11-26-2024 Regular Council MeetingThe meeting was called to order by Mayor Supple at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Council Members Present:
Council Members
Excused:
Mary Supple, Mayor; Sharon Christensen; Sean Hayford
Oleary; and Ben Whalen.
Simon Trautmann
Staff Present: Sack Thongvanh, Assistant City Manager; Mary Tietjen, City
Attorney; Kumud Verma, Finance Director; and Michelle
Friedrich, City Clerk. City Manager Katie Rodriguez was
excused.
Others Present: Tyler Olson, Human Rights Commission Chair; Amanda
Kueper, Sustainability Commission Chair.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Supple led the Pledge of Allegiance.
OPEN FORUM
Mayor Supple reviewed the participation options for residents at the Council meeting include in-
person comments, comments by voicemail or email, and an with 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 Whalen, seconded by Hayford Oleary to approve the minutes of the: (1) City
Council Work Session of November 12, 2024; (2) Regular City Council Meeting of November 12,
2024.
Motion carried: 4-0
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Council Meeting
November 26, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
City Council Meeting Minutes -2- November 26, 2024
ITEM #1
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ANNUAL PRESENTATION GIVEN BY CHAIR
TYLER OLSON
Human Rights Commission Chair Olson thanked the Council for the opportunity to present this
evening. Chair Olson gave a summary of the work the Human Rights Commission has completed
and provided details of the focus of the Commission’s goals. Chair Olson referenced the
proclamations made this year and described the community involvement that took place.
ITEM #2
SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION ANNUAL PRESENTATION GIVEN BY CHAIR
AMANDA KUEPER
The Sustainability Commission Chair Kueper thanked the city staff and all of those who were
involved in the Sustainability Commission. Chair Kueper noted 2024 has been a very productive
year. Chair Kueper highlighted some accomplishments from their work plan and summarized the
community outreach this year. Chair Kueper also highlighted the special guests and presentations
scheduled at their meetings this year.
Council Member Whalen thanked the Sustainability Commission and Chair for all their work, their
initiative and accomplishments.
ITEM #3
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: made by Hayford Oleary, seconded by Whalen to approve the Agenda.
Motion carried: 4-0
ITEM #4
CONSENT CALENDAR
Assistant City Manager Thongvanh presented the consent calendar.
A. Consider the adoption of a resolution accepting grants and donations received by the Richfield
Recreation Services in 2024 and authorizing staff to administer the funds in accordance with any
applicable grant agreements and terms prescribed by donors. (Staff Report No. 160)
RESOLUTION NO. 12269
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF GRANTS RECEIVED BY THE CITY OF
RICHFIELD RECREATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY TO
ADMINISTER THE FUNDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH GRANT AGREEMENTS AND TERMS
PRESCRIBED BY DONORS
B. Approve a resolution for counting registered, write-in votes for local elective office. (Staff Report
No. 161)
RESOLUTION NO. 12270
RESOLUTION FOR COUNTING WRITE-IN VOTES FOR LOCAL ELECTIVE OFFICE
City Council Meeting Minutes -3- November 26, 2024
C. Consider approval to set a public hearing to be held on December 10, 2024, to consider the
renewal of a Pawnbroker license for 2025 for Metro Pawn and Gun, Inc (Staff Report No. 162)
D. Consider the acceptance of a quote from Northland Recreation in the amount of $175,000 for
the replacement of play equipment at Donaldson Park and the authorization of the Recreation
Services Director to proceed with the project. (Staff Report No. 163)
E. Consider approval of the first reading of a new Ordinance establishing a Local Sales and Use Tax
in Richfield. (Staff Report No. 164)
BILL NO. 2024-15
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE RICHFIELD CODE OF ORDINANCES TO ADD A NEW
CHAPTER RELATED TO A LOCAL SALES AND USE TAX
MOTION: made by Whalen, seconded by Hayford Oleary to approve consent calendar items 4A-E.
Council Member Hayford Oleary noted his anticipation for the first reading of the sales tax item since
it has been a big item. Council Member Hayford Oleary added he appreciates the future staff time
saved regarding the write-in votes and tallying resolution.
Mayor Supple thanked everyone who donated to support the grants, and the Recreation Department.
She also thanked those who voted to authorize the sales tax and use tax.
Motion carried: 4-0
ITEM #5
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT
CALENDAR
None.
ITEM #6
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE SECOND READING OF A NEW ORDINANCE
REGARDING REGISTRATION OF CANNABIS AND HEMP BUSINESSES AND
RELATED REGULATIONS. (STAFF REPORT NO. 165)
Council Member Hayford Oleary presented Staff Report 165.
Council Member Hayford Oleary thanked staff for getting this done on time and getting it in order.
Mayor Supple thanked anyone involved in the discussion. She also thanked staff for answering all
questions on the topic.
MOTION: made by Hayford Oleary, seconded by Christensen to approve the second reading of a
new ordinance regarding registration of cannabis and hemp businesses and related regulations and
a resolution and summary publication of said ordinance.
BILL NO. 2024-14
AN ORDINANCE ADDING A NEW SECTION 1198 TO THE RICHFIELD CODE OF
ORDINANCES REGARDING REGISTRATION OF CANNABIS AND HEMP BUSINESSES
AND RELATED REGULATIONS AND REVISING CERTAIN DEFINITIONS IN THE LIQUOR
CODE
City Council Meeting Minutes -4-November 26, 2024
RESOLUTION NO. 12271
RESOLUTION APPROVING SUMMARY PUBLICATION OF AN ORDINANCE 2024-14
RELATED TO THE REGISTRATION OF CANNABIS AND HEMP BUSINESSES AND
RELATED REGULATIONS
Motion carried: 4-0
ITEM #7 CONSIDER THE APPOINTMENTS TO CITY ADVISORY BOARD AND
COMMISSIONS. (STAFF REPORT NO. 166)
Council Member Hayford Oleary presented Staff Report 166.
Council Member Hayford Oleary read the list of appointments as follows:
Advisory Board of Health: Marcel Johnson, Rebecca Case, Rachel Decker, and alternate Jim
Mahoney.
Arts Commission: Crystina Clauson, Stephanie Jacobson, and Aric Bieganek.
Civil Service Commission: Jeffrey Bruzek
Community Services Commission: David Sperling, Susie Luttenegger, Grace Bronken,
Tessa Johanson, Husniyah Bradley, and alternate Kimberly Land.
Human Rights Commission: Michael Zazzera, Dana Specht, Timothy Garvey, Chris
Axelson, and alternate, Tyler Birschbach.
Planning Commission: Ben Surma, Eddie Holmvig-Johnson, and alternate, Kelly Witzel.
Sustainability Commission: Craig Heinen, Katy Boone, Christopher Danner, and alternate,
Alexa Wozniak.
Transportation Commission: Louis Dzierzak, Stella Yang, Brinnon Kubista, and alternate
Jacob Olsen
Council Member Whalen thanked everyone for being eager to join and become involved in a
commission or advisory board.
MOTION: made by Hayford Oleary, seconded by Whalen to approve the appointments to City
advisory board and commissions.
Motion carried: 4-0
ITEM #8 CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Nothing to report.
City Council Meeting Minutes -5-November 26, 2024
ITEM #9 CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
MOTION: made by Whalen, seconded by Christensen that the following claims and payrolls be
approved:
U.S. BANK 11/22/2024
A/P Checks: 332747-333159 $1,305,009.58
Payroll: 192549-192966 (Manual checks
44051-44111) $1,199,701.57
TOTAL $2,504,711.15
Motion carried: 4-0
ITEM #10 HATS OFF TO HOMETOWN HITS
Council Member Christensen shared her report from the National League of Cities convention and
shared appreciation for those who voted to allow her to attend the convention. Council Member
Christensen noted there are many similar issues cities share.
Council Member Whalen wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving.
Council Member Hayford Oleary recognized the participants in the Safe Routes to School virtual
retreat.
Mayor Supple noted the work of a group called Every Meal and thanked Richfield residents for
participating. Mayor Supple explained how Every Meal provides school age students meals over the
weekend. Mayor Supple noted her attendance at an Eagle Scout ceremony and commented on the
outstanding the accomplishments of the Eagle Scouts.
ITEM #11 ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: made by Whalen, seconded by Hayford Oleary to adjourn the meeting at 7:36 p.m.
Motion carried: 4-0
Date Approved: December 10, 2024
Mary Supple
Mayor
Michelle Friedrich Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager