02-08-2022 Regular
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Regan Gonzalez at 7:00 p.m. virtually via WebEx.
Council Members
Present:
Maria Regan Gonzalez, Mayor; Mary Supple; Simon Trautmann; Sean
Hayford Oleary; and Ben Whalen
Council Members
Absent:
None
Staff Present:
Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Mary Tietjen, City Attorney; Krista Guzman,
Human Resources Manager; Melissa Poehlman, Interim Community
Development Director; Jane Skov, IT Manager; Kelly Wynn, Administrative
Assistant; Chris Swanson, Management Analyst, and Kari Sinning, City
Clerk.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Regan Gonzalez led the Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Regan Gonzalez also led a moment of silence for Jahmari Rice who was shot at the
South Education Center and shared condolences with all those affected by this tragedy.
OPEN FORUM
Administrative Assistant Wynn reviewed the options to participate:
• Participate live by calling 612-861-0651 during the open forum portion
• Call prior to meeting 612-861-9711
• Email prior to meeting kwynn@richfieldmn.gov
Administrative Assistant Wynn read aloud an email from Rob Skezton who shared his
thoughts on the use of City funds during the pandemic.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/Whalen, S/Supple to approve the minutes of the: (1) City Council Work Session of January
25, 2022; (2) Regular City Council Meeting of January 25, 2022.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Council Meeting
Virtual via WebEx
February 8, 2022
Council Meeting Minutes -2- February 8, 2022
City Clerk Sinning took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Hayford Oleary: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 5-0
ITEM #1
PROCLAMATION CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH HUMAN
RIGHTS COMMISSION CHAIR, WALTER BURK
Mayor Regan Gonzalez introduced Human Rights Commission Chair Burk and read aloud the
proclamation.
Council Member Supple welcomed Chair Burk and thanked the commission for bringing the
proclamation to the City. She also shared appreciation for a couple of retired teachers from Richfield
Public Schools that both taught for over thirty years; Mr. Willie Falwell, who taught art at the high
school and Ms. Nel Swanson who taught fifth grade.
Council Member Hayford Oleary appreciated the focus on racial equality on the council and
the structural policy issues that the city continues to work on and loved to see that the proclamation
called out to specific individuals that have had an impact on the community.
Council Member Trautmann appreciated Chair Burk’s leadership and the work that the Human
Rights Commission continues to do and reminded that all the history in black history is all of our
history throughout the year.
Council Member Whalen thanked the commission for bringing the proclamation to council and
expressed appreciation that we are focusing on equity. He stated that the history African American
contributions to our community are as long as the history of discrimination and racism. He encouraged
the celebration of those that have overcome discrimination and racism.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez also thanked Chair Burk and the Human Rights Commission for the
proclamation and shared a thought of lifting up African American stories and work in the community.
She also expressed her excitement on the work that we have to do regarding racial equity.
Human Rights Commission Chair Burk thanked the Council for the opportunity to present the
proclamation.
ITEM #2
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
M/Trautmann, S/Whalen to approve the agenda.
City Clerk Sinning took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Council Meeting Minutes -3- February 8, 2022
Hayford Oleary: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 5-0
ITEM #3
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
A. First reading of a proposed Ordinance Amendment establishing regulations for Electric
Vehicle chargers. (Staff Report No. 17)
B. Consider a resolution approving a request for a Conditional Use Permit to allow a Class I
(full service) restaurant and retail market at 2900 66th Street West, Suite 2900 (Southdale
Square). (Staff Report No. 18)
RESOLUTION NO. 11943
RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A
RESTAURANT AND RETAIL MARKET AT 2900 66TH STREET
WEST SUITE 2900
C. Consider approval of a first reading of an ordinance authorizing the sale of three city-
owned properties for I494 Project 1 and schedule a second reading for February 22, 2022.
(Staff Report No. 19)
D. First Reading of an ordinance amending zoning regulations for firearm sales, repair, and
other related uses. (Staff Report No. 20)
E. Consider purchase approval of a Pierce Enforcer PUC Fire Pumper for $300,000 in budget
year 2022 and $523,673 in budget year 2023, totaling $823,673, from MacQueen
Emergency Group, and authorize the City Manager to approve contract changes up to
$175,000 without further City Council consideration. (Staff Report No. 21)
M/Supple, S/Whalen to approve the consent calendar.
Council Member Whalen lifted up the community development department staff continual work
during this transitional period and expressed appreciation for addressing the issues instead of putting
them on the back burner.
Council Member Hayford Oleary expressed discontentment for item C and will hold off on
comments until the second reading. He also expressed excitement for item B.
City Clerk Sinning took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Hayford Oleary: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 5-0
Council Meeting Minutes -4- February 8, 2022
ITEM #4
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT
CALENDAR
None.
ITEM #5
CONSIDER THE APPROVAL OF THE FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING SECTIONS 921 AND 925 OF THE RICHFIELD CITY CODE TO
UPDATE AND INCORPORATE PREVIOUS OPEN BURNING, FIRES, AND
INCINERATION RESTRICTIONS. (STAFF REPORT NO. 22)
Council Member Hayford Oleary presented Staff Report 22.
M/Hayford Oleary, S/Supple to approve the first reading of an ordinance amending Sections
921 and 925 of the Richfield City Code and schedule a second reading for February 22, 2022.
City Clerk Sinning took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Hayford Oleary: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 5-0.
ITEM #6
CONSIDER THE ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE
CONTRACTS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT LABOR SERVICES (POLICE
OFFICERS) AND TEAMSTERS (POLICE SERGEANTS AND POLICE
LIEUTENANTS) FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2022 THROUGH DECEMBER
31, 2023 AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE
AGREEMENTS. (STAFF REPORT NO. 23)
Council Member Supple presented Staff Report 23 and thanked the negotiations teams for
both management and employees.
M/Supple, S/Trautmann to adopt a resolution approving the provisions of the 2022-2023 labor
agreements with LELS and Teamsters bargaining units and authorize the City Manager to execute the
agreements.
RESOLUTION NO. 11944
RESOLUTION APPROVING LABOR AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE
CITY OF RICHFIELD AND LAW ENFORCEMENT LABOR SERVICES
(LELS #123) AND TEAMSTERS (#320) BARGAINING UNITS FOR
YEARS 2022-2023
Council Member Trautmann thanked management and Police for working together to come to
this agreement and also recognized our law enforcement for their responsiveness to the recent
tragedy.
Council Meeting Minutes -5- February 8, 2022
Mayor Regan Gonzalez also thanked staff and everyone on both sides of the bargaining table
and expressed excitement to see the pilot program in the works and looks forward to the updates.
Human Rights Commissioner Lee asked when the pilot program would be revisited. Human
Resources Manager Guzman explained that revisions would be made as necessary and that there
would be regular conversations with the union on the pilot program.
City Clerk Sinning took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Hayford Oleary: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 5-0.
ITEM #7
CONSIDER CONFIRMATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF SACK THONGVANH
TO BE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER FOR THE CITY OF RICHFIELD. (STAFF
REPORT NO. 24)
Council Member Trautmann presented Staff Report 24 and shared a comment from the City of
Falcon Heights.
City Manager Rodriguez stated that Mr. Thongvanh expressed his regrets for not attending the
meeting as he is taking a much needed vacation.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez shared her excitement for the appointment of Sack Thongvanh.
M/Trautmann, S/Whalen to confirm the appointment of Sack Thongvanh as Assistant City
Manager for the City of Richfield.
Council Member Whalen seconded the excitement expressed for the hiring of Assistant City
Manager Thongvanh.
Council Member Supple welcomed and expressed excitement to work with the new assistant
city manager.
Council Member Trautmann commended staff on the recruitment process.
City Clerk Sinning took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Hayford Oleary: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 5-0.
Council Meeting Minutes -6- February 8, 2022
ITEM #8
CONSIDER CONFIRMATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF MELISSA
POEHLMAN TO BE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR FOR THE CITY
OF RICHFIELD. (STAFF REPORT NO. 25)
Council Member Whalen presented Staff Report 25.
City Manager Rodriguez shared her excitement for this promotion.
Acting Community Development Director Poehlman thanked the Council and also expressed
her excitement to lead the community development team.
M/Whalen, S/Hayford Oleary to confirm the appointment of Melissa Poehlman as Community
Development Director for the City of Richfield.
Council Member Supple welcomed Community Development Director Poehlman to the
director role and expressed excitement to working with her in the future.
Council Member Hayford Oleary expressed his excitement for Community Development
Director Poehlman to continue to do good work for the City.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez expressed her appreciation for the Community Development
Department and the department’s contributions to the community. She shared her enthusiasm to work
with Community Development Director Poehlman.
City Clerk Sinning took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Hayford Oleary: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 5-0.
ITEM #9
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Rodriguez extended condolences to the family and the community involved in
the tragic events from the past week. She thanked Police Chief Henthorne and Fire Chief Dobesh and
staff for their hard work and thanked our communications team. She also thanked council and
especially Mayor Regan Gonzalez for her communication and outreach to community.
City Manager Rodriguez also gave an update on covid and the current city mitigations and if
we could possibly make changes to those mitigations in the future as cases decrease.
City Manager Rodriguez also thanked council for the approval of the Assistant City Manager
Sack Thongvanh and Community Development Director Poehlman.
ITEM #10
CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
Council Meeting Minutes -7- February 8, 2022
M/Whalen, S/Supple that the following claims and payrolls be approved:
U.S. Bank 2/8/2022
A/P Checks: 303562 – 303943 $1,191,494.57
Payroll: 168050 – 168349, 43460 – 43461 $ 733,163.67
TOTAL $1,924,658.24
City Clerk Sinning took roll call vote:
Regan Gonzalez: AYE
Supple: AYE
Trautmann: AYE
Hayford Oleary: AYE
Whalen: AYE
Motion carried 5-0
ITEM #11
HATS OFF TO HOMETOWN HITS
Council Member Supple offered condolences to Jahmari Rice’s family and friends and
expressed gratitude for the schools and the community support surrounding this tragedy. She
mentioned that residents can apply for the citizen HRA/EDA appointment on the website. She also
promoted the Ice and Snow Festival this Saturday at Taft Lake.
Council Member Whalen echoed the thanks and appreciation for all those involved in
responding to the shooting and the community members supporting the victims’ families. He
expressed gratitude for our communication’s responsiveness and reflected on how to strengthen
community safety.
Council Member Hayford Oleary echoed the condolences and distress and gratitude for those
involved with the tragedy. He also thanked community members for their input to the I-494 project and
mentioned a virtual meeting for the project.
Council Member Trautmann shared in the grief that Jahmari Rice’s family and the other victims
are going through. He lifted up the students that are experiencing trauma caused by the tragedy. He
appreciated the work of Bishop Howell at Shiloh Temple and BJ Skoog and Cesar at Young Life. He
also mentioned the funeral for Jahmari Rice. He was grateful for the community and how it’s
supported one another.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez expressed the many emotions that she had been feeling; deep grief,
hopelessness, loss, and concern for the sanctity of our communities. She acknowledged that the
important work council does as leaders in the community to create community in Richfield and the
seamlessness of how well different departments and levels of government worked together in the
response of this crisis.
Council Meeting Minutes -8-February 8, 2022
ITEM #12 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:28 p.m.
Date Approved: February 8, 2022
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kari Sinning Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager