01-12-2021 CC Work Session
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
City Council Work Session
January 12, 2021
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; Simon
Present: Trautmann; and Sean Hayford Oleary
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Chris Regis, Finance Director; Amy Markle,
Recreation Services Director; John Stark, Community Development Director;
Mary Tietjen, City Attorney; Blanca Martinez Gavina, Executive Analyst; and
Kelly Wynn, Senior Office Assistant.
Others Present: Rebecca Kurtz, Ehlers; Peter Coyle, Co-Counsel Post 435 Attorney; Glen
McClusky, Co-Counsel Post 435 Attorney; and Diane Miller, Post 435
Controller
Item #1 COMMUNITY CENTER FEASIBILITY AT THE AMERICAN LEGION PROPERTY
City Manager Rodriguez introduced the item and provided an overview of the property,
described a plan provided by staff and thanked staff for their time putting the plan together.
Director Markle provided a historical background of the current Richfield Community Center;
the Parks Master Plan; results from a 2020 community survey; considerations noted from other
communities; factors associated with costs; assessing needs; meeting needs in the short, medium
and long term; and planning for the future.
Director Regis described the range of estimated costs to construct a new community center;
project funding options; impact on the tax levy; tax levy impact on residents; estimated annual
operations; and impact with a $1millio subsidy.
Director Markle spoke of Richfield’s current socioeconomics.
Director Regis discussed other considerations such as the impact on debt limit, future facility
capital maintenance and impact on the bond rating.
Director Markle spoke of moving forward which included recovering from the pandemic.
Council Member Hayford Oleary asked about buying the land now with the possibility of not
building on it or building at a later date.
City Manager Rodriguez explained neither of those options would meet the needs of Post 435.
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Attorney Coyle stated he supported staff recommendation but believed Post 435 will need to
be a private sale. Post 435 wanted to be clear with their intentions and forward with the future of its
members.
Council Member Whalen wanted to discuss the pertinent need for a new nature center and
options at the current site.
Director Markle explained how the previous Recreation Services Director was strategic in the
maintenance of the current community center but it is a dated building. She spoke of how it could be
earmarked for future construction as it has a good location and is easily accessible. However, Wood
Lake Nature Center is in desperate need of improvements and is currently about a new or renovated
community center at this current time.
Council Member Supple reiterated that it does not seem financially possible to construct a
brand new community center but would like to see a possible partnership with Wood Lake Nature
Center and a facilities assessment.
Council Member Trautmann thanked staff for the hours spent and for the thorough
presentation. He assumed with such a high cost to construct a new community center that it would
require a bond and that is not currently a high priority. He then asked about a possible partnership
with the school district.
Director Markle stated that has not yet been discussed with the schools but is an avenue worth
pursuing. She spoke of high schoolers that have reached out about wanting an indoor space to play
and work out.
City Manager Rodriguez stated she would like to set expectations that this would not be an
immediate item but would look more into 2022.
Council Member Whalen echoed that the financial piece is clear but also stated that raising
taxes is not always a bad thing as it invests in things the community needs. However, raising taxes
25% or more is not an option. He spoke of the need for banquet and meeting spaces in the
community but with the pandemic it is unclear when large indoor gatherings could resume. He asked
about what Post 435 would like to see in the new development including Veteran’s housing, meeting
space, etc.
Attorney McClusky spoke of how Post 435 would be more than happy to continue discussions
around making space available to the community.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez explained the immediate issue concerns the small area plan and long
term planning and it is not financially responsible for the city to purchase this area. She spoke of how
things have changed due to the pandemic and created drastic challenges. This project is an example
of just how tough things are right now and how this could put a lot of burden on city staff during an
already challenging pandemic. She also spoke of how this is an item that needs to be addressed now
for the community and unfortunately the answer can’t always be ‘yes.’
Council Member Hayford Oleary appreciated the information and spoke of how this will be a
good way to build the tax base and create discussions with the community of why the city shouldn’t
borrow to build a new community center right now.
Council Member Trautmann echoed comments from Mayor Regan Gonzalez and Council
Member Hayford Oleary in that the capacity staff can efficiently work at and the city tax base are both
extremely important.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez expressed her excitement with the presentation provided and to be
able to plan a future for the community.
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Council Member Supple stated she is looking forward to going into the ice arena to see the
renovations when tours become possible.
Director Markle spoke of the renovations wrapping up and staff will look into providing a virtual
tour of the renovations.
City Manager Rodriguez gave a recap of discussion from the work session in that the city will
not pursue buying the Post 435 property; more research will be done to follow Director Markle’s
direction provided in the presentation; and avenues will be explored in partnering with the school
district in possibility of a new community center.
Director Stark explained how in initial conversations, the location at Veteran’s Park has been
eluded to a ‘campus’ with both private and public amenities. He spoke of looking at the whole site as a
puzzle in that all the smaller pieces need to fit together which includes both Veteran’s Park and the
surrounding buildings. He stated public engagement is extremely important but will be very difficult
due to the pandemic. Most engagements will need to be virtual and that does not fit the needs of all
the community members. He asked for ideas from staff and Council on how to be inclusive for as
many residents as possible.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez asked about Post 435 working with a potential developer to meet the
needs of the members.
Director Stark stated potential developers would like to see it as a cohesive picture. He spoke
of the desire to have the park amenities to be as or more available to residents and not have private
structures hinder that access.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez thanked everyone for attending and for the robust discussion
regarding the future of the community.
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:47 p.m.
Date Approved: January 26, 2021
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kelly Wynn Katie Rodriguez
Senior Office Assistant City Manager