09-24 Regular
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Meeting
September 24, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Regan Gonzalez at 7:02 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Council Members Maria Regan Gonzalez, Mayor; Mary Supple; Simon
Present: Trautmann; and Ben Whalen.
Council Members Edwina Garcia
Absent:
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Mary Tietjen, City Attorney; Pam Dmytrenko,
Asst. City Manager; Neil Ruhland, Communications Manager; and Blanca
Martinez Gavina, Executive Analyst.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Regan Gonzalez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
OPEN FORUM
Richfield School Board Member Crystal Brakke and Richfield Public School Superintendent
Steve Unowsky, thanked Fire Department Chief Kewitsch, Chief Building Official Rick Regnier, all City
Staff, and the Council for their hard work to ensure Richfield’s public schools were open on time.
Candance Johnson, 6712 Pleasant Ave, from Richfield Social Justice Community or RSJC,
spoke about RSJC’s concerns on some of Richfield Police Department’s policies and the current
status of PMAC (Police Multicultural Advisory Committee).
Megan Fatheree, Richfield resident, commented about the communities’ desire to engage
more with the Richfield Police Department.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/Trautmann, S/Supple to (1)City Council Work Session of September 10, 2019; (2) Regular
City Council meeting of September 10, 2019; (3) Concurrent City Council/HRA/EDA meeting of
September 16th
Motion carried 4-0.
Council Meeting Minutes -2- September 24, 2019
PROCLAMATION DECLARING SEPTEMBER 15 TO OCTOBER 15 HISPANIC
ITEM #1
HERITAGE MONTH IN THE CITY OF RICHFIELD
Pablo Tapia, from Asamblea de Derechos Civiles, thanked the City Council for their leadership
and asked for the commitment of the City of Richfield to lead with equity.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez spoke to the role that Latino organizations have in the City of
Richfield.
Council Member Supple stated that the City should be celebrating the contributions of the
Latino community all year long.
Council Member Trautmann acknowledged the importance of the proclamation and also the
member of Latino Lives Matter who were sitting in the audience.
PRESENTATION ON THE ANNUAL MEETING WITH RICHFIELD ADVISORY
ITEM #2
BOARD OF HEALTH
Health Administrator with the City of Richfield, Jennifer Anderson gave an overview of the
annual meeting with Richfield Advisory Board of Health. Health Administrator Jennifer Anderson
noted the importance of public health and promoting healthy lives. Jennifer also gave praise to
Advisory Board Member Rose Jost, who won the Minnesota Department of Health Public Health
Award for 2018.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez commended Richfield’s Advisory Board of Health and highlighted the
importance of the municipally based Richfield, Bloomington and Edina Departments of Health, which
tailors to the needs of the local community.
PRESENTATION OF THE BREASTFEEDING FRIENDLY EMPLOYER
ITEM #3
RECOGNITION
Mayor Regan Gonzalez recognized members of the WIC Breastfeeding Coalition for their
efforts in promoting the importance of Breastfeeding.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez introduced Joan Bulfer, Health Specialist for the Public Health Division
to present The Breastfeeding Friendly Employer Recognition to Best Buy Co.,Inc. The recognition
was presented to two Best Buy employees: Lucie Cregeur and McKenzie Gaertner.
Council Member Supple shared additional comments from another Best Buy Co.,Inc.,
employee who stated their appreciation for the company’s flexibility and support of breastfeeding
mothers.
Council Meeting Minutes -3- September 24, 2019
COUNCIL DISCUSSION
ITEM #4
Hats Off to Hometown Hits
Council Member Whalen thanked everyone who made Penn Fest a success and shared
highlights of a meeting with community members about moving from affordable housing to equitable
housing. Council Member Whalen also noted his attendance to the Minneapolis Regional Labor
Federation event with elected leaders and labor unions. There were two reminders about the
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refrigeration project of the ice arenas and the school board election forum on October 5.
Council Member Supple shared appreciation for all the businesses, community members and
city staff that made Penn Fest a success. There was a reminder that the Department of
Transportation is holding pop-ups to do roundabout education. Council Member Supple urged the
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residents to take part of the Renovation Celebration on October 5 from 1-5 p.m.
Council Member Trautmann stated the importance to support the Wine Tasting Event by the
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Richfield Foundation on October 10 and urged the public to donate. The Council Member also
recognized all of the volunteers, city staff, organizations, non-profits and businesses that made it
possible. There was also a reminder to learn more about the ice arena refrigeration process.
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Mayor Regan Gonzalez shared two events on September 28. The first event of Workshop on
Know Your Right’s forum from 8:00-Noon, specifically focused for immigrants in the community with
free legal consulation, health clinic, vaccines, music therapy, activities for kids, mental health
resources. The second event was Stories Together with Miss Richfield, also on Saturday from 9a.m.
to 11:00 a.m. Augsburg Park Library.
Item #5 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
M/Whalen, S/Trautman to approve the agenda.
Motion carried 4-0.
Item #6 CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
A. Consider approval to renew the contract with the MN Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC)
through May 31, 2024 to receive federal grant funding for Public Safety/Police. (Staff Report
No. 108)
B. Consider approval to renew the contract with Chief's Towing, Inc., for Public Safety towing
services for December 1, 2019, through November 30, 2021. (Staff Report No.109)
C. Consider approval of a three year contract with Vitals™, for Public Safety and Fire
Personnel.(Staff Report No.110)
D. Consider the adoption of a resolution authorizing acceptance of Office of Traffic Safety (OTS)
funds for an extension on an original four-year grant to fully fund an officer dedicated for DWI
enforcement in Richfield. (Staff Report No.111)
RESOLUTION NO. 11653
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF
Council Meeting Minutes -4- September 24, 2019
PUBLIC SAFETY/POLICE TO ACCEPT GRANT
MONIES FROM THE OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY
IN THE AMOUNT OF $76,919.89 OR
A LESSER AMOUNT, AS AWARDED BY
THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY,
TO FUND A POLICE OFFICER DEDICATED TO DWI ENFORCEMENT
E. Consider approval of a Temporary On Sale Intoxicating Liquor license for the Richfield
Foundation's Wine Tasting event to take place on Thursday, October 10, 2019, in the atrium
area of Woodlake Center, located at 6601 Lyndale Ave South. (Staff Report No.112)
F. Consider approval of a contract renewal with Adesa Minneapolis for 2019-2020 for auctioning
forfeited vehicles from Public Safety/Police. (Staff Report No. 113)
M/Supple, S/Trautmann to approve the consent calendar.
Council Member Supple reiterated constituent Judy Moe’s support for the Vitals™ program.
Council Member Whalen stated his support for the Vitals™ program and the positive impact it
can have in the community. The Council Member also shared his support for the MN Internet Crimes
Against Children collaboration.
Motion carried 4-0.
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT
Item #7
CALENDAR
None.
CONSIDER ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE CITY'S
CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS HEALTH, DENTAL, TERM LIFE, AND
Item #8
DISABILITY INSURANCE PREMIUMS FOR 2020 FOR GENERAL SERVICES,
MANAGEMENT, AND LOCAL 49 BARGAINING UNIT
Council Member Supple introduced the resolution and highlighted that there would not be any
changes to the term life and disability insurance and only a 25 cent increase in the dental. Council
Member Supple welcomed Assistant City Manager Dmytrenko.
Assistant City Manager Dmytrenko referenced the timeline for open enrollment and details
about the City’s focus on employee health and wellbeing.
M/Supple, S/Whalen to adopt a resolution designating the City’s contribution towards health,
dental, term life, and disability insurance premiums for 2020 for general services management, and
local 49 bargaining units.
RESOLUTION NO. 11654
RESOLUTION DESIGNATING CITY'S CONTRIBUTION
TOWARD HEALTH, DENTAL, TERM LIFE, AND DISABILITY INSURANCE
PREMIUM FOR GENERAL SERVICES, MANAGEMENT, AND LOCAL 49 EMPLOYEES
Council Member Whalen stated his appreciation for the care and ongoing support of City
Richfield employees.
Council Meeting Minutes -5- September 24,2019
Council Member Trautmann commended Assistant City Manager Dmytrenko and Human
Resource Staff for their incredible work in the insurance acquirement process.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez spoke of their appreciation of Assistant City Manager Dmytrenko and
all the staff who support and provide input for the insurance designations.
Motion carried 4-0.
Item #9 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Rodriguez had nothing to report at that time.
Item #10 CLAIMS AND PAYROLLS
M/Trautmann, S/Supple that the following claims and payrolls be approved:
U.S. Bank 9/24/19
A/P Checks: 280811 -281264 $ 4,931,202.89
Payroll: 148845-149159-43060-43065 677,727.32
TOTAL $ 5,608,930.21
Motion carried 4-0.
Item #11 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:10 p.m.
Date Approved: October 8, 2019
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Maria Regan GonzP
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Mayor
B anca Martinez avina Katie Rodriguez
Executive Analyst City Manager