06-23 Work Session
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
City Council Work Session
Virtual meeting held via WebEx
June 23, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Regan Gonzalez at 5:47 p.m. held via WebEx
Council Members Maria Regan Gonzalez, Mayor; Edwina Garcia; Mary Supple; and Ben
Present: Whalen
Council Members Simon Trautmann
Absent:
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Blanca Martinez Gavina, Executive Analyst;
and Kelly Wynn, Senior Office Assistant
Others Present: Ann Lenczewski, State Government Relations
Item #1 DISCUSSION OF CITY COUNCIL SALARIES
City Manager Rodriguez provided a brief background on the discussion and council will be
setting the pay rate for city council for 2021 and 2022.
Council Member Supple recommended council take no increase in pay due to the pandemic to
help conserve costs for the city.
Council Member Garcia agreed with Council Member Supple and would support no increase in
salary.
Council Member Whalen stated he wouldn’t be opposed to an increase. He believes council
should be compensated for the time it takes for the position. He also spoke of the efforts it takes on
top of a full time job.
Council Member Garcia spoke of how the pandemic has affected everyone in so many ways
and she would feel uncomfortable taking an increase at this time. She also touched on how people do
the job for the community and not for the money.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez read the following pointssubmitted by Council Member Trautmann:
This job is not done for the pay
Would not be in support of any big increase
May deter future residents from applying knowing how little the pay is for the position
Mayor Regan Gonzalez supported no increase as a symbolic gesture during these times
involving the pandemic.
CIty Council Work Session Minutes -2- June 23, 2020
Council Member Whalen clarified council will be setting the pay rate for the next two years and
asked if the item could be revisited in a year if pandemic is beginning to pass.
City Manager Rodriguez confirmed they could revisit the item if desired.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez asked if staff could bring back two options for council to vote on since
Council Member Trautmann is not present.
City Manager Rodriguez asked council to weigh in the option of zero percent increase for 2021
and to revisit the item in regards to the 2022 rate.
Council Member Supple showed support of a zero percent increase for the next two years with
the uncertainty of the affects the pandemic will have on the city long term.
Council Member Garcia supported Council Member Supple’s statement.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez recommended assessing the situation on a yearly basis until the
effects of the pandemic are manageable.
City Manager Rodriguez confirmed the goal of the review is to have council set the rate for the
next two years, until the next election. She said she would gather some financial indicators to help
better support a decision.
Item #2 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FROM ANN LENCZEWSKI
City Manager Rodriguez introduced Ann Lenczewski and what she will be reviewing in her
update.
Ann Lenczewski gave a brief background of her work and how busy the session has been with
so many decisions being made regarding COVID-19 along with the unfortunate incident involving
George Floyd. She spoke on the bipartisan approach that has been taken to get items through for
Richfield. She also touched on:
Wood Lake Nature Center project
77 Underpass
Worker’s compensation for First Responders
Splitting of federal money and how it may be spent
Council Member Supple wondered if money spent through the HRA and EDA for financial
assistance could be replaced with federal money.
Ann Lenczewski said those guidelines are unclear at this time. The League of MN Cities is
attempting to set up rules.
Council Member Whalen would like to also use the money for rental and eviction assistance if
possible.
Ann Lenczewski stated the Governor may extend the eviction moratorium as well so it is
necessary to keep that in mind.
Council Member Garcia spoke of this being the first time a lobbyist has come to report to
council and she would rather communicate directly with legislators.
CIty Council Work Session Minutes -3-June 23, 2020
City Manager Rodriguez commented on being able to have legislators also come to report in
the future. She then spoke on how the city has been tracking expenses related to COVID-19 in the
hopes of being reimbursed in the future.
Council Member Whalen questioned if the city is still short on laptops and if the federal money
would cover technology needs.
City Manager Rodriguez stated they are exploring all avenues on how the money will be
eligible for spending but the guidelines are extremely broad right now and the city is waiting for more
direction.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez commented on the excellent work legislators are doing to support
Richfield. She also asked for more information on how police reform and other changes may be
adopted.
Ann Lenczewski believes many have been misunderstanding what people of color have been
saying in which is there can be no compromise on justice. She also briefly spoke on the following:
Potential residency requirements for law enforcement
Arbitration issue
77 Underpass not included in last bonding bill
Council Member Garcia would like to see a non-partisan approach and her dislike of multiple
parties. She believes everyone should be able to work together.
Ann Lenczewski agreed people need to work together.
Council Member Supple thanked everyone for all their hard work.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez thanked Ann Lenczewski for attending and reporting. She expressed
her hope to utilize this chance to implement a lot of change.
Council Member Garcia thanked Ann Lenczewski for all the daily updates she has been
supplying the council and staff.
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:33 p.m.
Date Approved: July 14, 2020
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kelly Wynn Katie Rodriguez
Senior Office Assistant City Manager