03-12-2024 RegularCALL 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;
Jennifer Anderson, Support Services Manager; Karl Huemiller,
Recreation Services Director; Chris Swanson, Management
Analyst; and Dustin Leslie, City Clerk
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
Kathleen Balaban apologized that she had been coming to the Council with her issues as she
realized Richfield was City Manager ruled city and she should be going to the City Manager directly.
She expressed concern regarding a comment she had heard from the City Manager regarding
compensation and that Richfield was already over budget two months into the year. She asked for an
explanation on that comment. She requested the Council look at the city policies. She asked the Council
to rethink the Charter.
Rod Sather, 63rd and Thomas, requested the Council implement measures and rules on
Airbnb’s.
Larry Ernster, 6727 Elliot Avenue South, expressed concern regarding the proposed increase
in the staff’s salaries. He did not believe the homeowners were willing to support increasing salaries
because of past mismanagement.
Tom Wawra, 7024 Irving Avenue South, spoke about the closure of the Hennepin County refuge
burning site in downtown Minneapolis and asked if Richfield would take a stand and try to figure out a
remedy before its closing.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Council Meeting
March 12, 2024
City Council Meeting Minutes -2- March 12, 2024
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/Hayford Oleary, S/Trautmann to approve the minutes of the: (1) Joint City Council and
Planning Commission Work Session of February 26, 2024; (2) City Council Work Session of February
28, 2024; (3) Regular City Council Meeting of February 28, 2024.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #1
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
M/Trautmann, 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 Richfield
Foundation’s A Toast to Richfield event to take place on Thursday, May 9, 2024, in the atrium
area of Woodlake Center, located at 6601 Lyndale Avenue South (Staff Report No. 34)
B. Consider the acceptance of the quotation from Commercial Recreation Specialists for
$537,566.00 to construct the Splash Pad at the Richfield Outdoor Pool and authorize the
Recreation Services Director to proceed with the project (Staff Report No. 35)
C. Consider the approval of the new Foundational Public Health Responsibilities (FPHR)
agreement with the City of Bloomington (Staff Report No. 36)
D. Consider the approval of the Response Sustainability with the City of Bloomington (Staff
Report No. 37)
E. Consider adoption of a resolution to accept a Safe Routes to School Design Assistance grant
from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Staff Report No. 38)
RESOLUTION NO. 12190
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF RICHFIELD
TO ACCEPT A SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL DESIGN
ASSISTANCE GRANT FROM THE MINNESOTA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
M/Whalen, S/Trautmann to approve the consent calendar.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #3
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT
CALENDAR
City Council Meeting Minutes -3- March 12, 2024
None.
ITEM #4
CONSIDER A SECOND READING, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND SUMMARY
PUBLICATION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CURRENT CITY
CHARTER BASED ON THE CHARTER COMMISSIONER’S
RECOMMENDATION. (STAFF REPORT NO. 39)
Council Member Whalen presented Staff Report 39.
City Manager Rodriguez stated this item had been years in the making and it had been carefully
reviewed by the Commission. She noted there was no change to the City’s current form of organization
and Richfield is a Council manager form of government.
Council Member Whalen opened the public hearing.
Kathleen Balaban stated she did not find this process transparent. She requested the Council
look at Richfield’s communication to the citizens.
M/Whalen, S/Trautmann, to close the public hearing.
Motion carried: 5-0
M/Whalen, S/Hayford Oleary to approve a second reading of an Ordinance amending the
current City Charter based on the Charter Commission’s recommendations and approve a Resolution
authorizing summary publication of said Ordinance adopting comprehensive amendments to the
Richfield City Charter.
BILL NO. 2024-03
ORDINANCE ADOPTING COMPREHENSIVE
AMENDMENTS TO THE RICHFIELD CITY CHARTER
RESOLUTION NO. 12191
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUMMARY PUBLICATION OF ORDINANCE ADOPTING
COMPEHENSIVE AMENDMENTS TO THE RICHFIELD CITY CHARTER
Hayford Oleary stated he would support this update and it was a useful cleanup. He indicated
the changes were minor, it made a lot of sense, it was a reasonable update, and it made the
document more relevant.
Mayor Supple thanked the Charter Commission. She noted the Council had an in-depth
discussion on what needed to happen in a time of emergency, such as civil unrest, including the
powers of the Mayor, staff, and the Emergency Coordinator. She thanked Ms. Balaban for her
comments and holding the Council and staff accountable.
Trautmann stated he appreciated the process taken and how a unanimous decision was
reached. He indicated he would be supporting this amendment.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #5
City Council Meeting Minutes -4- March 12, 2024
CONSIDER APPOINTMENT TO FILL A VACANCY ON THE TRANSPORTATION
COMMISSION. (STAFF REPORT NO. 40)
Hayford Oleary presented Staff Report 40.
M/Hayford Oleary, S/Whalen to approve appointment of Stacey Fuentes as Transportation
Commissioner commencing on March 13, 2024 and expiring January 31, 2026.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #6
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Rodriguez shared information regarding Ms. Balaban’s issues she had brought
up at the previous Council Open Forum. She indicated staff was also working with Deb Nordmarken
regarding information she had requested.
ITEM #7
CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
M/Whalen, S/Christensen that the following claims and payrolls be approved:
U.S. BANK 03/07/2024
A/P Checks: 327053 – 327310 $1,498,091.98
Payroll: 185846 – 186156 43785 - 43792 $913,706.77
TOTAL $2,411,798.75
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #8
HATS OFF TO HOMETOWN HITS
Council Member Trautmann gave hats off to the art students at Richfield High School for
supporting the Empty Bowls Event.
Council Member Hayford Oleary stated he did not have any comments.
Council Member Christensen stated she had recently had a takeout meal from Tazzah and it
was a great place to stop for a meal.
Council Member Whalen thanked the Cub Scout Den that joined the Council before their work
session today. He thanked City Clerk Leslie and everyone else who helped with the Presidential
Primary process.
Mayor Supple gave hats off to RDAP and the City’s Public Works Department. She gave a
shout out to County Attorney Mary Moriarty for her suggestion that Richfield host a session for Hennepin
County Mayors to talk about public safety.
ITEM #9
ADJOURNMENT
City Council Meeting Minutes -5-March 12, 2024
M/Hayford Oleary, S/Trautmann to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m.
Motion carried: 5-0
Date Approved: March 26, 2024
Mary B. Supple
Mayor
Dustin Leslie Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager