06-14-2022 RegularCALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Regan Gonzalez at 7:00 p.m. in the Council
Chambers.
Council Members
Present:
Maria Regan Gonzalez, Mayor; Mary Supple; Simon Trautmann; Sean
Hayford Oleary; and Ben Whalen
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Mary Tietjen, City Attorney; Jennifer
Anderson, Health Administrator; Kumud Verma, Finance Manager; Chris
Swanson, Management Analyst; and Kelly Wynn, Administrative Analyst
Others Present: Rebecca Kurtz, Ehlers
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Regan Gonzalez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
OPEN FORUM
Mayor Regan Gonzalez reviewed the options to participate:
•Participate live by calling 1-415-655-0001 during the open forum portion
•Call prior to meeting 612-861-9711
•Email prior to meeting kwynn@richfieldmn.gov
Larry Ernster, 6727 Elliot Ave S, voiced concerns regarding the construction of more
apartments in Richfield and stated how taxes collected from apartments do not support the
community and higher density that comes with apartments would bring more problems to Richfield.
City Manager Rodriguez read emailed comments by Diane Harayda, 6701 Thomas Ave S,
regarding the Council’s support of fair and equitable housing, the perchloroethylene mitigation at 66th
and Penn, and would like to see more support for local businesses.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/Trautmann, S/Supple to approve the minutes of the: (1) City Council Work Session of May
24, 2022; and (2) Regular City Council Meeting of May 24, 2022.
Motion carried 5-0.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Council Meeting
June 14, 2022
City Council Meeting Minutes -2- June 14, 2022
ITEM #1
PROCLAMATION SUPPORTING THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY BY DECLARING
JUNE TO BE PRIDE MONTH IN RICHFIELD
Mayor Regan Gonzalez read and presented the proclamation to Human Rights Commissioner
Mara Glubka.
Commissioner Glubka expressed how necessary it is to have allies and those with good hearts
promoting acceptance for children.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez thanked Commissioner Glubka for her leadership and her work within
the community.
Council Member Supple echoed comments of Mayor Regan Gonzalez and stressed the
importance of Richfield taking a stand against discrimination to protect the human rights of all
residents.
Council Member Hayford Oleary spoke candidly of how much this proclamation means to him
as he is able to live openly and expressed thankfulness for the acceptance that Richfield has shown
which is not taken for granted. He showed optimism for forward progression of acceptance for all in
the queer community.
Council Member Whalen echoed the comments previously spoken and acknowledged that
these celebratory moments came at a cost of which there still is more work to do to become a fully
inclusive country.
Council Member Trautmann thanked Commissioner Glubka and stated that civil liberties are
not taken for granted; civil rights matter and we will stand together as one community.
ITEM #2
PROCLAMATION ACKNOWLEDGING AND CELEBRATING THE JUNETEENTH
FREEDOM DAY IN THE CITY OF RICHFIELD
Mayor Regan Gonzalez read and presented the proclamation to Commissioner Glubka.
Council Member Supple thanked the Human Rights Commission for these proclamations.
Council Member Trautmann stated that events like Juneteenth are important to connect us to
our history because we can recognize work that we still need to do as a community. He also extended
appreciation to the Human Rights Commission on their good work.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez showed appreciation for Dr. Joyce Marrie, Executive Director of
Crossroads Panorama and Richfield Arts Commissioner, who has been very committed to sharing the
history of slavery and oppression of African-American community members, youth leadership through
performance and art, and connecting our history to our present responsibilities as community
members. Commissioner Gulbka offered to hand-deliver the proclamation to Dr. Joyce Marrie.
ITEM #3
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
City Council Meeting Minutes -3-June 14, 2022
M/W halen, S/Trautmann to approve the agenda.
Motion carried 5-0.
ITEM #4 CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
A.Consider approval of a contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., to provide
construction engineering services for the 65th Street Reconstruction Project for a fee not to
exceed $851,153.00. (Staff Report No. 89)
B.Consider the approval of setting a public hearing to be held on June 28, 2022, to consider
the issuance of new On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor and Sunday Sale Liquor licenses for MC
Richfield, LLC dba Millions Crab, located at 9 66th Street East. (Staff Report No. 90 )
C.Consider approval for a Temporary On Sale Intoxicating Liquor license for the Academy of
Holy Angels, located at 6600 Nicollet Avenue S., for their annual Rock The Lawn event
scheduled to take place June 25, 2022. (Staff Report No. 91)
D.Consider approval of a Temporary On Sale Intoxicating Liquor license for the 4th of July
event scheduled to take place July 4, 2022, at Fred Babcock VFW #5555, located at 6715
Lakeshore Dr. (Staff Report No. 92)
E.Consider adoption of a resolution authorizing the City to affirm the monetary limits on
statutory municipality tort liability. (Staff Report No. 93)
RESOLUTION NO. 11982
RESOLUTION AFFIRMING MUNICIPAL TORT LIABILITY LIMITS
ESTABLISHED BY MINNESOTA STATUTES 466.04
F.Consider adoption of a resolution authorizing the purchase of a permanent lighting
easement at 900 Rae Dr for the 65th Street Reconstruction Project. (Staff Report No. 94)
RESOLUTION NO. 11983
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF RICHFIELD TO MAKE
PAYMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF A PERMANENT LIGHTING
EASEMENT AT 900 RAE DRIVE (PID# 28-028-24-14-0012) AS A
PART OF THE 65TH ST RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT
M/Supple, S/Trautmann to approve the consent calendar.
Motion carried 5-0.
ITEM #5 CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT
CALENDAR
None.
City Council Meeting Minutes -4- June 14, 2022
ITEM #6
CONSIDER ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION AWARDING THE SALE OF
$10,000,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2022A. (STAFF
REPORT NO. 95 )
Council Member Supple presented Staff Report 95.
City Manager Rodriguez introduced Finance Manager Kumud and Senior Municipal Advisor
Rebecca Kurtz from Ehlers.
Finance Manager Verma provided a brief background of her work and expressed excitement
to work for the City. Council welcomed Manager Verma.
Advisor Kurtz presented on the bonds bids process, highlighted some statements from S&P
Global Ratings, and reviewed the six bids submitted. The recommendation is to award the bid from
Piper Sandler & Co at 3.74% interest which is slightly higher than estimated. They anticipate closing
the bonds on July 7.
Council Member Whalen asked about the new levy amount with the increased interest.
Advisor Kurtz stated that the new levy amount would be on average $430,000 over 20 years.
City Manager Rodriguez stated Council authorized $1.1 million of ARPA funds and there is a
$325,000 savings.
Council Member Trautmann thanked Ehlers for their work along with staff and Director Asher
to continue to invest in infrastructure within Richfield. He spoke of how it is not fiscally responsible to
‘save up’ and set money aside versus bonding and investing.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez spoke of how this project has already been deferred due to Covid but
now is the right time to invest. She also thanked staff for making hard decisions and the support from
Ehlers.
M/Supple, S/Trautmann to adopt a resolution awarding the sale of General Obligation Bonds,
Series 2022A, in the original aggregate principal amount of $10,000,000; Fixing their form and
specifications; Directing their execution and delivery; and providing for their payment.
Council Member Supple mentioned that by deciding to make the move now instead of in two
years that we saved $900,000 and now we also get another $300,000 of ARPA money back to invest
into other services. She also stated that this project will help alleviate a lot of the flooding.
Council Member Hayford Oleary asked if the motion needed to award the bid bond to Piper
Sandler. City Attorney Tietjen stated that the resolution would be updated to reflect the award and the
motion did not need to be amended. City Manager Rodriguez stated that an updated resolution has
already been created.
Council Member Trautmann commented on how this project will make Richfield more walkable
and safer for residents that live near 65th Street and mentioned that there is infrastructure in the
parking lots of the HUB that would be reconfigured to allow for the HUB to be redeveloped into a
better space.
Motion carried 5-0.
City Council Meeting Minutes -5- June 14, 2022
ITEM #7
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Rodriguez explained Bloomington Public Health will no longer be issuing a
weekly covid report and stated that wastewater data and other reports show that covid cases are
trickling downward.
ITEM #8
CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
M/Trautmann, S/Whalen that the following claims and payrolls be approved:
U.S. BANK 6/14/2022
A/P Checks: 306572 – 307063 $2,120,250.32
Payroll: 170487 – 171109, 43470 – 43471 $1,542,933.10
TOTAL $3,664,183.42
Motion carried 5-0
ITEM #9
HATS OFF TO HOMETOWN HITS
Council Member Whalen shared that summer entertainment at the Bandshell started today. He
thanked Public Works staff for their work negotiating with MnDOT and clearly stating our values and
goals as a city.
Council Member Supple expressed appreciation for the Richfield Farmer’s Market and stated
that at the June 18 Farmer’s Market, the Arts Commission will host an event called Jazzy Art in the
Park with family art activities and jazz music. She shared that June is Bike to Work Month in
conjunction with the 494 Corridor Commission and an event will be held at the REI in Bloomington on
June 23 to celebrate.
Council Member Hayford Oleary thanked Public Works department for their assistance with
some resident concerns regarding construction projects. He also thanked residents for their patience
with the traffic congestion caused.
Council Member Trautmann shared a recent experience at Wood Lake Nature Center and
expressed gratitude for our legislators that are advocating for upgrades to the nature center for the
community and region.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez congratulated all recent Richfield graduates and applauded their
leadership, resiliency, and creativity during the past two years. She mentioned the Galaxy Grocery
Store will be having a block party on June 25 to build and celebrate community and to help design a
community mural.
City Council Meeting Minutes -6-June 14, 2022
ITEM #10 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 7:53 p.m.
Date Approved: June 28, 2022
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kelly Wynn Katie Rodriguez
Administrative Assistant City Manager