06-11 Regular
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Meeting
June 11, 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; Pam Dmytrenko,
Administrative Services Director/Assistant City Manager; Jay Henthorne, Public
Safety Director/Police Chief; Amy Markle, Recreation Services Director; Wayne
Kewitsch, Fire Chief; Melissa Poehlman, Assistant Community Development
Director/Planning and Redevelopment Manager; Rachel Lindholm, Richfield
GreenCorps Member; and Jared Voto, Assistant to the City Manager.
OPEN FORUM
Ruane Onesirosan, 2421 W 65th Street, spoke regarding the events at a Planning
Commission meeting on November 26, 2018, related to the NOVO project.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Regan Gonzalez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/Supple, S/Trautmann to approve the minutes of the: (1) Special concurrent City Council and
Housing and Redevelopment Authority work session of May 20, 2019; (2) Special City Council work
session of May 28, 2019; and (3) Regular City Council meeting of May 28, 2019.
Motion carried 5-0.
HENNEPIN COUNTY COMMISSIONER DEBBIE GOETTEL AND A
Item #1 REPRESENTATIVE FROM HENNEPIN COUNTY SHERIFF DAVID
HUTCHINSON'S OFFICE
Council Meeting Minutes -2- June 11, 2019
Council Member Whalen welcomed Hennepin County Commissioner Debbie Goettel.
Commissioner Debbie Goettel provided an update on a number of topics including the façade
improvement grant for Penn Avenue, youth sports grants, grant funding for swim lessons, the 66th
Street Reconstruction project, the 77th Street Underpass project, affordable housing, resilient studies,
an update to the County’s cost-sharing policy for road projects, and the County’s grants available to
cities.
Council Member Trautmann thanked Commissioner Goettel for her support of Richfield in
receiving the façade improvement grant that will have a positive impact on Penn Avenue.
Council Member Garcia thanked Commissioner Goettel for all that she has done and her
support of the city and the Richfield school district.
Council Member Supple discussed the Southdale Library and appreciated Commissioner
Goettel’s responsiveness to questions and issues that are being raised.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez reiterated the great work of Commissioner Goettel and commented
that she has been a great asset to Richfield and a great resident.
Rob Allen, Chief of Staff for Hennepin County Sheriff, spoke regarding the mission of the
Sheriff’s Office and initiatives of the department that include a wellness center for the Sheriff’s staff
and families being served, informing residents of the duties of the Sheriff’s Office, and discussed the
work of a Richfield police officer assigned to the Violent Offender Task Force.
Council Member Trautmann and Mayor Regan Gonzalez spoke about missing Sheriff
Hutchinson tonight but were thankful to see him at many events inside and outside of Richfield.
Item #2 GENE & MARY JACOBSEN CITIZEN OF THE YEAR FOR 2019 AWARD
Council Member Trautmann shared stories of the work Pastor Brice Eichlersmith with the City
and in the community and thanked him for his service.
Kim Jacobsen, son of Gene & Mary Jacobsen, presented the Gene & Mary Jacobsen Citizen
of the Year for 2019 award to Brice Eichlersmith.
Council Member Garcia thanked Kim Jacobsen for attending and remembered Gene and Mary
Jacobsen and discussed their investment in the Human Rights Commission and the community.
Item #3 HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION 2018 YEAR IN REVIEW
Brett Stursa, Chair of the Human Rights Commission, presented a review of the work
completed by the Commission that included a naturalization ceremony, Black History Month
proclamation, attendance at Penn Fest, and awarding the Gene and Mary Jacobsen Outstanding
Citizen Award.
Council Member Trautmann thanked Chair Stursa for her leadership and appreciated the
progress and agenda of the Commission for the upcoming year.
Council Meeting Minutes -3- June 11, 2019
Council Member Supple thanked the Commission for their work and welcoming new
commissioners.
SWEARING-IN OF CITY OF RICHFIELD POLICE OFFICERS KRISTIAN
Item #4
SCHULTZ-SANCHEZ AND ANGIE FIGUEROA.
Chief Henthorne welcomed staff, residents, and guests. He thanked the family members of the
officer in attendance and swore-in Officers Kristian Schultz-Sanchez and Angie Figueroa.
Council Member Garcia thanked all the family members that are in attendance and thanked
the Police Department for leading efforts to diversifying their staff.
Council Member Trautmann thanked and welcomed both officers and shared a story of an
interaction with Officer Schultz-Sanchez.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez welcomed and thanked both officers for serving Richfield, thanked the
families for their support, and shared a story of her ride-along with Officer Schultz-Sanchez. She also
thanked the other officers and firefighters in attendance to show their support.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Item #5
Hats Off to Hometown Hits
Council Member Garcia, Mayor Regan Gonzalez and the City Council thanked departing staff
member Jared Voto for his service.
Council Member Garcia spoke regarding the grand opening of the Richfield Bandshell on
Sunday, June 9, presented a slideshow of pictures, thanked members of the Bandshell Task Force
and Friends of the Richfield Bandshell for their work on the project, and thanked Recreation Services
Director Markle for her assistance in bringing it all together.
Council Member Trautmann spoke regarding the police and fire safety camp for children as
well as recreation events that began today and shared his appreciation all the opportunities for kids in
Richfield.
Council Member Supple spoke regarding a teen art show at Augsburg Library and the
Richfield Arts Commission selected Rowan Popiel as the Teen Arts Fair winner and discussed his
charcoal artwork; encouraged artists in the community to contact the Arts Commission if they are
interested in displaying their work at city facilities; she discussed a youth liaison to the Transportation
Commission that was leaving to go to college for civil engineering and invited students interested in
being a youth representative to apply in late summer; and yesterday the Council had a joint meeting
with the Richfield Public Schools School Board and invited residents to look into Community
Education programming including going to Valley Fair or roller skating or free yoga in the park.
Council Member Whalen spoke regarding the joint meeting with the Richfield Public Schools,
collaboration and joint initiatives, and the leadership of the School Board; and discussed getting to
know more commissioners and is impressed with those he has met.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez spoke regarding how well the grand opening of the Richfield
Bandshell went and is looking forward to it being used in the future; and discussed the joint RPS
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meeting; and invited residents to go to the city’s website to see all the events happening during the
summer in Richfield.
Council Member Garcia congratulated Neil Ruhland on his promotion to Communications and
Engagement Manager and discussed all the projects he has his hands in including social media and
the city’s podcast.
Item #6 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
M/Whalen, S/Trautmann to approve the agenda.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #7 CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
A. Consider approval of a Community Celebration Event license, with a request for the fee to be
waived, and a Temporary On Sale Intoxicating Liquor license for the Fourth of July Committee
for events scheduled at Veterans Memorial Park, July 3-4, 2019.(S.R. No. 76)
B. Consider approval of a Temporary On Sale Intoxicating Liquor license for activities scheduled
to take place July 4, 2019, for the Minneapolis-Richfield American Legion Post #435, located
at 6501 Portland Avenue South. (S.R. No. 77)
C. Consider adoption of a resolution amending a Final Development Plan and adoption of a
resolution granting a subdivision waiver for property at 6540 Penn Avenue. (S.R. No. 78)
RESOLUTION NO. 11629
RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AMENDED FINAL DEVELOPMENT
PLAN FOR A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT AT 6540 PENN
AVENUE
RESOLUTION NO. 11630
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SUBDIVISION WAIVER FOR 6540
PENN AVENUE
D. Consider adoption of a resolution granting a conditional use permit to allow a restaurant at
7120 Chicago Avenue. (S.R. No. 79)
RESOLUTION NO. 11631
RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A
TAKE-OUT ONLY RESTAURANT AT 7120 CHICAGO AVENUE
E. Consider adoption of a resolution granting a Conditional Use Permit to allow a school at 7132
Portland Avenue. (S.R. No. 80)
RESOLUTION NO. 11632
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO
ALLOW A PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL AT 7132 PORTLAND AVENUE
M/Garcia, S/Supple to approve the consent calendar.
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Council Member Whalen commented about his excitement for Reggae Foods coming to 7120
Chicago Avenue.
Council Member Trautmann seconded Council Member Whalen’s excitement.
Motion carried 5-0.
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT
Item #8
CALENDAR
None.
PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS REMOVING
UTILITY EASEMENTS WITHIN THE NOVO DEVELOPMENT SITE AT
APPROXIMATELY 66TH STREET WEST AND QUEEN AVENUE AND
Item #9 APPROVING A PRELIMINARY PLAT OF THE NOVO ADDITION THAT WILL
COMBINE EIGHT (8) PARCELS AND VACATED RIGHT-OF-WAY INTO A
SINGLE LOT, IN ORDER TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF A PREVIOUSLY
APPROVED HOUSING DEVELOPMENT. (S.R. NO. 81)
Council Member Trautmann presented Staff Report No. 81 and opened the public hearing.
Luci Peterson, 2500 W 66th St #308, spoke regarding his approval of the project and stated
his only issue is receiving limited communication from the developer and asked that the City Council
consider using his building as a pilot project to have the developer provide better communication to
residents.
M/Supple, S/Whalen to close the public hearing.
Motion carried 5-0.
M/Trautmann, S/Garcia to adopt a resolution vacating utility easements within the NOVO
development site at 66th Street West and Queen Avenue and adopt a resolution for a preliminary plat
of the NOVO Addition
RESOLUTION NO. 11633
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE VACATION OF A DRAINAGE AND
UTILITY EASEMENT
RESOLUTION NO. 11634
RESOLUTION GRANTING PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF A PLAT FOR
NOVO ADDITION
Council Member Supple clarified that Russell Avenue will be extended to 66th Street.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez reiterated the importance of working and communicating with
residents nearby, homeowners and apartments, although the city does not have purview over these
communications.
Council Meeting Minutes -6- June 11, 2019
Poehlman responded that it is correct there is nothing in ordinances that require
communication, but that staff always recommends developers proactively communicate. She informed
the Council know the developer is in attendance to speak to communication, if the Council requests.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez invited the developer to speak.
Todd Olin, with Bogart, Pederson & Associates, Inc. spoke on behalf of the developer,
Broadway Investments, and stated they are committed to communicating with the neighbors as they
plan to be a part of the community in the future. He commented the lack of communication was mainly
due to gap between the original approvals and now. The developer realizes they should have reported
to neighbors that things were progressing, even if they did not have other updates and they are
committed to improving their communications moving forward.
Council Member Whalen thanked the developer for their communication efforts and asked if
they have plans to host a meeting at Sheridan Court or nearby.
Mr. Olin responded that it might not be at Sheridan Court but they plan to hold meetings to
inform residents what to expect and when to expect it, regarding construction. After there is more
progress they will hold periodic meetings to share information.
Council Member Whalen asked the developer to ensure they make every accommodation for
residents with disabilities who live nearby.
Mr. Olin agreed.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez asked for staff to give a brief description of this motion and discuss
the next steps in the process for this development.
Poehlman responded the land use approvals for the apartment project were approved last fall
and these items tonight are more of housekeeping items. She stated their approval was contingent on
acquiring the property and combining the parcels. These items tonight are combining the properties
into a single parcel and easements are being vacated as they will no longer be used. After this, the
developer will continue to close on properties and then come into the City for their building and
demolition permits. They do not have a timeline on this but it will be shared with residents, as Mr. Olin
discussed.
Motion carried 5-0.
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CITY-WIDE
ORGANIZATION OF CURBSIDE RECYCLING AND ORGANICS HAULING AND
Item #10 FUNDING OF A SUSTAINABILITY COORDINATOR THROUGH A
COMBINATION OF RECYCLING SCORE FUNDS THROUGH HENNEPIN
COUNTY AND EXISTING CITY FUNDS. (S.R. NO. 82)
Mayor Regan Gonzalez presented Staff Report No. 82 and asked staff to share background
on this item, Richfield’s rate of recycling in Hennepin County as it compares to other communities, the
success of organics recycling drop-off program, and the difference between organized recycling and
organized trash hauling.
Recreation Services Director Markle discussed Hennepin County’s upcoming mandate to
require citizens to be offered curbside organics and discussed the options available to the City to fulfill
the mandate. She shared that Richfield ranks 39 out of 42 with rates of recycling. She also discussed
Council Meeting Minutes -7- June 11, 2019
the current organics recycling drop-off program that has over 700 households signed up. Lastly, she
discussed this topic is only organized recycling, not trash, and that in Hennepin County there are only
two cities that are not organized, Richfield and Eden Prairie.
Council Member Supple commented that she learned from the work session that 32% of our
trash is organics and thanked the Organics Task Force for their work.
Recreation Services Director Markle agreed that it’s interesting that almost one-third of our
waste can be recycled and stay out of a landfill.
Council Member Whalen commented that he hears about this issue all the time, especially
about the number of garbage and recycling trucks that are on the road. He thanked the Organics Task
Force for their research into this topic.
Council Member Garcia thanked Recreation Services Director Markle and Richfield
GreenCorps Member Lindholm, as well as the Organics Task Force, for their work.
Council Member Trautmann concurred with Council Member Garcia.
Council Member Whalen asked about what this would look like moving forward and the
logistics of it.
Richfield GreenCorps Member Lindholm responded that much of this will be determined
through a request for proposals (RFP) process. It is possible that recycling could show up on a utility
bill, like in other communities, and it is a charge that is on the utility bill instead of a bill from a hauler.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez commented about her experience serving as the liaison to the
Organics Task Force and appreciated all the information they reviewed. She discussed she is glad
they are moving toward organized recycling.
M/Supple, S/Garcia to approve the organization of curbside recycling and organics hauling
and the funding of a Sustainability Coordinator position to advance the work of organized recycling
and organics in the City of Richfield through education, awareness, and outreach efforts.
Motion carried 5-0.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Item #11
City Manager Rodriguez thanked Jared Voto for his service to the City.
CLAIMS AND PAYROLLS
Item #12
M/Garcia, S/Trautmann that the following claims and payrolls be approved:
U.S. Bank 06/11/19
A/P Checks: 278031 - 278337 $ 996,633.34
Payroll: 145869 - 146187 ; 43048 648,522.04
TOTAL $ 1,645,155.38
Motion carried 5-0.
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OPEN FORUM
None.
Item #13 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:49 p.m.
Date Approved: June 25, 2019
M.COA.Ct Ei41.
Maria Regan Gonzale2
M or
Kari S. Pam DmytreS
Deputy City Clerk Acting City Manager