02-23 Regular
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular CouncilMeeting
Virtual Meeting held via WebEx
February 23, 2021
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; Ben Whalen; Mary Supple; and Sean Hayford
Present: Oleary
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Mary Tietjen, City Attorney; John Stark,
Community Development Director; Melissa Poehlman, Assistant Community
Development Director; Julie Urban, Housing Manager; Lynnette Chambers,
Multi-Family Housing Program Coordinator, Section 8; Jane Skov, IT Manager;
Blanca Martinez Gavina, Executive Analyst; and Kelly Wynn, Senior Office
Assistant
Others Present: Jeffrey O’Neil, O’Neil Dental Center owner
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 callers.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/Supple, S/Whalen to approve the minutes of the (1) Joint Richfield Public School and City
Council meeting of February 1, 2021; and (2) City Council Meeting of February 9, 2021.
Council Meeting Minutes -2- February 23, 2021
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Hayford Oleary: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 5-0
Item #1 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
M/Whalen, S/Trautmann to approve the agenda
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Hayford Oleary: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 5-0
Item #2 CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
A.Consider the approval of setting a public hearing to be held on March 09, 2021, for
the consideration of the issuance of new On-Sale Wine and 3.2 Malt Liquor licenses for Mos
Eisley Cantina, LLC d/b/a Sandy's Tavern located at 6612 Penn Avenue South. Staff Report
No. 28
B. Consider the approval of a resolution for reimbursement of certain expenditures from
the proceeds of General Obligation (G.O.) Grant Anticipation Bonds to be issued by the City
for the 77th Street Underpass Improvements Project. Staff Report No. 29
RESOLUTION NO. 11828
RESOLUTION DECLARING THE OFFICIAL INTENT OF THE CITY OF
RICHFIELD TO REIMBURSE CERTAIN EXPENDITURES FROM THE PROCEEDS
OF BONDS TO BE ISSUED BY THE CITY WITH RESPECT TO 77TH STREET
UNDERPASS IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
Council Meeting Minutes -3- February 23, 2021
C. Consider the approval of the Sentencing to Service Program Services Agreement
between Richfield and Hennepin County for calendar years 2021 through 2023. Staff Report
No. 30
M/Hayford Oleary, S/Supple to approve the consent calendar.
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Hayford Oleary: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 5-0
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT
Item #3
CALENDAR
None
PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER THE ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION
SPECIFYING THE USE OF FUNDS FROM THE URBAN HENNEPIN COUNTY
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ALLOCATION FOR 2021 AND
Item #4
AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT WITH
HENNEPIN COUNTY AND ANY REQUIRED THIRD PARTY AGREEMENTS.
STAFF REPORT NO. 31
Council Member Supple read staff report 31.
Council Member Supple encouraged local service providers apply for funding. She then opened
the public hearing.
Senior Office Assistant Wynn reviewed the options to participate:
Participate live by calling 612-861-0651 during the public hearing portion
Call prior to meeting 612-861-9711
Email prior to meeting kwynn@richfielmn.gov
Senior Office Assistant Wynn stated there were no callers.
M/Supple, S/Whalen to close the public hearing.
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Council Meeting Minutes -4- February 23, 2021
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Hayford Oleary: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 5-0
M/Supple, S/Trautmannto adopta resolution authorizing the use of funds for the 2021 Urban
Hennepin County Community Development Block Grant Program and authorizing execution of a
Subrecipient Agreement with Hennepin County and any required third party agreements.
RESOLUTION NO. 11829
RESOLUTION APPROVING PROPOSED USE OF 2021 URBAN HENNEPIN COUNTY
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS AND AUTHORIZING
EXECUTION OF SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY AND ANY
REQUIRED THIRD PARTY AGREEMENTS
Council Member Supple asked for clarification on the additional $80,000 is an addition to the
money being paid off.
Housing Manager Urban confirmed it is an additional amount on top of the repayments.
Council Member Trautmann thanked staff for supplying these programs to keep people in their
homes.
Council Member Whalen echoed comments and highlighted the down payment assistance
program.
Director Stark spoke of how the CDBG program is not a large amount of money but is federal
money which can make it difficult to work with and distribute. He explained how staff went through
dozens of reviews to make the program compliant to benefit residents.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez stated she has heard first hand from residents that have been taking
advantage of the programs and how thankful they are to have the opportunity.
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Hayford Oleary: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 5-0
Item #5
Council Meeting Minutes -5- February 23, 2021
CONSIDER APPROVAL OFTHE SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE
REZONING PROPERTY AT6945 PENNAVENUE SOUTH AS NEIGHBORHOOD
BUSINESS (C-1). STAFF REPORT NO. 32
Council Member Trautmann presented staff report 32.
Director Stark explained the property owner is available for questions and the rezoning of the
area was addressed at a work session.
Jeffrey O’Neil introduced himself and explained how he was not aware of the current zoning of
his property as residential.
M/Trautmann, S/Hayford Oleary to approve a second reading of an ordinance that amends
Richfield Zoning Code Appendix I to change the zoning designation of property at 6945 Penn Avenue
South from Single Family Residential (R) to Neighborhood Business (C-1).
Council Member Hayford Oleary stated his hopes for zoning updates throughout and
appreciated the property owner for going through the process.
Council Member Trautmann thanked Jeffrey O’Neil for his investment in the city and having his
business in Richfield.
Jeffrey O’Neil stated he planned on being in Richfield for a long time.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez thanked Mr. O’Neil for attending and realizes there is a mismatch in
zoning throughout the city but knows staff is working to fix the situation.
Assistant Director Poehlman spoke of how the Community Development Department has been
working hard but has become short staffed due to Covid.
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Hayford Oleary: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 5-0
CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF AGREEMENTS WITH NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE SOCIAL SERVICES TO THE CITY OF
Item #6
RICHFIELD AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
AGREEMENTS WITH THOSE AGENCIES. STAFF REPORT NO. 33
Council Member Whalen read staff report 33.
Council Meeting Minutes -6- February 23, 2021
M/Whalen, S/Supple to approve the agreements between the recommended non-profit
organizations and the City of Richfield, and authorize the City Manager to execute agreements for
services with those agencies
Council Member Supple spoke of the experience to sit on the review committee and how the
good work being done. She stated it was tough as requests exceeded the amount of funding but hopes
the budget will be re-evaluated next year.
Multi-Family Housing Program Coordinator Chambers leads the program and gave a brief
explanation of the program and funding.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez thanked Multi-Family Housing Program Coordinator Chambers for
being a trusted leader during the process. She spoke of Richfield’s diverse community members and
her willingness to advocate additional funding to meet resident needs. Council Member Trautmann
thanked Multi-Family Housing Program Coordinator Chambers for her dedicated work and encouraged
people and businesses to contribute to the program if possible.
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Hayford Oleary: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 5-0
Item #7 CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Rodriguez provided a brief report on Covid. She then spoke of the equity work
taking place and how the city is celebrating Black History Month with tributes to poetry and music along
with interviews that will be released on social media.
Item #8 CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
M/Trautmann, S/Whalen that the following claims and payrolls be approved:
U.S. Bank 02/23/2021
A/P Checks 294629 - 295042 $ 1,569,595.42
Payroll: 160108 – 160411 43392 696,166.41
TOTAL $ 2,265,761.83
Executive Analyst Martinez Gavina took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Council Meeting Minutes -7- February 23, 2021
Trautmann: AYE
Hayford Oleary: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 5-0
Item #9 HATS OFF TO HOMETOWN HITS
Council Member Supple spoke of the Portland Ave Legacy Project and encouraged residents to
submit input and ideas. She also thanked Public Works for their swift and ongoing assistance to
residents with freezing pipes.
Council Member Trautmann highlighted the Wood Lake Nature Center and all of the programs
they continue to provide for residents.
Council Member Hayford Oleary referenced a new stop sign at Centennial Elementary School
and the impact it will have on student’s safety.
Council Member Whalen reminded residents the city is in phase two of the moratorium
regarding the property at 6501 Portland Ave which gives residents a chance to submit feedback.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez read a text received from a resident that thanked the city for developing
the down payment assistance program. She then spoke of the Richfield Annual Report that is out and
highlights things the city accomplished in the last year. She also thanked staff for supplying so many
ideas and input to the PAC meetings.
Item #10 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 7:47 p.m.
Date Approved: March 09, 2021
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kelly Wynn Katie Rodriguez
Senior Office Assistant City Manager