04-13 Work Session
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
City Council Work Session
April 13, 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; Jay Henthorne, Chief of Police; Martin Costello,
City Prosecutor; Jane Skov, IT Manager; Blanca Martinez Gavina, Executive
Analyst; and Kelly Wynn, Senior Office Assistant.
Item #1 REVIEW THE PRE-TRAIL DIVERSION, EXPUNGEMENTS, AND BAIL REFORM AS
IT RELATES TO THE CITY OF RICHFIELD PROSECUTIONS.
Attorney Costello presented on a variety of items including:
Explanation of a municipal prosecutor;
Difference between a civil city attorney and county attorney;
Duties of a municipal prosecutor;
Prosecuting criminal and traffic offenses;
Prosecuting ordinance violations; and
Bail, diversion and expungement in a criminal prosecution.
Council Member Hayford Oleary asked if fines are not a main part of punishment.
Attorney Costello explained the fines are defined by legislators and has not kept up with
inflation rate. Therefore, a judge has the opportunity to adjust time served and community service.
Council Member Hayford Oleary stated concern with the various options available, seem to
favor wealthy people.
Attorney Costello stated that is a valid critique of the justice system which often describes
privileged people. He spoke of the constant struggle to encompass all people and life situations.
Council Member Whalen suggested going away from a cash bail system. He would also like to
see systems put in place where individuals who have the opportunity to get their record expunged, be
able to take advantage from start instead of having to jump through hoops later on in the process.
Attorney Costello commented on various states doing away with cash bail but stated some
concerns.
Council Work Session Minutes -2- April 13, 2021
Council Member Trautmann thanked Attorney Costello for the presentation and frank
assessment of the short comings of the justice system. He requested future discussions on tackling
the challenges within the system.
Attorney Costello supplied his personal background and stated some challenges he has faced
in his career. He also stated he would take any comments or concerns and have future discussions to
address the comments.
Council Member Supple thanked Attorney Costello for the comprehensive report.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez reiterated the changes to cash bail would need to be made at the
state level.
Attorney Costello commented that at the state level there are some adjustments but Minnesota
constitutional law states all offenses are bailable.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez thanked Attorney Costello for acknowledging the inequities and
wondered how the council and public safety could work together to move change forward.
Attorney Costello stated the city could develop ordinances to begin instituting some change.
He also commented that policies and best practices should be developed to encompass all situations
and the department (Public Safety Department) will begin to review next steps and let council decide
on timeline.
Chief Henthorne stated that they can look at best practices and next steps, discuss with City
Manager Rodriguez and then she share with council.
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:51 p.m.
Date Approved: April 27, 2021
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kelly Wynn Katie Rodriguez
Senior Office Assistant City Manager