2025-06-10 Regular Council Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Supple at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Council 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 Poehlman, Community Development Director, Kristin
Asher, Public Works Director; and Michelle Friedrich, City
Clerk. Mike Dobesh, Fire Chief; Janell Brooks, Assistant Fire
Chief; Joe Powers, City Engineer.
Others Present: Carole Kelly, Human Rights Commissioner
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 Councilmember Hayford Oleary, seconded by Councilmember Burk to approve
the Minutes of the (1) City Council Work Session Meeting from May 27, 2025, and (2) City Council
Regular Meeting from May 27, 2025.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #1
PROCLAMATION CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH
]
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Council Meeting
June 10, 2025
City Council Meeting Minutes -2- June 10, 2025
Mayor Supple formally presented a proclamation and invited Human Rights Commissioner (HRC)
Karole Kelly to accept the proclamation. Commissioner Kelly commented on the importance of
preserving the rights of everyone and thanked the Council. Council thanked the HRC for its work in
preserving history.
ITEM #2
RECOGNITION OF RETIRING FIRE CHIEF MIKE DOBESH
City Manager Rodriguez recognized the accomplishments of Fire Chief Dobesh in his years with the
City. Mayor Supple presented Fire Chief Dobesh with his retirement badge. City Manager Rodriguez
congratulated Fire Chief Dobesh on his retirement. Fire Chief Dobesh thanked the Council for the
honor of representing the City.
ITEM #3
SWEARING-IN CEREMONY FOR FIRE CHIEF JENELL BROOKS
City Manager Rodriguez highlighted Jenell Brooks’ accomplishments during her years with the City.
She stated that Ms. Brooks has a strong vision for the Fire Department and has ample experience.
City Clerk Friedrich read the Oath of Office for Fire Chief Jenell Brooks. Fire Chief Brooks thanked
the City for the opportunity to become Fire Chief in the City where she has worked for 15 years.
ITEM #4
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: made by Councilmember Hayford Oleary, seconded by Councilmember Christensen to
approve Agenda as presented.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #5
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
A. Consider approval of Adams Hill Pond Maintenance Project change orders in the net amount
of $167,137.77 for various project elements related to water quality improvements and
landscape and riparian restoration.
(Staff Report No. 74)
B. Consider the approval of the first amendment of the Response Sustainability agreement with
the City of Bloomington.
(Staff Report No.75)
MOTION: made by Councilmember Coleman-Woods, seconded by Councilmember Christensen to
approve the consent calendar.
Motion carried: 5-0
City Council Meeting Minutes -3- June 10, 2025
ITEM #6
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT
CALENDAR
None.
ITEM #7
CONSIDER A REQUEST FOR SITE PLAN APPROVAL, A PRELIMINARY PLAT,
A FINAL PLAT, AND A VARIANCE, FOR 42 UNITS OF MULTIFAMILY HOUSING
AT 6501 AND 6525 PENN AVENUE SOUTH. (STAFF REPORT NO. 76)
Council Member Burk presented Staff Report 76.
Director Poehlman provided a follow-up on the public comments regarding traffic, noting staff had
discussed that a traffic study would not be helpful on the site since traffic will still likely be well under
1,000 trips per day.
MOTION: made by Councilmember Burk, seconded by Councilmember Hayford Oleary, to approve
a site plan, a preliminary plat, a final plat, and a variance, for 42 units of multifamily housing at 6501
and 6525 Penn Avenue South.
RESOLUTION NO. 12324
RESOLUTION APPROVING A SITE PLAN AND VARIANCE FOR PENN STATION AT 6501
AND 6525 PENN AVENUE SOUTH
RESOLUTION NO. 12325
RESOLUTION GRANTING APPROVAL OF A PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT FOR PENN
STATION
Council expressed excitement regarding the project and requested clarification regarding the
sidewalks on the site.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #8
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Rodriguez shared information regarding the comments made at the last meeting to
reduce the short-term rental minimums. She stated that they held an in-depth discussion at the
meeting and decided to reduce the minimums.
ITEM #9
CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
MOTION: made by Councilmember Hayford Oleary, seconded by Councilmember Christensen, to
approve the following claims and payrolls:
U.S. BANK 06/05/2024
City Council Meeting Minutes -4- June 10, 2025
A/P Checks: 336496-336806, Manual
check 5302025 $1,372,969.31
Payroll: 197111-197469; Manual checks
44144-44145 $1,064,554.85
TOTAL $2,437,524.16
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #10
DISCUSS FUNDING CONTINGENCY PLAN AND FINAL PROJECT APPROVAL
FOR FEDERALLY-FUNDED 73RD STREET SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL
(SRTS) TRAIL PROJECT. (STAFF REPORT NO. 77)
Mayor Supple presented Staff Report 77.
City Engineer Powers presented an overview and background of the project, and explained how
federal aid road projects work. City Engineer Powers noted the City received $635,000 in federal
funding for construction only. City Engineer Powers stated the risks of the project, noting there is a
very low risk of federal funding being taken back, but the City has a funding contingency plan if
federal funding is lost.
Council and staff discussed the North Lyndale restripe project and completion of the project. Staff
noted the North Lyndale restripe project was planned for 2025, but may need to be pushed to 2026.
ITEM #11
HATS OFF TO HOMETOWN HITS
Councilmember Coleman-Woods noted she has nothing to share.
Councilmember Christensen shared the State of the Community will be held at City Hall on June 11.
Councilmember Hayford Oleary shared his grandmother passed away, noting the community had
been so important to her.
Councilmember Burk express appreciation to City Planner Ruby Villa for her help with a resident's
understanding of ordinances.
Mayor Supple echoed Councilmember Christensen's comments regarding the State of the
Community and urged residents to join the event scheduled from 4:30-7:00 p.m.
ITEM #12
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: made by Councilmember Coleman-Woods, seconded by Councilmember Burk to adjourn
the meeting at 7:51 p.m.
Motion carried: 5-0
City Council Meeting Minutes -5- June 10, 2025
Date Approved: June 24, 2025
Mary Supple
Mayor
Michelle Friedrich Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager