11-10 Work Session
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
City Council Work Session
November 10, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Regan Gonzalez at 5:45 p.m. virtually 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; Amy Markle, Recreation Services Director;
Rachel Lindholm, Sustainability Specialist; Blanca Martinez Gavina, Executive
Analyst; and Kelly Wynn, Senior Office Assistant.
Others Present: Peder Sandhei, Principal Planner-Sustainable Materials Management Unit
Item #1 ORGANIZING CURBSIDE RESIDENTIAL SOLID WASTE (TRASH, RECYCLING
AND ORGANICS) COLLECTION
City Manager Rodriguez introduced the item and Director Amy Markle.
Director Markle gave an overview of items to be discussed. She then spoke of the guiding
principle and plans including equity, affordability, sustainability and quality of life. She also explained
why organized collection makes sense for the City of Richfield including economic, environmental and
social and education benefits.
Sustainability Specialist Lindholm added that many of these benefits have been identified by
staff as well as residents. It has become a priority for many residents for many reasons. She then
Services. She also gave a process overview for the remainder of 2020 including public engagement
and education events where staff will be able to answer questions residents may have regarding
organized hauling. She then reviewed the process for 2021 which will include public engagement and
education, public hearing and contract proposal, approval and implementation.
Council Member Whalen expressed his support for the effort. He asked for clarification on the
public engagement and education piece and how residents will be able to provide feedback. He also
asked about the options committee and if residents will be a part of it or if it will be staff and Council.
Sustainability Specialist Lindholm explained there will be a variety of ways for residents to
provide feedback to staff along the way. She then spoke of the options committee and they would like
to have residents included. Members of that committee will be appointed.
Council Work Session Minutes -2- November 10, 2020
City Manager Rodriguez reminded Council that there is no road map for this process and staff
is doing their best to create one.The city has a strong tradition to make decisions with residents and
they will be included throughout the process.
Council Member Trautmann thanked staff for their efforts. He asked about the services
residents will receive and if it will be one bundle of services or a menu of residents can choose from.
Sustainability Specialist Lindholm clarified residents would have options on can size and
services available. She then spoke of the options committee that will focus on alternatives if
necessary.
Director Markle spoke of the options committee being another route for brainstorming and
feedback regarding collection options and what would be best for the community.
Council Member Supple stated her excitement to see this process moving forward. She asked
about the initial meeting with haulers and who would be attending. She also asked who would be
assisting with reaching out to the community to retrieve feedback.
Sustainability Specialist Lindholm stated the Sustainability Commission will be assisting with
learning about the process and gathering feedback from residents. She then spoke of how details are
still in progress regarding an initial meeting with collectors and will try to coordinate with as many
Council Members as possible.
Council Member Whalen stated how some engagement is challenging and even more with the
pandemic. He suggested a mailer since not all residents have internet and asked about non virtual
ways to reach residents.
Director Markle stated there have been many conversations around mailers or postcards. A
contract has also been extended to someone to assist in translating items into Spanish.
Sustainability Specialist Lindholm
technological items have been acquired to provide closed captioning in Spanish.
Council Member Trautmann spoke of the residents with lack of internet access will be taken
most by surprise and have the hardest time with the transition. He appreciates the staff efforts in
developing other lines of communication.
Sustainability Specialist Lindholm stated she has heard from residents that neighbors are
sharing information with each other and have opened up alternative routes of communication.
Council Member Supple stated how students at the Richfield High School are very interested
in sustainability and could be a resource to tap into for feedback and ideas.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez believed this process is headed in the right direction. She commended
staff on outlining how this will benefit the community. She then spoke of how important this item is but
will be somewhat of a struggle with COVID mitigations.
Director Markle spoke of getting information up on the community channel.
the process.
Council Member Whalen asked about the transition and making it as seamless as possible for
residents.
Council Work Session Minutes -3-November 10, 2020
Sustainability Specialist Lindholm thanked Council Member Whalen for bringing up the
disruption it may have on residents but they are hoping to develop a plan so residents will not have
extra charges or possibility of overlap so residents are not without a collection cart. Staff is making it a
priority to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Peder Sandhei expressed appreciation of being involved in this process. He shared
observations of how public engagement is important as some residents will oppose this transition. It is
vital to be present in the community with what, why and how this transition is taking place. He also
urged Council to consider the number of haulers and size of each hauler. The cost to residents will
need to be weighed along with keeping local small haulers in business.
Sustainability Specialist Lindholm stated the city is fortunate to have options of haulers within
Richfield. She believed this will be greatly beneficial to the community and its residents.
affect the process as they were the most vocal against the organized collection process.
Council Member Trautmann would like to make sure cost to residents is a priority.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez echoed having the best interest of the residents in mind.
Sustainability Specialist Lindholm spoke of how currently, there are five licensed haulers and
the city would be looking to have three or less.
Council Member Whalen asked for clarification that it is not an option to have only a single
hauler for the city.
Sustainability Specialist Lindholm confirmed the city needs to enter into negotiations with a
consortium of haulers available and willing to negotiate. Staff will enter negotiations with licensed
haulers willing to enter the process.
Peder Sandhei confirmed the process of determining price gets easier with only three licensed
haulers.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez thanked staff for attending and providing information along with
Council asking a variety of questions.
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:35pm
Date Approved: November 24, 2020
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kelly Wynn Katie Rodriguez
Senior Office Assistant City Manager