06-23 CC Regular
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular CouncilMeeting
Virtual Meeting held via WebEx
June 23, 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; and Edwina Garcia
Present:
Council Members Simon Trautmann
Absent:
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Mary Tietjen, City Attorney; Jennifer Anderson,
Health Administrator; John Stark, Community Development Director; Melissa
Poehlman, Assistant Community Development Director; Amy Markle, Recreation
Director; Jane Skov, IT Manager; Blanca Martinez Gavina, Executive Analyst;
and Kelly Wynn, Senior Office Assistant
Others Present: Dr. Marc Jenkins; and Ron Johnson, Firefighters for Healing
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Regan Gonzalez led the Pledge of Allegiance
OPEN FORUM
No speakers. Senior Office Assistant Wynn stated no submissions had been received and
reviewed the options to participate.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
City Attorney Tietjen reviewed and directed changes to the language in minutes of a from the
City Council Special session from June 17, 2020.
Council Meeting Minutes -2- June 23, 2020
M/Supple, S/Whalen to approve the minutesof the (1) Special City Council and Staff Work
Retreat of May 20, 2020; (2) Special City Council and Staff Work Retreat of June 10, 2020; (3) City
Council Meeting of June 9, 2020; and (4) Special City Council closed session of June 17, 2020 with
amended changes from City Attorney Tietjen.
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Garcia: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 4-0
Item #1 PRESENTATION OF DR. MARC JENKINS PROCLAMATION
Mayor Regan Gonzalez presented the proclamation.
Senior Office Assistant Wynn presented the Key to the City of Richfield.
Dr. Marc Jenkins thanked Council for the recognition. He spoke of how proud and thrilled he is
to be a Richfield resident.
Council Member Garcia commented on how Dr. Jenkins is a ‘modern day hero.’ His work and
contributions to COVID-19 are wonderful and expressed her gratitude.
Council Member Supple congratulated Dr. Jenkins. She also expressed her gratitude of his
work with community youth and in being a fantastic role model.
Council Member Whalen echoed the many congratulations. He thanked Dr. Jenkins for all his
work, especially with COVID-19 and in the community.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez commented on all of Dr. Jenkins’ achievements and is so grateful to
have him as a Richfield resident. She spoke of how he has inspired many youth to become scientists
and looks forward to what he is able to achieve in the future.
Item #2 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
M/Whalen, S/Garcia to approve the agenda
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Council Meeting Minutes -3- June 23, 2020
Supple: AYE
Garcia: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 4-0
Item #3 CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
A. Consider the approval of the City of Richfield's Xcel Energy Partners in Energy Application
submission (Staff Report No. 69)
RESOLUTION NO. 11743
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF A DONATION RECEIVED BY THE
MINNEAPOLIS FOUNDATION AND TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF RICHFIELD TO
ADMINISTER THE FUNDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE UPDATED CENSUS
B. Continue the public hearing to consider the platting and vacation of easements at 6228 Penn
Avenue South and 6200 Queen Avenue South (Lunds & Byerlys) to July 14, 2020 (Staff Report
No. 70)
C.Consider the approval of first reading of a transitory ordinance vacating a right-of-way easement
on property at 6228 Penn Avenue South (Lunds) and schedule a public hearing and second
reading for July 14, 2020 (Staff Report No. 71)
M/Garcia, S/Supple to approve the consent calendar.
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Garcia: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 4-0
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT
Item #4
CALENDAR
None
Council Meeting Minutes -4- June 23, 2020
CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE LAWFUL
GAMBLING PREMISES PERMIT BY FIREFIGHTERS FOR HEALING TO
Item #5
CONDUCT LAWFUL GAMBLING AT SANDY’S TAVERN, 6612 PENN AVENUE
SOUTH (STAFF REPORT NO. 72)
Council Member Supple presented staff report 72.
Health Administrator Anderson stated she is available for questions.
Council Member Garcia asked about a new building. Ron Johnson confirmed they are building
new units next to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.
Council Member Garcia asked about the benefits for Sandy’s Tavern by allowing gambling on
their premises.
Ron Johnson explained they share the proceeds from the gambling. He then gave an
explanation of what Firefighters for Healing does for firefighters, their families and relatives.
Council Member Garcia asked for clarification on the four different gambling components .
Ron Johnson explained they would like to focus on bingo and electronic pull tabs with the option
to add a paddlewheel and/or tip board in the future.
Council Member Garcia brought up potential concerns with existing policies and a fear of more
non-profits coming to the area to request gambling permits.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez asked Heath Administrator Anderson to clarify the process and who
controls the permits.
Health Administrator Anderson explained gambling permits are granted to on-sale liquor
establishment, which Richfield currently has ten. Gambling does not necessarily fit many
establishments’ atmospheres so she is not concerned with multiple places applying. She also said this
is the first permit requested in three years.
Council Member Garcia expressed concern with setting the wrong precedence. She believes in
the organization but worries about bringing more gambling into the area.
Health Administrator Anderson asked about the possibility of setting a cap on the number of
permits granted.
City Attorney Tietjen said she can look into the matter but does not believe the city can set a
cap on the permits.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez asked other council members to supply comments and provided a
summary of the items in question.
Council Member Whalen agreed with Council Member Garcia in that Firefighters for Healing is a
great organization but is not terribly concerned with a flood of requests. He would like to know if putting
a limit on the requests would be possible.
Council Meeting Minutes -5- June 23, 2020
Council Member Supple has no issue with the current proposal but would like staff to look into a
cap on proposals in the future.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez expressed support for the current proposal. She then asked staff to
complete more research on permits going forward.
Ron Johnson thanked council for their great questions and spoke of his connections to Richfield
and what a wonderful community it is.
M/Supple, S/Whalento adopt the resolution approving the lawful gambling premises permit
application by Firefighters For Healing, to conduct lawful gambling at Sandy's Tavern, 6612 Penn
Avenue South.
RESOLUTION NO. 11744
A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE LAWFUL GAMBLING PREMISES PERMIT
APPLICATION FOR FIREFIGHTERS FOR HEALING TO CONDUCT LAWFUL GAMBLING
AT SANDY’S TAVERNAT 6612 PENN AVENUE SOUTH
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Garcia: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 4-0
Item #6 CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Rodriguez reminded residents there will multiple public hearings along with the
open form for the upcoming meeting on July 14, 2020.
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina spoke of the single phone line that will be used for all public
comments.
Senior Office Assistant Wynn explained there will be a phone line available for the open forum
and public hearings for live comments and asked residents to be patient during the process. Below are
options for participation:
Email prior to meeting kwynn@richfieldmn.gov
Call prior to meeting (612) 861-9711
Participate during live meeting (612) 861-0651
o Be prepared to state full name, address and your comment
City Manager Rodriguez briefly spoke on the following items:
A slight decline in COVID-19 cases in Richfield
Update on mitigation regarding sports competitive play
Council Meeting Minutes -6- June 23, 2020
Policymaker advisory meeting regarding the 35W corridor, Project A
Council Member Supple thanked everyone for representing Richfield.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez spoke of how it was a united front and was glad things were brought to
the forefront.
Item #7
CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
M/Garcia, S/Whalen that the following claims and payrolls be approved:
U.S. Bank 06/23/2020
A/P Checks 288324 - 288716 $ 2,768,999.49
Payroll: 154594 - 154865 721,011.36
TOTAL $ 3,490,010.85
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Garcia: AYE
Motion carried 4-0
Item #8 HATS OFF TO HOMETOWN HITS
Council Member Whalen encouraged residents to review the summary from the June 10, 2020
Council-Staff planning retreat online. He also spoke of how resident commissions are back in action
after taking a few meetings off due to COVID-19. He also reminded community members of the
ongoing recreation programs happening virtually.
Council Member Garcia excused herself from the remainder of the meeting at 7:52 p.m.
Council Member Supple thanked Health Administrator Anderson for all the reminders and
wonderful communication she has been supplying during the pandemic. She then reminded residents
to register for the Urban Wildlife Race. The Wood Lake Nature Center is making the event happen
virtually and taking place July 25 through August 1.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez encouraged small businesses in need to apply for the state’s small
business relief program. Applications are currently open. She also congratulated all Richfield 2020
graduates and how the community has come together to celebrate them in these unprecedented times.
She then commented on how change starts with individual commitments. There are many ways to get
involved in the community such as the League of Women Voters and Richfield Foundation.
Council Meeting Minutes -7- June 23, 2020
ADJOURNMENT
Item #9
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 7:57 p.m.
Date Approved: July 14, 2020
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kelly Wynn Katie Rodriguez
Senior Office Assistant City Manager