08-10-2020 CC
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular CouncilMeeting
Virtual Meeting held via WebEx
August 10, 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; Dave Anderson, Acting City Attorney; Melissa
Poehlman, Assistant Community Development Director; Amy Markle, Recreation
Services Director; Julie Urban, Housing Manager Jane Skov, IT Manager; Blanca
Martinez Gavina, Executive Analyst; and Kelly Wynn, Senior Office Assistant
Others Present: Heather Eastlund, Human Rights Commission; Susan Rosenberg, League of
Women Voters; Angie Knodel, Senior Architect with Vanman Architects and
Builders; Justin Bratnober, Chair of Property Development Task Force (Hope
Church); Keith Koenig, Director of Facilities and Administration (Hope Church);
and Tammy Hartman, Verizon Network Outreach Manager
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 confirmed there were no callers for the open forum.
Council Meeting Minutes -2- August 10, 2020
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/Supple, S/Whalen to approve the minutes of the (1)Joint City Council/HRA/PC Work Session
of July 20, 2020; (2) City Council Work Session of July 28, 2020; and (3) City Council Meeting of July
28, 2020.
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Garcia: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 5-0
PRESENTATION TO PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2020 IN
THTH
Item #1 CELEBRATION OF THE 100ANNIVERSARY OF THE 19 AMENDMENT IN
THE CITY OF RICHFIELD
Mayor Regan Gonzalez presented the proclamation.
Heather Eastlund thanked Mayor Regan Gonzalez and Council for recognizing this anniversary.
Susan Rosenberg thanked the Human Rights Commission for submitted the proclamation and
how important it is to both women and men. She recognized how this movement identified the
sacrifices women of color made to support this amendment. She also gave a background of other
leaders who were instrumental in this amendment.
Council Member Garcia thanked the Human Rights Commission and Susan Rosenberg for all
their hard work. She spoke of how women of all races marched together to make this possible.
Council Member Whalen thanked the Leave of Women Voters for being such an influential
group and having such a presence in Richfield.
Council Member Supple also thanked the Human Rights Commission and League of Women
Voters. She also reminded residents to vote in the upcoming Primary to respect all who fought for the
right. She also listed many women leaders currently in office. She then spoke of the Richfield Historical
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Society’s “Rightfully Hers” event on August 22to help celebrate the achievement.
Council Member Trautmann stated how it seemed incomprehensible to have a society where
women wouldn’t be in leadership positions and to some from 100 years ago, it seemed inconceivable to
Council Meeting Minutes -3- August 10, 2020
have women in leadership positions. He spoke of how proud he is to be a member of the League of
Women Voters.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez encouraged residents to become a member regardless where people
call home. She also spoke of how she would not be in office today without the history of the city and
community. She is indebted to the women leaders that came before her.
Item #2 APPROVALOF THE AGENDA
M/Whalen, S/Supple 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
Item #3 CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
A. Consider a resolution adopting Affordable and Life-Cycle Housing Goals for 2021-2030 and
re-enrolling in the Livable Communities Act Program (Staff Report No. 90).
RESOLUTION NO. 11756
RESOLUTION ELECTING TO PARTICIPATE IN
THE LOCAL HOUSING INCENTIVES ACCOUNT PROGRAM
UNDER THE METROPOLITAN LIVABLE COMMUNITIES ACT
CALENDAR YEARS 2021 THROUGH 2030
B. Consider a resolution authorizing an Encroachment Agreement between the City of Richfield
and Partnership Academy located at 6500 Nicollet Ave S., allowing Partnership Academy to
install and maintain sport courts, playground equipment and other allowed improvements
within the city's existing utility easement (Staff Report No. 91).
RESOLUTION NO. 11757
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN ENCROACHMENT
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF RICHFIELD
Council Meeting Minutes -4- August 10, 2020
AND PARTNERSHIP ACADEMY
LOCATED AT 6500 NICOLLET AVE S
C. Consider the adoption of a resolution approving final Richfield 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
Note: The full 2040 Comprehensive Plan is available for review on the city's website
(www.richfieldmn.gov/compplan). The size of the document makes it impractical and
technologically difficult to attach directly to this report (Staff Report No. 92).
RESOLUTION NO. 11758
RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE
RICHFIELD 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
D. Consider the approval of the first reading of an ordinance that includes requirements for all
persons using designated off-leash dog area(s) in City of Richfield Parks, and schedule a
public hearing and second reading September 8, 2020 (Staff Report No. 93).
M/Garcia, S/Supple to approve the consent calendar.
Council Member Whalen commended the recreation staff for their hard work on the dog park
and is excited to see it moving forward.
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
FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PREVAILING WAGE
Item #5 POLICY FOR CITY FUNDED CAPITAL PROJECTS WITH ESTIMATED COSTS
OF $300,000 OR MORE (STAFF REPORT NO. 94)
Council Member Whalen presented staff report 94 and gave his appreciation to staff who have
worked so hard to bring this item together.
Council Meeting Minutes -5- August 10, 2020
M/Whalen, S/Supple to approve the first reading of an ordinance establishing a prevailing wage
policy for city funded projects with estimated costs of $300,000 or more.
Council Member Supple expressed her excitement to vote on this item and is hopeful to
continue the fight to make sure people receive fair wages.
Council Member Trautmann thanked staff and local unions for advocating both prevailing and
living wages. He stated that unfortunately there have been cases of wage theft in Richfield. He spoke of
how he is hopeful to continue to end wage theft and labor trafficking.
Council Member Whalen asked for clarification of the $300,000 as it is a bit higher than some
other surrounding cities.
City Manager Rodriguez thanked Analyst Martinez Gavina for all she has done to bring this item
together. She then spoke of how other cities selected a lower dollar amount but are not enforcing it.
She explained how it is a starting amount to test for a year and revisit in a year.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez echoed her gratitude to staff to move this work forward. She explained
how this needs to be a community wide effort to take action and make an impact.
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Garcia: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 5-0
CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO THE
INSTALLATION OF SMALL WIRELESS FACILITIES AND WIRELESS SUPPORT
Item #6
STRUCTURES IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY AND A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
SUMMARY PUBLICATION OF SAID ORDINANCE (STAFF REPORT NO. 95)
Council Member Supple read staff report 95.
Assistant Community Development Director Poehlman added staff did receive a letter from
Verizon Wireless that clarified some language. .
M/Supple, S/Trautmann to approve (1) a second reading of an ordinance related to the
installation of small wireless facilities and wireless support structures in the right-of-way; and (2)
Approve a resolution authorizing summary publication of an ordinance related to the installation of small
wireless facilities and wireless
RESOLUTION NO. 11759
Council Meeting Minutes -6- August 10, 2020
RESOLUTION APPROVING SUMMARY PUBLICATION OF AN ORDINANCE RELATED TO
THE INSTALLATION OF SMALLWIRELESS FACILITIES AND WIRELESS SUPPORT
STRUCTURES IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY
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 APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO A CONDITIONAL USE
PERMIT TO ALLOW BUILDING RENOVATIONS AND SITE IMPROVEMENTS AT
Item #7
HOPE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 7132 PORTLAND AVENUE (STAFF REPORT
NO. 96)
Council Member Garcia read staff report 96.
Assistant Community Development Director Poehlman stated the issue with parking is unique
due to the lot size and shape. The plans do offer the option for future housing if desired. She spoke of
how the additional parking is needed.
M/Garcia, S/Whalen to approve of the attached resolution for an amendment to a conditional
use permit to allow building renovations at Hope Presbyterian Church, 7132 Portland Avenue.
Council Member Garcia spoke of how Hope Church have always been good neighbors, worked
with the community and hosted many events. She expressed her gratitude for all their efforts.
Council Member Whalen stated his appreciation of context from staff and is grateful for the
additional space for potential housing in the future. He thanked Hope Church for everything they do in
the community.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez spoke of the Star Tribune story regarding Loaves and Fishes out of
Hope Church. She also stated how they provide so many connections for residents and how influential
they are in the community.
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Garcia: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Council Meeting Minutes -7- August 10, 2020
Motion carried 5-0
Item #8 CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Rodriguez spoke on (1) CARES eligible funding of $2.7 million; and (2) Launching
of the Covid 19 dashboard that will be Richfield specific will be up by next week. She then gave a brief
Census update
Analyst Martinez Gavina spoke of how the Census had been extended to October 31 but has
now been moved to September 30 which puts Richfield in a tough position. She asked residents to
volunteer to reach out to people they know to make sure they have filled out their Census. She
encouraged residents to reach out to her at 612-861-9701 or email bmgavina@richfieldmn.gov. She
spoke of the potential $220 million of funding that could be lost over the next ten years.
Council Member Supple thanked staff for their work around the Census and reminded residents
they can go to my2020census.gov to fill out the census even if you do not have the form from the mail.
Council Member Garcia thanked Analyst Martinez Gavina for all her efforts regarding the
census. She agreed that the city needs to do everything possible to be counted.
Council Member Trautmann expressed his disappointment in the movement of the deadline. He
also spoke of how the community needs to pull together to be counted and encouraged residents to
help if possible. He also thanked Analyst Martinez Gavina for her leadership.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez also thanked Analyst Martinez Gavina for all her efforts and expressed
her appreciation to have her as part of the city staff. She encouraged residents to make a difference by
helping get Richfield counted.
Item #9 CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
M/Garcia, S/Whalen that the following claims and payrolls be approved:
U.S. Bank 08/10/2020
A/P Checks 289700 - 289981 $ 1,270,355.49
Payroll: 155994 - 156279 649,769.89
TOTAL $ 1,920,125.38
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- August 10, 2020
Item #10 HATS OFF TO HOMETOWN HITS
Council Member Garcia thanked everyone trying to make these unprecedented times better.
She spoke of how the pandemic has really brought the community together and made it shine.
Council Member Garcia excused herself from the remainder of the meeting at 8:04 p.m.
Council Member Trautmann commended the Parks and Recreation Department for the hard
work around the Farmer’s Market, youth activities and additional help with facilities.
Council Member Whalen expressed the importance of voting in the Primary. He also reminded
residents they can vote by mail, in person or by absentee ballot. He then spoke of his excitement for
the ice arena to open back up.
Council Member Supple spoke of the great work the Richfield Public Schools have been doing
with delivering meals. Staff has delivered over 250,000 meals this summer. She reminded residents
that meals are available at Loaves and Fishes as well as VEAP and people can visit
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freemealsforkids.org to find other locations. She also reiterated the event on August 22 at the
Richfield Historical Society.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez thanked staff for their tremendous work tackling the 2021 budget and
CARES funding along with doing the best possible job to prepare the city for the future. She also
thanked Steve Unowsky, Crystal Brakke and everyone servicing the schools in their tremendous
undertaking to keep kids safe and healthy.
Item #11 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:10 p.m.
Date Approved: September 08, 2020
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kelly Wynn Katie Rodriguez
Senior Office Assistant City Manager