09-22 CC
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular CouncilMeeting
Virtual Meeting held via WebEx
September 22, 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; John Stark,
Community Development Director; Chris Regis, Finance Director; 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
OPEN FORUM
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Ruane Onesirosan, 2421 West 65 Street, expressed concern over a project near her home
and the possibility of construction workers not donning masks. She believes the project should be shut
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down. She also had questions about an item from the September 8agenda regarding prevailing wage.
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
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Council Meeting Minutes -2- September 22, 2020
M/Trautmann, S/Whalen to approve the minutes of the (1) City Council Work Session of
September 08, 2020; and (2) City Council Meeting of September 08, 2020.
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Garcia: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 5-0
Mayor Regan Gonzalez made an announcement regarding the retirement celebration for
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Council Member Garcia taking place on Thursday, October 8from 4:00-6:00pm in the City Hall
courtyard. She asked attendees to please RSVP to Senior Office Assistant Kelly Wynn at
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kwynn@richfieldmn.gov or 612-861-9711 by October 2.
Council Member Garcia thanked everyone for the kind words and commented how hard it will
be leave everyone and she will be sad to go.
City Manager Rodriguez reviewed the invite and to please RSVP so we are able to plan for
social distancing.
Item #1 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
M/Supple, 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
Item #2 CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
A. Consider approval of the 2020-2021 Emergency Preparedness agreement with the City of
Bloomington, using public health emergency preparedness grant funds distributed by a
Council Meeting Minutes -3- September 22, 2020
federal grant from the Centers for Disease Control, to provide services in the area of public
health emergency preparedness/bio-terrorism and the development of a response system.
(Staff Report No. 110)
B. Consider a Grant Compliance Agreement with Penn Investments, LLC regarding a Livable
Communities Demonstration Account Pre-Development Grant for 6501 Penn Avenue South.
(Staff Report No. 111)
C.Adoption of a resolution authorizing the refunding of the $2,120,000 G.O. Street
Reconstruction Bonds, Series 2012A, dated September 6, 2012 and the $2,770,000 G.O.
Storm Sewer Bonds, Series 2013B, dated March 21, 2013 with the $3,255,000 G.O.
Refunding Bonds, Series 2020B. (Staff Report No. 112)
RESOLUTION NO. 11793
RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE SALE OF
$3,255,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2020B
D.Consider the adoption of a resolution to accept the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic
Security (CARES) Act grant of $2,745,098. (Staff Report No. 113)
RESOLUTION NO. 11794
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF THE CORONAVIRUS AID,
RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT GRANT
M/Garcia, S/Supple to approve the consent calendar.
Council Member Supple thanked staff for finding the savings and refinancing the bonds.
Council Member Whalen also thanked staff for the incredible amount of work processing the
expenditures for the CARES money.
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 #3
CALENDAR
Council Meeting Minutes -4- September 22, 2020
None
PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE TO
THE RICHFIELD CITY CODE APPENDIX D (FEE SCHEDULE) AND A
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUMMARY PUBLICATION OF SAID
Item #4
ORDINANCE. THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE WOULD REVISE FEES RELATED
TO THE PREPARATION OF ZONING VERIFICATION LETTERS AND THE
PROCESSING OF PLAT APPLICATIONS. (STAFF REPORT NO. 114)
Council Member Trautmann presented staff report 114 and opened the public hearing.
Director Stark explained there were minor changes to the language.
Senior Office Assistant Wynn confirmed there were no callers for the public hearing and
reviewed how residents can call 612-861-0651 to participate live during public hearings.
M/Trautmann, S/Whalen to close the public hearing.
Council Member Trautmann thanked staff for reviewing the policies and comparing them to
surrounding communities.
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Garcia: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 5-0
M/Supple, S/Whalen to (1) approve a second reading of an ordinance amendment to Richfield
City Code Appendix D (Fee Schedule) related to planning and zoning fees; and (2) adopt a resolution
authorizing summary publication of an ordinance amending Richfield City Code Appendix D (Fee
Schedule) related to planning and zoning fees.
RESOLUTION NO. 11769
RESOLUTION APPROVING SUMMARY PUBLICATION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
APPENDIX D TO THE RICHFIELD CITY CODE; ESTABLISHING A FEE SCHEDULE FOR
CERTAIN PERMITS AND APPLICATIONS
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Council Meeting Minutes -5- September 22, 2020
Garcia: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 5-0
CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER A RESOLUTION APPROVING
Item #5 A MODIFICATION TO THE REDEVELOPMENT PLAN AND APPROVING A TAX
INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN FOR THE 2020-1 TAX INCREMENT FINANCE
DISTRICT (HENLEY II). (STAFF REPORT 115)
Council Member Garcia presented staff report 115 and opened the public hearing.
Director Stark explained how TIF is one of the most misunderstood items the city is involved in.
He then clarified what will happen with the funds and how the city and developers are to be paid.
Rebecca Kurtz with Ehlers spoke of how this will be a ‘pay as you go’ note and it is hopeful to
have it paid off in 12 to 12.5 years versus the usual 26 year loan.
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Ruane Onesirosan, 2421 West 65 Street, expressed her confusion regarding the language of
this item and asked if the city pays developers to build within Richfield
Director Stark explained the city uses taxes paid by a developer to reimburse them for project
costs. He gave examples of how redevelopment is expensive and costs more than building in an open
urban setting.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez thanked Director Stark for helping to explain the situation along with
other city budgets and finances.
M/Garcia, S/Whalen to close the public hearing.
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Garcia: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 5-0
M/Garcia, S/Supple to approve a resolution approving a modification to the Redevelopment
Plan for the Richfield Redevelopment project; and approving a Tax Increment Financing Plan for the
2020-1 Tax Increment Finance District (Henley II).
RESOLUTION NO. 11770
Council Meeting Minutes -6- September 22, 2020
RESOLUTION APPROVING A MODIFICATION TO THE REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE
RICHFIELD REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT; AND APPROVING A TAX INCREMENT FINANCING
PLAN FOR THE 2020-1 TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT: HENLEY II
Council Member Whalen asked for clarification on the affordable units and if they would only be
deemed affordable housing for 12 years instead of 26 years.
Director Stark confirmed.
Council Member Whalen asked for explanation of roles for City Council and HRA on these
matters.
Director Stark spoke of how the HRA approved this item in July contingent on this motion. This
item is one of very few that needs to be approved by both bodies.
Rebecca Kurtz with Ehlers confirmed Minnesota TIF law requires the City Council to hold the
public hearing.
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 2020 REVISED/2021 PROPOSED BUDGET RESOLUTIONS
ADOPTING THE 2021 PRELIMINARY PROPERTY TAX LEVY, SETTING TRUTH
Item #6
IN TAXATION HEARING DATE, AUTHORIZING BUDGET REVISIONS,
AUTHORIZING REVISION OF 2020 BUDGET OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS,
AND APPROVING CITY FEES FOR 2021 (STAFF REPORT NO. 116)
Council Member Supple read staff report 116. She also thanked staff for all the time spent on
the budget and everyone who supplied input and participated in discussions around the budget.
M/Supple, S/Whalen to adopt the attached resolutions establishing the 2021 preliminary
property tax levy and proposed date for the Truth in Taxation hearing, authorizing budget revisions,
authorizing revision of 2020 budget of various departments, and approving City fees for 2021.
RESOLUTION NO.11765
RESOLUTION ADOPTING A PROPOSED BUDGET AND TAX LEVY
FOR THE YEAR 2021
Council Meeting Minutes -7- September 22, 2020
RESOLUTION NO. 11766
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING BUDGET REVISIONS
RESOLUTION NO. 11767
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING REVISION OF 2020 BUDGET OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS
RESOLUTION NO. 11768
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING 2021 LICENSE, PERMIT AND MISCELLANEOUS FEES
PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF APPENDIX D OF THE ORDINANCE CODE OF THE
CITY OF RICHFIELD RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 11694
Council Member Whalen highlighted how staff and Council have had many meetings around the
budget and believes it is a success in a time when surrounding communities are cutting programs and
Richfield has been able to continue on with many of the same services. Richfield is also moving forward
with hiring an Equity Coordinator, embedded social worker and body cameras with the Police
Department.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez echoed thanks to staff in the difficult times and how they have been
making extremely difficult decisions, shift staff and resources, delaying projects and handling COVID
mitigations. She expressed tremendous appreciation for all the additional communication staff has
provided to council. She spoke of how the city is in a more fortunate position compared to some
neighboring communities and is glad we are building infrastructure for the future.
Council Member Supple emphasized that because of the careful documentation for COVID
mitigations, the city was able to receive the $2.7 million to make the budget whole.
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Garcia: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 5-0
M/Trautmann, S/Garcia to adopt the attached resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter
into a three-year agreement with Madison National Life/ Ochs Company for long-term disability
insurance benefits.
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Council Meeting Minutes -8- September 22, 2020
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Garcia: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 5-0
Item #7 CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Rodriguez thanked staff and Council for assisting in making the tough decisions
around the budget. She then spoke of how staff has moved to recording all board and commission
meetings. The meetings will be posted online to make them more available to residents. She also
reminded residents to fill out their Census as it is set to close September 30.
Item #8 CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
M/Garcia, S/Trautmann that the following claims and payrolls be approved:
U.S. Bank 09/22/2020
A/P Checks 290754 - 291132 $ 1,679,878.31
Payroll: 156872 – 157166 43194 - 43267 704,675.51
TOTAL $ 2,384,553.82
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Garcia: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 5-0
HATS OFF TO HOMETOWN HITS
Item #9
Council Member Garcia encouraged everyone to fill out their Census and expressed her
appreciation to Analyst Martinez Gavina for all her work around the matter. It is important to be counted
for both residents and the city. She then spoke of how critical it is for the community to get out and vote
in the upcoming election. Residents can vote by absentee ballot at city hall or by mail.
Council Meeting Minutes -9- September 22, 2020
Council Member Whalen also emphasized how important it is to vote and thanked RDAP and
League of Minnesota Voters for hosting events regarding the local elections. He then spoke of the huge
success the playground build at Washington Park was and thanked the Parks and Recreation
Department for putting it together.
Council Member Trautmann mentioned the Farmer’s Market and how they offer curbside
pickup. Residents can order ahead via the Richfield website. He then asked about one happening
during the winter months.
City Manager Rodriguez stated staff is actively engaging in the possibility to make a Farmer’s
Market happen this winter.
Council Member Supple spoke of the Free Bikes for Kids program that took place in Taft Park.
Over 100 bikes and helmets were given out to kids. She thanked everyone involved that made the
program possible.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez echoed comments on how important voting is and also encouraged
friends and family to fill out their Census. She then reiterated the retirement celebration for Council
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Member Garcia taking place October 8 and to RSVP to Kelly Wynn at kwynn@richfieldmn.gov or 612-
861-9711.
Item #10 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:09 p.m.
Date Approved: October 13, 2020
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kelly Wynn Katie Rodriguez
Senior Office Assistant City Manager