07-23 Work Session
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
City Council Work Session
July 23, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Regan Gonzalez at 5:00p.m. in the Bartholomew
Room.
Council Members Maria Regan Gonzalez, Mayor; Edwina Garcia; Mary Supple;
Present: Simon Trautmann; and Ben Whalen
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Pam Dmytrenko, Administrative Services
Director/Assistant City Manager; Kristin Asher, Public Works Director; John
Stark, Community Development Director; Amy Markle, Recreation Services
Director; Chris Regis, Finance Director; Wayne Kewitsch, Fire Chief; Mike
Flaherty, Deputy Public Safety Director/Deputy Chief; Bill Fillmore, Liquor
Operations Director; Neil Ruhland, Communications and Engagement
Manager; Kari Sinning, Deputy City Clerk
ITEM #1 DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED 2019-2020 GOALS & OBJECTIVES
City Manager Rodriguez gave a presentation on the goals and objectives that City Staff and
Council agreed upon. There was discussion on a few items to focus on such as equity being a staple
in all things that we do.
Council Member Trautmann thanked the City Staff for their work on this project.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez also thanked City Staff and advocates for the use of the City’s strong
suits to become a better community for all.
PROVIDE UPDATED KEY FINANCIAL STRATEGIES INFORMATION AND
PROPOSED 2020 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET (CIB) AND 2021-2024
ITEM #2
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIP) BASED ON COUNCIL DIRECTION AT
THE MAY 14, 2019 WORK SESSION
City Manager Rodriguez presented an overview of the budget schedule and stated that there
will be more information to come on August 27.
Finance Director Regis went over the capital improvement budget and capital improvement
plan.
There was general discussion about the prioritization of the City projects to help residents.
Community Development Director Stark shared the reasoning behind the HRA deficits in the
future.
City Council Work Session Minutes -2- July 23,2019
Public Works Director Asher presented the utility rates increase and stated that water usage
has been going down. Council Member Trautmann asked if there could be incentives for those that
use less water. Mayor Regan Gonzalez commended the City on its water and the residents should
know more about the water quality that the City of Richfield provides.
With the impending projects, there was discussion about the storm water run-off and where it
would go. Public Works Director Asher also proposed two different options for the increase of storm
water of which the Council agreed with a steady increase versus a variable increase.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez asked about organized recycling/organics and how that could affect
the residents. Recreation Services Director Markle explained the benefits of organized
recycling/organics for homeowners as the City would be able to negotiate a lower price with the
vendors. Council Member Trautmann urged for communication to the residents about the organized
collection.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez asked Fire Chief Kewitsch about the change in office staff. Fire Chief
Kewitsch stated that the additional staff will help with the amount of inspections that the Fire Chief has
to process throughout the City.
Council Member Supple asked about $10,000 that the Arts Commission has for public art and
where that money is found. City Manager Rodriguez stated that this will have to be looked into.
Council Member Garcia asked about $500 for each commission. Assistant City Manager
Dmytrenko stated that the staff liaison for the commission is in charge of the monies and she would
have to check on the procedure that is followed.
Council Member Whalen asked about Local Government Aid (LGA) and how that can be used.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez also asked about the history of LGA for the City. Assistant City Manager
Dmytrenko shared that the monies from LGA are not always there and the City cannot count on it.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez thanked City Staff on their work on the budget.
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:34 p.m.
Date Approved: August 13, 2019
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Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kari Sinnin. Katie Rodriguez
Deputy City Clerk City Manager