02-24 Regular
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Council Meeting
February 24, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Maria Regan Gonzalez at 7:00 p.m. in the Council
Chambers.
Council Members Maria Regan Gonzalez, Mayor; Mary Supple; Ben Whalen; and
Present: Simon Trautmann
Council Members Edwina Garcia
Absent:
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Dave Anderson, Acting City Attorney; Neil
Ruhland, Communications Manager; Jay Henthorne, Police Chief; Julie Urban,
Housing Manager; John Stark, Community Development Director; Melissa
Poehlman, Assistant Community Development Director; and Blanca Martinez
Gavina, Executive Analyst;
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Regan Gonzalez led the Pledge of Allegiance
OPEN FORUM
No speakers
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/Supple, S/Trautmann to approve the minutesof the: (1) City Council Work Session
February 11, 2020; (2) City Council Meeting of February 11, 2020; and (3) Special City Council
Meeting of February 14, 2020
Motion carried 4-0.
Council Meeting Minutes -2- February 24, 2020
Item #1 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
M/Trautmann, S/Whalen to approve the agenda
Motion carried 4-0.
Item #2 CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
A. Consider the approval of a contract, not to exceed $226,439, with Kimley Horn and
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Associates, Inc. for preliminary design engineering of the 65 Street Reconstruction Project
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between 66 Street/Rae Drive and Nicollet Avenue, including the Lyndale Avenue Pedestrian
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improvements between 64 Street and 66 Street (Staff Report No. 32)
B. Consider the first reading of an ordinance amending Subsections 705.17, 715.05 and 720.07
of the Richfield City Code relating to sanitary sewer, water, and storm water utility billing and
establishment of a new Subsection 727 relating to the street light system (Staff Report No. 33)
C. Consider the adoption of a resolution accepting grants and donations received by the Richfield
Recreation Services Department in 2019 and authorizing the Recreation Services Department
to administer the funds in accordance with any applicable grant agreements and terms
prescribed by donors (Staff Report No. 34)
RESOLUTION NO. 11720
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF GRANTS RECEIVED BY THE CITY
OF RICHFIELD-RECREATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND TO AUTHORIZE THE
CITY TO ADMINISTER THE FUNDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH GRANT AGREEMENTS
AND TERMS PRESCRIBED BY DONORS
D. Consider the approval of the location of the Richfield Dog Park at Roosevelt Park (Staff Report
No. 35)
M/Supple, S/Trautmann to approve the consent calendar
Motion carried 4-0.
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT
Item #3
CALENDAR
None
Council Meeting Minutes -3- February 24, 2020
PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF THE ADOPTION OF A
RESOLUTION SPECIFYING THE USE OF FUNDS FROM THE URBAN
Item #4 HENNEPIN COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
ALLOCATION FOR 2020 AND CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION
REPROGRAMMING 2019 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
FUNDS (STAFF REPORT NO. 36)
Supple presented staff report 36 and opened the public hearing.
M/Supple, S/Whalen to close public hearing.
Motion carried 4-0.
M/Supple, S/Whalen to approve the resolution (1) authorizing the use of funds for the 2020
Urban Hennepin CountyCommunity Development Block Grant Program and authorizing execution of
a Subrecipient Agreement with Hennepin County and any required third party agreements;
(2) Adopt a resolution authorizing the reprogramming of 2019 Community Development Block Grant
Program funds from Single Family Acquisition and Rehabilitation to the First Time Homebuyer
Program and authorizing execution of any required agreements with Hennepin County.
RESOLUTION NO. 11721
RESOLUTION APPROVING REPROGRAMMING 2019 URBAN HENNEPIN COUNTY COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF ANY
REQUIRED AGREEMENTS WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY
RESOLUTION NO. 11722
RESOLUTION APPROVING PROPOSED USE OF 2020 URBAN HENNEPIN COUNTY
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS AND AUTHORIZING
EXECUTION OF SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY AND ANY REQUIRED
THIRD PARTY AGREEMENTS
Council Member Whalen recognized the importance of the first time buyer program. He spoke
to the personal experience in buying a home and the difficulties that come with it. He also stated that
he is excited to create more funds and support more community members.
Council Member Supple echoed Council Member Whalen’s comments as she stated that
many residents are paying in rent what they could be paying in mortgage. She continued to speak
about how buying a home is a great way for families to build generational wealth.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez communicated that she heard great interest and encouraged people
to listen to the HRA 2019 work in review session to learn about the robust and diverse programs that
support homeowners, small businesses, store fronts and landlords. She continued to say that there
are many programs that can support residents. Mayor Regan Gonzalez thanked staff leading in
Minnesota and the Twin Cities with programs like Kids at Home and many other cities are using the
same model to support children in their school.
Council Member Trautmann thanked staff for making this program a reality and wanted to
highlight the deferred loan rehabilitation program for seniors in the community who have fixed income
and feel like the only solution is to sell their homes. This program is a great solution to create
accessibility. He also stated that it is giving people access to create wealth as he estimated that there
Council Meeting Minutes -4- February 24, 2020
was a billion dollars of wealth created by homeowners and renters. He then referred to staff to ask
how the program is going.
Housing Manager Urban stated there have been a couple of adjustments but the max income
of 80% is set there. She stated there are limitations as the program is restricted by the amount of
homes for sale. The amount was increased as the numbers were not working well. Underserved
populations, out of the 8 households 6 were for households of color and 2 for people with disabilities.
They also partnering with NeDA and helping people get ready for home ownership and making sure
things are going well.
Council Member Trautmann mentioned that there has been a 20 to 30 percent increase in
home values, and asked whether the 10k to 15k, at this point is enough.
H
ousing Manager Julie Urban believed it is workable but it is about finding the correct
inventory.
Motion carried 4-0
) CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION GRANTING AN
(1
AMENDMENT TO THE MARKET PLAZA/VILLAGE SHORES PLANNED
UNIT DEVELOPMENT TO ALLOW A NEW BUILDING FOR A BANK
BRANCH WITH A DRIVE-UP ATM. (2) CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A
Item #5
RESOLUTION GRANTING A SUBDIVISION WAIVER TO ALLOW THE
CREATION OF A SEPARATE LOT FOR THE PROPOSED BUILDING
(STAFF REPORT NO. 37)
Council Member Whalen presented staff report 37.
Assistant Community Development Director Poehlman summarized the issues that were
brought up in the previous council meeting related to (1) Grading; (2) ATM requirements; and (3)
Parking agreements that would preclude any other agreements. She stated that the submitted
revised plan has added a vestibule, replacing exterior stairs with interior stairs. Chase Bank has
communicated an ATM is vital for people with disabilities and the Richfield Disability Advocacy
Partnership (RDAP) supports an ATM for equity and accessibility. She continued to speak that there
are no existing parking agreements that would preclude larger parking lots. However, Chase Bank
cannot build a larger parking lot. Assistant Community Development Director Poehlman said staff
feels this proposal has made an improvement and staff is in support of this project.
M/Whalen, S/Supple to (1) Approve a resolution amending the Planned Unit Development,
Conditional Use Permit, and Final Development Plan for Market Plaza / Village Shores; and
(2) Approve a resolution granting a subdivision waiver to allow the creation of a separate lot for the
proposed building.
RESOLUTION NO. 11723
RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AMENDED
FINAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
FOR A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT AT
6501 WOODLAKE DRIVE
Council Meeting Minutes -5- February 24, 2020
RESOLUTION NO. 11724
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SUBDIVISION WAIVER
FOR MARKET PLAZA AND VILLAGE SHORES
AT 6501 WOODLAKE DRIVE
Council Member Supple thanked staff because she believes the improvements make the
building more appealing.
Council Member Trautmann asked about long term use of the space if Chase Bank were to
ever leave the land. Assistant Community Development Director Poehlman confirmed if for example a
restaurant were to move in, they would need to apply for a new permit altering the use of the space.
Council Member Trautmann then thanked RDAP for being involved and helping him to
understand some of the necessities of residents with disabilities.
Council Member Whalen echoed Council Member Supple’s comments. He then spoke of his
conversations with members of RDAP and the different meanings of convenient. He continued to
speak about a few members of the Planning Commission that are interested in a discussion about
drive throughs. He wondered if it would be worth having a larger conversation about drive throughs or
if it will be a project-by-project basis.
Assistant Community Development Director Poehlman said there are stringent regulations in
the mixed used district, it is the staff’s perspective that we address the negative aspects of drive
throughs as opposed to banning them, senior populations benefit from drive through.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez appreciated hearing staff’s response and there may be additional
conversations. She also expressed appreciation to all staff has done and the improvements.
Motion carried 4-0
Item #6 CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Rodriguez had nothing to report.
Item #7 CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
M/Whalen, S/Supple that the following claims and payrolls be approved:
U.S. Bank 02/24/2020
A/P Checks 284829 - 285292 $ 1,398,980.51
Payroll: 152453 - 152791 693,731.19
TOTAL $ 2,092,711.70
Motion carried 4-0.
Council Meeting Minutes -6- February 24,2020
Item #8 HATS OFF TO HOMETOWN HITS
Council Member Supple spoke about the Beacons program which is a partnership with the
YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Centennial middle school and high school. She said it was fun to see the
kids enjoying the programming. She then encouraged everyone to go to their precinct caucus
tomorrow for the political party of their choosing.
Council Member Whalen reminded residents of the Presidential Primary next week. He then
talked about the new Safe Routes to School Coordinator, Will Wlizlo. Will is working with the Richfield
Police Department and Public Works to make walking and biking a safer and more viable option.
Council Member Whalen also spoke of the Sustainability Commission and the first meeting will be
Thursday. He continued with kind words of Paul Smithson, Wood Lake Nature Center Manager,
enjoying our community and spoke about conversations with constituents being proud of Richfield.
Council Member Trautmann encouraged everyone to attend the caucus, engage and meet
your neighbors. He then mentioned a tip of his hat to Council Member Whalen for sporting the spring
color palette in his ensemble.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez reminded residents of the event Friday, February 28 from 6-7:30 pm
put on by CLUES and MIRA. She also referenced Red Latina Understanding Behavior on Saturday,
February 29 from 9:30am-12:30pm. Lastly, she mentioned the necessity of building community and
the importance of the Census.
Item #9 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 7:39 p.m.
Date Approved: March 10, 2020
)ACLU1 , .,
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kelly l-QyZ—Z Katie Rodri uez
Senior Administrative Assistant City Manager