01-24-2023 Regular
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Supple at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Council Members Present:
Mary Supple, Mayor; Sharon Christensen; Simon Trautmann;
Sean Hayford Oleary; and Ben Whalen
Staff Present:
Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Mary Tietjen, City Attorney;
Melissa Poehlman, Community Development Director; Jay
Henthorne, Public Safety Director/Police Chief; Jennifer
Anderson, Health Administrator; and Chris Swanson,
Management Analyst
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Supple led the Pledge of Allegiance.
OPEN FORUM
Mayor Supple 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
Karen Kaylor, 7632 Sheridan Avenue South, stated she was in favor of the amended zoning
ordinance in theory. She noted the four townhomes on 74th and Washburn built in the 1970’s and the
five Sheridan Villas built in 2017 are all owner occupied. The small apartment buildings along Penn
Avenue seem to be locally owned. She indicated she had been raised in a four-plex which was what
her Mom could afford after her Father passed. She spoke of some additional personal experiences.
She then urged the Council to table the amended Ordinance as written and send it back for a rewrite to
allow duplexes, but also with language to protect the community from housing speculators and absentee
landlords as well as to ban the conversion of single-family homes and new duplexes to free standing
hotel rooms.
Heidi Geibor, 6915 Wentworth, stated she was not opposed and suggested more of them for
Richfield as an affordable way for families to be able to have the adequate housing they needed. She
indicated 10 years ago when the city had already talked about affordable housing for years but had not
produced it. She indicated Richfield needs more affordable housing. She asked why the city preferred
to use their limited space to fill the community with unsightly, high-density buildings filled with
unaffordable units. She noted these complexes have greatly changed the complexion of their urban
hometown.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Council Meeting
January 24, 2023
City Council Meeting Minutes -2- January 24, 2023
Dave Snyder, 513 West 70th Street, stated he has lived in Richfield for five years and is proud
to call it home. He indicated he was in attendance to speak in support of the zoning code change being
considered by the Council. He stated he has spoken with neighbors and friends of his who have bent
over backwards to serve the community and who ultimately had to find housing that was affordable
outside of Richfield, even though they really wanted to stay. He spoke of how increasing the supply of
affordable housing including duplexes and apartments will help provide that stability for the neighbors.
He stated he was concerned about outside investors and noted there is ample evidence that these
investors are more interested in profits rather than providing stable and responsibly maintained housing
options for residents.
Mark Hoffman, 6511 Logan, stated he has sent the Council and staff research that’s been done
on multi-family and low-density housing. He noted the research speaks of benefits on the part of those
larger complexes, but there is no specific research on the impact that duplex rentals have in single-
family neighborhoods. He stated duplexes are not multi-family and they are not very dense in terms of
the population that was there.
Janet Coleman, 6632 Elliott, stated she was raised in Richfield and before she could afford to
buy, she rented an apartment and a duplex. She stated she was not against duplexes, but tonight she
was going to focus on protecting and promoting homeownership.
Larry Ernster, 6727 Elliott, stated he was going to focus on homeownership. He noted the city
has stated that rezoning was being done to promote a path to homeownership. He indicated he had
five recommendations that not only support homeownership, but simultaneously increase the paths to
and the opportunity for homeownership. He said he is not against duplexes and renters but against the
unregulated building that will ensue if the rezoning passes. He asked Council to take another look at
their plan.
Mary Best, 6727 Elliott, noted people are before the City Council tonight because neighbor to
neighbor they are discussing and discovering the rezoning issue going on within the city is in a scope
of which most residents had never heard about. She indicated Richfield is often compared to
Minneapolis and their 2040 Plan was modeled after theirs. She stated Minneapolis ended single-family
zoning in September 2019.She stated they did not want, nor should they be modeled after Minneapolis.
Lester Bower, Richfield resident, stated he wanted to talk about his experiences of having
purchased a duplex in Richfield approximately 12 years ago. He noted he came from a smaller
community and has always lived in smaller communities and their experiences have been very positive
with their duplex. He noted some of the issues he saw regarding duplex or single-family dwellings
depended a great deal on the kinds of regulations that the City puts on. He indicated he did not see
much change between single-family dwelling and duplexes, and it was mostly dependent upon the
regulation and upon the responsibility of the owner.
Amber Marty, 7004 Chicago Avenue, stated she was a Richfield homeowner expressing her
support to amend the Ordinance. She noted this amendment will help to achieve the City Council’s
2040 Comprehensive Plan’s goals of expanding housing choices, promoting the modernization of
housing stock, maintaining affordability, and supporting attractive neighborhoods. She indicated she
had three reasons for supporting this amendment including the opportunity to address the regional
housing shortage, the opportunity it allows to build wealth, and the opportunity this amendment provides
to address racial equality. She noted she did not want to see high-rises or outside investments come
in and take away opportunities for homeowners. She did not think that was what being proposed. She
thanked them for their time and service to the community.
Kathleen Balaban, 65th and Stevens, asked the City to defer the rezoning until a further
infrastructure study. She stated the reason for that because she did agree they needed affordable
housing throughout the Metro area, and she was not opposed to multiple family units. She noted she
City Council Meeting Minutes -3- January 24, 2023
had lived in apartments, duplexes, single-family homes that are rented, and single-family homes that
are owned.
Ms. Balaban believed Richfield needed to look deeper into the City’s infrastructure before going
forward. She thanked them for their time and asked them to please, please look at the infrastructure
because they are not ready for this at this time but might be in a while after this is studied more.
Steve McPhearson, 1605 Oliver, stated some of the concerns were higher potential for more
cars on the streets, double the garbage cans, and double the lawn furniture. He noted high-density
meant twice as many items around the yard. He indicated he had spoken with two realtors to assess
whether duplexes to raise or lower property values of existing homes in the area. He stated they both
quickly stated that it tends to lower property values. He stated he would like the City Council to delay
this vote a few months. He stated he would like to be a part of a survey that went to 150 randomly
picked homes in Richfield (50 in each ward), and he asked that the City Council Member of that ward
be there as well.
Reed Osal, 6829 Harriett Avenue, stated he has rented for the last six years and for the last four
he has rented a single-family home. He indicated he lived there with his wife, dog, and four-month-old
daughter. He indicated they were a family that was invested in Richfield and they would love to own a
home in Richfield eventually. He indicated a lot of people in the room might be able to dump equity in
their current home into a half a million-dollar home purchase, but as a first-time homebuyer, he did not
have $120,000 sitting around in cash to put in on a down payment.
Joe Hoover, 7627 Harriet Avenue, stated he lived in his current home for 20 years and before
that he lived in a house that his grandparents bought in 1947. He stated he saw the catastrophic effects
of climate change. He indicated they saw a stellar increase in wealth moving from the middle class to
the super rich. He saw the growing march towards an anti-democratic and authoritarian government.
He indicated he can see the disastrous effects, which are the result of globalization policies under an
unchecked free market system that has allowed globalization of commerce, but not globalization of
worker rights and environmental protections. He indicated this was the same utopian free-market race
thinking approach with dealing with the housing shortage and affordable housing that will ultimately be
the downfall of the zoning change under review today. He stated unfortunately housing is a commodity
and not a right in the United States. He indicated the zoning change will do almost nothing to eliminate
the lack of affordable housing and housing shortage. He stated he was opposed to the rezoning as
proposed.
Heather McDonald, stated she currently resides in South Minneapolis, but has been a resident
of Richfield previously for over 10 years. She indicated her children still attended school in Richfield
and they also participated in many of the community programs. She indicated for years she served on
the Community Service Commission and was able to learn a lot about the city and the people in it. She
noted she co-owned a single-family home for about ten years and then she rented for approximately a
year until her landlord decided to sell the townhome she was renting. She indicated she then had to
leave Richfield because she could not find a rental that fit her budget, her situation, and her family
needs. She indicated she wanted a nice home, and she wanted her children to have space, a yard,
and a safe neighborhood which they deserved. Everyone deserves that and these things should not
be exclusive to single-family homeowners. She stated as a past and hopefully future Richfield resident,
she was in favor of the zoning Code change to allow for better and more inclusive home options in
Richfield.
Ruane Onesirosan, 2421 West 65th Street, stated their neighborhood was overtaken and the
very elderly people came here 3 to 4 years ago to say, “Don’t do this to us!”
Mayor Supple asked the City Manager Rodriguez to read the comments that had been sent in.
City Manager Rodriguez read a comment from Janet Bakalar, 7220 Wentworth Avenue South:
City Council Meeting Minutes -4- January 24, 2023
“Dear Mayor and Council, I would like the Council to vote no on the rezoning issue. I feel more research
needs to be done on the long-term effects of such a decision. One example, there should be a limit on
how many double units per block. Also, landlord rental issues vs. single homeowners. Also, the amount
of greenspace lost to larger housing lots. Increase use of water, sewer, electricity, parking issues,
school resources, increased road congestion, traffic, etc. Richfield already added large apartment
buildings in several areas. Our property taxes still keep going up, even with all of this new tax base. I
don’t want higher density in Richfield. I want to continue to have the quiet neighborhoods and small
town feel we have now. I feel the Council had its mind made up before all of the hearings. We don’t
need to do what the other cities are doing. We are independent. Please vote no on this issue. If it
passes, I will be very disappointed. There would need to be some regulation on how many units and
how close. Thank you for your consideration of this matter.”
City Manager Rodriguez stated the comment received was from Paul and Carrie Chillman, 6314
Upton Avenue South: “We would like to voice our support of the Ordinance to allow duplexes throughout
Richfield. We happily moved to Richfield ten years ago but could never have done so with today’s
house prices. Anything that provides more options for lower costs housing and allows more people to
move here is a benefit for the community.”
City Manager Rodriguez read a comment from Meagan Fatheree, 6434 Washburn Avenue
South: “In regard to Agenda Item No. 4, proposed Ordinance to Align the Zoning Code with
Comprehensive Plan, I am in full support of updating the City’s Zoning Code to better reflect our current
housing needs. The proposed change will not end our affordable housing crisis but will open the
possibility for more housing options, which she saw as a benefit. As a current homeowner and former
renter, I know that owning a single-family home does not meet everyone’s needs at all stages of life so
allowing an option for duplexes makes sense. Thank you for considering this proposal and for taking
any steps possible to increase access to affordable, accessible housing in Richfield. I would like to give
extra thanks to Council Members who have engaged the community around this proposal. I have
noticed multiple offers in various community groups, on social media where Council Members have
provided information on the proposal, to dispel the myths, explain the reasoning and offered further
engagement offline. I think these discussions are very important at a community level and appreciate
your efforts.”
City Manager Rodriguez read a comment from Ricardo Perez: “My name is Ricardo Perez. I’m
a resident homeowner in Richfield. I am a supportive of the Council efforts and our Mayor’s effort to
allow duplexes in single-family home lots. Having access to affordable rental housing or being able to
buy property is an important element of success. We should welcome the idea and any new initiatives
to help residents find quality, affordable housing in Richfield. This policy can be a tool to get us there.
Let us prioritize accessibility and affordability as the guiding principles that led us decide where we
invest and what we build.”
City Manager Rodriguez read a comment from Brendan Kennealy: “My address is 7114
Columbus Avenue. I volunteer on the Richfield Planning Commission and I am writing in support of the
proposed Zoning Amendment aligning the Zoning Code and the Comprehensive Plan eliminating the
2-family residential MR-1 Zoning District and amending the Single-family Residential R District. I
commend the City Council and City staff for taking action aimed at reducing the housing shortage,
expand housing choices, and make Richfield more attainable for a variety of owners and renters. Two
family dwellings, such as duplexes, have been part of Richfield’s appeal since the City’s founding. As
Council Member Hayford Oleary has stated, “It is a good thing if someone wants to create a new home
and welcome another family to Richfield and we shouldn’t stand in the way of good things. Individuals
and families who live in Richfield’s 2 family homes enjoy shaded yards and safe streets and chasing
dogs and strollers around our lovely neighborhood park. They work here. They shop here. They send
their kids to school here. They live next door and across the street. They hear the same planes flying
low overhead, and they drink the same world-famous Richfield tap water as you and me.”
City Manager Rodriguez read a comment from Addison and Laura Lewis, 6820 James Avenue:
“As single-family homeowners in the R District, we strongly support the proposed Zoning Amendment
City Council Meeting Minutes -5- January 24, 2023
to allow two-family homes in the R District as well as easing the minimum lot size and width requirement.
Our region desperately needs more housing, specifically more variety in housing options for people with
different needs. These changes will help facilitate that. Your staff has done a great job outlining the
many benefits. Thank you for your leadership on this.”
City Manager Rodriguez read a comment from Tony Bibus, 6908 First Ave S: “As I’ve written to
my Ward Council Member Sean Hayford Oleary, I’m strongly in favor of the proposed changes in our
low-density Residential R Zoning District that the City Council will be addressing on Tuesday, January
24th. They will encourage the availability of more accessible, safe, and affordable housing in the
neighborhood, which is my top priority as a Richfield resident. For example, on my block where I have
lived since January 1979 there are several duplexes and houses for rent and I value living where a wide
diversity of people and families can live. An integrated family life is to my benefit and increases the
worth of my home. “
City Manager Rodriguez read a comment from Hector Delgadllo, Richfield resident: ”I have lived
in Richfield for more than 20 years and previously I lived in a big City so based on my experience, I can
tell you something for sure – rezoning will only bring problems to our City. It will bring more crime to
the City; it will decrease the value of our homes; it will negatively affect the environment. More people
equal more trash. More pollution due to more cars circulating in the streets. More cars mean more
traffic and longer commute time. More danger to school kids just by the fact that we will have more cars
circulating. Insecurity – more robberies and houses more people/businesses. More issues when the
City is cleaning the streets due to snowstorms. Not all of the people are careful enough to move their
cars somewhere else when the city is cleaning the streets. I really hope you can reconsider. The City
of Richfield is a very nice community and I hope it will stay that way for years to come.”
City Manager Rodriguez read a comment from Kent Karnick who addressed two items on the
agenda: “Hello, this is in regard to this Motion (and then references the second reading of the Zoning
Code). I would like the City Council to vote against this motion. One key to a successful community is
single-family housing among many other items. Also, we do not need a local sales tax. We already
have a sales tax of Federal and State. The city needs to do better with the money we already have.
We gave away money for the bandshell at Veteran’s park; gave up property taxes with all of the homes
lost due to Best Buy; and the land we gave to the airport. How long will be continuing to spend more
money than we have? I like Woodlake Nature Center. This needs to move forward for being self-
funded. The community center needs to find alternative sources of funding. In the end, we need less
taxation.”
City Manager Rodriguez read a comment from Christie Burke, Richfield Ward 2: “I am writing as
a member of the community in support of the proposed changes to our City of Richfield’s Zoning Code
which will allow for low density two-family residential dwellings across much of the City and reduce the
single-family only designation to a limited area within City limits. The 2040 Comprehensive Plan
specifically provides for low density housing such as duplexes and townhomes and Richfield zoning
doesn’t. Two family homes like duplexes are approved on a case-by-case basis, which is inefficient;
undermines consistent application of the law and could introduce bias at a few stages of the permit
process. I’m not a lawyer, but it seems clear to me that the city zoning is not in compliance with State
Statute as things stand. The proposed changes to local zoning would address that issue. It is also
worthwhile and important to consider the future of the city. As written, the proposed Zoning Amendment
ensure that new low-density development will visually blend in with existing architecture. That residents
will have access to outdoor space, that parking is available for each home, and that walkable
environments are part of the planning. We need all of that and I would like to see the City Council pass
these changes. Thanks for your consideration.”
City Manager Rodriguez read a comment from Jessica Alkire, 7512 Dupont Avenue South: “I’m
not able to be here in person today but wanted to share a comment in support of the rezoning Ordinance
Amendment to be read at today’s meeting. My husband and I are fortunate and privileged enough to
own our home and we love living in Richfield. However, my status as a single-family homeowner does
not make me any more important or deserving of housing and respect from my neighbors.
City Council Meeting Minutes -6- January 24, 2023
Renters should be just as valued in our community as homeowners are. Renters contribute to
our community in many ways and should not be looked down upon. I think the addition of more duplexes
in Richfield will benefit the community and provide more access to housing for those that need it and
create potential past ownership as well. I hope that changes to this Ordinance and allowing for more
duplexes will afford renters more opportunities to live in Richfield and bring valued perspectives and
diversity to our community.”
City Manager Rodriguez read a comment from Jim Reilly, 7220 Columbus Avenue South: “I
would like to voice my support for the Ordinance Amendment aligning the Zoning Code with the
Comprehensive Plan eliminating the two-family residential MR1 Zoning District and amending the
single-family R District.”
Mayor Supple then when to the phoneline and requested the caller to state their name and
address.
Jenna Surry stated she was calling in for her Mom and Dad and lived at 6814 17th Avenue South.
She indicated they signed the petition sent out earlier and her biggest concern was that the
comprehensive package is specifically taken from the east side of Richfield.
She stated looking at it and seeing the amount of blocks that are going to continue to be taken
away from single-family homeowners is concerning seeing that she has lived in Richfield her whole life
and seen nothing but the east side of Richfield being taken away from the people that she’s grown up
with specifically off of 17th Avenue and then seeing the apartments come in and crime going up – hearing
gun shots in the area, hearing about invasions of people’s homes. She still supported the idea that they
could have people who have multi dwelling units, but they need to be homeowner occupied as well.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/Whalen, S/Hayford Oleary to approve the minutes of the: (1) Legislative Breakfast of
January 12, 2023; (2) City Council Work Session of January 10, 2023; (2) City Council Regular
Meeting of January 10, 2023.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #1
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
M/Whalen, S/Hayford Oleary to approve the agenda.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #2
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
A. Consider approval of Temporary On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor license for the Blessed Trinity
Catholic School, located at St. Richard’s Catholic Church, 7540 Penn Avenue South, for
their 2023 Sno*ball Dance taking place February 4 2023 (Staff Report No. 17).
City Council Meeting Minutes -7- January 24, 2023
B. Consider the approval of an agreement between the Hennepin County Human Services and
Public Health Department, and the City of Richfield Police Department for two full-time
embedded Senior Social Workers (Staff Report No. 18).
C. Consider the approval of the bid tabulation and award a contract to Valley Paving, Inc., for
the Lyndale Avenue and 77th Street Intersections Project in the amount of $973,021.20 and
authorize the City Manager to approve contract changes up to $175,000 without further City
Council consideration (Staff Report No. 19).
M/Trautmann, S/Whalen to approve the consent calendar.
Mayor Supple asked if there were any comments.
Council Member Whalen thanked staff for Item B for continuing to expand the embedded social
workers in the Public Safety Department. He thanked the Police Chief and Public Safety Director and
the County and everyone else who has been involved in this. He knows the single embedded social
worker they have had for a while now has been really appreciated and he was excited to see this
continue to expand.
Council Member Trautmann recognized as an Alum of St. Richard’s and Blessed Trinity Catholic
School, that their name came up on the community page today that he was grateful the school was still
thriving. As they have a special liquor license to support the school, he wanted to recognize them and
wished them every success.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #3
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT
CALENDAR
None.
ITEM #4
CONSIDER A SECOND READING AND SUMMARY PUBLICATION OF AN
ORDINANCE AMENDMENT ALIGNING THE ZONING CODE WITH A
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN; ELIMINATING THE TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL
(MR-1) ZONING DISTRICT, AND AMENDING THE SINGLE-FAMILY
RESIDENTIAL (R) DISTRICT (STAFF REPORT NO. 20)
Council Member Hayford Oleary presented Staff Report 20.
M/Hayford Oleary, S/Whalen to approve a Second Reading and Summary Publication of an
Ordinance Amendment Aligning the Zoning Code with a Comprehensive Plan; Eliminating the Two-
Family Residential (MR-1) Zoning District, and Amending the Single-Family Residential (R) District
(Staff Report No. 20)
Council Member Hayford Oleary noted he had heard a few times that duplexes would not be
regulated, which he believed is mostly to the fact that you would not need a public hearing to approve
one but that was a little bit confusing because there are a lot of regulations and rules. He asked staff
for a summary of what the process is if this passes and how would the City ensure the rules are followed.
Director Poehlman responded that duplexes would be regulated just like single family homes
were regulated so there are regulations regarding setbacks, heights, width of driveway, garage frontage
in terms of home footage, the amount if impervious surface. She indicated in most of these cases, it
City Council Meeting Minutes -8- January 24, 2023
would be the exact same as it would be for a single-family home. She stated they are just looking to
put a wall in the middle of a house or allow someone to build a separate entrance to a second story,
but generally the bulk of homes would be required to be the same as single-family homes. She spoke
of the process when a new duplex was to be built.
Council Member Hayford Oleary asked if someone came and proposed a duplex that was taller
than allowed or closer to the lot lines, there would still be a public process to review that proposed
variance and change. Director Poehlman responded that was correct.
City Council Member Hayford Oleary stated they have also had comments regarding
infrastructure. He asked if there was a concern from Public Works or the City if people were to build
several buildings on one block, would that require new sewer or water lines.
Director Poehlman responded that one of the main purposes of preparing a Comprehensive
Plan was to look at these systems such as infrastructure, wastewater, water, storm, transportation, etc.
to ensure they are set up to accommodate the growth the community was anticipating. She noted this
was done at both a local level and at a metro level. In terms of a few duplexes on a block, she indicated
there were not concerns about whether they have the capacity to handle that in terms of infrastructure.
City Council Member Hayford Oleary noted he had a few concerns about investors, institutional
investors, etc. He asked what the city was considering today to address that. He asked if this affected
the rental ordinance in any way and if it precluded the city from changing it in the future.
Director Poehlman responded it did not. She stated the city did have a Rental Licensing
Ordinance where they require anyone who was renting out their home to a non-family member come in
and be licensed. She stated generally rental properties were inspected on a two-year cycle unless
there have been correction items and then that was brought down to one and they are put on a
provisional license. She indicated the City followed the International Property Maintenance Code to
ensure the rental properties are safe and maintained in the community. She noted this was important
to the city and to the renters as well as the homeowners nearby. She stated this proposal does not
change anything related to the rental licensing and they can certainly talk about that Ordinance, but it
would be something separate.
Council Member Whalen stated right now he knew there was going to be an upcoming State
Legislature hearing to consider a bill to prohibit investment funds or hedge funds from buying properties
as an investment. He knows the city has not discussed this yet and personally he thinks that is worth
exploring, but if that is not addressed at the State level, it does seem to be a trend that seems to be
rising and he believed it would be worth exploring as a city.
Director Poehlman responded staff was always tracking the bills at the State Legislature and
they were watching this. She did not know the details of it yet, but it was something policy makers can
direct staff to investigate and they would work with the City Attorney to craft any language.
Council Member Trautmann stated he recognized whenever people come to the Council that it
is a big deal. He stated there were several people who just said explicitly, “We think this is about more
immigrants in Richfield and I don’t like it.” He indicated he had not heard any of that tonight and he
wanted to be clear that he wanted to name that as that has been something that’s been said to everyone.
He commented he was a third generation Richfield resident who is raising a fourth generation here, as
well as a Puerto Rican family. Again, he thanked everyone for a thoughtful conversation tonight, but he
did want to address those things that have been both online and that he had received personally. He
indicated that was just part of his story.
Council Member Trautmann stated he also heard something that was really important that he
believed was from a thread from people who were and were not supportive of the Ordinance which was
that there are institutional investors that are taking housing stock that needs to be available for single
families. He believed one of the opportunities they had and one of the fruits of people coming together
City Council Meeting Minutes -9- January 24, 2023
was this was an issue they were giving them the power and authority to address. One of the ways they
can do this is to look at Air BnB rentals in the City and whether that’s the right use as those were several
investors. He asked staff to consider this.
Council Member Trautman also acknowledged multi-family housing that are large developments
and duplexes and adding one family to a block. He asked staff how many duplexes were anticipated or
what they are talking about here in terms of opportunities and whether this will turn the needle one way
or another.
Director Poehlman stated she believed it was the last caller who called in who seemed to think
that there was an entity coming in and taking homes out of Richfield and replacing them with duplexes.
She assured everyone that was not the case. She indicated what was happening here is that they
would be opening up an opportunity for someone to do that if that is what they decided to do with
property that they owned. She said in the last ten years Richfield has had 5 new homes built each year
and that was an average that was raised up because of the years they were coming out of the
foreclosure crisis when the numbers were higher. She noted what they were really looking at was even
if all of the homes that were built new in Richfield in 2022 were duplexes, that was only 3 new units
across the entire low-density area.
Director Poehlman did not believe anyone on the Council or in the audience believed this was
going to solve the affordable housing crisis. What they were doing is removing a barrier and if someone
had a piece of property and a duplex is the right thing for their family, the City should not restrict that to
certain streets or small areas if they really want to make any impact at all, it had to be across the
community because there are so few new homes built as a whole.
Council Member Trautmann invited people to continue to have a conversation with him and the
other Council Members and the Planning Commission about the issue of making sure they have rental
properties that are well maintained as well as looking at their systems and looking at licensure process,
the issues of whether or not they want Air BnB’s in the community. He indicated there was a difference
between people rotating through every night or every other night and families that are making their
home in a residential area.
Council Member Hayford Oleary clarified his position. He stated he was very supportive of this
change, and he will be voting yes on this. He noted the main conversation tonight has been on duplexes,
but there were other important things in the Ordinance. He noted duplexes were legal until 1954. In
addition, lot size rules were different in 1954. He stated one of the details not read when the summary
was read in the staff report was that because of the very small change of the minimum lot size, it will
reduce the non-conforming residential lots from approximately 17 percent to approximately 3 percent.
Council Member Hayford Oleary stated the language on the books fight now says the lot he lives
on, which is a 50-foot lot with an alley and is a common size in Richfield would be illegal to build new.
He stated he thinks it works great and he even has space for a patio on the side of his home and a two-
car garage, but today that would not be allowed. He thinks it is positive that they recognize things like
that are good for the community and should be allowed to happen new.
Council Member Hayford Oleary stated they had a conversation at some of their work sessions
about limiting duplexes to certain areas and dealing with them on a case-by-case basis. He believed
this is a better approach and this was the approach Council asked staff to take and he thinks staff has
done an excellent job. He gave an example of a family coming to the City wanting to build a duplex and
have a family member live in the other side of the duplex, but the process in months of delays and
unsureness with their lender, having to go before a public hearing where neighbors speak negatively of
them to him it is better policy to say here are the rules that everyone can follow, make sense, and that
protect the neighborhood.
Council Member Hayford Oleary stated earlier he had spoken with one of the homeowners near
Portland and 66th who owned a duplex with an older family member, and it worked great for them. He
City Council Meeting Minutes -10- January 24, 2023
noted eventually the older family member might move out and she might rent it to someone else, but it
provided a lot of flexibility, and it allowed her to live in a supportive environment with her family and to
provide income stability for her.
Council Member Whalen appreciated this had become a much larger discussion. He stated
there were a lot of decisions the Council made with no one in the room. He stated to the credit of the
citizens, this has started a community-wide conversation. It has raised both opposition and support.
He stated he was taking notes and counting, and he believed the feedback today was about 50/50.
Ultimately, the tension in this debate is the same tension that they heard in the Comprehensive Plan
process five years ago when this started getting discussed.
Council Member Whalen stated for him, the underlying value that this relates to is the idea of
home. That everyone he talked to since moving to Richfield and this was the reason why he moved to
Richfield is because of the sense of identity and ownership. He stated people want to talk of the sense
of belonging, of being in community of relating with their neighbors and finding people who also share
that deep love for the community.
Council Member Whalen indicated the idea, work, and conversations that he had in the
community that first inspired him to run for office were around this idea that more people should be able
to call Richfield home regardless of their income and that renters are valued, contributing members of
the community that should be treated as such. He stated he ran two campaigns unapologetically about
those values and heard the echoed when he door knocked every single door in Ward 3. He stated he
would keep leading from those values about how do they make Richfield a place more people can call
home and even in disagreement about the policies of what that looks like he hoped they can all on an
interpersonal level, continue to welcome the new families who do come into Richfield. He thanked
everyone for being part of this and he hoped their takeaway was not simply that they got ignored or not
listened to.
Council Member Trautmann stated there were a lot of views expressed and he cannot speak to
all of them, but one thing that was important was the power of being a single-family homeowner, which
was not something for everyone, but was a powerful tool and an opportunity for folks in America and in
Richfield. He stated for all of the people he has had meaningful conversations with he was grateful,
and he hoped this was not the end of it with whatever vote happens and they are disappointed with the
outcome.
Mayor Supple thanked everyone for the robust discussion. She indicated she would much rather
have everyone arguing and fighting about something than apathy and it was clear that everybody cares
about the community.
Mayor Supple stated she heard from both people who supported and are against the
amendment was an interest in exploring whether they should have regulations regarding owner
occupancy. She was told this is something that is possible, and she thinks they need to do further
studies.
Mayor Supple stated there was also a lot of questions about the policies for code enforcement
and rental regulations, etc. and as one owner of a duplex pointed out to her said, “It’s not just duplexes
we need to enforce the codes for but single-family homes as well,” and this is something that needs to
make sure is communicated and put on the website so people are aware of what the rules are and how
the code enforcement works and if there is a concern how it can be reported.
Mayor Supple stated she did support this change in that it provides flexibility. If someone wants
to have a duplex and they want to have their family living on the other side, or they want to use the
rental income for the other half of the duplex to help pay their mortgage and make it more affordable,
those were all things that were opportunities.
City Council Meeting Minutes -11- January 24, 2023
Council Member Whalen stated since there have been so many concerns about when there are
homes that are not being maintained regardless of how many families live there, he asked what the
process was and where people can report that. He stated the city did heavily rely on residents letting
the city know when there are issues.
Chief Henthorne responded there was a robust reporting system and if there was a complaint
of a property that falls within the public safety jurisdiction under the Property Maintenance Code, that
complaint is taken by staff and the Community Services Officers, and the Code Compliance Officer is
sent out to do a follow-up on the property. He stated they would look at what the violation was and a
letter would be sent. They follow up with the property owner after the letter is sent. Another warning is
given if necessary, along with time to remedy the situation and if the violation is not corrected they go
through an abatement process with a notification for the resident to fix it. If it is not fixed, they may
utilize the City Attorney.
BILL NO. 2023-2
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE RICHFIELD ZONING CODE REGULATIONS RELATED TO TWO FAMILY
USES; CONSOLIDATING THE R AND MR-1 DISTRICTS INTO A LOW-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICT; AND
MODIFYING LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS AND LOT DIMENSIONS
RESOLUTION NO. 12061
RESOLUTION APPROVING SUMMARY PUBLICATION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE RICHFIELD
ZONING CODE REGULATIONS RELATED TO TWO FAMILY USES; CONSOLIDATING THE R AND MR-1 DISTRICTS
INTO A LOW-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICT; AND MODIFYING LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN
STANDARDS AND LOT DIMENSIONS
SUMMARY PUBLICATION BILL NO. ________
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE RICHFIELD ZONING CODE REGULATIONS RELATED TO TWO FAMILY
USES; CONSOLIDATING THE R AND MR-1 DISTRICTS INTO A LOW-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICT; AND
MODIFYING LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN STANDARDS AND LOT DIMENSIONS
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #5
HOLD A VIOLATION HEARING AND CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION
REGARDING CIVIL ENFORCEMENT FOR ESTABLISHMENTS THAT
RECENTLY UNDERWENT ALCOHOL COMPLIANCE CHECKS CONDUCTED
BY RICHFIELD PUBLIC SAFETY STAFF, AND FAILED BY SELLING ALCOHOL
TO A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 21 (STAFF REPORT NO. 21)
Council Member Trautmann presented Staff Report 21.
Council Member Trautmann stated if they were not contesting the finding and were willing to
take the civil penalty, they can acknowledge that, but if they want to have a hearing, they can request
that now.
A representative of Millions Crabs stated on the day they did hand alcohol to the minors but he
clarified all of his staff has been well trained on the service of alcohol but on that day, one of the
manager’s friends was helping out. He indicated this would not happen again.
Council Member Trautmann asked if Thompson’s Fireside Pizza, Inc. wished to make comment.
Scott Schoenig asked if he could display the case of what he felt happened during that
transaction. Council Member Trautmann stated he could, but noted they didn’t want to pressure anyone
today and this was the first appearance, but if he believed the facts were not correct and if he wanted
to be heard on the facts this is not the space where he can be heard on the facts. He asked if he wanted
to be heard on the facts.
City Council Meeting Minutes -12- January 24, 2023
Scott Schoenig stated he would like to be heard on the facts. City Attorney Tietjen stated if he
wished to contest this and request a hearing, he needed to let Health Administrator Anderson know,
and staff will work with him on the necessary process.
Scott Schoenig asked if this changed the penalty due to the facts. City Attorney Tietjen
responded if the hearing examiner decided that there was a violation, he would receive the same
penalty, but if it was set aside there would be no penalty.
Scott Schoenig responded he would like to withdraw and have admittance.
Council Member Trautmann asked if there would be a hearing would the examiner set the
penalty. City Attorney Tietjen stated that was correct.
Council Member Trautmann asked if Henry Thou, d/b/a Red Pepper Chinese Restaurant was
present and wanted to make comment.
Henry Thou, owner of Red Pepper Chinese Restaurant, stated Red Pepper has been there for
30 years and they have always complied with the ID check, but unfortunately that day he had his niece
help them who did check the ID but did the math wrong. He stated it was their fault.
Council Member Trautmann asked if there was a representative from Davanni’s Inc. who wished
to make comment.
Doug Martin, Davanni’s Inc., stated he accepted the civil penalty.
Council Member Trautmann asked if there was a representative from Los Sanchez Taqueria
who wished to make comment.
Karen, with Los Sanchez, stated she accepted the civil penalty.
M/Trautmann, S/Hayford Oleary to approve the attached Resolutions regarding Civil
Enforcement for establishments that failed alcohol compliance checks by selling alcohol to an underage
person. (Staff Report No 21).
RESOLUTION NO. 12062
RESOLUTION SUSPENDING THE LIQUOR LICENSE FOR THOMPSON’S FIRESIDE PIZZA, INC. d/b/a
FIRESIDE FOUNDRY, 6736 PENN AVENUE SOUTH AND IMPOSING A CIVIL PENALTY FOR FIRST TIME ALCOHOL
COMPLIANCE FAILURE
RESOLUTION NO. 12063
RESOLUTION SUSPENDING THE LIQUOR LICENSE FOR DAVANNI’S INC. d/b/a DAVANNI’S PIZZA AND
HOT HOAGIES, 6345 PENN AVENUE SOUTH AND IMPOSING A CIVIL PENALTY FOR FIRST TIME ALCOHOL
COMPLIANCE FAILURE
RESOLUTION NO. 12064
RESOLUTION SUSPENDING THE LIQUOR LICENSE FOR LOS SANCHEZ TAQUERIA II, LLC d/b/a LOS
SANCHEZ TAQUERIA, 2 66TH STREET WEST AND IMPOSING A CIVIL PENALTY FOR FIRST TIME ALCOHOL
COMPLIANCE FAILURE
RESOLUTION NO. 12065
RESOLUTION SUSPENDING THE LIQUOR LICENSE FOR MC RICHFIELD, LLC d/b/a MILLIONS CRAB, 9
66TH STREET EAST AND IMPOSING A CIVIL PENALTY FOR FIRST TIME ALCOHOL COMPLIANCE FAILURE
RESOLUTION NO. 12066
RESOLUTION SUSPENDING THE LIQUOR LICENSE FOR HENRY THOU d/b/a RED PEPPER CHINESE
RESTAURANT, 2910 66TH STREET WEST AND IMPOSING A CIVIL PENALTY FOR FIRST TIME ALCOHOL
COMPLIANCE FAILURE
Motion carried: 5-0
City Council Meeting Minutes -13- January 24, 2023
ITEM #6
CONSIDER ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE LEGISLATURE
ALLOW THE CITY OF RICHFIELD TO BRING THE OPTION OF A LOCAL
SALES TO VOTORS AT A FUTURE REFERENDUM TO FUND REGIONALLY
SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS IN RICHFIELD. (STAFF REPORT NO. 22)
Council Member Whalen presented Staff Report 22.
Director Markle stated this did not mean they would have a local sales tax, but it gave the
authorization to bring it to a future Council.
Council Member Whalen stated this was not finalized yet and he would like to hear from the
residents. He noted Council will have future discussions on this of what will and will not be included on
any ballot. He asked the residents to reach out to the Council on this.
M/Whalen, S/ to Hayford Oleary adopt a resolution Requesting the Legislature Allow the City of
Richfield to Bring the Option of a Local Sales to Voters at the Future Referendum to Fund Regionally
Significant Projects in Richfield. (Staff Report No. 22).
Council Member Whalen emphasized that particularly for the Nature Center and the pool liner,
which are 50 and 60 years old, there is a very real chance without identifying a revenue source that
they would be faced with a situation where they would be no longer usable and they can either not have
those amenities for the community or look at putting the entire 20 million dollars for those two projects
as bonding on property taxes which is was what they are trying to avoid. He noted most other
communities around Richfield have local sales taxes that let the region help fund the amenities that they
know people outside of the City use as a way to keep improving these regional facilities.
Council Member Trautmann stated he was very sensitive to what a sales tax could mean with
regards to impacting the local businesses. He indicated one of the things that Council Member Whalen
pointed out was many surrounding communities have a local sales tax. He indicated they don’t always
look at other cities as competitors, but the surrounding communities have access to revenue to build
their infrastructure which does make their cities more livable and desirable. He stated he was in full
support.
Council Member Hayford Oleary stated he did recognize the concerns about the sales tax being
an imperfect tax. He stated the fact that they did not have a way to pay for the repairs to these facilities
but are also are paying other people’s taxes currently when they go to other communities. He stated it
was fair to ask residents of the neighboring communities when they shop in Richfield to pay a sales tax.
He hoped the state leaders recognized this and allowed Richfield the same privilege they have afforded
other cities.
Mayor Supple stated she was also in support looked forward to the discussion with the
community. She hoped the legislature would approve this so it could be brought forward to the
community.
RESOLUTION NO. 12067
RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE LEGISLATURE ALLOW THE CITY OF RICHFIELD TO BRING THE OPTION
OF A LOCAL SALES TO VOTORS AT A FUTURE REFERENDUM TO FUND REGIONALLY SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS
IN RICHFIELD
Motion carried: 5-0
City Council Meeting Minutes -14- January 24, 2023
ITEM #7
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Rodriguez thanked the residents who showed up and provided their thoughtful
comments. She stated there were several speakers at the last meeting on the proposed zoning
changes and Council and staff worked to answer those questions.
City Manager Rodriguez stated as best practices emerge in the public safety field they will try
and incorporate it for future analysis practices and training. She noted they were also upgrading their
dispatch software and will have better data in the future although it will take time to build up the
database, but it would be shared with the public.
ITEM #8
CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
M/Trautmann, S/Whalen that the following claims and payrolls be approved:
U.S. BANK 01/24/2023
A/P Checks: 312187 - 312446 $2,373,191.05
Payroll: 175987 – 176293; 43634 - 43635 $848,518.84
TOTAL $3,221,709.89
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #9
HATS OFF TO HOMETOWN HITS
Council Member Whalen stated he attended the Voyager Curling event that the Recreation
Department put on. He indicated it was a fun day and many attended. He highlighted the recent
discussion about the local sales tax. He also spoke of the Community Services Commission and their
assistance with the bike park for Taft. He thanked the staff for finding alternate funding sources for
smaller-scale projects.
Council Member Hayford Oleary thanked the State Legislators and other local leaders who met
with Council twice in the last couple of weeks during the Legislative Breakfast and press conference
speech by Senator Klobuchar and Representative Omar. He stated it was great seeing them in Richfield
and hearing what was important to the city.
Council Member Trautmann echoed Council Member Hayford Oleary’s comments. He
acknowledged Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar and Congress person Omar who all contended
for Richfield.
Mayor Supple thanked the Senators and Congress woman for the work they did. She thanked
the residents who spoke tonight and who have contacted the Council. She spoke of the ice arena being
open Mondays through Thursdays from noon to 1:30 p.m. so people can walk the upper concourse.
She also commented on the wonderful art display at the Community Center.
City Council Meeting Minutes -15-January 24, 2023
ITEM #10 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:30 p.m.
Date Approved: February 14, 2023
Mary Supple
Mayor
Kelly Wynn Katie Rodriguez
Administrative Assistant City Manager