10-08-2024 Regular Council Meeting
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; Joe
Powers, City Engineer; Matt Hardegger, City Transportation
Engineer; Rachel Lindholm, Sustainability Coordinator; Jennifer
Anderson, Support Services Manager; and Michelle Friedrich,
City Clerk.
Others Present: Community Services Commission Chair, Tessa Johanson
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
There were no participants.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/Hayford Oleary, S/Christensen to approve the minutes of the: (1) City Council Work Session
of September 24, 2024; (2) Regular City Council Meeting of September 24, 2024.
Motion carried: 5-0
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Council Meeting
October 8, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
City Council Meeting Minutes -2- October 8, 2024
Mayor Supple invited Madeline Vukson to accept the proclamation and read aloud the
proclamation.
Commissioner Vukson thanked the Council.
ITEM #2
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
M/Whalen, S/Trautmann to approve the agenda.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #3
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
A. Consider the first reading of an ordinance amending City Code Section 427—Wetland
Protection—to add new buffer requirements compliant with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed
District (MCWD) Wetland Protection Rule and clarify the decision-making and appeals
process for Wetland Conservation Act decisions. (Staff Report No. 134)
BILL NO. 2024-10
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER IV OF THE RICHFIELD CODE OF
ORDINANCES PERTAINING TO WETLAND PROTECTION
B. 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 Annual Gala taking place December 7, 2024. (Staff Report No. 135)
C. Consider the first reading of an ordinance amending City Code sections 428, 429 and 620
pertaining to erosion and sedimentation control, water resource management and well
drilling. (Staff Report No. 136)
BILL NO. 2024-11
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTERS IV - VI OF THE RICHFIELD CODE OF ORDINANCES
PERTAINING TO EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION CONTROL, WATER RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT AND WELL DRILLING
D. Consider the adoption of a resolution authorizing acceptance of Office of Traffic Safety
(OTS) funds for an extension on an original four-year grant to fully fund an officer dedicated
to DWI enforcement in Richfield. (Staff Report No. 137)
RESOLUTION NO. 12250
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY/POLICE TO ACCEPT
GRANT MONIES FROM THE OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY IN THE AMOUNT OF $141,643.10
ITEM #1
PROCLAMATION CELEBRATING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY
City Council Meeting Minutes -3- October 8, 2024
OR A LESSER AMOUNT, AS AWARDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, TO FUND
A POLICE OFFICER DEDICATED TO DWI ENFORCEMENT.
E. Consider the adoption of a resolution to accept a grant of $5,509.36 from the Office of Justice
Programs for bulletproof vests. (Staff Report No. 138)
RESOLUTION NO. 12251
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE GRANT WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,
OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS AND RICHFIELD POLICE FOR BULLETPROOF
VESTS
F. Consider adoption of a resolution accepting grant funds from the State of Minnesota to
prepare a federal grant application and execute Agreement No. 1057886 with the Minnesota
Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for fund dispersal. (Staff Report No. 139)
RESOLUTION NO. 12252
AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF MNDOT AGREEMENT #1057886 SETTING GRANT TERMS AND
CONDITIONS FOR THE DISBURSEMENT OF STATE IIJA TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FUNDING
FOR SAP 157-589-001
RESOLUTION NO. 12253
AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF MNDOT AGREEMENT #1057886 SETTING GRANT
TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE DISBURSEMENT OF STATE IIJA TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE FUNDING FOR SAP 157-589-001
G. Consider a first reading of an ordinance amendment establishing zoning regulations for
cannabis businesses. (Staff Report No. 140)
BILL NO. 2024-12
AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT MODIFYING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE ZONING CODE IN
RELATION TO BREWERIES AND CANNABIS
H. Consider approval of a bid tabulation and award a contract to Ron Kassa Construction, Inc.
for the 2024 Citywide Concrete Project in the amount of $107,780, and authorize the City
Manager to approve contract changes under $175,000 without further City Council
consideration. (Staff Report No. 141)
I. Consider approval of an amendment to the contract with HGA Architects for the Wood Lake
Nature Center Building Project in the amount of $181,500 to provide additional professional
services, clarify basic architectural service details and authorize the Mayor and City Manager
to execute the amendment. (Staff Report No. 142)
M/Whalen, S/Trautmann to approve the consent calendar.
Mayor Supple thanked everyone who worked on putting together the consent calendar.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #4
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT
CALENDAR
None.
City Council Meeting Minutes -4- October 8, 2024
ITEM #5
PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE
PROPOSED ASSESSMENT FOR UNPAID GARBAGE COLLECTION SERVICES
FROM PRIVATE PROPERTY WITHIN THE RESIDENTIAL ORGANIZED
COLLECTION SYSTEM FROM JULY 1, 2023 TO JUNE 31, 2024 (STAFF
REPORT NO. 143)
Council Member Hayford Oleary presented Staff Report 143 and opened the public hearing.
M/Hayford Oleary, S/Whalen to close the public hearing.
Motion carried:5-0
M/Hayford Oleary, S/Whalen to adopt the proposed assessment for unpaid garbage collection
services from private property within the residential organized collection system from July 1, 2023, to
June 31, 2024.
RESOLUTION NO. 12254
RESOLUTION ADOPTING ASSESSMENT FOR UNPAID GARBAGE COLLECTION
SERVICE FROM JULY 1, 2023 TO JUNE 31, 2024
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #6
CONDUCT AND CLOSE A PUBLIC HEARING AND BY MOTION: ADOPT A
RESOLUTION FOR SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS FOR REMOVAL OF DISEASED
TREES FROM PRIVATE PROPERTY FOR WORK FROM JANUARY 1, 2023,
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2023 (STAFF REPORT NO. 144)
Council Member Christensen presented Staff Report 144 and opened the public hearing.
M/Christensen, S/Trautmann to close the public hearing.
Motion carried:5-0
Council Member Whalen noted that if some people are not able to pay for the removal of a dead
tree, the City can spread out the cost of the removal over their property taxes.
M/Christensen, S/Hayford Oleary to adopt a resolution for special assessments for removal of
dead trees from private property for work from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023.
RESOLUTION NO. 12255
RESOLUTION ADOPTING ASSESSMENT FOR THE REMOVAL OF DISEASED TREES
FROM PRIVATE PROPERTY FOR WORK ORDERED FROM JANUARY 1, 2023 THROUGH
DECEMBER 31, 2023
Motion carried: 5-0
City Council Meeting Minutes -5- October 8, 2024
ITEM #7
HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER: 1. A RESOLUTION ADOPTING
THE ASSESSMENT ON THE ILN PROJECT AREA $81,615.59 IN COSTS
INCURRED TO MAINTAIN THE AREA FOR 2023. 2. A RESOLUTION ORDERING
THE UNDERTAKING OF THE CURRENT SERVICE PROJECT WITHIN THE ILN
PROJECT AREA FOR 2025. (STAFF REPORT NO. 145)
Council Member Trautmann presented Staff Report 145 and opened the public hearing.
Patricia Erikson discussed that the improvement does not benefit her business and asked if her
two properties can be removed from this area for special assessment.
M/Trautmann, S/Hayford Oleary to close the public hearing.
Motion carried:5-0
Council Member Whalen asked if the ash trees are the reason for the raised costs.
Staff noted there are a number of reasons for the raised cost and clarified the ash trees are one
of those reasons.
Council Member Trautmann asked if this is the only business district that has these kinds of
assessments.
Staff noted the specific business district is the only business district with an assessment right
now.
Council Member Trautmann asked if there are mechanisms available to finance or space out
these payments for business owners.
Staff stated there are no available finance mechanisms at this time.
Council Member Trautmann addressed the business owner and stated he hoped the questions
were answered.
M/Whalen, S/Hayford Oleary to adopt a resolution adopting the assessment on the ILN project
area $81,615.59 in costs incurred to maintain the area for 2023 and adopt a resolution ordering the
undertaking of the current service project within the ILN project area for 2025.
RESOLUTION NO. 12256
RESOLUTION ADOPTING ASSESSMENT ON INTERSTATE-LYNDALE-NICOLLET (ILN)
PROJECT AREA MAINTENANCE FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2023 TO DECEMBER 31, 2023
RESOLUTION NO. 12256
RESOLUTION ORDERING THE UNDERTAKING OF CURRENT SERVICE PROJECT
WITHIN THE INTERSTATE-LYNDALE-NICOLLET (ILN) PROJECT AREA FOR THE PERIOD
JANUARY 1, 2025 TO DECEMBER 31, 2025
Motion carried: 5-0
City Council Meeting Minutes -6- October 8, 2024
ITEM #8
PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE
PROPOSED ASSESSMENTS OF DELINQUENT UTILITY ACCOUNTS, FALSE
ALARM CHARGES, PUBLIC HEALTH OR SAFETY HAZARD CHARGES, WEED
ERADICATION CHARGES, AND VACANT PROPERTY REGISTRATION FEES
TO BE CERTIFIED TO PROPERTY TAXES. (STAFF REPORT NO. 146)
Council Member Whalen presented Staff Report 146 and opened the public hearing.
M/Whalen, S/Trautmann to close the public hearing.
