08-10 Work Session
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
City Council Work Session
August 10, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Regan Gonzalez at 5:32 p.m. in the
Bartholomew Room.
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;
Chris Link, Operations Superintendent; Jay Henthorne, Police Chief; Nellie
Jerome, Assistant Planner; Mike Dobesh, Fire Chief; Kristin Asher, Public
Works Director; John Stark, Community Development Director; Neil Ruhland,
Communications and Engagement Manager; Blanca Martinez Gavina, Equity
Administrator; and Kelly Wynn, Administrative Assistant
Item #1 CONSIDER A WINTER PARKING PILOT PROGRAM TO ADVANCE EQUITY CENTE
RED APPROACHES TO PARKING RESTRICTIONS NEEDED TO CLEAR THE
ROADS OF SNOW FOLLOWING A SIGNIFICANT SNOW EVENT.
City Manager Rodriguez provided a brief overview of items.
Operations Superintendent Link supplied background and reasons for snow plowing, snow
plow districts and current snow emergency procedures.
Equity Administrator Martinez Gavina introduced why this pilot program is necessary in
regards to every department.
Operations Superintendent Link described a map involving 2019 and 2020 snow emergency
tows.
Equity Administrator Martinez Gavina continued with how each department will analyze data
from the project.
Chief Henthorne stated they receive many complaints on why there are so many residents
ticketed but they also get just as many complaints as to why there isn’t more ticketing and towing.
This results in 30-40 complaints per area.
Council Member Trautmann asked if tow trucks are still called even after roads are cleared
and a ticket is already given
Chief Henthorne stated tow trucks will still come through so snow plows can clean up
previously plowed streets.
Council Member Hayford Oleary asked how medial complaints are handled.
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Chief Henthorne stated officers will go out and see if the complaint warrants a ticket/tow as
there are many residential areas that are problematic.
Operations Superintendent Link spoke of how tagging and towing isn’t an exact science.
Equity Administrator Martinez Gavina continued with stakeholder involvement. She then spoke
of how to determine benefit and/or burden and advance opportunity along with minimizing harm to
communities.
Operations Superintendent Link described the pilot program details.
Council Member Supple asked about how the outlined areas are currently being utilized.
Operations Superintendent Link explained the areas of no parking currently.
Council Member Whalen asked about alternate places for people to park in apartments when
the complexes need to clear lots along with streets.
Chief Henthorne stated they are currently working with complexes in rotating areas for towing
purposes.
Council Member Hayford Oleary asked what would happen if there are 2.5 inches of snow two
days in a row.
Operations Superintendent Link explained it is always the plan to get the plows through as fast
as possible as many times as possible. A snowfall of about 6 inches is all the trucks can safely push.
Council Member Whalen asked for clarification on snow emergencies.
Operations Superintendent Link stated staff plows snow a lot and nothing is going to change
plowing wise but the change will be when a snow emergency will be declared.
Council Member Trautmann spoke of challenges when multiple people are renting a house
and having lack of space to park.
Operations Superintendent Link reiterated why it is a good idea to pilot this program and work
out the kinks before expanding to more locations.
Council Member Hayford Oleary asked about adopting a plan like Minneapolis.
Operations Superintendent Link stated he is not a fan of the Minneapolis snow emergency
style as Richfield is different in that there are wider streets and there are many complexes that have
parking lots. It is also important to have the ability to get on the roads before things get packed down
and affect the infrastructure of the roads.
Council Member Hayford Oleary asked about the possibility to have a specific time
notifications would go out regarding a snow emergency.
Operations Superintendent Link stated staff does everything possible to get notifications out
about an upcoming snow emergency by 6 p.m.
Council Member Hayford Oleary expressed excitement to see the program take shape as it is
greatly needed.
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Council Member Trautmann agreed with Richfield plows doing exceedingly well and
expressed gratitude for supporting areas and communities that were historically excluded.
Council Member Whalen believes a key piece will be communicating about communicating to
let people know what avenues are already in place for notifications. He would like to continue to see a
prioritization to sidewalks for resident use.
Operations Superintendent Link stated staff will continue to prioritize sidewalks and trails and
will begin including the ‘why’ into communications.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez thanked staff for the extensive work to continue fantastic core
services. The equity work should not be on top of the work already happening but looking at the work
happening and how to incorporate and embedding it.
Operations Superintendent Link provided next steps to incorporate the pilot program this year.
Item #2 REVIEW OF THE PRELIMINARY EQUITY PLAN FOR THE CITY OF RICHFIELD.
Equity Administrator Martinez Gavina reviewed the preliminary equity plan update:
City of Richfield’s equity work
Role of equity administrator
Description of three phases of preliminary equity plan
What equity can be like within Richfield
Highlights of equity work in 2020 and 2021 along with each department
Director Markle added how parks and recreation are deep diving into finding barriers that
prevent residents from participating in programming.
Equity Administrator Martinez Gavina continued with how departments are incorporating equity
and the CAREs team work over the last few years along with a description of the newly added
subcommittees.
Director Markle explained the subcommittees involving staff resources, education and training.
Assistant Planner Jerome reviewed the Richfield equity and inclusion toolkit/lens,
recommendations and future steps.
Equity Administrator Martinez Gavina would like to get information on who is missing from the
conversation by using the diversity wheel and bring all the voices to the table. She explained how this
will align with strategic planning and bring community along so they are included in the work. She
spoke of how staff will continue to develop a plan to provide more details and continue to work with
each department.
Council Member Supple thanked staff for all the participation and she is excited to see
benchmarks on data gathered.
Council Member Whalen appreciated the focus on data and outcomes along with what the
impacts are in the community.
Council Member Trautmann thanked staff and believes using the lens will prove to be a
powerful tool.
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Council Member Hayford Oleary expressed appreciation for specific example provided as
described for each department.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez thanked staff for the presentation. She iterated her previous
comments of embedding these ideas into work already happening.
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:58 p.m.
Date Approved: September 14, 2021
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kelly Wynn Katie Rodriguez
Administrative Assistant City Manager