09-27-2022 Work SessionCITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
City Council Work Session
September 27, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
The work session was called to order by Mayor Regan Gonzalez at 5:35 p.m. in the
Bartholomew Room.
Council Members
Present:
Maria Regan Gonzalez, Mayor; Simon Trautmann (5:41); and Sean Hayford
Oleary
Council Members
Absent:
Mary Supple and Ben Whalen
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Kumud Verma, Finance Manager; Amy
Markle, Recreation Services Director; Chris Swanson, Management Analyst;
and Kari Sinning, City Clerk.
Others Present: Eric King, University of Minnesota Extension Lobbyist; Ann Lenczewski,
State and Local Government Relations Lobbyist for Lockridge Grindal Nauen
Mayor Regan Gonzalez introduced the topic for discussion for the work session and turned it
over to City Manager Rodriguez.
City Manager Rodriguez made a statement about the shooting at the Richfield High School
Homecoming football game and assured Council that staff is meeting on all levels to address the
short-term and long-term challenges. She thanked the Council for stepping up to partner with staff on
the efforts to address the community during this time. She commented on how these proposed
projects could support youth programming.
ITEM #1 PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF A LOCAL SALES TAX
City Manager Rodriguez asked the Council for feedback and guidance on whether to refine the
possible projects and look for authorization at the legislature in 2023 or 2024. She stated that the
projects are mainly major maintenance of which are funded through the liquor store profits and
property taxes; the amenities that need maintenance repairs are used regionally and the sales tax
better matches the users of the amenities. She also reminded Council that residents would have the
final say as the projects and the related tax would all be voted on.
Management Analyst Swanson gave a presentation that overviewed what local sales tax is,
what local sales tax can fund, why a local sales tax for Richfield, and how to start the process.
Analyst Swanson introduced Lobbyist Eric King who gave a presentation that overview the
University of Minnesota’s findings of how a local sales tax would affect Richfield residents and the
estimated forecast of revenue, and provided an example of how non-residents would contribute to the
local sales tax.
City Council Work Session Minutes -2-September 13, 2022
Council Member Hayford Oleary asked how voters would vote on the projects. Analyst
Swanson shared the voting would be upon multiple individual projects to vote yes or no. Council
Member Hayford Oleary asked about the history of voting on individual projects in other cities that
have passed local sales tax. Lobbyist Lenczewski shared a brief history of local sales tax and how it
has changed over the years and will continue to change due to legislative turnover. Council Member
Hayford Oleary asked if the Council can advocate for the local sales tax. Lobbyist Lenczewski
explained that the City cannot sway the voters but can give educational materials on the local sales
tax. Council Member Hayford Oleary asked if City staff would be required to keep track of the sales
tax. Lobbyist Lenczewski explained that it would be up to the City Manager to decide on doing the
collection in house or having the Department of Revenue staff collect. City Manager Rodriguez
recommended having the State collect the sales tax.
Council Member Trautmann clarified that as elected officials that they are free to advocate for
any policy. Lobbyist Lenczewski stated yes that personally Council can voice their opinions. Council
Member Trautmann asked if there are statistics about residents spending less in a certain city due to
the local sales tax increase. Lobbyist Lenczewski shared there are studies which stated that there is
very little impact. Council Member Trautmann clarified some confusion regarding taxing clothing.
Lobbyist Lenczewski said that Minnesota won’t allow local governments to change the tax base to
reduce confusion for the consumer. Lobbyist King shared that online sales tax to Richfield residents
would also be collected.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez read aloud comments from Council Member Supple that shared her
support of a local sales tax and stressed the importance of gathering public input on the projects it
would support. Council Member Supple stated in her comment the priorities of the projects with
Woodlake Nature Center and the Veterans Park upgrades being highest on her list with the Park Trail
System Improvements being at the lowest priority. Council Member Supple also asked if there would
be the financial means to do both the Woodlake and Community Center projects in 2025-2026. City
Manager Rodriguez stated that further details would need to be gathered to figure out how to finance
the projects; the local sales tax is projected to raise 91 million dollars in 20 years or 61.7 million
dollars in 15 years.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez read aloud comments from Council Member Whalen that shared his
support and excitement for the recreation infrastructure projects and the idea of a local sales tax as a
funding source to help make those happen.
Recreation Services Director Markle overviewed the possible projects that could be funded by
local sales tax which included the Wood Lake Nature Center, Veterans Park Complex, Donaldson and
Taft Parks, Park Trail System Improvements, and Community Center Upgrades and Improvements.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez shared her support and commented on thinking about the long-term
investments. She recommended using guiding principles that would aid in the vision of these projects
that would offer more to our residents that is equitable, accessible, and sustainable for years to come.
She stressed the importance of community engagement throughout the process. She also
commented on the need for more rentable community spaces.
Council Member Trautmann shared a vision to tie nature to commerce in our parks system
and to consider larger indoor community gathering spaces and utilizing our partners in the school
district and to think outside the box to accomplish those goals.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez echoed the comment of Council Member Trautmann to think outside
the box to address the needs of the community.
Council Member Hayford Oleary supported the list of projects and commented on the making
the trail system cohesive that would bring up the standard of the parks in Richfield and should be a
higher priority. He asked if the Community Center would need to stay in the current building or if it
could be expanded to the parking lot. Director Markle did not have an answer. He raised concerns to
reduce park parking lots to keep maintenance costs lower and for more greenspace.
City Council Work Session Minutes -3-September 13, 2022
City Manager Rodriguez asked Council if they would like to submit to the legislative process
during the 2023 session. Council Member Hayford Oleary stated that bringing it to a vote during a
presidential election would bring this to the forefront for voters. Analyst Swanson added that there is
some flexibility to change or amend after it has gone through the legislative process. Council Member
Trautmann and Mayor Regan Gonzalez promoted submitting this to the legislative process in the
2023 session. City Manager Rodriguez reminded Council that staff will continue to refine the project
costs and look at possible financing options.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Regan Gonzalez adjourned the work session at 6:49 p.m.
Date Approved: October 11, 2022
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kari Sinning Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager