05-23-2023 Work Session CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
City Council Work Session
May 23, 2023
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Supple called the work session to order at 5:45 p.m. in the Bartholomew Room.
Council Members
Present:
Council Members
Absent:
Mary Supple, Mayor; Sharon Christensen; Simon Trautmann; and Ben
Whalen
Sean Hayford Oleary
Staff Present:
Guests:
Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Dustin Leslie, City Clerk; Chris Swanson,
Management Analyst; Rachel Lindholm, Sustainability Specialist; Amy
Markle, Recreation Services Director; Kristin Asher, Public Works Director;
and Melissa Poehlman, Community Development Director
Ted Redmond, Consultant
ITEM #1
CONSIDER RECOMMENDED CLIMATE ACTION PLAN (CAP) PRIORITIZED
ACTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION IN 2023-2025
Director Markle introduced the topic and gave a brief overview of the recommended actions as
well as the proposed next steps.
Ted Redmond spoke about his company, Pale Blue Dot, and the work they perform. He then
explained the Greenhouse Gas Inventory (GHG) and Climate Action Plan (CAP). This explanation
included processes, goals, metrics, and where Richfield compares to other similar communities.
Council Member Whalen asked if the climate bill passed by the legislature would make a big
impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Redmond replied that it will help but would not make a
significant difference without help from local governments.
Mayor Supple stated that it looked as if natural gas was the biggest culprit for greenhouse gas
emissions. Redmond stated that was correct along with transportation emissions.
Redmond continued the presentation and spoke about goal suggestions within the CAP.
Council Member Whalen asked if the goals would get the city where they need to be or if they were
just chosen because they were achievable. Redmond stated that the goals would do both.
Redmond further spoke about goals and how to prioritize their importance. Mayor Supple
stated that Electric Vehicles (EVs) are heavier vehicles and that they may do more damage to roads.
City Council Work Session Minutes
-2-May 23, 2023
She asked if this was something that could be studied. Redmond stated that issue could be included
in the assessments but that there were not many EV choices for the heaviest city vehicles.
Council Member Trautmann asked if electric sources were studied and if some sources of
electricity were better than others. Redmond stated new studies have shown that while there are
better sources of electricity, all sources are better than using fossil fuels.
Council Member Whalen asked about costs associated with the goals. Sustainability Specialist
Lindholm stated goal costs would be within the budget and would line up with the strategic plan.
Council Member Whalen also asked if, and how many, trees could be planted to help with greenhouse
gas emissions. Redmond stated that it would not make a difference with emissions, but planting trees
would help with other sustainability goals.
Council Member Trautmann spoke about his knowledge gap regarding how much of a crisis
climate change is and that more education would be helpful to him and the community. Sustainability
Specialist Lindholm spoke about the planned education campaign for the public and that outreach
would be one of the main focus areas.
Council Member Christensen spoke about how residents should learn that changes need to be
made by everyone and not just big businesses.
Redmond spoke about the top four focus areas within the CAP for 2023-2025.
Mayor Supple asked what was needed from Council. Director Markle stated this plan would be
up for approval at the first meeting in June. Staff stated this would be an opportunity for Council to
send feedback about the plan before then.
Council Member Whalen spoke about the focus areas and agreed that they were important
and supported the staff recommendations. He and Specialist Lindholm also discussed federal funding
opportunities and what the city could use to help with implementation.
Mayor Supple stated there seemed to be consensus that Council was supportive of these
actions and asked Redmond to discuss what climate change would look like in Richfield. Redmond
spoke about what Richfield would look like with a 2-degree increase as well as a 1.5-degree increase.
He further stated that if nothing was done, there would likely be a 3.8 degree increase and that
Richfield would feel like North Texas by the year 2100.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Supple adjourned the work session at 6:50 pm
Date Approved: May 23, 2023
Mary B. Supple
Mayor
Dustin Leslie Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager