10-27 Regular
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular CouncilMeeting
Virtual Meeting held via WebEx
October 27, 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; Ben Whalen; Mary Supple; and Simon
Present: Trautmann
Council Members Edwina Garcia
Absent:
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Mary Tietjen, City Attorney; John Stark,
Community Development Director; Melissa Poehlman, Assistant Community
Development Director; Chris Regis, Finance Director; Kristin Asher, Public Works
Director; Jane Skov, IT Manager; Blanca Martinez Gavina, Executive Analyst;
and Kelly Wynn, Senior Office Assistant
Others Present: Steve Shwanke, Inland Developers; Bob Cunningham, Inland Developers; and
Rebecca Kurtz, Ehlers
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 stated there were no comments for the open forum.
Council Meeting Minutes -2- October 27, 2020
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/Whalen, S/Trautmann to approve the minutes of the (1) City Council Meeting of October 13,
2020.
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 4-0
PRESENTATION OF THE CHAMBERLAIN AWARD
Item #1
Mayor Regan Gonzalez introduced the item and asked Bob Cunningham and Steve Shwanke
from Inland Development Partners speak about the award.
Steve Shwanke thanked Council for the opportunity to speak during the meeting. He gave a
description of National Association for Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP).
Bob Cunningham spoke of the awards NAIOP gives out and the Chamberlain development received the
NAIOP Award of Excellence. It was awarded because it was stitched into the city and fit the needs of the
community. He thanked Community Development staff for their assistance in seeing this project through.
Council Member Supple congratulated everyone for receiving the award. She spoke of how difficult it was
to develop housing on the east side of Richfield to fit in and Inland Development has accomplished that task.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez believed this award is well deserved. She commended staff and developers for
the time spent collaborating on this project. She also mentioned it was 100 percent union built and was the first
development on the east side since 1971. She applauded the developers in working with the city and keeping
existing affordable housing instead of tearing them down.
Item #2 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
M/Supple, S/Whalen to approve the agenda
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Council Meeting Minutes -3- October 27, 2020
Trautmann: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 4-0
Item #3 CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
A.Consider aresolution amending and restating the I-35W Solutions Alliance Joint Powers
Agreement. Staff Report No. 133
RESOLUTION NO. 11785
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED JOINT POWERS
AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING THE I-35W SOLUTIONS ALLIANCE
B. Consider the approval of a resolution authorizing the Source Water Protection Plan
Implementation Grant Agreement between the City of Richfield and the Minnesota
Department of Health (MDH). Staff Report No. 134
RESOLUTION NO. 11786
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF RICHFIELD TO ENTER INTO A SOURCE
WATER PROTECTION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR $2,930 TO BE USED IN THE
CONTINUED PUBLIC EDUCATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE CITY OF RICHFIELD
WELLHEAD PROTECTION PLAN – PART 2
M/Whalen, S/Trautmann to approve the consent calendar.
Council Member Supple commented on the attention to protect the city water as it is a very
important asset.
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 4-0
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT
Item #4
CALENDAR
Council Meeting Minutes -4- October 27, 2020
None
CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AWARDING THE SALE OF $3,255,000 GENERAL
Item #5
OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2020B. STAFF REPORT NO. 135
Council Member Trautmann read staff report 135.
Director Regis added the bonds were issued in conjunction with the Minnehaha Creek
Watershed District storm water project at Taft Lake. There needed to be a minimum threshold of
savings which was adjusted.
Rebecca Kurtz reviewed the Sale Day Report results for the bonds. She congratulated the city
on a AA+ bond rating due to stable general funds and previous financial planning.
Council Member Whalen asked for clarification about the savings being slightly less than first
predicted.
Rebecca Kurtz explained the bid received was a ‘premium bid’ which meant the city received all
the money needed to do the refunding of the two issues but the underwriter provided additional funds.
The interest on the bond is slightly higher in the first couple years and lower in the later years.
Council Member Trautmann thanked Director Regis for keeping the city in such good financial
standing.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez asked for a review of what this bond will be covering in terms of the
infrastructure projects.
Director Regis explained this bond will be refunding the 2012A bond and the 2013B bond.
Rebecca Kurtz added the 2012A bond; the city will continue to levy taxes to make the debt
service payments. The 2012B bond payments will be made from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed
District.
M/Whalen, S/Supple to approve the attached resolution awarding the sale of General Obligation
Refunding Bonds, Series 2020B, in the original aggregate principal amount of $3,110,000; Fixing their
form and specifications; Directing their execution and delivery; and providing for their payment; and
providing for the redemption of bonds refunded thereby.
RESOLUTION NO. 11787
RESOLUTION AWARDING THE SALE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING
BONDS, SERIES 2020B, IN THE ORIGINAL AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF
$3,110,000; FIXING THEIR FORM AND SPECIFICATIONS; DIRECTING THEIR
EXECUTION AND DELIVERY; PROVIDING FOR THEIR PAYMENT; AND PROVIDING
FOR THE REDEMPTION OF BONDS REFUNDED THEREBY
Council Meeting Minutes -5- October 27, 2020
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 4-0
APPROVAL OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE COOPERATIVE
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF RICHFIELD AND THE MINNEHAHA
Item #6
CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT WITH REGARDS TO THE LEGION/TAFT
LAKE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. STAFF REPORT NO. 136
Council Member Whalen presented staff report 136.
Director Regis provided an updated debt service schedule for the 2020B bonds. There will be
$136,000 savings for the city.
M/Whalen, S/Supple to approve the Execution of a Second Amendment to the Cooperative
Agreement between the City of Richfield and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District with respect to
the Legion/Taft Lake Improvement Project.
Council Member Supple thanked staff for all their work over the years regarding this item.
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 4-0
Item #7 CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Rodriguez provided a COVID update in that cases continue to rise. She spoke of
how one third of positive cases have been linked to their place of work within their fourteen days of
infection. The Deputy Registrar office will be closed for in person transactions from November 2
through November 13 to accommodate the training/transition of new software along with the high
number of voters coming through the building. The city is asking staff to be vigilant in protocols
including wearing masks and staying home if sick. She added the city will not be providing in-person
services to customers who refuse to wear a mask with very limited exceptions.
Council Meeting Minutes -6- October 27, 2020
Mayor Regan Gonzalez commended Beth VanHoose and her staff for their tremendous work
during these difficult times.
City Manager Rodriguez spoke of the recently passed bonding bill which included $6 million
th
allocated to the City of Richfield and the 77
Underpass project. She thanked everyone involved in their
work over the years to get this bill passed.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez expressed excitement for the passing of the bill and how the money will
go toward revitalization of the east side of Richfield.
Item #8 CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
M/Whalen, S/Trautmann that the following claims and payrolls be approved:
U.S. Bank 10/27/2020
A/P Checks 291567 - 291995 $ 1,596,606.59
Payroll: 157468 - 157770 692,569.96
TOTAL $ 2,289,176.55
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 4-0
Item #9 HATS OFF TO HOMETOWN HITS
Council Member Supple thanked the Parks and Recreation Department for putting on the Half-
Haunted Halloween event at Wood Lake Nature Center. She also commented on all the projects
happening to preserve the nature center systems. She then thanked everyone involved in assisting to
get the bonding bill passed. Lastly, she encouraged all residents to get out and vote.
Council Member Trautmann commended the Friends of Wood Lake and Director Markle for
giving kids the opportunity to have fun outside while social distancing. He also thanked everyone
th
involved in the 77Underpass bonding bill.
Council Member Whalen encouraged everyone to get out and vote whether it be early or on
Election Day. The city staff is happy to help with any questions.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez shared the Richfield Foundation will be doing an online fundraiser event
that will showcase artists, local businesses and organizations. She commended staff for reaching out to
the community during the time of COVID including focus groups in conjunction with MIRA. The city will
work to incorporate the information collected into the ongoing equity work. She then spoke of the Parks
Council Meeting Minutes -7- October 27, 2020
Ambassador program wrapping up that promoted the city parks, educated folks around COVID, picking
up trash, engaging with residents and asking how the community is using the parks. Over 650 hours
and 1,000 park visits were logged with the program. She reminded residents of the Dog Park ribbon
cutting taking place on November 4 at 4:40 p.m. in Roosevelt Park. Lastly, she spoke of how she was
impressed with number of CARES kits delivered to vulnerable residents and families participating in the
Kids at Home program.
Item #10 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 7:58 p.m.
Date Approved: November 10, 2020
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kelly Wynn Katie Rodriguez
Senior Office Assistant City Manager