Motion carried:5-0
M/Whalen, S/Christensen to adopt a resolution approving the proposed assessments of
delinquent utility accounts, false alarm charges, public health or safety hazard charges, weed
eradication charges, and vacant property registration fees to be certified to property taxes.
RESOLUTION NO. 12258
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CERTIFICATION OF UNPAID WATER, SANITARY SEWER,
STORM WATER, AND STREET LIGHT CHARGES, FALSE ALARM CHARGES, WEED
ERADICATION CHARGES, PUBLIC HEALTH OR SAFETY HAZARD CHARGES, AND VACANT
PROPERTY REGISTRATION FEES TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR TO BE COLLECTED WITH
OTHER TAXES ON SAID PROPERTIES
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #9
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION ANNUAL PRESENTATION GIVEN BY
CHAIR, TESSA JOHANSON
Mayor Supple requested a motion to amend the agenda to allow for the following two
presentations.
M/Whalen, S/Christensen to amend the agenda to allow the two presentations.
Motion carried: 5-0
Chair Johanson gave a presentation for the Advisory Board of Health. She provided more
details on what her department has done this year and provided a summary of what they plan on
doing in the coming year.
Council Member Whalen noted that the commission has been meeting at some of the new
buildings. He shared that these buildings have rooms that are open for rent.
ITEM #10
ADVISORY BOARD OF HEALTH ANNUAL PRESENTATION GIVEN BY STAFF
LIAISON, JENNIFER ANDERSON
City Council Meeting Minutes -7- October 8, 2024
Manager Anderson provided a summary of the commission and its members. She discussed
that the board has had to have deeper education on cannabis in Minnesota. She provided details of
the work the board has been doing this year, the events they have been attending, and stated that
planning for the next year will take place in October.
ITEM #11
CONSIDER ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE COUNTY
STATE AID HIGHWAY 52 (NICOLLET AVENUE) PREFERRED CONCEPT FROM
77TH STREET TO 66TH STREET, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (STAFF REPORT NO. 147)
Council Member Hayford Oleary presented Staff Report 147.
Engineer Hardegger presented a summary of the project and gave an overview of the project
area. He provided details of the design features. He discussed the project benefits of each of these
design features and provided a summary of the budget numbers and considerations. He explained the
staff recommendation for the project.
Mayor Supple asked about next steps for the project if the Council approves this action.
Engineer Hardegger noted they would then move into the final design process and begin
official plans for construction.
Council Member Whalen discussed the Council consensus that was made at the previous
work session meeting. He asked if the decision was to line instead of replace the sanitary sewer, that
this would not be a downgrade in quality.
Engineer Powers noted that lining a sanitary sewer generally brings a pipe back to like new
quality.
Council Member Hayford Oleary shared that he will be voting in support of this and is very
proud of the work done on this project.
Council Member Trautmann thanked everyone who has worked on this project and has
worked to make Richfield a better place.
M/Hayford Oleary, S/Christensen to adopt a resolution supporting the County State Aid Highway
52 (Nicollet Avenue) preferred concept from 77th street to 66th street, as recommended by the
Transportation Commission.
RESOLUTION NO. 12259
RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR HENNEPIN COUNTY’S PREFERRED CONCEPT FOR THE
PRELIMINARY DESIGN OF COUNTY STATE AID HIGHWAY 52 (NICOLLET AVENUE) HENNEPIN
COUNTY PROJECT NO. 2120800
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #12
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Council Meeting Minutes -8-October 8, 2024
City Manager Rodriguez shared information regarding an email from a resident at the last
meeting. She noted that staff is assessing the problems mentioned in the email and starting in
November, staff will only offer WebEx in an open forum if advanced notice is given.
ITEM #13 CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
M/Trautmann, S/Whalen that the following claims and payrolls be approved:
U.S. BANK 10/3/2024
A/P Checks: 331655 – 331942 $1,317,026.37
Payroll: 191245 – 191556 44029 – 44030 $1,091,143.19
TOTAL $2,408,169.56
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #14 HATS OFF TO HOMETOWN HITS
Council Member Hayford Oleary thanked the League of Women Voters for the forum that took
place last weekend.
Council Member Trautmann noted he had nothing to share.
Council Member Christensen shared that the great American Pumpkin Giveaway will take place
this weekend. There will also be a community trunk or treat held that same afternoon.
Council Member Whalen noted that early voting is open, and voting will end in four weeks.
Mayor Supple gave a hats off to the renovation celebration that took place last week. She also
gave a hats off to Public Safety in their work of sharing bus safety information.
ITEM #15 ADJOURNMENT
M/Trautmann, S/Christense to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 p.m.
Motion carried: 5-0
Date Approved: October 22, 2024
Mary B. Supple
Mayor
Michelle Friedrich Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager