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05-26-2020 CC CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Richfield, Minnesota Regular CouncilMeeting Virtual Meeting held via WebEx May 26, 2020 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Maria Regan Gonzalez at 7:01 p.m. via WebEx. Council Members Maria Regan Gonzalez, Mayor; Mary Supple; Ben Whalen; Edwina Garcia; and Present: Simon Trautmann Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Julie Eddington, Attorney (stand-in for City Attorney Mary Tietjen); John Stark, Community Development Director; Julie Urban, Housing Manager; Kristin Asher, Public Works Director; Joe Powers, Assistant City Engineer; Jane Skov, IT Manager; Blanca Martinez Gavina, Executive Analyst; and Kelly Wynn, Senior Office Assistant PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Regan Gonzalez led the Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Regan Gonzalez led a moment of silence in memory of George Floyd, his family and community. OPEN FORUM No speakers. No constituents reached out prior to the meeting with any comments. APPROVAL OF MINUTES M/Whalen, S/Supple to approve the minutesof the (1) City Council Work Session of May 12, 2020; and (2) City Council Meeting of May 12, 2020. Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote: Regan Gonzalez: AYE Supple: AYE Trautmann: AYE Garcia: AYE Council Meeting Minutes -2- May 26, 2020 Whalen: AYE Motion carried 5-0 Item #1 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA M/Garcia, S/Trautmannto approve the agenda Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote: Regan Gonzalez: AYE Supple: AYE Trautmann: AYE Garcia: AYE Whalen: AYE Motion carried 5-0 CONSENT CALENDAR Item #2 City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar. A. Consider the approval of the Portland Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian Link Project: 1. Construction Cooperative Agreement; 2. Limited Use Permit; and 3. No Parking Resolution (Staff Report No. 62). RESOLUTION NO. 11740 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING “NO PARKING” TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNS ON TH PORTLAND AVENUE (CSAH 35) AND 66STREET (CSAH 53) UPON COMPLETION OF THE PORTLAND AVENUE BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN LINK PROJECT B. Consider approval of a request for a new Secondhand Goods Dealer license for th GameStop Inc., d/b/a GameStop #0633, located at 34 66 Street West (Staff Report No. 63). M/Trautmann, S/Supple to approve the consent calendar. Council Member Supple requested clarification from staff of which areas will be re-striped. Director Asher spoke of the areas that will be re-striped. Council Member Whalen expressed excitement for the project as he uses the trails regularly. He commented on the desire for the signals and crosswalks for pedestrians. Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote: Council Meeting Minutes -3- May 26, 2020 Regan Gonzalez: AYE Supple: AYE Trautmann: AYE Garcia: AYE Whalen: AYE Motion carried 5-0 CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT Item #3 CALENDAR None PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE CREATING Item #4 AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND AND AUTHORIZE SUMMARY PUBLICATION OF SAID ORDINANCE (STAFF REPORT NO. 64) Council Member Supple presented staff report 64. Director Stark spoke of the additional research done by staff to answer questions from Council. Council Member Whalen summarized past discussions of how the funds will be used. He then discussed statistics he researched regarding the affordable housing market in Richfield. He questioned the goal of keeping this fund flexible and what that means. He also recommended that a majority of the funds be spent on very low to low income housing. Director Stark spoke of how this is a tool and attempting to provide as much utility to this tool as possible. Mayor Regan Gonzalez questioned if this tool will have the ability to be broad to allow for a range of funding and grants. Director Stark stated how the future is unknown at this point but there is a possibility for a match of funds depending on what kind of programs the funds are delegated. Council Member Supple asked if proceeding with the proposal with a supermajority would affect the possibility of receiving matching funds. Director Stark explained that if a project did receive supermajority and funds that it would have the possibility of receiving matching funds. Council Member Supple opened the public hearing. Senior Office Assistant Wynn stated no callers had been received and stated the phone number of 612-861-0651. M/Supple, S/Garcia to close the public hearing Council Meeting Minutes -4- May 26, 2020 Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote: Regan Gonzalez: AYE Supple: AYE Trautmann: AYE Garcia: AYE Whalen: AYE Motion carried 5-0 Council Member Whalen asked what percentage each program run through this trust fund would receive annually. Housing Manager Urban explained the Fix-Up Fund would receive $30,000, Down Payment Assistance Program up to $115,000, Kids at Home would receive $130,000, and Emergency Rental Assistance would get up to $70,000 with potential of an additional $55,000. Council Member Whalen proposed an amendment that would pass the existing ordinance as is with the stipulation that over any consecutive three year period, no more than 20 percent of the funds could be spent on moderate income households. Mayor Regan Gonzalez asked if there would be any unintended impacts regarding the amendment. Director Stark explained it is difficult to know. It may cause some issues when multiple housing units are developed in one year. Council Member Supple expressed concern with an impromptu amendment. Council Member Trautmann appreciated the spirit but feels more comfortable with moving forward with the supermajority option. Council Member Garcia supports the original language to avoid being boxed in and would like to have the option to alter language later if necessary. M/Supple, S/Trautmann to approve an ordinance establishing an affordable housing trust fund with the modification that any funding placed in the trust fund to serve moderate income households be approved by supermajority or four out of five Council Members. Council Member Whalen expressed support as this is important work concerning the pandemic. He requested that very low and low income households are prioritized in the future. Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote: Regan Gonzalez: AYE Supple: AYE Trautmann: AYE Garcia: AYE Whalen: AYE Motion carried 5-0 Council Meeting Minutes -5- May 26, 2020 M/Supple, S/Garcia to adopt a resolution approving a summary publication of a modified ordinance establishing an affordable housing trust fund RESOLUTION NO. 11742 RESOLUTION APPROVING SUMMARY PUBLICATION OF AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote: Regan Gonzalez: AYE Supple: AYE Trautmann: AYE Garcia: AYE Whalen: AYE Motion carried 5-0 CONSIDER A RESOLUTION REQUESTING AN ADVANCE PAYMENT OF 2020- 2024 MUNICIPAL STATE AID (MSA) STREET FUNDS TO COLLECT FUNDS Item #5 AVAILABLE FROM THE COMPLETION OF ELIGIBLE PAST PROJECTS (STAFF REPORT NO. 61) Mayor Regan Gonzalez presented staff report 61. Director Asher discussed how the funds will be allocated and the amount of funds the city is eligible to receive. M/Regan Gonzalez, S/Whalen to adopt a resolution authorizing an advance of 2020-2024 municipal state aid street funds. RESOLUTION NO. 11741 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN ADVANCE OF 2020-2024 MUNICIPAL STATE AID STREET FUNDS Mayor Regan Gonzalez thanked staff for being prudent in finding ways to fund projects without having the costs fall on the residents. Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote: Regan Gonzalez: AYE Supple: AYE Trautmann: AYE Garcia: AYE Whalen: AYE Motion carried 5-0 CITY MANAGER’S REPORT Item #6 Council Meeting Minutes -6- May 26, 2020 City Manager Rodriguez spoke on the following items: City Manager Order 20-01 to allow restaurants permits for additional outdoor seating. Discussion with youth associations regarding field rentals for the summer. Deputy Registrar office is attempting to open for appointments. Equity Proclamation coverage in the Star Tribune. Resident complaints regarding the Governor’s orders during the pandemic. Council Member Trautmann thanked City Manager Rodriguez and staff for the quick turnaround on getting the order out and available to residents. Mayor Regan Gonzalez also thanked staff for all their work and taking time for phone calls. She appreciates staff doing an exceptional job to help alleviate stress from not only staff but residents as well. Item #7 CLAIMS AND PAYROLL M/Garcia, S/Trautmann that the following claims and payrolls be approved: U.S. Bank 05/26/2020 A/P Checks 287274 - 287960 $ 1,376,920.07 Payroll: 154332 - 154593 642,592.17 TOTAL $ 2,019,512.24 Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote: Regan Gonzalez: AYE Supple: AYE Trautmann: AYE Whalen: AYE Garcia: AYE Motion carried 5-0 Item #8 HATS OFF TO HOMETOWN HITS Council Member Garcia congratulated Dr. Jenkins on his accolades and is proud he is a Richfield resident. She commented on how he is the definition of perseverance. Council Member Whalen mentioned how difficult this year’s Ramadan has been and hoped residents who observe it were able to celebrate. He then expressed excitement on the opening of the Wood Lake Boardwalk. The improvements were much needed and greatly appreciated. He also spoke of all the great work the Recreation Department and how quickly they have pivoted to provide virtual programming for residents. Council Member Supple congratulated Omar McMillan on making it to the final round for Teacher of the Year and how grateful the community is to have him. She also commended Dr. Jenkins on his accomplishments. She then expressed appreciation for all the volunteers who put on the Memorial Day program. She also applauded Director Asher and her staff for all they do in the community. Council Meeting Minutes -7-May 26, 2020 Council Member Trautmann echoed excitement on the opening of the Wood Lake Boardwalk and encouraged residents to continue using masks and maintain social distancing. He then reminded residents of the opportunity to become a member of Friends of Wood Lake. There will be a membership drive happening in the near future. He also commended Coach Omar McMillan on making it to the top ten Teacher of the Year. Council Member Trautmann congratulated Director Asher and all Public Works employees for the wonderful work they do every day. Mayor Regan Gonzalez applauded the collaboration and foresight of the great leaders Richfield currently has and has had in the past. She also thanked all the volunteers and veterans that assisted with the virtual Memorial Day program. She then commended Director Asher and staff for all their work and keeping Richfield’s best interest in mind. Item #10 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:11 p.m. Date Approved: June 9, 2020 Maria Regan Gonzalez Mayor Kelly Wynn Katie Rodriguez Senior Office Assistant City Manager