07-13 Regular
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular CouncilMeeting
July 13, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Maria Regan Gonzalez at 7:00 p.m. in the Council
Chambers.
Council Members Maria Regan Gonzalez, Mayor; Mary Supple; Sean Hayford Oleary; Ben
Present: Whalen; and Simon Trautmann
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Sam Ketchum, Acting City Attorney; John
Stark, Community Development Director; Amy Markle, Recreation Services
Director; Rachel Lindholm, Sustainability Specialist; Jennifer Anderson, Health
Administrator; and Kelly Wynn, Administrative Assistant
Others Present: Deirdre Coleman, Partners in Energy/CEE
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Regan Gonzalez led the Pledge of Allegiance
OPEN FORUM
No speakers.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/Supple, S/Whalen to approve the minutesof the: (1) City Council Work Session of June 22,
2021; and (2) City Council Meeting of June 22, 2021.
Motion carried 5-0.
ST
PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION TO CELEBRATE THE 31
Item #1
ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
Mayor Regan Gonzalez presented the proclamation and praised Judy Moe along with the
Richfield Disability Advocacy Partnership (RDAP). The advocates have inspired many conversations
on how to improve the city including the increase in accessible affordable housing.
Council Meeting Minutes -2-July 13, 2021
Council Member Supple spoke of how the legislation passed to stop the practice of sub-
minimum wages to persons with disabilities. She then thanked all who advocate for those who cannot
and worked so hard to get this passed.
Council Member Hayford Oleary mentioned some areas that are still not accessible but
continue to improve. He also spoke of the inclusive playground opening next week which is one more
step in make the city more inclusive.
Council Member Trautmann thanked all the advocates along with Judy Moe and RDAP. He
expressed gratitude for all the community members who continue to speak up to make the community
inclusive.
Council Member Whalen echoed comments and lifted up the housing impacts associated with
such strong advocacy. He spoke of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority’s new member and the
important conversations that have been brought to the table.
Item #2 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
M/Whalen, S/Trautmann to approve the agenda
Motion carried 5-0.
Item #3 CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
A.Consider the first reading of an ordinance rezoning nine properties throughout the City in
order to comply with the Comprehensive Plan and schedule a second reading for July 27,
2021. Staff Report No. 104
B.Consider the approval of the first reading of an ordinance amending Section 1105 of the
Richfield City Code relating to licensing of arcades, updating several sections to bring them
current. Staff Report No. 105
C.Formally discharge the racial covenants from all City of Richfield parkland and require that
staff review all future park-land acquisition titles and discharge those covenants at the time
of purchase. Staff Report No. 106
D.Consider an Acknowledgement of Receptivity of a Metropolitan Council Livable
Communications Act funding award for a proposed multi-family housing development at
6501 Penn Avenue South. Staff Report No. 107
E.Consider the approval of a ten-year use and indemnification agreement between the City
of Richfield and Tom Price for the use of a 4,690 square-foot strip of land along the edge of
Lincoln Field. Staff Report No. 108
F.Consider the approval of a resolution authorizing a Limited Use Permit (LUP) between the
City and State of Minnesota, Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for a non-motorized
th
recreational trail in Trunk Highway 77 (TH 77) right-of-way as part of the 77 Street and
Trunk Highway 77 Improvements Project. Staff Report No. 109
Council Meeting Minutes -3- July 13, 2021
G. Consider the approval of the Small Wireless Facility Collocation Supplemental Agreement
with Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless, that set forth the terms and conditions of
collocation on city-owned wireless support structures (light poles). Staff Report No. 110
M/Supple, S/Trautmannto approve the consent calendar
Council Member Whalen stated he has had residents reach out in support of the development
at 6501 Penn. He spoke of where the project is currently at and next steps.
Council Member Trautmann expressed appreciation to staff for taking the time to remove the
racial covenants associated with properties in Richfield as it is important to recognize the past and
where the city continues to grow into the future.
Council Member Supple added she is pleased to see the city working together with Mr. Price
and the neighborhood.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez thanked Director Markle for her work on the removal of racial
covenants in the city.
Motion carried 5-0.
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT
Item #4
CALENDAR
None
CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF THE RICHFIELD ENERGY ACTION PLAN
Item #5
(STAFF REPORT NO. 111)
Council Member Whalen presented staff report 111.
Sustainability Specialist Lindholm presented on Richfield’s Energy Action Plan along with
Deirdre Coleman, Partners in Energy/CEE:
What Partners in Energy is;
Planning support;
Implementation support;
Xcel Energy benefits;
Energy Action Team; and
Plan Framework
o Richfield’s energy vision
o Plan goal
o Focus areas
o Targets
Council Member Hayford Oleary asked where the 15% comes from.
Sustainability Specialist Lindholm explained it is a goal that is between achievable and
ambitious.
Deirdre Coleman stated it combines all the focus area goals and applies a number to work
towards.
Council Meeting Minutes -4- July 13, 2021
Council Member Hayford Oleary stated the plan is encouraging and is wondering what more
everyone can be doing to reduce emissions. He expressed excitement for the plan but also
recognizes it is only the first step of many.
Council Member Supple thanked the Energy Action Team and asked about geothermal
technology as a resident had inquired.
Sustainability Specialist Lindholm stated there are still details to be hashed out regarding
renewable infrastructure and future municipal projects.
Council Member Whalen mentioned the public works building utilizes solar panels and
geothermal technology. He also spoke of his support with the plan and how the ten year plan should
be more audacious but will also require change on a larger stage. He then stated how he highly
encourages ongoing conversations with Xcel.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez thanked staff for all their hard work and everything done around
sustainable living, specifically in the last two years.
M/Whalen, S/Hayford Oleary to approve the Energy Action Plan.
Motion carried 5-0
Item #6 CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Rodriguez addressed comments from residents during the last open forum. She
also mentioned the exciting news of the Legislator passing new guidelines which give the city more
flexibility with TIF funds to build and renovate affordable housing. She thanked Mayor Regan
Gonzalez, Julie Urban and Legislators for their support and advocacy. She also supplied a brief covid
report.
Council Member Whalen asked staff and HRA/EDA chairs to keep council updated with the
new flexibility with TIF funds.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez expressed her excitement for the work regarding TIF and spoke of
how the city will have more access to use millions of dollars that have accumulated over time. Having
the access will give the city a chance to achieve affordable housing goals. She thanked Director Stark
for his leadership in overcoming such a barrier and being able to expand these benefits to so many
cities.
Item #7 CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
M/Hayford Oleary, S/Supple that the following claims and payrolls be approved:
U.S. Bank 07/13/2021
A/P Checks 298015 - 298495 $ 2,191,551.29
Payroll: 163199 – 163562 43403 784,701.42
TOTAL $ 2,976,252.71
Motion carried 5-0
Council Meeting Minutes -5-July 13, 2021
HATS OFF TO HOMETOWN HITS
Item #8
Council Member Hayford Oleary spoke of the Augsburg Park all inclusive playground grand
opening Thursday, July 22 and encouraged all residents to come out for the event.
Council Member Trautmann stated what a privilege and blessing it has been to connect in
person with constituents. He thanked the public health staff for encouraging and assisting residents to
get vaccinated. He also spoke of Ever-Care Orthotics & Prosthetics and the wonderful work they are
doing by providing new limbs to people and grateful for the investment in Richfield.
Council Member Whalen spoke of the Bandshell hosting music in the park in the mornings and
th
evenings on Tuesdays. He also spoke of the 77Underpass groundbreaking ceremony happening
following by an open house at the public works building from 4-6pm and encouraged residents to stop
by to ask questions.
Council Member Supple stated Bloomington Public Health will be at the Richfield Community
Center from 9am-12pm. She then encouraged residents to opt in to sign up for curbside organics.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez thanked Red White and Blue Days committee for the work they have
done over the years and what a success the Lil’ Sparkler event was for the community. She thanked
all the staff for their time and encouraged residents to volunteer for future events.
Item #9 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 7:58 p.m.
Date Approved: July 27, 2021
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kelly Wynn Katie Rodriguez
Administrative Assistant City Manager