02-23 CC Work Session
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
City Council Work Session
February 23, 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; John Stark, Community Development Director;
Melissa Poehlman, Assistant Community Development Director ; Ryan Krzos,
Planner; Mary Tietjen, City Attorney; Blanca Martinez Gavina, Executive
Analyst; and Kelly Wynn, Senior Office Assistant.
Planning Commission
Present: Kathryn Quam, Chair; Brett Stursa, Jim Rudolph
Item #1 PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION ON DRAFT UPDATES TO THE CITY'S
SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE
Assistant Community Development Director Poehlman gave a description of the item and
explained staff is looking for feedback on procedure and approval process.
Planner Krzos gave a presentation regarding the Subdivision Ordinance Update that included:
Explanation of subdivisions;
Goals for current update;
Structure;
General Provisions;
Procedures (platting and minor subdivision);
Approvals;
Design Standards; and
Required Improvements
Assistant Community Development Director Poehlman explained the Administrative Review
Committee (ARC) is made up of representatives from departments within the city.
Chair Quam expressed concern with taking away the opportunity of certain public hearings.
Council Member Hayford Oleary appreciated the stream lining of items.
Council Member Whalen asked for clarification on what would need charter amendment and
where public hearing would happen.
Assistant Community Development Director Poehlman explained the process would include a
public hearing at a Planning Commission meeting and approval at a Council Meeting.
Council Work Session Minutes -2-February 23, 2021
Council Member Supple asked if a charter amendment would require a vote.
City Attorney Tietjen stated the charter can be amended by an ordinance but there is a
process to follow that could take several months to complete.
Assistant Community Development Director Poehlman replied to Chair Quam’s concerns in
that it can seem disingenuous to bring something to Council when there is little to no discretion.
Chair Quam asked if staff would be renaming ‘subdivision waiver’ to ‘minor subdivision’ and
have that process done internally.
Assistant Community Development Director Poehlman stated the process currently goes to
Council with a public hearing but Council is bound to approve the application it meets all necessary
guidelines.
Chair Quam expressed concern of dismissing public hearings and would like to have an
outline of what can and cannot be changed.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez stated she is in favor of changes but would like to see a
communication piece outlining the process to assist Council and residents to better understand.
Director Stark asked about the appeal process if staff chose to go with an administrative
approval approach.
City Attorney Tietjen stated it could be done but would need to be written into an ordinance.
Director Stark offered the option to write the language to give staff the option of going through
the administrative process or through Council.
Assistant Community Development Director Poehlman explained that option is currently in the
zoning code but not for the subdivision process.
Council Member Whalen agreed with the providing the option for staff to forgo the
administrative approval and go to Council.
Assistant Community Development Director Poehlman stated Council could choose to reduce
the number from four to three when it comes to dividing a lot.
Council Member Hayford Oleary asked how the timeline would be affected if a resident would
appeal a decision.
Assistant Community Development Director Poehlman stated it would take about three to four
weeks for regular approval but if it is appealed, could add an additional four weeks.
Chair Quam asked for an explanation on why public hearings are required if nothing could be
done by staff or Council.
City Attorney Tietjen explained input can be considered at the beginning of the process but
towards the end, if an application meets all guidelines, there is no discretion.
Assistant Community Development Director Poehlman summarized Council and Planning
Commission feedback.
Council Work Session Minutes -3-February 23, 2021
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:58 p.m.
Date Approved: March 09, 2021
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kelly Wynn Katie Rodriguez
Senior Office Assistant City Manager