2025-01-14 Regular Council Meeting
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Supple at 7:03 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Councilmembers Present:
Mary Supple, Mayor; Sharon Christensen; Walter Burk; Sean
Hayford Oleary; and Rori A. Coleman-Woods.
Staff Present:
Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Mary Tietjen, City Attorney;
Melissa Pohlman, Community Development Director, Kristin
Asher, Public Works Director; Jamie Haefner, Human
Resources Manager; and Michelle Friedrich, City
Clerk.
Others Present:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Supple led the Pledge of Allegiance.
OPEN FORUM
Mayor Supple reviewed the participation options for residents at the Council meeting including in-
person comments, comments by voicemail or email, and an option to request to participate virtually
with advance notice. Mayor Supple noted more information on submitting comments can be
reviewed at www.richfieldmn.gov/citycouncil.
No residents participated in the Open Forum public comment opportunity.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: made by Hayford Oleary, seconded by Christensen to approve the minutes of the (1) City
Council Work Session of December 10, 2024; and (2) Regular City Council Meeting of December
10, 2024.
Motion carried: 5-0
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Council Meeting
January 14, 2025
City Council Meeting Minutes -2- January 14, 2025
ITEM #1
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mayor Supple noted a request to pull item K from the consent agenda.
MOTION: made by Christensen, seconded by Coleman-Woods to approve the agenda with item K
of the consent agenda pulled for further discussion.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #2
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
A. Consider Annual Designation of Mayor Pro Tempore, Council Representatives, and Acting
City Manager.
(Staff Report No. 1)
B. Consider the approval of the first reading of an ordinance updating requirements for
maintenance of fowl and birds and schedule a public hearing and second reading for January
28, 2025.
(Staff Report No. 2)
C. Consider a resolution designating an official newspaper for 2025.
(Staff Report No. 3)
RESOLUTION NO. 12288
RESOLUTION DESIGNATING AN OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR 2025
D. Consider approval of Cannabis and Substance Use Prevention (CSUP) funding from the
Minnesota Department of Health.
(Staff Report No. 4)
E. Consider approval for a 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 2025 Sno*ball Dance taking place February 1, 2025.
(Staff Report No. 5)
F. Consider a Grant Compliance Agreement with Penn StationApartments, LLLP regarding a
Livable Communities DemonstrationAccount Pre-Development Grant for 6501-6525
PennAvenue South.
(Staff Report No.6)
G. Consider a resolution of support for a grant application to MnDOT'S Safe Routes to School
Infrastructure grant program for a sidewalk project on streets adjacent to Sheridan Hills
Elementary School.
(Staff Report No. 7)
RESOLUTION NO. 12289
RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR SHERIDAN HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SAFE
ROUTES TO SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING APPLICATION
City Council Meeting Minutes -3- January 14, 2025
H. Consider a resolution of support for Richfield's application for federal funding for a
reconstruction project on 77th Street via the United States Department of Transportation
(USDOT) Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant
Program.
(Staff Report No. 8)
RESOLUTION NO. 12290
RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE 77th STREET SAFETY & MULTI-MODAL
IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT THROUGH THE USDOT REBUILDING AMERICAN
INFRASTRUCTURE WITH SUSTAINABILITY AND EQUITY (RAISE) GRANT
PROGRAM APPLICATION
I. Consider a resolution authorizing the City of Richfield to accept grant funds in the amount of
$10,000.00 and enter into a Source Water Protection Grant Agreement with the Minnesota
Department of Health (MDH) to seal a non-municipal community water supply well; and
Authorizing the City to enter into a Cooperative Agreement with Woodlawn Terrace
Cooperative to assist with the sealing of their 'out of service' community water supply well.
(Staff Report No. 9)
RESOLUTION NO. 12291
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF RICHFIELD TO ACCEPT GRANT FUNDS
IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,000.00 AND ENTER INTO A SOURCE WATER PROTECTION
GRANT AGREEMENT (SWIFT CONTRACT NUMBER 261258) WITH MINNESOTA
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO SEAL A NON-MUNICIPAL COMMUNITY WATER
SUPPLY WELL
J. Consider approval of the bid tabulation and authorize the Mayor and City Manager to
execute a contract with Visu-Sewer for the 2025 Sanitary Sewer Cured-in-Place-Pipe (CIPP)
Lining Project in the amount of $1,034,497.00, and authorize the City Manager to approve
contract changes up to $175,000 without further City Council consideration.
(Staff Report No. 10)
K. Consider resolutions designating official depositories for the City of Richfield for 2025,
including the approval of collateral.
(Staff Report No. 11)
This item was removed from the consent agenda.
MOTION: made by Christensen, seconded by Hayford Oleary to approve the consent calendar items
2A-J, noting item 2K was removed for further discussion under Item 3, Items Removed From Consent
Calendar.
Mayor Supple noted the second reading on January 28 for item 2B. Mayor Supple requested
information regarding the permit fee, safeguards, and other information in the staff report, to be shared
with the Council.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #3
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT
CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the item removed from the consent calendar.
City Council Meeting Minutes -4- January 14, 2025
K. Consider resolutions designating official depositories for the City of Richfield for 2025,
including the approval of collateral.
(Staff Report No. 11)
Mayor Supple noted that due to a conflict of interest from Councilmembers, these items will be
considered with an individual roll call vote.
MOTION: made by Hayford Oleary, seconded by Christensen to adopt resolutions designating official
depositories with the understanding that the City could not invest in any of the depositories beyond
the level of insurance coverage or the pledged collateral.
RESOLUTION NO. 12292
RESOLUTION DESIGNATING U.S. BANK A DEPOSITORY OF FUNDS FOR THE CITY OF
RICHFIELD FOR THE YEAR 2025
RESOLUTION NO. 12293
RESOLUTION DESIGNATING CERTAIN SAVING AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS, BANKS,
AND CREDIT UNIONS AS DEPOSITORIES FOR THE DEPOSIT AND INVESTMENT OF CITY
FUNDS IN 2025
RESOLUTION NO. 12294
RESOLUTION DESIGNATING CERTAIN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AS DEPOSITORIES
FOR THE INVESTMENT OF RICHFIELD FUNDS IN 2025
Voting aye: Coleman-Woods, Supple, Christensen, Hayford Oleary
Voting nay:
Abstain: Burk
Motion carried: 4-0-1
ITEM #4
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING CITY CODE SECTION 550: FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT
REGULATIONS AND APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
SUMMARY PUBLICATION.
(STAFF REPORT NO. 12)
Councilmember Hayford Oleary presented Staff Report 12.
MOTION: made by Hayford Oleary, seconded by Coleman-Woods to approve the second reading of
an ordinance amending city code Section 550: an ordinance amending Chapter V of the Richfield
code of ordinances pertaining to floodplain management regulations; and approve the resolution
authorizing summary publication.
Mayor Supple asked if they have many floodplains in Richfield.
Public Works Director Asher noted that Richfield does not have much floodplain but there is a small
amount on the corner by Taft Park.
City Council Meeting Minutes -5- January 14, 2025
BILL NO. 2024-16
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 550, CHAPTER V OF THE RICHFIELD CODE OF
ORDINANCES PERTAINING FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS
RESOLUTION NO. 12295
RESOLUTION APPROVING SUMMARY PUBLICATION OF AN ORDINANCE UPDATING
FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS AMENDING SECTION 550, CHAPTER V OF
THE CITY CODE
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #5
CONSIDER A FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
REGARDING DRIVE-THROUGH SIGNS.
(STAFF REPORT NO. 13)
Councilmember Coleman-Woods presented Staff Report 13.
Councilmember Hayford Oleary noted he has no concerns about this specific issue but does have
concerns about the dynamic displays throughout the City. Councilmember Hayford Oleary noted
there is no enforcement of what can be displayed on the signs. Councilmember Hayford Oleary
suggested allowing additional signs for business, but only one display sign.
Mayor Supple asked for more clarification on what Councilmember Hayford Oleary’s concern.
Councilmember Hayford Oleary explained he would like one dynamic sign per business, either on
the business building or menu sign. Councilmember Hayford Oleary added the drive-through sign
ordinance amendment implies that of all the businesses in Richfield, only one would be prevented
from converting their menu board. Councilmember Hayford Oleary noted adopting this change would
prevent a similar business from also making a dynamic sign on their main sign if they chose to do
the menu board.
Community Director Pohlman noted Councilmember Hayford Oleary’s comment of an
ordinance proposal of limiting signs to one.
Brian Davis, local business owner, indicated they have no concerns over this. Mr. Davis noted they
have found that many cities where they have applied for menu boards have the same code in place
where only one dynamic sign is allowed per property.
Mayor Supple shared her concerns about implementing onerous regulations on the signage and
noted Y-split signs and questioned if this type of sign would be excluded from the ordinance.
Community Director Pohlman noted staff would revise the ordinance and strike letter J from section
4, and identify and define order boards signs, and include dynamic displays that would be allowed at
business drive-through locations.
MOTION: made by Hayford Oleary, seconded by Coleman-Woods to amend the ordinance regarding
drive-through signs to remove the exception as described.
Motion carried: 5-0
MOTION: made by Coleman-Woods, seconded by Christensen to approve the first reading of an
ordinance amendment regarding drive-through signs as amended.
City Council Meeting Minutes -6- January 14, 2025
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #6
CONSIDER ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CONTRACT
WITH TEAMSTERS #320 (SERGEANTS) BARGAINING UNIT FOR THE PERIOD
JANUARY 1, 2024 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2025 AND AUTHORIZE THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT.
(STAFF REPORT NO. 14)
Councilmember Christensen presented Staff Report 14.
City Manager Rodriguez thanked HR Manager Haefner and the Teamsters sergeant’s union
stewards.
HR Manager Haefner noted the contract with the Teamsters is the final contract for 2024 and 2025.
She discussed that there were five contracts, and this was the final one.
Councilmember Burk asked for more details regarding the specialty pay.
City Manager Rodriguez explained the specialty pay is for officers and sergeants. City Manager
Rodriguez explained the different assignments where specialty pay applies.
Mayor Supple thanked both parties of the negotiation.
MOTION: made by Christensen, seconded by Hayford Oleary to approve a resolution approving the
contract with Teamsters #320 (Sergeants) bargaining unit for the period January 1, 2024, through
December 31, 2025, and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
RESOLUTION NO. 12296
RESOLUTION APPROVING LABOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF RICHFIELD
AND TEAMSTERS #320 (SERGEANTS) BARGAINING UNIT FOR YEARS 2024-2025
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #7
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Rodriguez noted no reports at this time.
ITEM #8
CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
MOTION: made by Christensen, seconded by Hayford Oleary to approve the following claims and
payroll:
U.S. BANK 12/20/2024
A/P Checks: Included in
1/9/2025 total
City Council Meeting Minutes -7-January 14, 2025
Payroll 12/20/2024: 193302-193627; 44118-44119* manual
checks $1,053,733.59
TOTAL $1,053,733.59
U.S. BANK 01/09/2025
A/P Checks 12/6/2024-1/9/2025: 333287-334004 $4,225,636.89
Payroll 1/3/2025: 193628-193948; 44120* manual check $1,292,910.55
TOTAL $5,518,547.44
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #9 HATS OFF TO HOMETOWN HITS
Councilmember Hayford Oleary noted he has no items tonight.
Councilmember Christensen note appreciation to the city crew for the amazing work of keeping the
roads safe.
Councilmember Burk thanked staff for their patience with the new members of Council.
Councilmember Coleman-Woods thanked the Public Works Department which handled the water
main break in Ward 3. Councilmember Coleman-Woods also recognized Richfield High School
player CJ Armstrong, who reached 2,000 points scored in his athletics activity.
Mayor Supple expressed appreciation to the recreation staff for the Candlelight and Ice event at
Woodlake Nature Center. Mayor Supple encouraged everyone to participate next year. Mayor
Supple commended the students and Mr. Willis of the Richfield Middle School Newspaper for their
excellence in producing and executing their work, including the interview they conducted with her for
the school paper.
ITEM #10 ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: made by Christensen, seconded by Coleman-Woods to adjourn the meeting at 7:47 p.m.
Motion carried: 5-0
Date Approved: January 28, 2025
Mary Supple
Mayor
Michelle Friedrich Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager