09-10 Regular
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Meeting
September 10, 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; Chris Regis,
Finance Director; Neil Ruhland, Communications Manager; and Blanca
Martinez Gavina, Executive Analyst.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Regan Gonzalez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez led the council in a moment of silence in remembrance of the incident
that occurred on September 7, in the City of Richfield.
OPEN FORUM
Miguel Fiol, discussed the impact of trauma for many Puerto Ricans and Hispanics due to both
natural and external environments. He urged the City Council to maintain open communication and
transparency during the police investigations.
John Trepp, 1611 Minnehaha Parkway, Minneapolis, a member of NAMI Hennepin affiliated
with NAMI Minnesota, spoke about the mental health needs in communities and the role that local
officials have in ensuring that no lethal police force is used.
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Robert Cerny, 6737 4 Ave south, spoke about alternative use of de-escalation for the
Richfield Police.
Commissioner Debbie Goettel, 6525 James Ave South, spoke about the need to come
together as a community and ensure that there is support for families that were impacted by the
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incidents on September 7.
Council Meeting Minutes -2- September 10, 2019
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/Supple, S/Garcia to Approval of the Minutes of the: (1) City Council Work Session of August
13, 2019; (2) Regular City Council meeting of August 13, 2019; (3) Concurrent City Council and HRA
Work Session of August 19, 2019; (4) Special City Council; Meeting of August 21, 2019. (5) Special
City Council Meeting of August 27, 2019; and (6) City Council Work Session of August 27, 2019.
Motion carried 5-0.
PROCLAMATION DECLARING SEPTEMBER 8-14, 2019, AS DIRECT SUPPORT
ITEM #1
PROFESSIONALS RECOGNITION WEEK IN THE CITY OF RICHFIELD
Council Member Supple thanked direct support service professionals for their work and
commitment.
Council Member Garcia thanked direct support services professionals for the support they give
to families and individuals.
PROCLAMATION DECLARING SEPTEMBER 16-22, 2019 AS GIRL SCOUT
ITEM #2
SPIRIT WEEK IN THE CITY OF RICHFIELD
Mayor Regan Gonzalez spoke to her experience as a Girl Scout and the skills that are
developed through this community based program.
Council Member Whalen spoke about his admiration for the Girl Scout’s ability to increase
women leaders in community.
Council Member Garcia spoke of her experience as a troop leader and her commitment to the
development of young women.
PROCLAMATION DECLARING SEPTEMBER 8, 2019 AS WOMEN’S
ITEM #3
SUFFRAGE RATIFICATION CENTENNIAL DAY IN THE CITY OF RICHFIELD
Council Member Supple spoke to the importance of remembering how women received their
rights to vote and the sacrifices that were made.
Council Member Garcia spoke to the legacy of the Richfield Women League of Voters, and
their importance in raising leaders in Richfield.
Council Member Whalen commented on the critical initiatives from the Women League of
Voters in Richfield and their critical importance to creating inclusive communities.
Council Meeting Minutes -3- September 10, 2019
Council Member Trautmann gave commendation to the Richfield Women League of Voters
and spoke of the historical importance that have had on women voting, engaging and leading in their
communities.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION
ITEM #4
Hats Off to Hometown Hits
Council Member Whalen gave a reminder of the upcoming school board election forum on
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October 5 at 9 a.m., at the Municipal Center. There was mention of the Ice Arena refrigeration
project and residents ability to tour about the upcoming proposed project. In addition, Council Member
Whalen referenced the World Suicide prevention day on September 10.
Council Member Supple stated appreciation for the efforts from city staff to work around the
clock to ensure that Richfield schools open on time.
Council Member Garcia commented on the open house of Partnership Academy. Additionally,
there were comments made on the sealing of the bricks in the Bandshell.
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Council Member Trautmann commented on Penn Fest on September 15 on the West Side,
and the Independence 5k run during Penn Fest which raises money for the Independence College for
people with disabilities. There was also a mention about the Council Member’s participation in Night to
Unite and stated their appreciation for the Police and Fire Departments for their support of the event.
Item #5 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
M/Whalen , S/Trautman to approve the agenda.
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #6 CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
A. Consider approval of a Construction and Maintenance Agreement with Richfield Properties,
LLC (Audi Richfield), that defines ownership and maintenance responsibilities for certain
features constructed at 1401E. 77th Street in the City of Richfield. (Staff Report No.99)
B. Consider approval of a request for the temporary expansion of the licensed premises for
Davanni's, located at 6345 Penn Avenue South, to allow for the outside service of strong beer
on Sunday, September 15, 2019, in conjunction with Richfield's Open Streets at Penn Fest
event.(Staff Report No.100)
C. Consider the approval of the bid tabulation and award a contract to Michels Corporation for the
2019 Watermain Rehabilitation Project in the amount of $1,775,349.40 and authorize the City
Manager to approve contract changes under $175,000 without further City Council
consideration. (Staff Report No.101)
Council Meeting Minutes -4- September 10, 2019
D. Consider approval of the adoption of a resolution authorizing Amendment #1 to the partnership
agreement between the City of Richfield and the Minnesota Department of Transportation
(MnDOT) for the purchase/storage of salt through June 30, 2022. (MnDOT Contract No.
1030429) related to a 26% increase in salt costs for 2020. (Staff Report No.102)
RESOLUTION NO. 11647
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF RICHFIELD TO ENTER INTO
AMENDMENT #1 TO MNDOT PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT NO. 1030429 WITH THE
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE
PURCHASE/STORAGE OF SALT UNTIL JUNE 30, 2022
E. Consider approval of the 2019-2020 contract with the City of Bloomington, using public health
emergency preparedness grant funds distributed by a federal grant from the Centers for
Disease Control, to provide services in the area of public health emergency preparedness/bio-
terrorism and the development of a response system. (Staff Report No.103)
F. Consider approval of the amended rental agreement between the City of Richfield and the
Minnesota Magicians for use of a locker room, ice time for practices and games, concessions,
and alcohol sales. (Staff Report No.104)
G. Consider approval of a lease agreement between the City of Richfield and the United States
Postal Service for the use of fourteen parking spaces in the lower parking lot of the Wood Lake
Nature Center. (Staff Report No. 105)
H. Consider approval of a resolution supporting a joint application with the City of Bloomington to
the Congress for New Urbanism's 2020 Congress Legacy Project for the area surrounding the
Portland Avenue and I-494 interchange. (Staff Report No. 106)
RESOLUTION NO. 11648
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION
TO THE CONGRESS FOR THE NEW URBANISM
FOR A 2020 CONGRESS LEGACY PROJECT
M/Trautmann, S/Supple to approve the consent calendar.
Motion carried 5-0.
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT
Item #7
CALENDAR
None.
CONSIDERATION OF THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS TO APPROVE THE
2019 REVISED/2020 PROPOSED BUDGET RESOLUTIONS ADOPTING THE
Item #8 2020 PRELIMINARY PROPERTY TAX LEVY, SETTING TRUTH IN TAXATION
HEARING DATE, AUTHORIZING BUDGET REVISIONS, AND AUTHORIZING
REVISION OF 2019 BUDGET OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS
Mayor Regan Gonzalez welcomed Finance Director Chris Regis. Finance Director Regis gave
a presentation of the proposed the 2019 revised/2020 revised budget.
Council Meeting Minutes -5- September 10, 2019
Council Member Whalen asked how the 4.9% in the levy is not a 4.9% increase on tax on
property. Finance Director Regis stated that it depends on the market value of the property and tax
capacity.
Council Member Garcia thanked Finance Director Regis for his leadership and the
thoroughness, in addition to transparency during the budget process.
Council Member Trautmann expressed that the City of Richfield is going through the difficult
phase of taking on debt to invest in the aging infrastructure. Council Member Trautmann also stated
their appreciation for the sacrifices that have been made to ensure that these projects are done,
thanked Public Work’s Director Asher, City Manager Rodriguez, Finance Director Regis and all those
involved.
Council Member Whalen encouraged the public to listen to the work session in which directors
described the budget logistics, process and other useful information related to the budget.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez commended the work that Finance Director Regis to maintain the
balance between preservation and also thinking of expansion. Mayor Regan Gonzalez stated that the
pressure on the tax levy is for aging infrastructure and to maximize opportunities. Mayor Regan
Gonzalez asked for Communications Manager Neil to create communication methods in which budget
decisions can be easily communicated to the public.
M/Supple, S/Whalen to adopt the attached resolutions establishing the 2020 preliminary
property tax levy and proposed date for the Truth in Taxation hearing, authorizing budget revisions,
and authorizing revision of 2019 budget of various departments.
RESOLUTION NO. 11649
RESOLUTION ADOPTING A PROPOSED BUDGET AND TAX LEVY FOR THE YEAR 2020
RESOLUTION NO. 11650
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING BUDGET REVISIONS
RESOLUTION NO.11651
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING REVISION OF 2019 BUDGET OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS
Motion carried 5-0.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Item #9
City Manager Rodriguez welcomed Executive Analyst Blanca Martinez Gavina.
CLAIMS AND PAYROLLS
Item #10
M/Garcia, S/Regan Gonzalez that the following claims and payrolls be approved:
U.S. Bank 8/27/19
A/P Checks: 280450 - 280810 $ 1,668,921.38
Payroll: 148488 - 148844 ; 43059 631,604.58
TOTAL $ 2,300,525.96
Council Meeting Minutes -6- September 10,2019
U.S. Bank 9/10/19
NP Checks: 280046 - 280449 $ 2,416,245.42
Payroll:148111 - 148487 694,791.68
TOTAL $ 3,111,037.10
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #11 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:20 p.m.
Date Approved: September 24, 2019
Drtt 4-(j. 'Cc
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
: ' nca rtlnez G-W- Katie Rodriguez
Executive Analyst City Manager