05-14 Regular
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Meeting
May 14, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Regan Gonzalez at 7:01 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; Pam Dmytrenko,
Administrative Services Director/Assistant City Manager; Jay Henthorne, Public
Safety Director/Police Chief; John Stark, Community Development Director;
Amy Markle, Recreation Service Director; and Jared Voto, Assistant to the City
Manager.
OPEN FORUM
None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Regan Gonzalez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/Whalen, S/Supple to approve the minutes of the: (1) Special City Council work session of
April 23, 2019; (2) Regular City Council meeting of April 23, 2019; and (3) Special City Council work
session of April 25, 2019.
Motion carried 5-0.
PROCLAMATION DECLARING JUNE 4, 2019 AS LEE ANN WISE DAY IN THE
Item #1
CITY OF RICHFIELD
Council Member Whalen welcomed Principal Lee Ann Wise, thanked her for her service, and
invited her to say a few words.
Council Meeting Minutes -2- May 14, 2019
Principal Wise thanked the City Council, Richfield Police Department and those she worked
with at Richfield Public Schools for all they did to her during her career.
Council Member Garcia shared memories of Principal Wise and thanked her for her dedicated
service to Richfield Public Schools.
Council Member Supple thanked Principal Wise for her dedication to the children and families
of Richfield.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez thanked Principal Wise for her leadership and read the proclamation
declaring June 4, 2019, as Lee Ann Wise Day in the city of Richfield.
PROCLAMATION DECLARING MAY 12-18, 2019 AS NATIONAL POLICE WEEK
Item #2 AND MAY 15, 2019 AS PEACE OFFICERS' MEMORIAL DAY IN THE CITY OF
RICHFIELD
Chief Henthorne spoke regarding National Police Week and Peace Officers’ Memorial Day
and discussed his experience in 2011 of attending National Police Week in Washington, D.C.
Council Members thanked Chief Henthorne and the Richfield Police Department for their
service to the city and its residents.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez thanked the Richfield Police Department officers, leadership, and their
families and read the proclamation declaring May 12-18, 2019 as National Police Week and May 15,
2019 as Peace Officers’ Memorial Day in the city of Richfield.
Item #3 RICHFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT BADGE RETIREMENT CEREMONY
Chief Henthorne thanked the men and women of the Richfield Police Department for their
service, and their families and communities of support. He discussed the history of the City’s badge
and the Department’s effort to design the new badge. Lastly, he presented Officer Devinn Metz with
the new badge.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Item #4
Hats Off to Hometown Hits
Council Member Supple spoke regarding the competition for Roosevelt Park’s basketball court
and encouraged residents to vote once per day to receive a new basketball court from the Minnesota
Timberwolves; and on Tuesday, May 21 at 6 p.m. at the Brooklyn Park City Council Chambers there
is a region-wide meeting on affordable housing for lower income residents, with emphasis on
universal design for everyone.
Council Member Whalen spoke regarding attending the Richfield High School musical and
thought they did a wonderful performance; the Friends of Wood Lake (FOWL) held a wonderful
fundraiser dinner that supports the nature center; he attended a tour of the upcoming Orange Line
that is bus rapid transit from Burnsville to Minneapolis, through Richfield; and attended the Bike to
School Day event held at Centennial Elementary.
Council Meeting Minutes -3- May 14, 2019
Council Member Trautmann spoke regarding attending the Friends of Wood Lake (FOWL)
fundraiser and enjoyed the event; and discussed summer camps that are held at Wood Lake
throughout the summer and encouraged parents to send their children.
Council Member Garcia spoke regarding a League of Women Voters event on May 18 where
they will be discussing the Orange Line and encouraged people to attend and learn about the project;
and the Richfield city-wide garage sale is taking place from May 16-18.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez spoke regarding the first Richfield farmers market is Saturday, May
18, from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Monday, May 27 from 2 to 4 p.m. is the Memorial Day ceremony at
Veterans Park; and she gave a brief update from State Representative Michael Howard on the status
of the legislative session, including local government aid, pension aid and transportation; and she
attended the Richfield Rotary’s little free library assembly event.
Item #5 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
M/Supple, S/Whalen to approve the agenda.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #6 CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
A. Consider adoption of a resolution authorizing the City to affirm the monetary limits on statutory
municipality tort liability. (S.R. No. 60)
RESOLUTION NO. 11622
RESOLUTION AFFIRMING MUNICIPAL TORT LIABILITY LIMITS
ESTABLISHED BY MINNESOTA STATUTES 466.04
B. Consider approval of a third amendment to the Site Lease Agreement at 7401 Logan Avenue
South between the City of Richfield and Sprint Spectrum Realty Company, LLC with regard to
the extension of lease renewal terms. (S.R. No. 61)
C. Consider approval of a Post-Issuance Debt Compliance Policy. (S.R. No. 62)
D. Consider approval of the Public Works Department Water Service Shut-Off Policy. (S.R. No.
63)
E. Consider approval of the Richfield Utility Box Wrapping Policy and adoption of a resolution of
support for the selected photographs to be used to wrap the Hennepin County-owned utility
boxes located at Penn Avenue & 66th Street and Nicollet Avenue & 70th Street. (S.R. No. 64)
RESOLUTION NO. 11623
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE PROPOSED DECORATIVE UTILITY
BOX WRAPS ON HENNEPIN COUNTY UTILITY BOXES LOCATED AT
PENN AVE/66TH STREET & NICOLLET AVE/70TH STREET
F. Consider approval of an annual request for a Temporary On Sale Intoxicating Liquor license
for the Academy of Holy Angels, located at 6600 Nicollet Avenue South, for their annual Holy
Angels Rock the Lawn event taking place Friday, June 21, 2019. (S.R. No. 65)
Council Meeting Minutes -4- May 14, 2019
G. Consider adoption of a resolution granting a Site Plan Approval and a Variance for a
restaurant at 6433 Penn Avenue S. (S.R. No. 66)
RESOLUTION NO. 11624
RESOLUTION GRANTING APPROVAL OF A SITE PLAN AND
VARIANCE AT 6433 PENN AVENUE S.
M/Trautmann, S/Whalen to approve the consent calendar.
Motion carried 5-0.
Council Member Whalen thanked the owner of the Tii Cup restaurant for being in attendance
and welcomed him to the community.
David Fong, owner of the Tii Cup restaurant, spoke regarding his business and was excited to
be back in Richfield.
Council Member Garcia asked staff about parking issues raised by some members of the
Planning Commission.
Community Development Director responded there is a balance between the regulations of the
city and the ability for the business to operate and stated staff did not have concerns for parking in this
area.
Council Member Trautmann asked to confirm if there were 13 parking spaces available.
Community Development Director Stark confirmed to the best of his knowledge there were 13
usable spaces available.
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT
Item #7
CALENDAR
None.
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE
Item #8 AMENDING ZONING CODE SECTION 537: MIXED USE DISTRICTS AND
SECTION 512: DISTRICTS (S.R. NO. 67)
Mayor Regan Gonzalez presented Staff Report No. 67.
Community Development Director Stark discussed that the Planning Commission agreed with
a majority of these changes that have to do with inconsistencies in the City Code. One item the
Planning Commission split on was parking standards and described the staff recommendation of the
spaces per unit and the discussion at the Planning Commission.
Council Member Supple commented that it was a healthy discussion at the Planning
Commission, appreciated the concerns raised, and thought the 1.25 spaces per unit was a good
compromise.
Council Meeting Minutes -5- May 14, 2019
Community Development Director Stark discussed the Lyndale Plaza Apartments at 64th and
Lyndale has a parking of 1.3 spaces per unit and has been functioning for years without complaint.
Council Member Whalen commented that the Henley Development was approved at 1 parking
space per unit.
Community Development Director Stark discussed that many of the recent developments are
from developers that plan to hold onto their developments long-term and it is in their best interest to
ensure there is adequate parking.
Council Member Whalen discussed having a broader discussion about parking requirements
in the code and that he thought it would be a helpful discussion.
Community Development Director Stark commented on the uniqueness of Richfield with the
mix of parking ratios that could be considered urban and suburban, which can create some conflicts.
Council Member Trautmann shared his appreciation for the Planning Commissioners for their
civil discussion on the topic.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez asked staff for clarification of the purpose of the parking minimums,
for those who may not have seen the Planning Commission.
Community Development Director Stark stated the reasons are to protect the neighborhoods
from spillover parking and that parking demand is met on-site. He stated there have been problems
with spillover parking in the past but they have been able to come back and find solutions.
Council Member Whalen thanked staff for reviewing the code to ensure that we are consistent
as it helps incoming developers know the standards and city staff in applying the standards.
M/Regan Gonzalez, S/Trautmann to approve a first reading of an Ordinance amending Zoning
Code Section 537: Mixed Use and Section 512: Districts.
Motion carried 5-0.
CONSIDER ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION AWARDING THE SALE OF
Item #9
$8,865,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2019A. (S.R. NO. 68)
Council Member Supple presented Staff Report No. 68.
Rebecca Kurtz, Ehlers & Associates, spoke regarding the affirmation from S&P Global Ratings
of the City’s AA+ bond rating and spoke to the results of the 2019A bond sale.
M/Supple, S/Whalen to adopt a resolution awarding the sale of General Obligation Bonds,
Series 2019A, in the original aggregate principal amount of $8,325,000; Fixing their form and
specifications; Directing their execution and delivery; and providing for their payment.
RESOLUTION NO. 11625
A RESOLUTION AWARDING THE SALE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION
BONDS, SERIES 2019A, IN THE ORIGINAL AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT OF $8,325,000; FIXING THEIR FORM AND
SPECIFICATIONS; DIRECTING THEIR EXECUTION AND DELIVERY;
AND PROVIDING FOR THEIR PAYMENT
Council Meeting Minutes -6- May 14, 2019
Mayor and Council Members thanked Finance Director Regis for his leadership in his
department and guiding the City’s finances.
Motion carried 5-0.
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A FACILITY DEDICATION REQUEST FOR A
Item #10 MEMORIAL GARDEN DEDICATED TO GERTRUDE ULRICH NEAR THE
RICHFIELD BAND SHELL. (S.R. NO. 69)
Council Member Garcia presented Staff Report No. 69, shared stories of Gertrude Ulrich and
discussed her legacy and impact on Richfield.
Recreation Services Director Markle also shared memories of Gertrude Ulrich and agreed that
this garden is a great way to commemorate her.
M/Garcia, S/Supple to approve a dedication of a memorial garden at the Band Shell Garden
Area to GertrudeUlrich.
Council Member Supple commented that Gertrude Ulrich is legendary to Richfield and a
mentor to generations and deserves this recognition.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez commented that Gertrude Ulrich, and other of the League of Women
Voters, was a community builder that paved a path for the leaders of today.
Motion carried 5-0.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Item #11
City Manager Rodriguez stated Hennepin County staff recommended moving Southdale
Library to Southdale Center and will be holding open houses on May 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. and June 8
from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Southdale Library.
Council Member Garcia encouraged residents to call Commissioner Goettel and ask her to
vote “no” to moving the library to Southdale Center.
City Manager Rodriguez discussed Council Member Whalen will be holding a listening session
on May 30 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Hope Church.
Council Member Whalen discussed residents were looking for more opportunities to engage
with council members and finding ways to do that in an approachable way. He stated he planned on
hosting these on a regular basis.
Mayor and Council Members discussed and agreed it was a good idea.
CLAIMS AND PAYROLLS
Item #12
M/Garcia, S/Regan Gonzalez that the following claims and payrolls be approved:
Council Meeting Minutes -7- May 14,2019
U.S. Bank 05/14/19
NP Checks: 277161 -277645 $ 1,849,976.72
Payroll: 145226 - 145543 633,611.96
TOTAL $ 2,483,588.68
Motion carried 4-0.
OPEN FORUM
None.
Item #13 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:42 p.m.
Date Approved: May 28, 2019
ft_ L ,(;\&)t.%
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
a4/
Ja(4d Voto Katie Rodriguez
Assistant to the City Manager City Manager