08-01-2022 Work SessionCITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special City Council Work Session
August 1, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
The work session was called to order by Mayor Regan Gonzalez at 5:06 p.m. in the
Bartholomew Room.
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; Jay Henthorne, Public Safety Director; Mike
Dobesh, Fire Chief; Kristin Asher, Public Works Director; Julie Urban,
Assistant Community Development Director; Amy Markle, Recreation
Services Director; Chris Swanson, Management Analyst
Others Present: Craig Rapp, Rapp Consulting; Lee Ohnesorge, HRA Commissioner
Mayor Regan Gonzalez explained that there is one topic for discussion for the work session
and turned it over to City Manager Rodriguez.
ITEM #1 PREVIEW A PRESENTATION ON STRATEGIC PLANNING WITH CRAIG RAPP,
RAPP CONSULTING.
City Manager Rodriguez gave an introduction to the strategic planning process and turned it
over to Craig Rapp, Rapp Consulting. Mr. Rapp went over the strategic planning process and
priorities identified by the city during this work.
Craig Rapp presented the Operational Excellence strategic priority to council, there was some
general discussion. He then continued with the Community Development strategic priority.
Council Member Whalen commented he is happy to see the city is focused on ensuring the
reducing the number of cost burdened households is included in the plan, but he also wants
something on how we can maintain or grow the number of affordable units in the city. Assistant
Community Development Director Urban responded that community development could try and find
another target they could track on this matter.
Council Member Supple asked about how the city can maintain or grow the number of
affordable commercial spaces in the city. Craig Rapp outlined that some of that work is already
included in the Sustainable Infrastructure priority, which he then presented.
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Council Member Whalen commented about the climate piece of the plan and wanted to know
how the city plans to communicate these targets to the community and noted all the work seems to be
left to the recreation department and the sustainability commission. He also noted the two top
priorities have not been determined and suggested promoting them when done.
Craig Rapp presented the High-Quality workforce strategic priority to council, there was some
general discussion. He then presented the equity and inclusion priority.
Council Member Trautmann noted that equity worked is placed in a silo in many organizations
and would like the city to look at how the work is discussed as an organization.
Council Member Supple recognized that the equity work covers many traditionally excluded
groups.
Council Member Whalen stated he is excited about all this work. He wondered if the city
should get more specific about outcomes for the equity work as he wants to see some of the work
completed by 2025.
Council Member Trautmann noted it would be nice to have some of the equity items more
flushed out, but understands the limitations by not having an equity coordinator currently on staff. He
also hopes that once that position is filled, that person can quickly start work on projects within the
plan.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez agreed overall and understands the city wants to lead by values with
some additional core items to take into consideration. She felt this document sets strong priorities and
action steps which are aligned with the values.
City Manager Rodriguez asked for comments or questions on the strategic priority initiatives
presented.
Council Member Hayford Oleary asked about general formatting of the initiatives. He also
asked about the Economic Development Coordinator and if this is a new position or is currently in the
budget. Assistant Community Development Director Urban responded that this was a new position
that is in the budget. Council Member Hayford Oleary asked if some of the redevelopment work is
being pushed out as community development waits to hire a development coordinator. Assistant
Community Development Director Urban responded that was correct.
Council Member Supple stated this is much like the equity work.
Council Member Hayford Oleary asked about the status was of some waypoint signs.
Recreation Services Director Markle stated they are still planned for the future and believed they will
be included in the 65th street work.
Council Member Whalen stated he was excited about this plan as he believes these items are
very concrete and specific. He expressed excitement about where the city is headed.
Council Member Supple confirmed that parks are still included in the standard capital planning
process.
Craig Rapp talked about the power of having a dashboard or a similar system to enable staff
to show our community the work we’re doing. Council Member Whalen wanted to expand on that
point. He recognized having data on a dashboard is good but that is only a small part of the story. He
would like to grow communications on this work to include clear messages about initiatives.
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Craig Rapp provided closing statements by reminding everyone that this is an ongoing
journey.
The Council thanked everyone who worked on this project.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez was thankful for the focus on equity but wanted staff to spend time not
on surveys, but in conversation and partnership with existing groups in our community.
Council Member Whalen asked about a timeline for next steps and asked for a
communications plan for review when the plan is submitted for final council approval.
City Manager Rodriguez stated she would discuss this with the communications team and
provide a timeline for both the final approval of strategic plan and the corresponding communications
strategy.
Council Member Hayford Oleary asked about how the process will relate to specific policy or
ordinance changes he may want staff to pursue. City Manager Rodriguez said the work plan will help
lead that discussion and will allow staff to develop that process. She then provided a summary of
changes to the strategic plan.
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:50 p.m.
Date Approved: August 10, 2022
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Chris Swanson Katie Rodriguez
Management Analyst City Manager