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07-28 CC Regular CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Richfield, Minnesota Regular CouncilMeeting Virtual Meeting held via WebEx July 28, 2020 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Maria Regan Gonzalez at 7:00 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; Mary Tietjen, City Attorney; Kristin Asher, Public Works Director; Jack Broz, Transportation Engineer; Jane Skov, IT Manager; Blanca Martinez Gavina, Executive Analyst; and Kelly Wynn, Senior Office Assistant Others Present: Tasha Ostendorf, Human Rights Commission member; and Judy Moe, Richfield Disability Advocacy Partnership PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Regan Gonzalez led the Pledge of Allegiance OPEN FORUM Senior Office Assistant Wynn reviewed the options to participate: Participate live by calling 612-861-0651 during the open forum portion Call prior to meeting 612-861-9711 Email prior to meeting kwynn@richfielmn.gov Senior Office Assistant Wynn read a comment submitted by email by Allegra Smisek, 7500 Fremont Ave S: As a Richfield resident, I am very encouraged to hear that the city is hiring someone to specifically focus on equity. However, "equity" has become a frequently used word by many people and institutions, and often its meaning is extremely varied or lost completely. It is important to me that the city council clearly define equity in a way that is highly inclusive. To me, an equitable institution would consider the perspectives and needs of BIPOC, the LGBTQ+ community, as well as residents of Council Meeting Minutes -2- July 28, 2020 differing ages, abilities, and countries of origin. I hope the council will consider these complexities in the interview process for this new position as well as the future work of the individual that is hired. Lucianna Jane Wolfstone, 2500 W 66th St, thanked the council for honoring the disability community and asked the city to include everybody in the equity work. APPROVAL OF MINUTES M/Garcia, S/Supple to approve the minutes of the (1) City Council Work Session of July 11, 2020; (2) City Council Work Session July 14, 2020; and (3) City Council Meeting of July 14, 2020. Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote: Regan Gonzalez: AYE Supple: AYE Trautmann: AYE Garcia: AYE Whalen: AYE Motion carried 5-0 Item #1 PRESENTATION OF THE ADA PROCLAMATION Mayor Regan Gonzalez read the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) Proclamation. Tasha Ostendorf thanked the City Council, on behalf of the Human Rights Commission, for recognizing July as ADA awareness month. She stated with all the things the city has done, she also wanted to emphasize the ongoing efforts to be inclusive. th Judy Moe expressed her gratitude for the council recognizing the 30 anniversary of the ADA. She then gave an informative background of how the ADA came to be and the extraordinary measures people went through to end exclusion and segregation. Senior Office Assistant Wynn read many comments from community members which are included in a document at the end of the minutes. Comments were submitted by the following Richfield residents: Lee Ohnesorge 7717 Chicago Ave Ricardo Perez, 7228 Girard Ave S Travis and Jerry Fladmark, 6615 Lake Shore Drive S Crystal Brakke, 7015 Columbus Ave Bonnie Tortorice, Richfield resident Carolyn Martinez, 7204 16th Ave S Council Meeting Minutes -3- July 28, 2020 Lisa and Jim Rudolph, 6726 17th Ave S Faviola Martinez de Estrada with La Red Latina de Education Temprana MN Kristi and Joe Carr, 6304 Blaisdell Ave Kim Houle, Richfield resident Linda Crear, 7117 Garfield Ave S Michelle Ndely, 7304 Garfield Avenue Gordon Hanson, 6311 Sheridan Avenue South Jennifer Ott, Richfield resident Lester Bauer, Richfield resident Stephanie Mockobee, Richfield resident Anne Flake, 7244 12th Ave S Council Member Garcia thanked everyone for their comments. She also thanked Judy Moe for being such a fantastic mentor and bringing a realization to what the ADA does and doesn’t do. She stated how Judy has become a leader in the community. Council Member Supple extended her gratitude for sharing all the information and individual feelings. She thanked everyone for their advocacy. She is happy to say accessibility is now in discussions for transportation, playgrounds and housing. Council Member Trautmann thanked Judy Moe for her contributions to the community. He stated how Judy has become very important and effective. He is appreciative of her presence in his life and in the disability community. Council Member Whalen echoed his fellow council member’s comments. He confirmed there is much work for the city to do to make it entirely inclusive. He spoke of how the Equity Coordinator position will be a part of the budget and there will be discussions of what the position will look like. Mayor Regan Gonzalez expressed her feelings along with all council members. She spoke of what an honor and gift it is to grow leadership within the community and all that R-DAP has done with in Richfield. R-DAP is a huge asset for the City of Richfield and the ability to work together to continually build infrastructure. Item #2 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA M/Whalen, S/Trautmann to 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 Council Meeting Minutes -4- July 28, 2020 Item #3CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar. A. Cancel the public hearing to consider the platting and vacation of easements at 6228 Penn Avenue South and 6200 Queen Avenue South (Lunds & Byerlys) (Staff Report No. 89) M/Garcia, S/Supple to approve the consent calendar. Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote: Regan Gonzalez: AYE Supple: AYE Trautmann: AYE Garcia: AYE Whalen: AYE Motion carried 5-0 CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT Item #4 CALENDAR None CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF THE SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE Item #5 AMENDING SUBSECTION 210.01 OF THE CITY CODE RELATED TO CITY COUNCIL SALARIES (STAFF REPORT NO. 86) Council Member Trautmann presented staff report 86. M/Trautmann, S/Whalen to approve the second reading of the ordinance amending Subsection 210.01 of the City Code related to City Council salaries. 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- July 28, 2020 CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF:(1) THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN LAYOUT OF 65TH STREET FROM NICOLLET AVENUE TO 66TH STREET/RAE DRIVE, INCLUDING THE LYNDALE AVENUE PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS BETWEEN 64TH STREET AND 66TH STREET AS RECOMMENDED BY THE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION; AND (2) A CONTRACT, NOT TO EXCEED Item #6 $439,804, WITH KIMLEY HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR FINAL DESIGN ENGINEERING OF THE 65TH STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT BETWEEN NICOLLET AVENUE AND 66TH STREET/RAE DRIVE, INCLUDING THE LYNDALE AVENUE PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS BETWEEN 64TH STREET AND 66TH STREET. (STAFF REPORT NO. 87) Council Member Supple read staff report 87. Senior Office Assistant Wynn read comments submitted by (1) Amanda Vetsch, 6332 Pillsbury Ave; and (2) Ginny Morin, 6415 Pillsbury Ave S. These comments are included at the end of the minutes Assistant Wynn then played voicemails submitted by (1) William Buttedal; and (2) Katherine Eckelberry. These messages are transcribed and included at the end of the minutes. Transportation Engineer Broz gave a presentation regarding guiding principles, the five open houses, comments gathered from residents, project measures, amenities desired, proposed pedestrian facilities, proposed flood improvement, next steps upon approval. Mayor Regan Gonzalez asked for discussion on the traffic mitigation and the concerns families have by traffic coming into the area from the HUB. Transportation Engineer Broz explained the intersection design will not allow drivers to head straight north out of the HUB parking lot. Drivers will need to turn right or left so traffic will not be coming directly into the area. Council Member Trautmann asked for an explanation for residents as to why this intersection change will be beneficial for residents. Transportation Engineer Broz discussed as they looked at existing conditions and the only entrance to that neighborhood is to go up Pleasant and that is a narrow one way street for access. He spoke of a study done regarding opening all the streets or other streets and gathered much feedback. He believed they will be making an impact in equity by providing this access. Council Member Supple asked for a timeline and if there would be potential flooding remedy. Director Asher explained the storm water portion would be done alongside the construction but will need to work with the HUB and their construction. Council Member Supple then inquired about planning regarding Richfield Lake. Director Asher stated they are starting to engage in conversations regarding those plans. Council Meeting Minutes -6- July 28, 2020 Council Member Whalen spoke of the community concern of flooding in Richfield Lake and if there is an answer for that issue. Director Asher clarified thewater that goes into Richfield Lake, would just get there sooner and they wouldn’t see much of a difference. Some problems would be consistent clearing near the entrance to Wood Lake so it doesn’t get worse. Council Member Whalen proposed the opening up of Pillsbury is the right move along with the barrier to prevent some traffic. He spoke of how children are on every street and safety is always a concern. Traffic was originally diverted to allow homes to have cul-de-sacs and quieter streets. He then addressed the resident’s concerns of being worried about losing biking for children and explained they will be gaining access to a nearby bike trail. Council Member Trautmann thanked staff and the Transportation Commission for making accessibility an importance around Richfield. He spoke of how change is not easy but things such as this will make the city more equitable. M/Supple, S/Whalen to approve (1) the preliminary design layout of 65th Street from Nicollet Avenue to 66th Street/Rae Drive, including the Lyndale Avenue pedestrian improvements between 64th Street and 66th Street as recommended by the Transportation Commission; and (2) the contract, not to exceed $439,804, with Kimley Horn and Associates, Inc. for final design engineering of the 65th Street th Reconstruction Project between Nicollet Avenue and 66Street/Rae Drive, including the Lyndale Avenue pedestrian improvements between 64th Street and 66th Street. Council Member Supple expressed her gratitude for the re-design of the section along Lyndale Ave regarding additional on-street parking and changes with pedestrian crossings. Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote: Regan Gonzalez: AYE Supple: AYE Trautmann: AYE Garcia: AYE Whalen: AYE Motion carried 5-0 CONSIDER THE APPOINTMENT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION OPENING Item #7 (STAFF REPORT NO. 88) Mayor Regan Gonzalez read staff report 88. She stated she was excited to speak with all the applicants and what a great opportunity it was see what leadership lives within the city. She also detailed what the council is looking for in commissioners. M/Regan Gonzalez, S/Trautmann to appoint Brett Stursa as a member to fill the vacant term on the Planning Commission. Council Meeting Minutes -7- July 28, 2020 Council Member Supple thanked everyone who interviewed and she is confident Brett will do a great job. Council Member Whalen agreed Brett will be great for this position. He then spoke of how wonderful all the applicants were and hope to continue to see them in the community and on future commissions. He feels honored to have so many people who are excited to help their community. Council Member Trautmann is excited to welcome to Brett Stursa. He then thanked everyone who applied especially new residents; great to see so many getting involved. Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote: Regan Gonzalez: AYE Supple: AYE Trautmann: AYE Garcia: AYE Whalen: AYE Motion carried 5-0 Item #8 CITY MANAGER’S REPORT City Manager Rodriguez spoke of the Executive Order Governor Walz issued regarding the mask mandate for all indoor business and public places. This order will include all city buildings. She referenced the Minnesota Department of Health has a great frequently asked questions area on their website for more information. Item #9 CLAIMS AND PAYROLL M/Garcia, S/Supple that the following claims and payrolls be approved: U.S. Bank 07/28/2020 A/P Checks 289288 - 289699 $ 1,339,648.17 Payroll: 155706 - 155993 702,386.79 TOTAL $ 2,042,034.96 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 -8- July 28, 2020 Council Member Garcia excused herself from the remainder of the meeting at 8:51 p.m. Item #10 HATS OFF TO HOMETOWN HITS Council Member Whalen reminded residents the next council meeting will be Monday, August 10 and how residents are able to vote by mail and vote early. He then thanked city staff for gathering comments regarding the police department manual. He also referenced the Richfield mini-golf course, free on Wednesdays for 11 and under. There is a Facebook post that has coupons available. Council Member Supple explained the city is looking for census volunteers and encouraged residents to fill out their census. Residents can contact Blanca Martinez Gavina by phone at 612-861- 9715 or email at bmgavina@richfieldmn.gov. She then spoke of the Richfield ice arena construction is coming to a close and should be ready for use on August 10. Council Member Supple also reminded residents the Night to Unite will be moving from September to October. She then encouraged residents who are looking for ways to be more involved; to go on the city website of how to participate in commission meetings. Council Member Trautmann expressed his gratitude to the Edina Fire Department and their living saving techniques provided to Chief Kewitsch. Mayor Regan Gonzalez added to Council Member Supple’s comments on the census and the city is also in need of shift managers to provide assistance in managing shifts throughout the project. She explained there is only one chance to do this every 10 years; the community really suffers when undercounted. Item #11 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:59 p.m. Date Approved: August 10, 2020 Maria Regan Gonzalez Mayor Kelly Wynn Katie Rodriguez Senior Office Assistant City Manager Council Meeting Minutes -9- July 28, 2020 ADA PROCLAMATION COMMENTS My name is Lee Ohnesorge and I use a wheelchair full-time. I have lived in Richfield for 30 years. That being said, we need many more zero threshold accessible housing, including bathroom showers. The ada is not a suggestion for what we, the most vulnerable people, need for housing. I want Richfield to be an accessible community from all angles. We are only temporarily able-bodied. Anyone can become disabled at any time!!! We, the disability community is part of Richfield and require a seat at the table when matters like this are in discussion. Thank you for your time, Lee Ohnesorge 7717 Chicago Ave, the Towers Good evening, Please see below my comment for the meeting described on the subject line. I am a resident of Richfield at 7228 Girard Ave S "Dear mayor and city council, my name is Ricardo Perez, I am a resident of Richfield and I am writing with two important issues: 1) Please add people with disabilities, non-English speaking community and GLBTQIA+ community in your efforts to learn about inclusivity. In order for us to learn and adapt to serve the community that lives in Richfield, we need to be inclusive in who and how we are reaching out to people with different capacities. Intentionality matters now, more than ever. Please show us with actions your intentions to be an inclusive city. 2) Please continue your efforts in ensuring the community is able to participate in the decision making process in our city, especially when our tax dollars are being used to fund projects that impact all of us now and years to come. Please ensure you are doing everything possible to open a window for the community to communicate with you. Not doing so, represents a big failure. The pandemic is not going away any time soon, please adapt and be innovative about how, where, in what languages, in which platforms you are allowing people to learn about your meetings and how to actively participate in them. Thank you for your time." Dear Mayor Regan Gonzalez and council members, We understand that today a proclamation celebrating the month of July as the 30th Anniversary of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. We are writing in for the public forum today to show support for the disability community in our city and ask that you include all people in your equity work goals. Council Meeting Minutes -10- July 28, 2020 This includes the GLBTQIA+ community, the disability community, seniors, non-English speakers, people of color, the indigenous community, and every other community that makes up our diverse city. It is imperative that this is made a priority in all areas of our city. Thank you Mayor, for recognizing the 30th Anniversary of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Sincerely, Travis and Jerry Fladmark 6615 Lake Shore Drive S, Unit 910 Richfield, MN 612-224-4466 I am writing to share appreciation for the proclamation taking place at tonight's meeting to mark the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This was a landmark piece of civil rights legislation and one that deserves recognition. True access and inclusion for people with disabilities is something we all need to keep working on and working for because the ADA is not a panacea. This is true at the city level, in our schools, and in every aspect of our society. We all need to hold ourselves accountable for ensuring that when we set goals and report outcomes, people with disabilities are included and reflected in our work. We also need to pay special care to the ways in which disability powerfully intersects with race, class, language, and other identities and center in our efforts the voices and power of those who experience this reality on a daily basis. A Supreme Court justice once said, long ago, that sunlight is the best of disinfectants - meaning that shining a light on injustice and disparities should theoretically lead to action and justice. Unfortunately we all know that isn't always the case, but I still think it's what we should be striving for. I appreciate those in our community who are leading these efforts and challenging us to be better and do better. Thank you for your time tonight. Crystal Brakke 7015 Columbus Avenue in Richfield Dear Mayor Maria Regan Gonzalez and council members, We understand that today is a proclamation celebrating the month of July as the 30th Anniversary of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. We are writing in for the public forum today to show support for the disability community in our city and ask that you include all people in your equity work goals. This includes the GLBTQIA+ community, the disability community, seniors, non-English speakers, people of color, the indigenous community, and every other community that makes up our diverse city. It is imperative that this is made a priority in all areas of our city. The inclusive playground is fantastic, but policy must be inclusive as well. We love having neighbors who support each other, schools that foster growth and a community that welcomes all. Council Meeting Minutes -11- July 28, 2020 Thank you Mayor, for recognizing the 30th Anniversary of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Sincerely, Bonnie Tortorice Carolyn Martinez (7204 16th Ave S) Lisa and Jim Rudolph (6726 17th Ave S) Faviola Martinez de Estrada (La Red Latina de Education Temprana MN) Kristi and Joe Carr - Joe, is the one that has an amazing lemonade stand every year for Gillette Children’s. This year due to Covid we had an un-lemonade stand last week and raised over $10,725 for Gillette more than doubled our last year‘s donation. (6304 Blaisdell Ave.) Kim Houle Linda Crear (7117 Garfield Ave S) Dear Mayor Regan Gonzalez and Council members, Thank you for your upcoming celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. As you know, for families and people living with disabilities, this was a momentous and life-changing Act. I am writing in for the public forum today asking that you extend your commitment to equity in our city to include an intersectional analysis, better capturing all people, most especially those who are living with disability, and who may also suffer at the intersections of race, class, gender, religion, sexual orientation, language, ethnicity, age etc. It has been well established that the best way to understand how diversity plays out experientially, is to look not only at a single categorical variable, but also at the intersections of these identifiers. I ask that this lens is at the center of our city’s approach to problem solving around equity & inclusion. We have an incredible community and culture here in Richfield, and it is imperative that we ensure, through nuanced and accurate analysis, that this culture is experienced by all who call Richfield home. Thank you Mayor, for recognizing the 30th Anniversary of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. I look forward to witnessing how Richfield takes action. Sincerely, Michelle Ndely Dear Mayor Regan Gonzalez and City Council Members, Thank you for recognizing the 30th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act with a proclamation to be presented at tonight’s meeting. The passage of this act was a milestone achievement in the recognition of our fellow citizens who live with disabilities, and I believe it is important to rededicate ourselves to standing united with the disability community. Council Meeting Minutes -12- July 28, 2020 Tonight’s proclamation serves as a good reminder of our mission to stand in common purpose with the disability community. I ask that the City’s future equity work goals recognize all people, including the disability community. The disability community is an important part of the rich diversity of our city. In closing, thank you again for recognizing the 30th Anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Gordon Hanson (6311 Sheridan Avenue South) Dear Ms. Gonzalez, I want to Thank you for the Recognition of the 30 th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. I can’t think of a more deserving person than Judy Moe to receive this recognition on behalf of the disabled citizens of Richfield. Judy has been a wonderful resource and emotion support to many of us. I am a lifelong Richfield resident. My dad’s Minneapolis home was bought out by the airport and he was the very first Graduating class of Richfield. I graduated in 1981 , moved and moved back to Richfield when I got married. Our son graduated from Richfield in 2020. After being misdiagnosed for 25 years we realized that I had MS. Within 2 years I had an MS episode that resulted in a stroke that weakened my right side and has now left me confined to a wheelchair. I met Judy 3 years ago after filing complaints on the way I was rudely treated multiple times by the Richfield EMTs. They denied everything my family said had happened. When I spoke to the fire chief I reminded him that when people call them they are at their most vulnerable and deserve their Respect. Respect is fluid when you are a part of the Disabled Community. Am I going to welcomed? Will I be judged by my disability? As a Homeowner and taxpayer you would hope that access to your community is a given but many times it is Not. Our Citizens each have their own strengths and challenges. A strong Community respects those challenges makes it safe and inclusive. When we make it inclusive for one we make it possible for many to become involved. Please remember that not all disabilities are visible but that does not make those citizens any less valuable. I Love living in Richfield. Let’s continue to grow and respect all who reside here. Sincerely, Jennifer Ott Dear Mayor Regan Gonzalez and Members of the Richfield City Council, I am writing today regarding the 30th Anniversary of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Council Meeting Minutes -13- July 28, 2020 My wife and our son with disabilities moved to Richfield in 2010 and in the past 10 years we have grown to love the city of Richfield for many reasons, wonderful neighbors, opportunity for our son to participate in church as a volunteer with Sunday School and communion server, helping at PennFest and walking in the Richfield Urban Wildland Run/Walk event as a fundraiser for the Richfield Historical Society. I have been an active advocate for disabilities for nearly forty years at the capital, as a 10 year board member and President of Arc Minnesota, and a member of the State Quality Council at the Department of Human Services. I am also on the Institute of Community Integration Advisory Council at the University of Minnesota. This experience has helped me to understand the needs of people with disabilities and the achievements of the ADA over the past 30 years. Richfield has done a fine job of inclusion for the many groups who have been denied the opportunity to be included in the very day to day activities that help each of us have a Quality of Life. The job is not finished and we must actively work to help every person, persons with disabilities, non-English speakers, and people of color, the indigenous community, the GLBTQIA community and every other member of our community that makes up our diverse city. During the past 30 years the ADA has not only made walking on streets and getting into buildings easier but it has disrupted the biases that marginalized disability communities for centuries. Thank you for your presentation to Judy Moe in recognition of the 30th Anniversary of the ADA and for her long time work to improve and give a voice to people in our community who are unable to speak for themselves. Sincerely, Lester Bauer Richfield Resident Hello, I want to send kudos to our Judy Moe of the Richfield Disability Awareness Partnership work. We are aware that the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act had to be passed because the 1964 Civil Rights Act did not include discriminating against people with disabilities. I am grateful for Judy Moe's work with R-DAP. I know that I am grateful for the efforts towards inclusion of Everyone which the Civil Rights Act, the ADA, and currently the demonstrators and protestors are making. It is all towards realizing and accepting that we are all out here on this ball in space called Earth, together. And that each person, no matter how differently we look, or walk, or communicate, has EQUAL WORTH and deserves to reach their full potential towards the best quality of life they can achieve, unimpeded by their fellow man, woman or child. I encourage us All to make efforts to accept the fact that WE ARE ONE, WE ARE ALL HUMANKIND. And we need to care about one another's welfare. Because when we Each take our last breaths, leave the life in the body we are in, and transition to the Unknown, all that we really take with us is how we treated each other. Thank you, and I hope this recognition gives you some much needed wind beneath your wings, Judy, and Mayor, and really Everybody! Stephanie Mockobee, Resident Richfield, MN Council Meeting Minutes -14- July 28, 2020 To the Richfield City Council, Thank you so much for recognizing the importance of the Americans with Disabilities Act as an invaluable tool that allows many people, who would otherwise be excluded, access to our community life. I appreciate our city’s devotion to meeting the needs of all marginalized people, and to making the lives of our citizens better every day. Sadly, many people do not realize that disability is an issue that crosses all social, political, racial, gender, and economic lines. It affects children and adults, as well as the families who love and care for them. What we want more than anything is for our families, all of us, to be included in the community life we love here in Richfield. To that end, I would love to see Richfield make experience with the disability community, a factor when choosing a candidate for the position the council is currently creating in order to promote equity. I’m sure all of you know that our disabled community is always at risk and that they are a vulnerable population often overlooked when addressing a sea of inequity, all of which is important and should be rectified. My family, which includes children with disabilities, is so grateful for your ongoing concern, support, and dedication to all our citizens. Thank you, Anne Flake (7244 12th Ave S, Richfield) This comment came to me after the meeting had started so it was not read: Respectfully Mayor Regan Gonzalez & Richfield City Council Members, My name is Lucianna Jane Wolfstone. I live in FRASER Sheridan Court at 2500 W 66TH ST, APT # 308, Richfield, MN 55423, which is a 30 unit building set aside for people with Developmental Disabilities only. I am Autistic, Anxious/Depressed, Left-Handed, a Bibliomaniac (5,000+ books in a one-bedroom apartment), as well as being an Adult with both a Learning Disorder (Dysgraphia) and a Hoarding Disorder. I am also part of the following communities: European-American, Messianic Jewish, Autistic, Cat-Lady, and TransFeminine. If you would like to know more about what it is like to live with this variety of intersectionalities and abilities, please ask me. I would love to volunteer my assistance however I can with what I know and what I have experienced. I understand that there will be a proclamation made tonight honoring the month of July 2020 as the 30TH Anniversary of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). I am writing in for the public forum today to show my very personal support for the Disability Community in our city and elsewhere in America. I sincerely ask that you explicitly and concretely include all people in your equity work goals. Also I ask that you would consider intersectional identities when you reach out to different demographics of people. After all, not a single life is simple or is entirely confined to only one category. All People includes, but is not limited to: the LGBTQIA+ Community (aka Sexual, Gender, & Relationship Minorities (SGRM)); the Disability Community; the Autistic Community; People Who Strive Council Meeting Minutes -15- July 28, 2020 for Mental Wellness; People who are Left-Handed or Ambidextrous; People of All Ages; Non-English Speakers; the Community of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC); People of all Religions, Faiths, and Spiritualties or None at all; Cat-Ladies; and every other community that makes up our widely diverse city. It is imperative that actions toward complete inclusivity be made a priority in all areas of our wonderful city. Thank you Mayor, for recognizing the 30th Anniversary of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Sincerely, Luci Wolfstone. FRASER Sheridan Court 2500 W 66TH ST, APT # 308 Richfield, MN 55423 763-898-8579 TH AGENDA ITEM 6 (65 STREET) COMMENTS Hello- I live at 64th and Pillsbury. I strongly strongly object to changing the intersection at 65/Pillsbury to a 2-way street. It would be entirely unfair to this street bear the burden of all in/out traffic for this side of the neighborhood. We already have much higher traffic due to our street being the only west access for all of the apartment buildings- additionally, we have no 4-way stops on Pillsbury or 64th, making every intersection significantly less safe than others around. if you are going to expand outlets, please expand on a different street! We have so many children on this block, not just from single family homes, but from the apartment buildings as well. Right now, all of these children have a relatively safe and cloistered area to bike and explore without a huge threat from traffic. During the school year, dozens walk up and down 64th to their bus stops, every morning and night. And the large majority of them come from or cross Pillsbury to do so. I am telling you- this intersection is already the sketchiest part Of any elementary kid’s daily travels. I have lived here for 9 years, and My taxes go up every single year- about 4,000 this year. That’s more than $300 a month- pretty high for a single working mother. But I pay that without objection to help preserve and service the community of Richfield. I love my neighborhood, my town, and my street. I believe my voice should matter in these decisions. I object to our tax money being used to bring even more traffic to our street. Please don’t hurt the character of our neighborhood. Thank you, Amanda Vetsch 6332 Pillsbury Ave. Council Meeting Minutes -16- July 28, 2020 I am writing you to express my extreme disappointment and objection to the plans that are being considered for Pillsbury Avenue. I have included the two officials from the letter that was sent and also Ms. Garcia as our direct Councilperson and Ms. Regan as our Mayor. I am including the other council people as well to ensure that our neighborhood’s stance/objections, and especially those on the block most affected by this proposal, are accurately conveyed. First, I feel deceived. At the last block party, not even 365 days ago, we were assured that this issue would not even be considered for two to three years. Yet here we are, 11 months later, the commission has made recommendations and you loop the residents of this area in at the 11th hour. My biggest objection to this change is that there literally is no reason for it. This area is not a destination to which those not going to or from a home here need additional access points. What it does do is destroy a neighborhood by adding into the mix of homes and children playing and neighbors creating “the urban hometown” a bunch of impatient drivers looking for a quick way around the mess made of our streets by reducing everything to one lane and unused bike lanes. On the block that you are considering making this change, there are FIFTEEN children. That’s fifteen balls that can inadvertently bounce into the street or children who are learning to ride their bikes having to dodge impatient drivers without any business to be in this neighborhood except that they are looking for a way to zip through down in route to somewhere else. By and large not considering who lives there and what to encounter because they are set on just getting somewhere else. I have heard it argued that it alleviates traffic on Pleasant, the one way street to the west of Pillsbury. Yet there is nothing to suggest that traffic on that street is the result of people heading to their home in this neighborhood. Any traffic is just as likely if not more so to be from the 12+ apartment buildings that reside on that street and those residents using Pleasant to access their own homes. When you consider that each building has a minimum of 12 units, if even half of the residents have a vehicle that comes and goes 2 times a day (once leaving and once returning), that is quite a bit of traffic. At a conservative estimate, this is 288 car encounters per day. Legitimate traffic that opening up Pillsbury does not alleviate. What did the study that you did on the traffic there show? What did the study that you did on Pillsbury traffic show? I have also heard it argued that this used to be a 2 way street. And? The taxes also used to be a lot lower. Are we rolling those back too? It’s a ridiculous argument at best because it doesn’t consider that it was closed off for a reason…..because it’s NOT a destination that needs to accommodate traffic coming and going from multiple points. It’s a neighborhood. An urban HOMETOWN that deserves to be protected by those representing it. I know that this council has been at odds with this neighborhood for some time over the garage issue. Do not let that cloud your judgement on doing what is right and rejecting this proposal. It does NOT serve this neighborhood and only stands to make Richfield residents less safe by knowingly rerouting impatient traffic heading somewhere else through a 100% residential neighborhood pocket. Respectfully, Ginny Morin 6415 Pillsbury Avenue S Council Meeting Minutes -17- July 28, 2020 Voicemail from William Buttedal, 6401 Wentworth Ave S: I do totally approve of your final plan of leaving Wentworth and Blaisdell along and converting Pillsbury, it makes a lot of sense. I would like to th make one other comment about 66Street: I don’t know why that wasn’t made two lanes, all theway th both ways. The single lane traffic on 66Street all the way back to Nicollet Ave or Lyndale on a bus line, make no sense. The city took up all that space for bike lanes that nobody uses; there are not 10 bikes that go up and down that street all day and there are 10,000 cars, it makes no sense. There th should be a bus lane on 67 Street. Voicemail from Katherine Eckelberry, 6409 Pillsbury Ave: I am calling regarding the consideration to open up Pillsbury Ave to a two way street. We have six children and they bike along that street to the circle and back. We have small children that range in age and I absolutely do not want to see that opened up into a two-way. There is no reason to do so. Everybody is just fine being able to get out and it is a waste of money along with a huge safety issue. I am not the only household with children on this street and all the families ride down the street. It is not a good idea and would like to see this stopped.