06-28-2022 Work Session CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
City Council Work Session
June 28, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
The work session was called to order by Mayor Regan Gonzalez at 5:30 p.m. in the
Bartholomew Room.
Council Members
Present:
Maria Regan Gonzalez, Mayor; Mary Supple; Sean Hayford Oleary; and Ben
Whalen
Council Members
Absent:
Simon Trautmann
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Amy Markle, Recreation Services Director;
Rachel Lindholm, Sustainability Specialist; and Kari Sinning, City Clerk.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez explained that there are three different proposals for discussion for the
work session and turned it over to Recreation Services Director Markle.
ITEM #1
RICHFIELD COMMUNITY GARDENS PROPOSAL
Director Markle Sustainability Specialist Lindholm and gave a presentation regarding the
reasons to invest in community gardens, the history of previous garden, the proposed model and
locations, how the community gardens may look, the sign-up process, the budget, and the timeline for
the implementation.
Council Member Supple asked about the requirements for the fencing. Specialist Lindholm
explained that there wouldn’t be specific requirements but recommendations that would be given to
the gardeners.
Council Member Whalen asked about the water supply. Specialist Lindholm explained the
access would be via a spigot but no hose hook ups. Director Markle explained further that other
community gardens saw problems with hose hook ups to the water supply that flooded other gardens.
Council Member Supple asked about accessible garden plots. Director Markle stated that
there would be two to four raised garden beds at each site.
Council Member Hayford Oleary shared a preference to include fencing for the entire area if
the community gardens would be a permanent fixture of the parks and asked for verification of the
size and the amount of water for the area. Specialist Lindholm shared that the garden would be at
least 20x30 feet and sectioned into plots with narrower raised garden beds that would be sectioned
into plots as well and the water use would be revised once the final measurements would be made.
Council Member Hayford Oleary understood the restrictions but wished that the site in ward two could
be closer to multi-family housing instead of single family homes. He also brought up a question
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regarding the use of the garage at Fremont Park from a resident and Specialist Lindholm stated that
the garage is still used by Public Works.
Council Member Whalen commented on the size of the garden as well and asked about the
hockey rink at the city-owned park land. Director Markle shared that there has been discussion with
Public Works regarding the feasibility of a long term sustainable hockey rink at that location and that
the community garden would not take up the entire space. Council Member Whalen also asked if
there are community gardens that use a sprinkler to water for their residents and Specialist Lindholm
stated that different plants have different watering schedules and staff would still be able to monitor
the water use from a tank supply system.
Council Member Supple shared excitement from residents regarding community gardens in
each ward.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez shared that one of her first jobs in Richfield was to implement the
community garden and the excitement for the project to build the sense of community up. Director
Markle shared the possibilities of the community engagement events especially for youth involvement.
ITEM #2
RICHFIELD BIKE PARK PROPOSAL
Director Markle gave a presentation regarding the benefits and features of a bike park, the
proposed location in Taft Park, the collaboration of community partners to implement, timeline, and
budget.
Council Member Supple asked about offering shaded areas. Director Markle stated that trees
would be planted to provide shade.
Council Member Hayford Oleary supported the proposal of the project and asked about the
contribution from Three Rivers Park District. Director Markle stated that Three Rivers Park District
might be able to fund the entire project.
Council Member Supple encouraged the education of lifelong skills and recreation for children.
Council Member Whalen added that there are good options for features to be built in-house
and shared how Carver County created paths with different skill sets that allows for more variability in
the skills and paths that people take in the park.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez expressed excitement for the project and suggested to have more
accessible language signs, multi-generational programming for families, and multi-lingual/multi-
cultural programs that could bridge cultures as we implement more community spaces.
ITEM #3
RICHFIELD SKATE PARK EXPANSION PROPOSAL
Director Markle gave a presentation regarding the history of our current stake park, the need
for the expansion, goals of the expansion, the proposed location, timeline, project partners, and
budget.
Council Member Supple appreciated the partnership with the School District.
Council Member Whalen commented that all these projects are so well needed and asked if
there is planning for the long term maintenance of our parks. Director Markle explained that there has
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been an inventory of capital improvement projects in the short, mid and long term to help guide the
budget for the next couple years. Council Member Whalen expressed the importance of parks and
raised concerns of our parks not being a priority. Director Markle shared that a lot of the park facilities
were built around the same time and that they are in need of some reinvestment of which City
Manager Rodriguez and Finance Manager Verma will be discussing the needs of the facilities for
future budgeting. City Manager Rodriguez echoed the concerns of Council Member Whalen and
stated that there have been discussions on the priorities of strategic planning and congratulated
Director Markle on the partnerships that she has developed.
Council Member Supple stated that there would be community support that could help to fund
and gather supporters for projects. Director Markle shared that with the Community Services
Commission and Public Works Department they looked at how much it costs to maintain the facilities
and the how well used the facilities are which will help determine where funding will go, how much is
needed, and what the space could be used for instead.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez shared that the liquor store round up program is not promoted as
much as it should be and the Council encouraged more promotion of the program. She suggested the
formation of a sub-committee under the Community Services Commission to help with accessibility,
partnerships, and outreach. She thanked Director Markle for her leadership in creating equity within
the parks and that as a City we should all be striving to create equity for all.
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:39 p.m.
Date Approved: July 12, 2022
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kari Sinning Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager