04-13 Regular
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Council Meeting
Virtual Meeting held via WebEx
April 13, 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; Pam Dmytrenko, Assistant City Manager; Mary
Tietjen, City Attorney; John Stark, Community Development Director; Julie
Urban, Housing Manager; Jane Skov, IT Manager; Blanca Martinez Gavina,
Executive Analyst; and Kelly Wynn, Senior Office Assistant
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Regan Gonzalez led the Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of silence to recognize the police involved killing of Daunte Wright, for his family and
community.
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 read a statement supplied: My name is Kathleen and I live at 6526
Stevens Ave So. I am here representing my neighborhood to ask for your assistance in amending
and/or creating an ordinance that addresses noxious and/or toxic air emissions from small businesses,
specifically noting laundromats.
Senior Office Assistant Wynn stated there were no callers.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Council Meeting Minutes -2- April 13, 2021
M/Supple, S/Whalen to approve the minutes of the (1) Joint City Council/HRA/Planning
Commission/Human Rights Commission Work Session of March 15, 2021; (2) City Council Work
Session of March 23, 2021; and (3) City Council Meeting of March 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 PRESENTATION TO RECOGNIZE IMMIGRANT DAY
Mayor Regan Gonzalez read the proclamation.
Council Member Supple expressed gratitude to Unidos for bringing this forward as many
families are in need of support and protection.
Council Member Hayford Oleary spoke of how it is a national issue that affects Richfield
residents and hopes to see real change.
Council Member Trautmann echoed comments and will continue to support policies that make
everyone welcome in the community.
Council Member Whalen stated this was an issue recently brought up in a discussion with US
Representative Omar. It is an item that is out of Richfield jurisdiction but greatly impacts the Richfield
community.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez spoke of a recent rally at Partnership Academy last weekend that
attracted people from all over the state.
Item #2 PRESENTATION TO RECOGNIZE EARTH DAY 2021
Mayor Regan Gonzalez presented the proclamation.
Council Member Whalen highlighted the ongoing work and thanked staff involved with the
sustainability efforts.
Council Meeting Minutes -3- April 13, 2021
Item #3 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
M/Whalen, S/Hayford Oleary 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 #4 CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
A. Consider the approval of a resolution authorizing the acceptance of grant funds in the amount
of $30,000 on behalf of the Richfield-Bloomington Watershed Management Organization from the
Board of Water and Soil Resources. Staff Report No. 50
RESOLUTION NO. 11837
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF RICHFIELD TO ACCEPT GRANT
FUNDS FROM THE BOARD OF WATER AND SOIL RESOURCES ON BEHALF OF
THE RICHFIELD-BLOOMINGTON WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION
(RBWMO)
B. Consider First reading to consider a proposed ordinance amendment to modify rules related
to home occupations. Staff Report No. 51
C. Street
(MSAS) network. Staff Report No. 52
RESOLUTION NO. 11838
RESOLUTION REVOKING MUNICIPAL STATE AID DESIGNATION FROM CERTAIN CITY
STREETS
RESOLUTION NO. 11839
RESOLUTION FOR MUNICIPAL STATE AID DESIGNATION OF CERTAIN CITY STREETS
Council Meeting Minutes -4- April 13, 2021
D. Consider the approval of the Small Wireless Facility Collocation Supplemental Agreements
with Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless, that set forth the terms and conditions of collocation on
wireless support structures within City right-of-way. Staff Report No. 53
E. Consider approval of a first reading of an ordinance repealing Section 500 of the City Code
and adopting a new Section 500 related to Plats and Subdivision Regulations and schedule a second
reading for April 27, 2021. Staff Report No. 54
F. Consider approval of the first reading of an ordinance rezoning property on the northeast
corner of Lyndale Avenue and 65th Street as Planned Mixed Use (PMU) and consider approval of the
first reading of a transitory ordinance vacating a portion of the Lyndale Avenue right-of-way and utility
easements and schedule second readings for April 27, 2021. Staff Report No. 55
M/Supple, S/Whalen to approve the consent calendar.
Council Member Hayford Oleary asked staff why item F includes vacating an easement.
Director Stark stated he will look into and have an answer at the second reading.
Council Member Supple expressed appreciation for the discussion from community regarding
item B and was pleased to see a compromise and amendment.
Council Member Whalen emphasized the proposal in item B is different from the original due to
input and feedback from the community and encouraged residents to reach out and offer comments.
Council Member Trautmann thanked Director Stark and the Community Development staff for
continuously working with the community.
and brought change to the table to better the community.
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 #5
CALENDAR
None
Council Meeting Minutes -5- April 13, 2021
CONSIDER ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION MODIFYING A HEALTH CARE
Item #6 SAVINGS PLAN FOR POLICE LIEUTENANTS, TEAMSTERS #320
BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES. STAFF REPORT NO. 56
Council Member Supple read staff report 56.
Assistant City Manager Dmytrenko stated every employee group within the city has a post-
employment savings plan and employees pay 100% into the plans. Staff received the request from the
police department to increase the plan.
M/ Supple, S/Whalen to adopt a resolution modifying a Health Care Savings Plan for eligible
Police Lieutenants, Teamsters #320 bargaining unit employees.
RESOLUTION NO. 11840
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AN UPDATED AMENDED POST EMPLOYMENT HEALTH CARE
SAVINGS PLAN FOR POLICE LIEUTENANT EMPLOYEES (TEAMSTERS #320)
Council Member Supple encouraged employees to set money aside for future healthcare needs
whenever possible.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez echoed comments and stated it is a great option to build a
savings account for additional costs.
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 A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE CITY'S PARTICIPATION IN
THE JUST DEEDS COALITION, WHICH WORKS TO FACILITATE THE
Item #7
REMOVAL OF DISCRIMINATORY COVENANTS FROM PROPERTY DEEDS.
STAFF REPORT NO. 57
Council Member Trautmann presented staff report 57.
Director Stark stated the map recognizes the high number of covenants in the southeast portion
of Richfield which is also a highly concentrated area of poverty. The covenants not only had an impact
but continue to impact the community.
Council Meeting Minutes -6- April 13, 2021
Housing Manager Urban stated staff would like to take action as they became aware of disparity
of BIPOC communities and owning a home. She appreciated the support to remove covenants as the
government has been a part of the problem and would like to be part of the solution.
Council Member Trautmann thanked staff for all the work and raising awareness of the situation.
M/Trautmann, S/ Hayford Olearyto adopt a resolution condemning the use of discriminatory
covenants, discharging discriminatory covenants on City-owned property, and approving participation in
the Just Deeds Coalition.
RESOLUTION NO. 11841
RESOLUTION CONDEMNING THE USE OF DISCRIMINATORY COVENANTS,
DISCHARGING DISCRIMINATORY COVENANTS ON CITY-OWNED PROPERTY,
AND APPROVING PARTICIPATION IN THE JUST DEEDS COALITION
Council Member Supple stated is had been an honor being the liaison for the Human Rights
Commission who recently voted unanimously to support this effort.
Council Member Whalen thanked all the leaders in the coalition in assisting in moving this work
forward.
Council Member Hayford Oleary echoed comments and will continue to support such work.
Council Member Trautmann described his personal background of moving into Richfield and
how out of place their family was on their block. He spoke of his support for this work and bringing it to
the forefront and recognizing the damage it has done to the community. He thanked staff for their
continued work on this item.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez commented and what a wonderful educational tool this is and how staff
is supporting the community.
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 APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR A $1,000,000
GRANT APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL FUNDING THROUGH THE
Item #8 NEWLY CREATED COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING (CPF) PROGRAM FOR
THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WOOD LAKE NATURE CENTER. STAFF
REPORT NO. 58
Council Member Hayford Oleary read staff report 58.
Council Meeting Minutes -7- April 13, 2021
City Manager Rodriguez thanked staff for their hard work on this item and is hopeful for federal
funding on the project.
Council Member Hayford Oleary asked for clarification on the total estimated cost of $20million.
City Manager Rodriguez stated that is correct and is hopeful to be included in funds for next
year.
M/ Hayford Oleary, S/ Whalen to approve the resolution of support for a federal CPF grant
application for the new Wood Lake Nature Center project.
RESOLUTION NO. 11842
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY
PROJECT FUNDING (CPF) GRANT APPLICATION FOR WOOD LAKE NATURE CENTER
Council Member Whalen asked about a preliminary design timeline and when council will be
looking at the design.
City Manager Rodriguez stated there will be a work session on May 11 dedicated to the Wood
Lake Nature Center.
Council Member Trautmann commented on how widely used the Wood Lake Nature is and how
many programs are offered to residents utilizing the space.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez stated Wood Lake Nature Center is another great example of how the
community is leading to created spaces and parks within a community.
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 #9 CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Rodriguez supplied a brief update regarding Covid. She then recognized the
recent tragic incident involving Daunte Wright and the grieving region.
Item #10 CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
M/Hayford Oleary, S/Trautmann that the following claims and payrolls be approved:
Council Meeting Minutes -8- April 13, 2021
U.S. Bank 04/13/2021
A/P Checks 295745 - 296203 $ 1,777,674.10
Payroll: 161011 161306 43394 687,387.47
TOTAL $ 2,465,061.57
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 #11 HATS OFF TO HOMETOWN HITS
Council Member Trautmann recognized the passing of a longtime friend, Bill Green, who was
recently hired as the Richfield Equity and Inclusion Coordinator. Bill had dedicated his life to equity
work and will leave a lifetime legacy of clear eyed vision.
Council Member Hayford Oleary stated his condolences for the Green family. He then
recognized the comments from the open forum and is hopeful to have some discussions regarding the
air quality. He also stated his appreciation for the immediate work by staff to protect the community
following the incident in Brooklyn Center.
Council Member Supple expressed gratitude for the assistance from elected officials on a
project at the middle school. Officials recorded greetings for the children as they were unable to meet in
person. She also voiced heartfelt condolences to the family of Daunte Wright and continues to add her
voice to the call for justice.
Council Member Whalen echoed comments and added a people made problem can be solved.
He encouraged community members to reach out with ideas for safety. He also spoke of the upcoming
meetings on Inclusionary Housing draft language.
City Manager Rodriguez explained she will be speaking with the Green family and will be
recognizing him at the next meeting.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez stated she is holding the Green family and everyone who knew Bill
close to her heart.
Item #11 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:12 p.m.
Council Meeting Minutes -9- April 13, 2021
Date Approved: April 27, 2021
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kelly Wynn Katie Rodriguez
Senior Office Assistant City Manager