05-25 Work Session
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
City Council Work Session
May 25, 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; Amy Markle, Recreation Services Director;
Rachel Lindholm, Sustainability Specialist; Paul Smithson, WLNC Manager;
Mary Tietjen, City Attorney; Jane Skov, IT Manager; Blanca Martinez Gavina,
Executive Analyst; and Kelly Wynn, Administrative Assistant
Others Present: Nancy Blanfard, HGA; Glenn Waguespack, HGA; and David Johansson, HGA
DISCUSS THE WOOD LAKE NATURE CENTER BUILDING PROJECT PRE-DESIGN
Item #1 PROCESS INCLUDING THE WORKING CHARTER, GUIDING PRINCIPLES,
BUDGET AND POTENTIAL TIMELINE, MAJOR THEMES, AND NEXT STEPS.
Director Markle gave a brief description of the work done in the past months for the potential
design of a new building for the Wood Lake Nature Center (WLNC).
Glenn Waguespack presented on the feasibility study overview for the WLNC including project
guideline principals and preferred concept design.
Council Member Trautmann thanked Director Markle and HGA for the presentation. He spoke
of his appreciations in the design aspects and would like to make sure there are plenty of areas for
sitting and viewing of nature.
Director Markle spoke of a tour staff took of St Louis Park where HGA had done the design
and beautiful of a space it was and the wonderful work they had done.
Council Member Hayford Oleary expressed concern with the price of the project and asked
about the size of the rentable banquet space.
Glenn Waguespack stated it is designed to seat 150 people for an event.
Council Member Hayford Oleary very much liked the design and would like to see even more
of a welcoming entrance and possible reduction of parking.
Council Member Whalen spoke of the new event space and the potential need for existing
parking. He then asked about the trail route.
Glenn Waguespack stated the trail will be a continuous loop around.
Council Work Session Minutes -2- May 25, 2021
Council Member Whalen asked about the increasing dollar amount for construction costs and
if that has been factored into the project.
Glenn Waguespack stated cost estimators are built in to accommodate fluctuation.
Council Member Whalen asked more about funding the project.
Director Markle stated staff would like to finish the pre-design and see what federal funding is
available. The city will need to match dollar for dollar if federal funding is accepted.
Council Member Supple appreciated the outdoor space to accommodate classes and events.
She then asked about the 30% soft costs and exhibit costs.
Glenn Waguespack stated 30% of overall costs are being held for soft costs. Exhibit costs are
for furniture and items that are separate from construction costs.
Nancy Blankfard added that everything outside of construction costs are soft costs and most
buildings do not have exhibits so that can be a significant amount.
Glenn Waguespack stated the 30% is of construction costs and not 30% of the project in its
entirety.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez stated she would like to be more explicit when talking about equity
when it comes to the WLNC. She then asked about smaller individual rooms to serve as lactation or
prayer areas. She spoke of how community engagement is so important as this area serves so many
individuals in the community.
Director Markle summarized comments and stated staff would like to specifically make this
center a welcoming place for everyone.
CONSIDER THE PROPOSED CONTRACT FOR ORGANIZED RESIDENTIAL SOLID
WASTE COLLECTION AND FOLLOW UP ON RESIDENT QUESTIONS
Item #2 AND TOPICS INCLUDING CART PLACEMENT, HOLDING HAULERS
ACCOUNTABLE, ROLE OF CITY STAFF TO HELP RESIDENTS WITH HAULER
DIFFICULTIES, STABILITY OF PRICING, AND VOTING OPTIONS FOR THE
PROCESS.
Sustainability Specialist Lindholm presented on questions and concerns that were produced
from the listening session on May 20, 2021. She stated a majority of comments contained customer
service concerns; cart placement of new and existing carts; variety of rate options; opt out option;
pricing stability; and residential voting.
City Attorney Tietjen expanded on residential voting and how the council cannot put this item
on a ballot but requires residents to take steps to get a question on the ballot for voting.
Sustainability Specialist Lindholm reviewed some more questions from residents.
Council Member Supple asked about research regarding the option to opt-out.
Sustainability Specialist Lindholm stated there are guidelines for residents who vacation
elsewhere for a period of the year but there are not currently opt-out options for residents with low or
fixed incomes.
Council Work Session Minutes -3-May 25, 2021
Council Member Trautmann asked about leverage the city may have to assist residents with
customer service issues.
Sustainability Specialist Lindholm stated customer service is a huge part of the contract and
can have major impacts on a hauler when the contract comes up for renewal. The proposed contract
also contains specific service guidelines and standards.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez thanked staff and reminded residents of the upcoming public hearing
for organized collection on June 1, 2021 at 6:30pm.
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:59 p.m.
Date Approved: June 8, 2021
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kelly WynnKatie Rodriguez
Administrative Assistant City Manager