10-22-2024 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;
Melissa Poehlman, Community Development Director; and
Michelle Friedrich, City Clerk.
Others Present: Brett Stursa, Planning Commission Secretary; Aric Bieganek,
Arts Commission Co-Chair; Stephanie Jacobson, Arts
Commission Co-Chair.
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
No residents participated in the Open Forum.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
M/Christensen, S/Trautmann to approve the minutes of the: (1) Regular City Council Meeting of
October 8, 2024.
Motion carried: 5-0
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Council Meeting
October 22, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
City Council Meeting Minutes -2- October 22, 2024
ITEM #1
19TH ANNUAL GREAT PUMPKIN GIVEAWAY COLORING CONTEST WINNERS.
Mayor Supple noted the winners were not able to attend the meeting. Mayor Supple thanked the
sponsors of the giveaway.
ITEM #2
ARTS COMMISSION ANNUAL PRESENTATION GIVEN BY CO-CHAIRS ARIC
BIEGANEK AND STEPHANIE JACOBSON.
Co-Chair Bieganek shared a presentation of the activities and events the Commission has hosted or
participated in this year.
Co-Chair Jacobson discussed future plans for arts in schools.
Co-Chair Bieganek noted some of the community art projects and events the Arts Commission
hosted this year. Co-Chair Bieganek also reviewed ongoing activities.
Council Member Christensen mentioned her role as the liaison for the Arts Commission and
expressed her enjoyment of the valuable work the commission does for the community.
Council Member Trautmann expressed gratitude to all Commission Members and highlighted the
positive impact of art on the community, emphasizing how it enhances the quality of life for everyone.
Mayor Supple noted Commission applications will be opening soon.
ITEM #3
PLANNING COMMISSION ANNUAL PRESENTATION GIVEN BY CHAIR EDDIE
HOLMVIG-JOHNSON.
Planning Commission Secretary Stursa announced that she is filling in for Chair Holmvig Johnson
and will be delivering the presentation this evening. Planning Commission Secretary Stursa provided
an update on the Planning Commission's decisions from this year.
Mayor Supple noted her role as the liaison for the Planning Commission over the past year and
expressed appreciation of the Commission’s thoughtful discussion.
Council Member Hayford Oleary discussed that he has enjoyed the work sessions with the Planning
Commission this year and noted that he appreciates their involvement in decisions and
recommendations to Council.
ITEM #4
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
M/Whalen, S/Trautmann to approve the agenda.
Motion carried: 5-0
City Council Meeting Minutes -3- October 22, 2024
ITEM #5
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
A. Consider awarding American Rescue Plan Act funding to non-profit organizations to provide
services and activities that aid in the recovery of Richfield community members negatively
impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. (Staff Report No. 148)
RESOLUTION NO. 12260
RESOLUTION APPROVING AN ALLOCATION OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT
FUNDING TO NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING SERVICES TO RESIDENTS
IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
B. Consider adoption of a resolution designating the City's contribution towards health, dental, term
life, and disability insurance premiums for 2025. (Staff Report No. 149)
RESOLUTION NO. 12261
RESOLUTION DESIGNATING CITY'S CONTRIBUTION TOWARD HEALTH, DENTAL, TERM
LIFE, AND DISABILITY INSURANCE PREMIUM FOR GENERAL SERVICES AND
MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES.
C. Consider a request to authorize the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry to assume the
responsibilities for electrical inspections in the City of Richfield. (Staff Report No. 150)
RESOLUTION NO. 12262
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND
INDUSTRY TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ELECTRICAL INSPECTIONS.
D. Consider approval of a Construction and Maintenance Agreement with Rya Apartments, LLC,
Cedar Point Investments, LLC, and the RF64 Homeowners Association that defines ownership
and maintenance responsibilities for certain features constructed within the 6300 and 6400
blocks between 16th Ave S and Richfield Parkway. (Staff Report No. 151)
M/Whalen, S/Christensen to approve the consent calendar.
Council Member Hayford Oleary inquired whether the electrical inspections are permanent or if there
is potential for future changes. He also asked how the process differs for homeowners when
obtaining their inspections.
Community Development Director Poehlman explained that while they could collaborate with the
state to potentially reverse this decision, she does not anticipate any changes in the near future. She
mentioned that homeowners will need to contact the state directly to schedule their inspections.
Council Member Whalen thanked Community Development Director Poehlman for her work on the
RF64 and Rya agreement.
Director Poehlman acknowledged that she cannot take full credit for the agreement, highlighting the
significant contributions by Engineer Joe Powers.
Mayor Supple thanked stewardship for the American Recovery Plan Fund and all their work. She
also thanked the Human Resource department for their work will all insurance issues.
City Council Meeting Minutes -4- October 22, 2024
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #6
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT
CALENDAR
None.
ITEM #7
CONSIDER A SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
ESTABLISHING ZONING REGULATIONS FOR CANNABIS BUSINESSES.
(STAFF REPORT NO. 152)
Council Member Hayford Oleary presented Staff Report 152.
Council Member Hayford Oleary discussed that he is glad at the place they landed on the decision.
Mayor Supple noted that she was pleased with the amount of feedback they got from different
community members.
M/Hayford Oleary, S/Trautmann to approve the second reading of an ordinance amendment
establishing zoning regulations for cannabis businesses and adopt a resolution authorizing summary
publications of said ordinance.
BILL NO. 2024-12
AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT MODIFYING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE ZONING CODE IN
RELATION TO BREWERIES AND CANNABIS.
RESOLUTION NO. 12263
RESOLUTION APPROVING SUMMARY PUBLICATION OF AN ORDINANCE MODIFYING
VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE ZONING CODE IN RELATION TO CANNABIS BUSINESSES.
BILL NO. 2024-12 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE RICHFIELD ZONING CODE IN RELATION
TO CANNABIS.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #8
CONSIDER THE SECOND 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, AND APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING SUMMARY PUBLICATION. (STAFF REPORT NO. 153)
Council Member Whalen presented Staff Report 153.
Mayor Supple thanked the water resources department for their work on this item.
M/Whalen, S/Hayford Oleary to approve the second reading of an ordinance amending City code
section 427 Wetland protection to add new buffer requirements compliant with the Minnehaha Creek
City Council Meeting Minutes -5- October 22, 2024
Watershed district Wetland protection rule and clarify the decision-making and appeals process for
Wetland Conservation Act decisions, and adopt a resolution authorizing summary publication.
BILL NO. 2024-10
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER IV OF THE RICHFIELD CODE OF ORDINANCES
PERTAINING WETLAND PROTECTION.
RESOLUTION NO. 12264
RESOLUTION APPROVING SUMMARY PUBLICATION OF AN ORDINANCE UPDATING
WETLAND PROTECTION AMENDING SECTION 427 OF THE CITY CODE.
BILL NO. 2024-10
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 427 OF THE CITY CODE.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #9
CONSIDER THE SECOND READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY
CODE SECTIONS 428, 429 AND 620 PERTAINING TO EROSION AND
SEDIMENTATION CONTROL, WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND WELL
DRILLING, AND APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUMMARY
PUBLICATION. (STAFF REPORT NO. 154)
Council Member Trautmann presented Staff Report 154.
M/Trautmann, S/Whalen to approve the second reading of an ordinance amending the City code
sections 428, 429, and 620 pertaining to erosion and sedimentation control, water resource
management and well drilling, and adopt a resolution authorizing summary publications.
BILL NO. 2024-11
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTERS IV - VI OF THE RICHFIELD CODE OF ORDINANCES
PERTAINING EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION CONTROL, WATER RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT AND WELL DRILLING.
RESOLUTION NO. 12265
RESOLUTION APPROVING SUMMARY PUBLICATION OF AN ORDINANCE UPDATING
EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION CONTROL REGULATIONS, WATER RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS, AND WELL DRILLING REGULATIONS, AMENDING
SECTIONS 428, 429, AND 620 OF THE CITY CODE.
BILL NO. 2024-11
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 428, 429, AND 620 OF THE CITY CODE.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #10
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Rodriguez introduced the new administrative assistant, Mark McKinley.
ITEM #11
CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
City Council Meeting Minutes -6- October 22, 2024
M/Whalen, S/Christensen that the following claims and payrolls be approved:
U.S. BANK 10/17/2024
A/P Checks 331943 – 332301 $1,240,068.83
Payroll: 191557-191883 and 44031-
44036* $1,022,187.17
TOTAL $2,262,256.00
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #12
HATS OFF TO HOMETOWN HITS
Council Member Christensen noted the last outdoor farmers market will take place on the weekend
of October 26, 2024.
Council Member Whalen shared that there have been many Halloween events this month. He
thanked the many local organizations involved in these events. He noted that there are two weeks
left to vote.
Council Member Hayford Oleary discussed that it is great that so many residents have voted early.
He also got the opportunity to participate in many senior events this week.
Council Member Trautmann had nothing to share.
Mayor Supple shared that Commission applications are open until the end of October for adult and
youth positions.
ITEM #13
ADJOURNMENT
M/Trautmann, S/Whalen to adjourn the meeting at 7:36 p.m.
Motion carried: 5-0
Date Approved: November 12, 2024
Mary B. Supple
Mayor
Michelle Friedrich Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager