes -3- April 9, 2019
Item #4 CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
A. Consider adoption of a resolution to support the Metro Transit D Line Bus Rapid Transit
Project and the stops within Richfield along Portland Avenue at 66th, 70th, 73rd, and 77th
Streets. (S.R. No. 50)
RESOLUTION NO. 11618
RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE METRO D LINE PROJECT
B. Consider adoption of a resolution authorizing Recreation Services staff to accept a $25,000
outdoor recreation grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for
improvements to a dock and boardwalk at Wood Lake Nature Center and execute agreements
necessary to complete the project. (S.R. No. 51)
RESOLUTION NO. 11619
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RECREATION SERVICES STAFF TO
ACCEPT A $25,000 OUTDOOR RECREATION GRANT FROM THE
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR
IMPROVEMENTS TO A DOCK AND BOARDWALK AT WOOD LAKE
NATURE CENTER AND EXECUTE AGREEMENTS NECESSARY TO
COMPLETE THE PROJECT
M/Garcia, S/Trautmann to approve the consent calendar.
Motion carried 5-0.
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT
Item #5
CALENDAR
None.
CONSIDER ACCEPTANCE OF A BID TABULATION AND APPROVE AWARD
OF A CONTRACTS FOR THE CITYWIDE WATER METER REPLACEMENT
PROJECT TO CORE AND MAIN LP FOR SCHEDULE A WORK FOR $2,808,741
Item #6 AND VANGUARD UTILITY SERVICE, INC. FOR SCHEDULE B AND SCHEDULE
D WORK FOR $1,070,677.45 AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO
APPROVE CONTRACT CHANGES UP TO $175,000 WITHOUT FURTHER CITY
COUNCIL CONSIDERATION. (S.R. NO. 52)
Council Member Supple presented Staff Report No. 52
Public Works Director Asher commented that with the approval of this item they will start a
pilot program in May to ensure the communication process meets the City’s needs and after that is
successfully implemented will roll it out to a larger area of the city.
Council Meeting Minutes -4- April 9, 2019
Mayor Regan Gonzalez asked about the benefits of these new meters and their additional
features.
Public Works Director Asher responded that the selected meters will have a high accuracy
rate, assist with leak detection, and the City can read the meters on a more frequent basis because
they will not have to drive every street. There will also be a platform for residents to check their water
usage.
Council Member Trautmann thanked Public Works staff for their work and shared his
appreciation with their work and is looking forward to the upgrade.
Public Works Director Asher added the technology allowing residents to see their water usage
will allow the department to communicate with residents, via text or email if residents sign up, allowing
areas that are impacted by water main breaks, or other notifications, to be notified.
M/Supple, S/Whalen to accept the bid tabulation and approve award of contracts for the
Citywide Water Meter Replacement project to Core and Main LP for Schedule A work for $2,808,741
and Vanguard Utility Service, Inc. for Schedule B and Schedule D work for $1,070,677.45 and
authorize the City Manager to approve contract changes up to $175,000 without further City Council
consideration.
Motion carried 5-0.
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF: FINAL DESIGN PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
FOR THE LYNDALE AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT FROM 66TH
STREET TO 76TH STREET; AND THE BID TABULATION AND AWARD OF
Item #7 CONTRACT TO R.L. LARSON EXCAVATING, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF
$10,672,483.27 AND AUTHORIZATION OF THE CITY MANAGER TO APPROVE
CONTRACT CHANGES UNDER $175,000 WITHOUT FURTHER CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION. (S.R. NO. 53)
Council Member Whalen presented Staff Report No. 53.
City Engineer Pearson presented an overview of the Lyndale Avenue Reconstruction project.
Council Member Supple asked for clarification if on-street parking north of 67th Street was on
both sides of the street.
City Engineer Pearson responded it would be on both sides of the street.
Council Member Supple thanked staff for receiving resident’s concerns and making
appropriate adjustments to the design.
Council Member Garcia commended staff for following through with meeting with residents,
hearing their concerns, and the final product will look beautiful.
Council Member Trautmann thanked residents for their feedback on the project, commented
on saving trees in the corridor, discussed the process for these major reconstructions and looking into
the future of the area, and commented on the positives of roundabouts.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez commented she is looking forward to this reconstruction and making
Lyndale Ave safer for everyone.
Council Meeting Minutes -5- April 9, 2019
Council Member Whalen commented he was impressed by the residents and staff working
together to make sure this project meets the needs of the corridor, up to the individual lots.
M/Whalen, S/Trautmann to approve the final design plans and specifications for the Lyndale
Avenue Reconstruction Project from 66th Street to 76th Street.
Motion carried 5-0.
M/Whalen, S/Supple to approve the bid tabulation and award of contract to R.L. Larson
Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $10,672,483.27 and authorize the City Manager to approve contract
changes up to $175,000 without further City Council consideration.
Motion carried 5-0.
CONSIDER ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE SALE OF
Item #8
$8,865,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2019A. (S.R. NO. 54)
Mayor Regan Gonzalez presented Staff Report No. 54.
Finance Director Regis provided an overview of the bond sale.
Council Member Supple commented that she reviewed the capital improvement budget and
financing plans and stated she supported the reduction of the par amount through the use of LGA and
is looking forward to the upcoming work sessions related to balancing the long-term needs with our
ability to pay.
Council Member Garcia commented on improving clarity on the budget and we are healthy
financially when looking into the future.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez asked City Manager Rodriguez to share some details on looking into
the budget in the future.
City Manager Rodriguez discussed goal setting and discussing finances at a meeting on May
14 and also having additional meetings to go over the budget.
Council Member Trautmann commented discussing the budget is a timely conversation and
investing in our infrastructure pays dividends throughout the city.
Council Member Whalen commented on the conversation on the budget, capital planning, and
upcoming projects for public works and recreation that are needed while minimizing the impact on
residents and the tax levy.
M/Regan Gonzalez, S/Supple to adopt a resolution providing for the sale of $8,865,000
General Obligation Bonds, Series 2019A.
RESOLUTION NO. 11620
RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE SALE OF $8,865,000 GENERAL
OBLIGATIONS BONDS, SERIES 2019A
Motion carried 5-0.
Council Meeting Minutes -6- April 9, 2019
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A FACILITY DEDICATION REQUEST TO
Item #9 DEDICATE THE STAGE OF THE RICHFIELD COMMUNITY BAND SHELL TO
THE PETERSON FAMILY. (S.R. NO. 55)
Council Member Garcia presented Staff Report No. 55 and discussed the work in making the
band shell a reality and the importance of remembering those who have contributed to Richfield.
M/Garcia, S/Trautmann to approve a facility dedication request to dedicate the stage of the
Richfield Community Band Shell to the Peterson Family.
Motion carried 5-0.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Item #10
City Manager Rodriguez asked Council if they would like to participate in the Red, White &
Blue Days parade.
Council Members discussed and agreed to participate in the Richfield Red, White & Blue Days
parade.
CLAIMS AND PAYROLLS
Item #11
M/Garcia, S/Whalen that the following claims and payrolls be approved:
U.S. Bank 04/09/19
A/P Checks: 276386 - 276767 $ 1,451,392.15
Payroll: 144588 - 144906; 43047 675,739.38
TOTAL $ 2,127,131.53
Motion carried 5-0.
OPEN FORUM
None.
Item #12 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:43 p.m.
Council Meeting Minutes -7- April 9,2019
Date Approved: April 23, 2019
maAvA 3'G
Maria Regan Gonzale
Mayor
J d Voto Katie Rodriguez
Executive Aide/Analyst City Manager