12-10-2024 Work Session RevisedCITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
City Council Work Session
December 10, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Supple called the work session to order at 5:47 p.m. in the Bartholomew Room.
Council Members
Present:
Mary Supple, Mayor; Simon Trautmann, Sharon Christensen; Sean Hayford
Oleary, Ben Whalen
Staff Present:
Guests:
Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Karl Huemiller, Recreation Services
Director; and Michelle Friedrich, City Clerk.
Glenn Waguespack, HGA; Andrew Holgren, HGA
ITEM #1 UPDATE AND DISCUSSION OF WOOD LAKE NATURE CENTER BUILDING
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Mayor Supple gave a summary of the agenda item and turned the discussion over to Director
Huemiller.
Recreation Services Director Huemiller gave an update on the project’s progress and highlighted
the topics being discussed tonight.
Mr. Waugespack discussed the nature elements that will be developed as a part of the building
itself. He also mentioned the changes in the amphitheater. He gave an update on the parking lot.
Council Member Whalen asked if people who drive bigger vehicles like school buses and fire trucks.
Mr. Waguespack noted that fire trucks do have good access to the parking lot. He also mentioned
that school buses would be able to turn around easily in the parking lot rather than having to back
out.
Mr. Holgren presented views of the entry points to the nature center. He also discussed the bike
racks and the surface they will be placed on.
Council Member Hayford Oleary added that he feels the uneven surface before the bike rack may
be a safety issue and he would like to see the bike racks placed on pavement.
Council Member Trautmann asked how the impervious sidewalk will last long term and how they
need to be maintained.
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Mr. Waguespack noted that they need less maintenance than a parking lot would.
Recreation Services Director Huemiller noted surmountable curbs on all sides towards the lake due
to turtles getting stuck in the parking lot.
Council Member Whalen added his concern for cars being able to easily drive up onto the sidewalk.
Council Member Hayford Oleary expressed agreement with Council Member Whalen.
Mr. Holgren gave an update on the nature play area. He also presented an overview of the play
area.
Recreation Services Director Huemiller described the goal for the play area.
Mr. Holmgren displayed the aerial view of the amphitheater in relation to the nature center.
Mayor Supple asked if they will be clearing the amphitheater and deck in the winter, or if they will
just use them in the other three seasons.
Recreation Services Director Huemiller noted that they don’t plan on having them shoveled.
Council Member Whalen asked if they could consider adding a railing to the amphitheater.
Mr. Waugespack presented an overview and aerial view of the outdoor patio. He also gave an
overview of the elevated deck plans. He gave updates on the building design plan.
Council Member Whalen asked if the rooms are soundproof enough that you could hold three
separate classes at once without being able to hear what is happening in the next room.
Recreation Services Director Huemiller noted that the moveable partitions are STC-rated, but they
are not as good as a wall.
Mr. Holmgren highlighted the aspects of the entry/coffee bar/ lounge area. He presented some
views of the area.
Mr. Waguespack discussed some of the materials planned to be used in the building.
Mr. Holmgren discussed the flooring for the interior of the building.
Council Member Hayford Oleary added that he would like to see a different type of flooring in the
multi-purpose room, and did not object to the flooring in the building broadly.
Mr. Holmgren provided more views of the lounge area and provided more details on the area. He
presented an overview of the waste management for the building and where it is being placed. He
provided samples of different exterior cladding/wood siding.
Recreation Services Director Huemiller presented the list of the alternate and buyback options.
Mr. Holgren, Council and staff reviewed the different alternate/buyback options.
City Manager Rodriguez gave a summary of the discussion.
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ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Supple adjourned the work session at 6:59 p.m.
Date Approved: January 14, 2025
Mary B. Supple
Mayor
Michelle Friedrich Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager