06-01 Special CC
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special CityCouncilMeeting
June 1, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Maria Regan Gonzalez at 6:31 p.m.
Council Members Maria Regan Gonzalez, Mayor; Ben Whalen; Mary Supple; Sean Hayford
Present: Oleary; and Simon Trautmann
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Mary Tietjen, City Attorney; Amy Markle,
Recreation Services Director; Rachel Lindholm, Sustainability Specialist; Neil
Ruhland, Communications Manager; Jane Skov, IT Manager; Blanca Martinez
Gavina, Executive Analyst; and Kelly Wynn, Administrative Assistant
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Regan Gonzalez led the Pledge of Allegiance
CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER THE PROPOSED CONTRACT
Item #1 FOR ORGANIZED RESIDENTIAL SOLID WASTE COLLECTION. STAFF
REPORT NO. 86
Mayor Regan Gonzalez presented the staff report.
M/Trautmann, S/Supple to open the public hearing.
Motion carried 5-0.
th
Patty Patiz, 125 E 68 Street, provided comment by phone and raised concerns with how going
to organized collection is equitable for residents.
th
Kathleen Balaban, 65 and Stevens, provided comment by phone and supported the idea of
organized collection but would like to see different rates and contract length.
Eric Smoczyk, 6244 Wentworth, provided comment by phone and spoke of an increase in his
bill along with not being in favor or the proposed contract negotiations.
rd
Gail Janes, 6216 3Ave S, spoke of poor customer experience she has had with a specific
hauler and not picking up her waste.
Council Meeting Minutes -2- June 1, 2021
Daren Dykes, 6844 Pleasant Ave, expressed concern for accountability and responsibility with
the haulers. He also spoke of wanting to choose who his hauler would be instead of the city choosing
for him.
Karen Jenkins, 6511 James Ave S, spoke of her support for organized collection as well as
increased safety, less damage to roadways, decrease in pollution and lower costs to residents.
Jeri Bochenski, 7639 Xerxes Ave S, expressed concerns with having one hauler and would like
to have residents vote on the topic.
Susan Rosenberg, League of Women Voters President, provided comment by email and stated
the League has been studying the issue for ten years and is in support of the city going to organized
collection.
Mark Kottman, 6825 Nicollet Ave, provided comment by email and spoke of his dissatisfaction
with his current hauler.
Emily Herzan, 6318 Bloomington Ave, provided comment by email and spoke of concerns with
switching haulers and would be upset if residents didn’t have a choice.
Donna Drummond, 6438 Knox Ave S, provided comment by email and expressed strong
support of organized collection as it will reduce the number of trucks, increase safety and decrease
solution.
Mike Hanks, 6227 James Ave S, provided comment by email and spoke of being in favor of
organized collection as it is an essential service.
Emily Larsen Scaglia, 6504 Logan Ave S, provided comment by email and expressed support of
organized collection. She also spoke of her dissatisfaction with her current hauler.
M/Supple, S/Whalen to close the public hearing.
Motion carried 5-0
ADJOURNMENT
Item #2
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 7:19 p.m.
Date Approved: June 8, 2021
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kelly Wynn Katie Rodriguez
Administrative Assistant City Manager