07-09-2024 RegularThe meeting was called to order by Mayor Supple at 7:02 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; Mike
Flaherty, Deputy Chief; Jennifer Anderson, Support Services
Manager; Mike Dobesh, Fire Chief; Joe Powers, City Engineer;
Michelle Friedrich, City Clerk; and Kelly Wynn, Administrative
Assistant
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Supple led the Pledge of Allegiance.
City Manager Rodriquez welcomed the new City Clerk.
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
Heidi Geibor, 915 Wentworth, Richfield, discussed the problems and solutions she sees with the
roads in Richfield. She would like the Council to look into these problems.
Sharon Meister, 6414 Harriet Avenue South, Richfield, shared the many issues that have started
since the opening of the Lynvue Apartments. She asked the Council to find new ways to face these
parking-related issues.
Stephanie Sather, 6320 Clinton Avenue, Richfield, asked the Council about the cannabis laws
in the City of Richfield.
Shelly Jagger, 6420 Harriet Avenue South, Richfield, also brought up concerns in regard to the
parking issues brought on by the Lynvue Apartments.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Council Meeting
July 9, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
City Council Meeting Minutes -2-July 9, 2024
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/Hayford-Oleary, S/Trautmann to approve the minutes of the: (1) Special Council Closed
Session June 18, 2024; (2) City Council Work Session Meeting June 25, 2024; (3) City Council
Meeting June 25
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 the adoption of a resolution identifying the need for Livable Communities
Pre-Development funding and authorizing an application for grant funds on behalf of the
Penn Station development, proposed for 6501-25 Penn Avenue South. (Staff Report No.93)
RESOLUTION NO. 12222
RESOLUTION IDENTIFYING THE NEED FOR LIVABLE COMMUNITIES PRE DEVELOPMENT
FUNDING AND AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS
M/Whalen, S/Christensen to approve consent calendar.
Motion Carried: 5-0
ITEM #3 CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
None.
ITEM #4 SECOND READING OF A TRANSITORY ORDINANCE PROVIDING FUNDING
FOR CERTAIN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FROM THE LIQUOR
CONTRIBUTIONS SPECIAL REVENUE FUND (STAFF REPORT NO.94)
Council Member Whalen presented Staff Report 94.
M/Whalen, S/Hayford Oleary to approve the second reading of a transitory ordinance providing
for the expenditure of money from the liquor contribution special revenue fund for certain capital
improvements.
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Whalen noted that the existing liquor store profits are not enough to cover all of the community
needs and fund planned projects.
Council Member Trautmann discussed examples of what these funds will be used to fix in the
City.
Motion Carried: 5-0
BILL NO. 2024-07
TRANSITORY ORDINANCE NO. 19.28 AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE
EXPENDITURE OF MONEY FROM THE LIQUOR CONTRIBUTION SPECIAL REVENUE FUND
FOR CERTAIN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
ITEM #5 CONSIDER A FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT ADJUSTING
PARKING REQUIREMENTS (STAFF REPORT NO. 95)
Council Member Hayford Oleary presented Staff Report 95.
M/Hayford Oleary, S/Christensen to approve a first reading of an ordinance amendment
adjusting parking requirements.
Whalen noted that he is more comfortable with the Planning Commission’s version and would
like less discretion as a part of the amendment.
Council Member Hayford Oleary shared his agreement with Council Member Whalen for the
Planning Commission's proposed amendment. He believes they should begin to be more proactive on
limiting street parking in these areas.
Director Poehlman noted that their preference for discretion is based on access issues and
street safety.
Fire Chief Dobesh discussed the issues that arise due to these parking problems, noting he
would like to be able to maintain some leverage.
Deputy Chief Flaherty reported the safety concerns regarding the parking problems.
Engineer Powers discussed the problems that may arise in maintenance of roadways as well
as supporting public safety. He believes they can approach these problems in a context and site
specific lens.
Council Member Hayford Oleary asked why it makes sense to have a higher standard for this
MR2 MR3 district.
Engineer Powers shared this is a City-wide policy that they are concerned with.
Director Poehlman noted that this is already the standard in the mixed use districts. She
reported that the higher standards are due to where they are located and the issues that they have
seen.
Mayor Supple explained that she would prefer to allow the discretion in the Staff
recommended version to leave room for negotiation. She also feels that it is important to let residents
know what certain procedures are.
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Engineer Powers explained that they do have a Traffic Control Committee made up of internal
staff. Residents can submit a traffic issue on their website and the Committee discusses these on an
individual basis.
Council Member Trautmann asked if staff had the ability to utilize the Traffic Control
Committee.
Engineer Powers shared that the Committee is mainly utilized by residents, but staff does
have the ability to utilize it and they have considered issues brought up by staff.
Mayor Supple asked if they can have sign clarification to show where parking is permitted.
Engineer Powers noted that this would be a perfect use for the Committee.
Council Member Hayford Oleary asked if they could begin to look at parking restrictions at the
development review point of the process when building large spaces like apartment buildings.
Engineer Powers explained that they are considering adding this development process.
Mayor Supple asked about the procedure for residents who see cars parking near fire
hydrants.
Deputy Chief Flaherty noted that if a resident sees a parking issue, they can call the non-
emergency number and they will come and address the issue.
Council Member Whalen asked if staff has any comment on the issues related to places where
they have enough parking, but are still seeing problems with street parking.
Director Poehlman noted that many people prefer to use free street parking rather than pay for
parking. She explained that increasing parking restrictions could force more people to pay for parking
in the lots.
Mayor Supple asked if they are able to require developers to make free parking available in
the building.
Director Poehlman noted that she doesn't think it aligns with the Council's goals to make
developers allow free parking.
Attorney Tietjen explained that it could be problematic to require developers to allow free
parking.
Council Member Trautmann thanked the Council and Staff for their input on the issue. He
shared that he is in favor of the Planning Commission's proposal and feels that they should utilize the
Traffic Control Committee.
Council Member Whalen noted that if they go with discretion, he would like it to be much more
specific.
Council Member Christensen shared that they could do some negotiation with developers and
tenets to solve these parking issues.
Mayor Supple reported that she sees a consensus in utilizing tools they already have to take
care of all public safety concerns in these areas. She noted that she is concerned with the parking
maximums and sees that they should revise the maximum.
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Director Poehlman explained that the revised parking maximums are included in the Planning
Commission's proposal.
Mayor Supple asked if they can require additional parking for the disabled.
Director Poehlman explained that handicap parking requirements are prescribed by the
building code. She doesn't anticipate a large difference in the amount of handicap stalls.
Council Member Hayford Oleary noted that since the streets are so wide it may be harder to
regulate parking requirements.
Mayor Supple shared that she would like to be proactive on these sidewalk issues instead of
reactive.
Motion Carried: 4-1 (Mayor Supple)
ITEM #6 CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Rodriguez thanked the Council and Staff for their discussion of the parking issue
topic. She asked City Attorney Tietjen to clarify the facts about whether Richfield as a charter city has
to follow State law.
Attorney Tietjen shared that charter cities are not exempt from State law. She gave examples
of how State laws apply to cities.
ITEM #7 CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
M/Trautmann, S/Christensen that the following claims and payrolls be approved:
U.S. BANK 07/05/2024
A/P Checks: 329475 - 329753 $849,465.53
Payroll: 188804 – 189199 43946 – 43949 $1,008,960.70
TOTAL $1,858,426.23
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #8 HATS OFF TO HOMETOWN HITS
Council Member Whalen thanked all involved in the 4th of July event. He also recommended
the story time at Augsburg Park to anyone with small children
Council Member Christensen thanked all involved in the 4th of July Committee. She also gave
hats off to the weekly farmers market for its continued growth.
Council Member Hayford Oleary thanked the 4th of July Committee and the Staff involved. He
shared his excitement for the Nicolet Avenue open house.
City Council Meeting Minutes -6-July 9, 2024
Council Member Trautmann also thanked all volunteers, staff, and the Committee involved in
organizing the 4th of July event.
Mayor Supple thanked all community members who spoke at the public hearing and gave
feedback. She gave kudos to the Bloomington Public Health, as the CDC has given them reaccreditation
for the Public Health Accreditation Board. She thanked the Fire Department for their work in the
community. She also reported that the neighbors of Jefferson Park have put together a wildflower
garden next to the playground. She thanked anyone involved in the 4th of July event.
ITEM #9 ADJOURNMENT
M/Trautmann, S/Christensen to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 p.m.
Motion carried: 5-0
Date Approved: July 23, 2024
Mary B. Supple
Mayor
Michelle Friedrich Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager