08-24 Special
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
SpecialCouncilMeeting
August 24, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Maria Regan Gonzalez at 5:42 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; Kristin Asher, Public Works Director;
Scott Kulzer, Administrative Aide/Analyst; Amy Markle, Recreation Services
Director; Rachel Lindholm, Sustainability Specialist; Kate Aitchison,
Housing/Communications Specialist; Blanca Martinez Gavina, Equity
Administrator; and Kelly Wynn, Administrative Assistant
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Regan Gonzalez led the Pledge of Allegiance
Item #1 CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
A. Consider the approval of a resolution authorizing the City of Richfield to enter into a Local
Road Improvement Program grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of
Transportation (MnDOT Agreement No. 1047188) for $11,690,000 to be used for construction
of the 77th Street and Trunk Highway 77 Improvements Project. Staff Report No. 122
RESOLUTION NO. 11871
RESOLUTION APPROVING EXHIBIT E FOR GRANT AGREEMENT TO STATE
TRANSPORTATION FUND LOCAL ROAD IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM GRANT TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR
CONSTRUCTION OF THE 77TH STREET AND TRUNK
HIGHWAY 77 IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT (SP 157-594-
003; SP 157-108-035; & SP 2758-82)
B. Consider the approval of a site license agreement between the City and C.S. McCrossan
Construction, Inc., for construction staging for the 77th Street and Trunk Highway 77
Improvements Project. Staff Report No. 123
Council Meeting Minutes -2- August 24, 2021
M/Supple, S/Trautmann to approve the consent calendar.
Motion carried 5-0.
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT
Item #2
CALENDAR
None
CONSIDER THE FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND
REPLACING SECTION 601 OF THE RICHFIELD CODE OF ORDINANCES
Item #3
PERTAINING TO SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL, COLLECTION AND HAULING.
STAFF REPORT NO. 124
Council Member Whalen read staff report 124.
M/Whalen, S/Supple to approve the first reading of an ordinance repealing and replacing
Section 601 of the Richfield City Code pertaining to solid waste disposal, collection, and hauling.
Council Member Whalen asked staff to briefly comment on the changes occurring with this
item to clarify for residents.
Sustainability Specialist Lindholm stated this update to the code will bring things up to date.
Council Member Hayford Oleary asked about cart placement being allowed in front of houses.
Sustainability Specialist Lindholm stated there are four different diagrams included in the code
covering a variety of lot sizes and shapes which detail where carts can be placed. She encouraged
residents to review the diagram.
Motion carried 5-0.
CONSIDER THE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION’S REQUEST FOR A JOINT
MEETING TO DISCUSS CONCERNS ABOUT THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT
Item #4 OF TRANSPORTATION’S PLANS FOR THE I-494 AND PENN AVE
INTERCHANGE AS RELATED TO THE I-494: AIRPORT TO 169 PROJECT.
STAFF REPORT NO. 125
Council Member Hayford Oleary presented staff report 125.
Director Asher stated all decisions have been made regarding the 494 project but staff is
available to assist with any discussion.
Council Member Hayford Oleary stated he spoke with some commissioners regarding the
change in routing from Best Buy Corporate to 35W and do not think it is the best solution.
Council Member Supple stated she would speak with the commission.
Council Meeting Minutes -3- August 24, 2021
Council Member Whalen asked staff if a meeting would be a good use of time.
Director Asher provided her perspective that this meeting would be a step back but is unsure
what the intended outcome would be other than a better understanding of the routing.
City Manager Rodriguez stated hosting a meeting would set expectations of a change which
will not happen as decisions have been solidified.
Director Asher added the change will affect approximately 200 vehicles, according to a study
completed.
Council Member Trautmann spoke of how engaged the members of the transportation
commission are but the PAC and TAC have already agreed to the plans put forth by MnDOT and is
unsure there is a space to make a change at this point in the process. He asked staff to share
additional information with the commission and then find out if there is still a need for a meeting.
Council Member Hayford Oleary stated the meeting has merit to show how important this is to
the council and city.
Council Member Whalen spoke of questioning votes that have already been approved and
does not believe this is a large concern.
Council Member Trautmann wondered if this meeting request is premature.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez stated a meeting concerning this specific issue is unnecessary but
would explore the idea of a work session to prepare for municipal consent.
Director Asher stated she could attend the next commission meeting and perhaps have
MnDOT attend to see if questions can be answered before convening a work session with council.
Council Member Trautmann suggested tabling the item until getting further clarity from staff
regarding the desire outcome from the requested meeting.
Council Member Hayford Oleary stated it is a worthy request as some decisions happen in the
background and do not necessarily incorporate resident feedback.
Council Member Trautmann again suggested tabling instead of rejecting the request.
M/Trautmann, S/Supple to table this item until the next council meeting of September 14,
2021.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez asked staff to acquire more information from the commission in
regards to their goal from having a meeting with council.
Council Member Trautmann would like staff to bring the same information given to council and
provide that to the commission.
Council Member Whalen would like staff to present realistic options are going forward to
receive a better sense of the commission desired outcome.
Motion carried 5-0.
Council Meeting Minutes -4- August 24, 2021
Item #5 CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Rodriguez responded to two previous open forum comments from residents.
She then thanked all directors for their work on the budget presentation that took place during the
work session. She also asked if council had any other comments or direction regarding the budget
process.
Council Member Supple thanked directors and staff for the extensive work on the budget
presentation along with looking forward and developing the ten year plan. She also expressed she
would not like to raise the levy during times of the pandemic as there is so much economic
uncertainty.
Council Member Trautmann echoed comments of gratitude to staff and believes the city has a
good outlook. He stated he would like to utilize some reserves and not raise the levy.
Council Member Whalen spoke of the rising market value and the tax increase will be felt more
than past years. He also mentioned how many large infrastructure investments regarding recreation
facilities should be more clearly defined. He then spoke of continuing to prioritize sustainability.
Council Member Hayford Oleary asked if these same concerns regarding the levy were said
last year and how does staff know the city will do better next year.
City Manager Rodriguez believed it was a crisis last year due to impacts of the pandemic and
those impacts are still being seen. She also believes due to the debt service happening next year, it
will be difficult not to use reserves next year as well.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez spoke of the volatility that will continue to affect the city and its
services along with how important it is to develop a strong ten year plan. She also suggested
expanding the budget for consultants to take advantage of the construction boom to build out the
community.
City Manager Rodriguez then expressed deep gratitude for Director Regis and Assistant City
Manager Dmytrenko for their years of service to the City of Richfield as they both had their last day
within the last week.
Council Member Whalen echoed appreciation for both individuals for their dedication to the
community.
Council Member Trautmann spoke of the legacy left behind by both employees and thanked
them for their stewardship.
Council Member Supple also thanked both individuals as they worked tirelessly for the city.
Council Member Hayford Oleary echoed gratitude.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez spoke of the leadership displayed by both employees and appreciated
all the work they put into making the community a better place.
Item #8
ADJOURNMENT
Council Meeting Minutes -5-August 24, 2021
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:45 p.m.
Date Approved: September 14, 2021
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kelly Wynn Katie Rodriguez
Administrative Assistant City Manager