01-08 Special Work Session
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special City Council Work Session
January 08, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
The work session was called to order by Council Member Regan Gonzalez at 4:35 p.m. in the
Bartholomew Room.
Council Members Maria Regan Gonzalez, Mayor; Edwina Garcia; Mary Supple; and
Present: Ben Whalen
Council Members Simon Trautmann
Absent:
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Pam Dmytrenko, Assistant City Manager;
Neil Ruhland, Communications and Engagement Manager; Blanca Martinez
Gavina, Executive Analyst.
Item #1 STAFF WILL PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE SCHEDULE AND PROCESS FOR
THE 2020 COMMUNITY SURVEY, INCLUDING OPTIONS FOR CUSTOM SURVEY
QUESTIONS
City Manager Rodriguez reviewed the timeline for the Community Survey and spoke of the key
items such as options to expand sample size, the ability to offer the survey in Spanish and the ability
to benchmark. She then introduced other staff present and asked for feedback and any additional
preferences for questions.
Council Member Supple stated that questions thirteen through sixteen brought up issues that
are critical for the community and there is a need to do further research on them.
Council Member Whalen asked about question thirteen and the option of an electronic
newsletter and whether that is too specific and leaves out other forms of communication and if adding
email is a possibility.
Communications Manager Ruhland responded about future sources of communication and
stated there are a variety of ways that departments communicate, there could be a review of
information venues and that email could be added to the list.
Council Member Whalen spoke of the special media outlets and the distinct knowledge gap of
some residents. He believes it would be worthwhile to explore other options or have more specific
special media outlets and adding the Sun Current as an option.
Special Council Work Session Minutes -2- January 08, 2020
City Manager Rodriguez stated the National Research Center (NRC) could possibly add other
options for residents to be able to connect.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez questioned number thirteen and if those would be areas to add more
resources into depending on how the community responded. City Manager Rodriguez replied they are
attempting to record their preferences so there is not so much guessing.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez requested clarification on question fifteen. City Manager Rodriguez
explained they are trying to get feedback from their Sweet Streets campaign. Council Member Whalen
requested the question be worded differently and how will results be dealt with if they come back as
unsatisfied. City Manager Rodriguez will discuss with NRC about changing the wording.
Council Member Whalen referenced question fourteen and asked if there are no other projects
other than recreation projects. City Manager Rodriguez didn’t want to put recreation and streets
projects in the same question because they are not comparable projects.
Council Member Supple asked about the response rate of the survey. City Manager Rodriguez
stated that it is a very low return rate and over 2,000 are being sent out in hopes of receiving 500
back. Communications Manager Ruhland explained most people will toss it out with junk mail if there
is no incentive for filling it out. Council Member Whalen requested the option of purchasing a few gift
cards for a drawing to be discussed.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez questioned the information regarding health on residents and if there
is an option to take them out or change some. Assistant City Manager Dmytrenko stated there are a
few options around health services and this information can be attained through other means.
Communications Manager Ruhland spoke of how important it is to collect demographic
information in creating a good data analysis.
Council Member Whalen referenced question eleven and what the point of the question is and
why there is a jump from City of Richfield government to Federal government. City Manager
Rodriguez agreed to follow up with NRC for a response.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez questioned the statistical significance and the numbers needed. City
Manager Rodriguez explained NRC will send out the survey along with three reminders and if the
feedback numbers fall short, they will then weight it according to Richfield demographics such as age,
race, gender, income, and ethnicity.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez wondered if they could host a party or encourage community
members to assist residents in filling out the surveys. Communications Manager Ruhland clarified the
need for a truly random sample and reaching out directly to residents is not random sampling.
Executive Analyst Gavina spoke of the Spanish version of the survey being available online.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez asked about adding a question around organized trash hauling. City
Manager Rodriguez stated she spoke to Director Amy Markle and she expressed there could be
confusion with organized recycling and organics, which is different.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez expressed her excitement to procced.
Special Council Work Session Minutes -3- January 08,2020
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned by unanimous consent at 5:20 p.m.
Date Approved: January 28, 2020
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Maria Regan Gonz. z
Mayor
17WYrCUi &= " Katie Rodriguez
Senior Office Assistant City Manager