07-26-2022 RegularCALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Regan Gonzalez at 7:01 p.m. in the Council
Chambers.
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; and Kari Sinning,
City Clerk
Others Present: None
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
There were no participants.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/Supple, S/Whalen to approve the minutes of the: (1) Special Closed City Council Session of
July 12, 2022; and (2) Regular City Council Meeting of July 12, 2022.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #1 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Council Meeting
July 26, 2022
City Council Meeting Minutes -2-July 26, 2022
M/W halen, S/Truatmann to approve the agenda.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #2 CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
A.Consider approval of the amended rental agreement between the City of Richfield and the
MN Whitecaps Professional Women's hockey team for use of a locker room, ice time for
practices and games, concessions, and alcohol sales. (Staff Report No. 106)
B.Consider approval of the establishment of a Recreation Special Revenue Fund for the
Sustainability Program that includes organized collection. (Staff Report No. 107)
RESOLUTION NO. 11990
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW SPECIAL
REVENUE FUNDS FOR THE CITY'S ORGANIZED HAULING
PROGRAM, INCLUDING RECYCLING, ORGANICS, AND
SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAMS
C.Approval of the first reading of an ordinance amending the term of the Existing Franchise
Agreement from August 1, 2022, to January 31, 2023, and schedule a second reading for
September 13, 2022. (Staff Report No. 108)
Mayor Regan Gonzalez invited Bobby Long of NLTD Hockey Ventures LLC, shared that this
wou ld be a home for the Minnesota Whitecaps where they will be treated like professional athletes.
Council Member Supple expressed excitement to watch them play. Long expressed the hope to bring
the Isobel Cup to Richfield. Council Member Trautmann also extended a welcome and asked about
season tickets. Long explained that they are figuring out the ticket sales and shared that securing a
facility to play. Council Member Trautmann stated that they should connect with Visit Richfield and the
Chamber of Commerce to make the home opener could be a great event. Mayor Regan Gonzalez
also welcomed them and shared that Richfield is full of Hockey supporters. She also thanked the
leadership of the Ice Arena Staff in re-envisioning and revitalizing the space for the future of the
community and also shared a personal anecdote regarding playing hockey. Long extended an offer to
Mayor Regan Gonzalez to do the opening ceremony puck drop on opening night.
M/Hayford Oleary, S/Supple to approve the consent calendar.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #3 CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT
CALENDAR
None.
ITEM #4 CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Council Meeting Minutes -3- July 26, 2022
City Manager Rodriguez had nothing to report; however, stated that council would like to
continue the discussion from the previous work session regarding the use of American Rescue Plan
Act (ARPA) funding.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez opened up the discussion.
Council Member Whalen shared that he is excited for the projects but questioned that if this is
the correct source of funding and if there are projects missing that we would not have other
opportunities to fund. He posed a question to Council to consider sharing funds allocated to the
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) project towards something that directly focused on energy use, reducing
fossil fuel use, and more sustainable future.
Council Member Supple appreciated the balance and variety of projects that would be funded
and asked staff to comment on what other projects might be suitable that would focus on
sustainability.
Recreation Services Director Markle shared the thoughts from Sustainability Specialist
Lindholm regarding the use of the ARPA funding for other projects and they concluded that utilizing
the money for the EAB project would help to preserve our tree canopy and replant trees.
Council Member Trautmann appreciated the concern from Council Member Whalen and
would, if possible, support a couple different options after comparing and viewing a cost benefit
analysis but does not have a strong opinion currently.
Council Member Hayford Oleary understood the concern from Council Member Whalen and
commented that changes from policies would promote sustainability. He stated that grant
opportunities that may arise to convert to heat pumps or education or energy audits but that may likely
benefit high-income households versus the EAB project would benefit low-income households. He
asked Council Member Whalen why he chose the EAB project versus the splash pad.
Council Member Whalen expressed the need to utilize funds to help create more sustainable
community which is also a federal, state, and local issue and that we can’t keep operating in the
direction we are going.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez asked a question regarding the gap that needs to be fulfilled for the
climate action plan. Council Member Whalen stated that funding is the gap and expressed the need to
make the climate action plan a priority. City Manager Rodriguez thanked Council Member Whalen for
giving more details and stated that projects are voted on independently if they are from a local option
sales tax which would be brought up in a future work session.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez commented the need to focus on the internal infrastructure to promote
equity and sustainability.
Director Markle appreciated Council Member Whalen’s comments on climate change and
noted that there are strategic initiatives for external/internal education and engagement and also
prioritizing items on the climate action plan.
Council Member Trautmann affirmed the reality of climate change and thanked Council
Member Whalen for raising the opportunity for Council and Staff to address climate change.
Council Member Hayford Oleary commented that Director Asher said in the work session that
$300,000 is the functional minimum for the EAB project and asked Council if they would want to ask
staff to research if there is an alternative project directed at climate change that would be around
City Council Meeting Minutes -4- July 26, 2022
$150,000. He offered education for homeowners or retrofitting a city building to reduce climate change
impacts as solutions.
Council Member Whalen expressed the need for Council to be clearer upon implementing the
climate action plan and creating a budget for it to be successful.
City Manager Rodriguez summarized the discussion by asking Council if they would like staff
to review the climate action plan to see if there is a use of $150,000. Mayor Regan Gonzalez stated
that she would support the use of $150,000 depending on the outcome of the proposed project.
Council Member Supple clarified what she heard from Council Member Whalen was that we could
look at the uses of the $150,000 but we also need to make the climate action plan a priority and
create a budget for the future. Council Member Whalen shared hesitance because in his interpretation
staff already stated the use for the funding. Mayor Regan Gonzalez stated that Council should have a
future discussion regarding funding for the climate action plan. Director Markle offered to have staff
meet to see if there is a need for the $150,000 that could be used from the climate action plan and
weigh the pros and cons of the EAB project only being funded for $300,000.
Council Member Trautmann thanked staff and Council for the conversation and expressed
trust in staff to promote the Council’s vision but not to simply act performatively.
Council Member Whalen echoed the comment from Council Member Trautmann and
acknowledged that funding is not always the barrier to build the capacity to set up for future
conversations.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez summarized the discussion and directed staff to delve into the climate
action plan to see if ARPA funds can be used and bring it back to Council. She also stated the need
for more clarity as a Council to continue to work on the climate action plan.
Council Member Whalen encouraged residents to view the full proposals for the ARPA
funding.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez thanked staff for gathering the proposals and thinking of a variety of
things for the long-term success of the community.
Council Member Hayford Oleary expressed excitement and support for the community mural
at Galaxy Foods.
ITEM #5
CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
M/Supple, S/Trautmann that the following claims and payrolls be approved:
U.S. BANK 7/26/2022
A/P Checks: 307718 – 308011 $1,589,596.20
Payroll: 171838 – 172199 $790,863.83
TOTAL $2,380,460.03
Council Member Trautmann thanked staff.
Motion carried: 5-0
City Council Meeting Minutes -5-July 26, 2022
ITEM #6 HATS OFF TO HOMETOWN HITS
Council Member Whalen encouraged residents to vote in the Primary Election that includes
the Council At Large position and the County Attorney. City Clerk Sinning added the times for voters
to come vote in person absentee and invited residents and council to the public accuracy test.
Council Member Supple thanked Public Works staff and mentioned how to address
emergency needs when normal office hours are closed. She also thanked those that supported the
Donaldson Park basketball tournament. She also mentioned Unity in the Community on August 5th.
Council Member Hayford Oleary mentioned the Safe Routes to School workshop at RDLS and
the Urban Wildland Half Marathon as he will lead the 5k race on his bike.
Council Member Trautmann also mentioned the Urban Wildland Half Marathon and
encouraged volunteers for the event. He also lifted up early voting.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez shared art events that would be held at the Richfield Lake
Amphitheatre on Wednesdays in August. She also mentioned National Night Out on August 2nd.
ITEM #7 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 7:54 p.m.
Date Approved: August 10, 2022
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kari Sinning Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager