This transcript has been formatted with speaker names based on the city official list and the context of the discussion. [00:00] **Mary Supple:** Let's go into the restroom. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. And I'm going to call to order this regular city council meeting of the city of Richfield. It's June 10th at 7:00 p.m. If you're able, please rise and join us for the pledge of allegiance. [00:15] **All:** I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [00:30] **Mary Supple:** Thank you. Next, we'll move on to open forum. Participants can share their comments in person by voicemail or email and may also request to participate virtually. For more information on submitting comments, refer to the council agenda and minutes page on richfieldm.gov/city. Did any cards get turned in? And have any email comments been sent? All right. Is there anyone here who wishes to participate in the open forum? All right, I'm not seeing anybody coming forward, so I'm going to assume there's no one here for the open forum. So, next we'll move on to the approval of the minutes of the city council work session meeting from May 27th, 2025 and the city council regular meeting from May 27th, 2025. [01:15] **Walter Burke:** I move approval of both sets of minutes. [01:18] **Sharon Christensen:** I second it. [01:20] **Mary Supple:** It's been moved to approve both sets of minutes and seconded. Is there any discussion? All in favor, please say I. [01:25] **Council Members:** I. [01:26] **Mary Supple:** All opposed. We've approved the minutes. Next, we'll be going on to the proclamation celebrating Juneteenth. So, I'm going to ask Human Rights Commissioner Carol Kelly to join me at the podium. All right, that's good. All right. Thank you everyone. This is a proclamation of the city of Richfield. Whereas President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1st, 1863, declaring that all persons held as slaves within the rebellious states are and henceforward shall be free. And whereas the Emancipation Proclamation did not apply to states loyal to the Union, including border states with a considerable enslaved population. And whereas many slaveholders worked to keep word of the proclamation from enslaved persons and some went so far as to forcefully relocate over 150,000 enslaved black persons into Texas. And whereas over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued and two months after the surrender of the Confederacy to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia, Union General Gordon Granger and his troops traveled to Galveston, Texas, and announced General Order number three, freeing the last enslaved Americans on June 19th, 1865. And whereas on that day, June 19th, 1865, over 250,000 black Americans embraced freedom by executive decree in what became known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day. And whereas Juneteenth marks our country's second independence day, celebrating freedom and justice and emphasizing the achievement of black Americans after gaining their freedom. And whereas in the wake of the Civil War, the Constitution of the United States was amended for the 14th time to include the promise that America will not deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. And whereas we failed this promise to black Americans who experienced both legally sanctioned and de facto forms of oppression for generations significantly impacted by the unjust decisions in the 1896 US Supreme Court decision Plessy versus Ferguson which legally barred countless black Americans from enjoying the same privileges and successes as their white counterparts. And whereas 71 years after the historic 1954 Brown versus Board of Education decision outlawed segregation in all public facilities, we acknowledge the continued existence of racism today. And whereas the city of Richfield is committed to doing the work required to deconstruct systemic racism, honor the promise of the 14th amendment, and secure an equitable future for all citizens. Now therefore I Mary Supple, Mayor of Richfield, on behalf of the Richfield City Council do acknowledge the relevance of June 19th, 1865 and celebrate every June 19th as Juneteenth Freedom Day in the city of Richfield and call on the people of Richfield to observe this day with appropriate programs, activities and ceremonies and continue to honor the contributions of African-Americans throughout the year. Proclaimed this 10th day of June 2025. Congratulations. Would you like— [04:45] **Carol Kelly:** Thank you. Thank you very much, Mary. Um, I will say especially in these times, it is so important to our HRC, our Human Rights Commission and our community here in Richfield that we remain diligent about preserving the rights of everyone, not, you know, not just a select few. So, I really appreciate all of the work that we get to do on the HRC and all the partnership we get to have with you, Mary, and everybody else on the council. Thank you. [Applause] [05:15] **Mary Supple:** Here, you can take this. Thank you so much and thank you to the HRC for putting together the proclamation. If anyone else wishes to add anything, go ahead. [05:25] **Sean Hayford Oleary:** As always, I just want to thank the HRC for what you all do and to remind us of these important issues through your proclamation. So, send the thanks back. [05:35] **Rori A. Coleman-Woods:** I continue to thank the HRC for their contribution to continuing to preserve our historical accuracy—and what and when so much of it is being erased. So, thank you. [05:50] **Mary Supple:** Okay, thank you so much. Next, we'll move on to the recognition of retiring Fire Chief Mike Dobish and the swearing in ceremony for Fire Chief Jenell Brooks. So, City Manager Rodriguez, I believe you want to kick off the celebration. [06:05] **Katie Rodriguez:** Thank you, everybody. Um tonight we we celebrate the passing of the baton in the fire department, although it's really a passing of badges. Um as with all leadership changes, uh this moment we um approach with mixed feelings. Um lots of gratitude for Chief Dobish um and wish him well on his retirement and then lots of excitement for future Chief Brooks as she assumes this new role. So, first I wanted to ask uh Chief Dobish up to the podium and if the mayor could join me as well. You make me feel like I'm underdressed. Um so, thanks. Uh Chief Dobish is retiring after 29 years of service in the fire service. Uh he has served the last 13 years with Richfield. He joined us as assistant chief and then was promoted to fire chief in 2021. Um Mike's a—he's a big picture thinker and we needed it when he was promoted. Uh he approaches things collaboratively and also uses data which I very much appreciate. Uh he's uh done a lot as chief and worked with me over the last five years and he developed a strategic plan. He uh worked with the whole team to improve culture, develop a code of conduct. Uh he was able to use data to convince me to add more firefighters—proving that it reduced the overtime cost and helped to address ever-increasing calls for service. Um and anybody that knows me knows that I worry about the budget constantly. So that was quite a feat, Mike. Um he has also worked on that problem upstream and has worked on EMS reform in the region and was asked to join a statewide task force that's studying the issue. He also works nationally on sharing best practices with incident command through the blue card program. Um and he has worked in collaboration with others on MNFIRE on firefighter health both mental health and physical health. So obviously a long list and I'm not even touching on everything that Mike has contributed to the department and also to the profession. But what I have treasured Mike for for all these years that we've worked together is he leads with his whole heart. Um he would often say to me when we were facing challenges or celebrating really good accomplishments, he would say "We have good people, Katie." So I really appreciate that and I will miss you Mike. Thank you. I think our path will cross in the future but I will really miss you. So I will ask the mayor to retire your badge. [09:15] **Mary Supple:** All right. So, Chief Dobish, to honor your service and leadership, it's our privilege to present you with your official retired fire chief badge. May it serve as a lasting symbol of your dedication to this community and your enduring place in our department's legacy. So, I'm going to ask if your spouse could come up and we're going to pin the retired badge. So, we'll turn it over to you guys to do that here. [Applause] [09:45] **Mike Dobish:** Thank you, mayor, city council members. Um, I'm going to have plenty opportunities to talk the rest of this week, so I'll keep this brief. Um, there's my whole heart. Um, thank you for the honor of being your fire chief. Uh I've appreciated the opportunity that the position has afforded me to represent the city both at the legislature and on numerous committees and task forces that I've been a part of. Um you can be proud of the weight that this city carries and I am honored to have had the privilege of your backing. I'm also grateful that Chief Brooks was chosen as my successor, not only as the first female fire chief, but as the best person for the job. I'm confident that she will do well for both the department and the community. Again, thank you, and I look forward to watching the next chapter of the Richfield Fire Department. Thank you, everybody. [Applause] [10:50] **Katie Rodriguez:** So, if I can have Assistant Chief Brooks and Clerk Friedrich be ready to jump up to read the oath of office eventually. So, I'm really happy to announce that we promoted one of those good people. Um, when I first approached this challenge to fill the role, I felt like we had the talent in the department and I'm really happy to report that I was right. Um Jenell shone at every step of the way and um she was clearly the strongest candidate. Of course I had worked with Jenell before. Uh she is one of the hardest workers that I know. She is also very thorough and very strategic. But through the course of the recruitment, I was able to learn about her vision for the department and the fire service and the thoughtful approach that she has developed to address both challenges and opportunities. And so that was a nice part of the process. I know easier on my end than on yours. Um she also shares with Mike the belief that our strongest asset is our staff. Janelle also has a lot of experience. She joined the department in 2010 as a firefighter. She was continuously promoted and so she served in every role in the fire department and now is moving up to the chief role. Um, so Jenell brings that—because of that has developed really strong relationships across the organization and then with her peers in the fire service. She brings the experience, the vision, and the commitment to this new role. So, I am really excited. You build of course on a really strong foundation, but I'm really excited about what you'll bring the department into the future. So, congratulations. [Applause] [13:00] **Mary Supple:** We'll have Clerk Friedrich come in and read the oath of office and then Chief Brooks can provide remarks. [13:05] **Michelle Friedrich:** Would you like to stand here or should we go to the center? No, I think we're here. Okay. All right. Okay. I'm honored to be doing your oath with you. So, thank you for the opportunity. Let's repeat after me. May you raise your right hand, please. I, Jenell Brooks, do solemnly swear— [13:20] **Jenell Brooks:** I, Jenell Brooks, do solemnly swear— [13:22] **Michelle Friedrich:** —that I will faithfully execute— [13:24] **Jenell Brooks:** —that I will faithfully execute— [13:25] **Michelle Friedrich:** —the duties of the office of fire chief— [13:27] **Jenell Brooks:** —the duties of office of fire chief— [13:29] **Michelle Friedrich:** —for the city of Richfield— [13:30] **Jenell Brooks:** —for the city of Richfield— [13:31] **Michelle Friedrich:** —in the county of Hennepin, state of Minnesota— [13:34] **Jenell Brooks:** —in the county of Hennepin, state of Minnesota— [13:36] **Michelle Friedrich:** —that I will preserve, protect, and defend— [13:38] **Jenell Brooks:** —that I will preserve, protect, and defend— [13:40] **Michelle Friedrich:** —the Constitution and laws of the United States— [13:42] **Jenell Brooks:** —the Constitution and laws of the United States— [13:44] **Michelle Friedrich:** —and the state of Minnesota— [13:45] **Jenell Brooks:** —and the state of Minnesota— [13:46] **Michelle Friedrich:** —and the charter and ordinances of the city of Richfield— [13:49] **Jenell Brooks:** —and the charter and ordinances of the city of Richfield— [13:51] **Michelle Friedrich:** —that I will lead with integrity— [13:53] **Jenell Brooks:** —that I will lead with integrity— [13:54] **Michelle Friedrich:** —humility and purpose— [13:56] **Jenell Brooks:** —humility and purpose— [13:57] **Michelle Friedrich:** —that I will uphold the mission and values— [13:59] **Jenell Brooks:** —that I will uphold the mission and values— [14:01] **Michelle Friedrich:** —of the Richfield Fire Department— [14:03] **Jenell Brooks:** —of the Richfield Fire Department— [14:05] **Michelle Friedrich:** —and foster a culture of professionalism— [14:07] **Jenell Brooks:** —and foster a culture of professionalism— [14:09] **Michelle Friedrich:** —innovation and respect— [14:11] **Jenell Brooks:** —innovation and respect— [14:12] **Michelle Friedrich:** —and that I will dedicate myself— [14:14] **Jenell Brooks:** —and that I will dedicate myself— [14:15] **Michelle Friedrich:** —to the safety— [14:16] **Jenell Brooks:** —to the safety— [14:17] **Michelle Friedrich:** —well-being and trust— [14:18] **Jenell Brooks:** —well-being and trust— [14:19] **Michelle Friedrich:** —of the firefighters and community we serve— [14:22] **Jenell Brooks:** —of the firefighters and community we serve. [14:25] **Mary Supple:** So, if we can have John—are you coming up to pin the badge on? [14:30] **Jenell Brooks:** I want to say hi to my mom, my stepdad at home. [Applause] Good evening everyone. I'm sorry I couldn't be here the last council meeting, but I appreciate all the nice things that you had to say for the process. Good evening, Madame Mayor, distinguished council members, city manager Rodriguez, and those in the room. Thank you. And online, thank you for this opportunity and your confidence in me. Becoming the fire chief in the city I've proudly served since 2010 is both humbling and deeply meaningful. If you had told me years ago I'd be standing here as the fire chief, I probably would have laughed or run the other way. But I've learned that the best leadership paths often find you before you find them. I want to thank the leaders who came before me, including three former fire chiefs here tonight. Chief Dobish, Chief Kiwitch, Chief Wayne. Each of you left your mark and I intend to carry that forward with purpose. To my family, especially my husband, thank you for your constant support and for surviving years of shift schedules, fire talk and everything else that comes with both of our lives in the fire service. And to the mentors, colleagues, and friends who've shown up for me, some for years and some just recently, your belief in me helped make this moment possible. To the members of this department, past and present, I know you're here. Thank you for taking the drive for so long. Um, your dedication, your humor, and grit are why we show up every day, and I'm proud to serve alongside you. As we look ahead, my vision is rooted in integrity, collaboration, and progress, holding ourselves to a high standard while working as one team to move forward. We'll strengthen what's already working, and be honest about where we need to grow. This role, for me, isn't just a job. It's a responsibility, and I carry that with pride. I didn't always see this path for myself, but I've spent years preparing for this moment. I'm here to serve, to lead, and to move us forward. I'm grateful for the trust to do just that. As this next chapter begins, I look forward to working closely with the city leadership, our department members, and regional partners to serve this community together. I may have once joked about running the other way, but today I'm stepping forward with purpose, clarity, and gratitude. The road here hasn't always been easy, but I'm walking toward the challenge now, just with better shoes—sparkles. Um, thank you again for this opportunity. It truly means a lot. For those who are able, afterwards, thank you for coming. And I invite you to join us at the fire station for a brief reception following the presentation. Once again, thank you. I'm honored to serve as your next fire chief. [Applause] [18:00] **Mary Supple:** Thank you. So we thank Chief Dobish for his service and welcome Chief Brooks as she begins this next chapter in our fire department. The fire department is a valued part of our community and your leadership has had a lasting impact on our city and indeed the entire state. We know that Chief Brooks will continue that tradition of forward thinking and leadership into the future and we look forward to working with you. Is there anything else that anyone would like to add from the council? [18:35] **Sharon Christensen:** Congratulations to both of you. I know Mike, you've been working a long time, so hey, enjoy this and have a great—have more time with your family. [18:45] **Mary Supple:** Well, thank you and congratulations. Next, we'll move on to approval of the agenda. [18:50] **Sean Hayford Oleary:** I move approval of the agenda. [18:52] **Rori A. Coleman-Woods:** Second. [18:53] **Mary Supple:** It's been moved and seconded to approve the agenda. Is there any discussion? All in favor of approving the agenda, please say I. [18:58] **Council Members:** I. [18:59] **Mary Supple:** All opposed. And we have approved the agenda. Moving on to the consent calendar, I'll turn it over to city manager Rodriguez. [19:05] **Katie Rodriguez:** Thank you, Mayor. The consent calendar contains several separate items which are acted upon by the city council in one motion. Once the consent calendar has been approved, the individual items and recommended actions have also been approved. No further council action on these items is necessary. On tonight's consent calendar, item A, consider approval of Adams Hill pond maintenance project change orders in the net amount of $167,137.77 for various project elements related to water quality improvements and landscape and riparian restoration. I should have practiced that one. Uh, item B, consider the approval of the first amendment of the response sustainability agreement with the city of Bloomington. And I submit these items for your consideration as part of the consent calendar. [20:00] **Mary Supple:** Is there a motion to accept these items? [20:02] **Walter Burke:** So moved. [20:03] **Sharon Christensen:** Second. [20:04] **Mary Supple:** It's been moved and seconded to approve the consent calendar items. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor, please say I. [20:10] **Council Members:** I. [20:11] **Mary Supple:** All opposed. And we have passed both consent calendar items. Next, we'll move on to item seven. And I'm going to turn that over to Council Member Burke. [20:15] **Walter Burke:** Thank you. The item for council consideration is to consider a request for site plan approval of preliminary plat, a final plat and a variance for 42 units of multi-family housing at 6501 and 6525 Penn Avenue South. J&L Companies applicant has submitted an application for land use approvals to construct a five-story 42-unit housing development on Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) owned land north of Dunkin Donuts at the southeast corner of 65th Street West and Penn Avenue South. As a Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) funded project, it is geared towards low-income families looking for safe and affordable housing. Affordability levels would range from 30 to 60% of area median income. The proposal includes a unit mix ranging from one to four bedrooms, an enclosed parking garage and exterior parking lot, and ground level common areas and amenities such as a bicycle parking room, business homework center, fitness center, lounge, and an indoor family playroom. The subject property is zoned MU-C mixed-use community and lies within the Penn Avenue corridor overlay district. Site plan approval is required for all new buildings in the mixed-use districts not otherwise approved by a conditional use permit or planned unit development except for a retaining wall that exceeds height requirements along the east property line which is unrelated to the building itself. The proposed site plan complies with all aspects of the code. A preliminary plat is required to combine two parcels into one development site. Although a final plat typically comes later, the applicant has submitted both for approval at this time. Simultaneous approval is at the discretion of the city. The variance being requested is a 7 and 1/2 ft variance from the 6 ft maximum retaining wall or fence height to allow a 13 1/2 ft tall combined retaining wall and fence along the east property line of the site. As explained in the policy section below, the request is reasonable and based on unique on-site grading differences. Staff finds that the proposed project meets the intent and policies of the comprehensive plan, the PAC overlay district, and all other zoning code requirements except the retaining wall height variance. Consequently, staff supports all aspects of the request and recommends approval subject to the conditions listed in the draft resolutions of approval. The planning commission held a public hearing on May 28th. Two members of the public spoke and expressed concern that the project would increase and worsen traffic along 65th Street. Planning Commission voted 5 to 1 to recommend approval of the request. Staff, is there any additional information? [23:30] **Melissa Poehlman:** Thank you, Council Member Burke, Mayor, members of the council. I did just want to follow up on that comment about um the public hearing comments regarding traffic and tell you a little bit more about the internal discussions that we had about that which are covered later in your staff report. Um we did discuss internally whether or not a traffic study would be helpful on this site. Um we decided it would not be. In general, uh you know a building of this size with 42 units is going to generate somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 trips per day. Um right now on 65th Street is very low volume street. It's generally got 300 to 500 trips per day. Again that is a very low number. Typically unless um a residential street is exceeding 1,000 trips per day, we don't look for traffic calming or other measures because that's well within the range of what our residential streets are built to handle and their capacity. Um I'll also mention that if this corner would have been developed in another way, say as a retail or some other commercial development, it would generate significantly more traffic than um a small-ish residential project. So, I wanted to follow up with that additional information and then I'll just mention that Mr. Opara and his development team are here in case you have any questions for them. Otherwise, I'm happy to stand for questions. [25:10] **Mary Supple:** So, um any resident wishing to participate in the public hearing, please proceed to the podium one at a time and provide your name and address prior to your comment. Council will hear your comment. If you would like staff to follow up, please include your name and phone number or email on the sign-in document located at the podium. So... [25:35] **Melissa Poehlman:** So the public hearing was already held at the planning commission. So we can just go ahead and and have our debate. [25:40] **Mary Supple:** So I was on automatic pilot. I'm sorry. [25:42] **Walter Burke:** Oh, no. That that's fine. I'd rather air that way than miss a public hearing. So if if you want to make the motion, you're welcome to do that. [25:50] **Walter Burke:** Sure. So, um I do make the motion to approve the proposed site plan, preliminary plat, final plat, and variance for the multi-family residential development of 42 units at 6501-6525 Penn Avenue South. [26:05] **Sharon Christensen:** Second. [26:07] **Mary Supple:** Okay, it's been moved and seconded. So, we're open for discussion or questions. Is there anyone who wishes to speak? Council Member Hayford Oleary. [26:15] **Sean Hayford Oleary:** Um I will say overall I'm pretty excited about this project. This is an exceedingly difficult site—being exceptionally hilly for a very flat Richfield. Um being just the standard lot depth and not the whole lot depth and I will just criticize the county for having this kind of extreme access management policy that requires almost the entire building size to be repeated as a driveway just to not access Penn Avenue. So you did really well with that combination of factors. So thank you for that. Um there are things that are not perfect. I know in the discussions we had in the HRA obviously commercial was desired. There were previous ideas of a larger project, but the scaled-down project that's doable, that meets a need, I'm really excited about. Um, there were just a couple of things that I shared with staff in advance and I just wanted them to confirm because there's some—some inconsistencies in some of the plans that are in this packet. So, the two questions about the sidewalks to the Community Development Director: just to confirm, Penn Avenue will have a six-foot sidewalk set behind some boulevard and that 65th will have a sidewalk all the way to Oliver? [27:40] **Melissa Poehlman:** Yes, that is correct. There—the sidewalk on Penn Avenue will meet our standard and the sidewalk will be extended down to Oliver Avenue. Yes, those are both correct. [27:55] **Sean Hayford Oleary:** Okay. And I do really appreciate that—it's been a the complaint about getting these dead-end sidewalks. So, I just love that we're able to get that to a functional useful end. Um I had also expressed some minor concerns about the bike parking allocation, but I know that city staff are double-checking that so I don't have any serious concerns. And then one just excited thing I will say about the building: I love the two-story indoor play space. I think especially given that it's a little bit farther from a park than a lot of our locations, I think that's such a great idea and I think it'll be—it'll be cool to see. So, congratulations. [28:35] **Mary Supple:** Any other comments or questions? Council member Burke. [28:38] **Walter Burke:** I know the public has expressed some concerns about this project. Um, but in looking at it overall, I mean, the pros just so greatly outweigh the cons. And, uh, it's a great company that's coming here to do it. and I'm familiar with some of your work and I'm very appreciative of that you're coming to Richfield to do this and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing this done. So, thank you. [29:05] **Mary Supple:** Any other comments or questions? Um I did walk over and look at the site and I totally understand the need for the variance for the retaining wall because of the slope of the parcel. It—it's pretty striking when you think about how flat Richfield is that there's that much of a difference in that area. Um, and I agree about the sidewalk going all the way from Penn to Oliver. I think that would be helpful because I know that was one of the concerns was about having people walking, pedestrians in the street. So, if we have the sidewalk there, that alleviates that. So, I would be in support of this. Any other comments or questions? All right. So, we have the motion before us. All in favor, please say I. [29:55] **Council Members:** I. [29:56] **Mary Supple:** All opposed. And we have approved the site plan, the preliminary plat, the final plat, and the variance for the multi-family residential development of 42 units at 6501 and 6525 Penn Avenue South. Thank you to the development team and to the staff for all your work on this. Next, we'll move on to the city manager report. [30:15] **Katie Rodriguez:** Thank you, mayor. Um, at our last meeting, we had several speakers who were advocating for reduced minimums for the short-term rentals. It was a second reading on the agenda. So, we thoroughly discussed it later in the meeting and ended up reducing it from a seven-day minimum to a five-day minimum. Um, we also had one speaker that came and complimented the Richfield-Bloomington water management organization's grant program. Um, there were no outstanding questions though, so I don't have further information. And that's all for tonight's report. Thank you. [31:00] **Mary Supple:** Thank you. Moving on to claims and payroll. [31:02] **Walter Burke:** I move approval of claims and payroll. [31:04] **Sean Hayford Oleary:** Second. [31:05] **Mary Supple:** It's been moved and seconded to approve claims and payroll. Is there any discussion? All in favor, please say I. [31:10] **Council Members:** I. [31:11] **Mary Supple:** All opposed. And we've approved claims and payroll. Now we're going to move on to a council discussion of funding contingency plan and final project approval for a federally funded 73rd Street Safe Routes to School (SRTS) trail project. Due to an uncertain environment related to federal grant fulfillment, staff are seeking direction about whether to proceed with the scheduled bid opening for the 73rd Street Trail safe routes to school project currently scheduled for Thursday, June 12th. And I believe you have some slides that you wanted to present. [31:50] **Joe Powers:** I do. Thank you, mayor. My name is Joe Powers, city engineer. As you know, I'm going to try to be quick with this so we can all go celebrate our retiring fire chief and new fire chief. Um, there's some information that is in your council packet um, in the staff report that's not on these slides. I'm happy to answer any information about that as well if you have questions and—doesn't look like... there it goes. Yep. Great. Uh, so very quick background on this project. Uh this is located on 73rd Street adjacent to Centennial Elementary School which is in the southeast portion of our city. This project was first identified as a need in the safe routes to school plan in 2009 and in 2022 the city applied for a regional solicitation project award through the Metropolitan Council. We were awarded $635,000 in federal funding under the Surface Transportation Block Grant program to construct a trail connecting the Centennial Elementary campus to the regional trail that currently exists on Cedar Avenue. And it runs—it's about four or five blocks there. It includes narrowing the road from 36 feet to 28 feet to accommodate that trail. And that's important because it was part of the grant application. And so we need to maintain that condition in this in this project in order to accept those funds. Just a very quick overview on how federal aid road projects work. Uh it's handled through what's called a Delegated Contract Process agreement with MnDOT—call it DCP for short. And MnDOT essentially acts as the intermediary between the local agency and the Federal Highway Administration who's issuing these federal funds. So MnDOT receives the funds on behalf of the city and we perform the work. We submit a request to MnDOT for a reimbursement and we're subsequently reimbursed for the work that we perform. Um, something important to note here that we'll cover a little bit more later on is that MnDOT already has these funds in hand from the federal government. Um, and just to note, we've had a number of projects in the past that have used this formula and this process. And so we're—we're quite familiar with the process. Very quick funding breakdown for you. Uh you can see that $635,000 is the federal funding that we've been allocated. That is only for construction of the project. So the city does have additional costs beyond construction. To date, we've spent just under $125,000 in consultant fees to develop the design of this project—developed in conjunction with the public, with the school district, speaking with the neighbors. So we've got a design that is—that is agreed upon with the project team and the community. Um, and we've got about $35,000 in local construction participation. The way this grant is structured is the federal funds pay for 80% of the construction costs. The city is responsible for 20%. And if we exceed that $635,000, that is capped. So the city potentially has more than 20% cost share in the construction. And that's why you see that $35,000 number be more than the 20% of the 635. And then we'll have some additional estimated funds um that we need in order to staff these construction projects, make sure they're constructed correctly, work with the neighborhoods and the contractors while we're doing that. So in total, this estimated project cost is just a little over $1.1 million. We've assessed a few of the risks um that this federal funding presents and kind of the volatile nature of the federal landscape right now. Um the first one we looked at was the potential for US Department of Transportation to try to take these funds back. Um we believe this risk level is low. We've consulted with MnDOT staff and with our city attorney and the city attorney's staff as well because the funding has already been distributed to MnDOT, it becomes much more difficult for the federal government to take that back. As well as this project having a very short construction timeline. Um if awarded—if we move forward with the award of this project, we would be starting construction really as soon as possible with the aim of wrapping up right around the beginning of the school year. The other—the other risk that we looked at is um the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal. This is a goal that is um—there's a federal program essentially that requires that our contracts have a certain percentage of the work performed by disadvantaged business enterprise contractors. Um the—if you read the letter in your packet from the Secretary of Transportation it kind of counters that, but the federal law has not changed. Um so there is a chance that the law could change. We could be required to remove that DBE goal from our contracts that are in there. Now, if that is the case, we've talked to MnDOT and that's a process that we could go through if that had to happen. So, we developed a little bit of a funding contingency plan. Um if we were to lose these federal funds and we moved forward with the project and lost the funds after beginning the project, um we believe that we can defer some projects that are currently programmed out of our franchise fee fund. Um franchise fees fund is money that we collect on gas and energy bills and it's used to fund right-of-way projects. So you can see outlined here a number of projects that we could defer—some projects in the last few years that we actually have not spent money on and so we've been banking that money for future projects. So we could essentially cancel those years of funding for the pedestrian and bike projects and move them towards this project. And we have a couple of alternatives for discussion by the council. Uh the recommended alternative from staff, really based on the fact that we believe the the risks are low in terms of losing this funding, would be: continue with the project. Um ideally we would receive all those federal funds. We'll get the project constructed quickly. We'll get reimbursed and we will put a check mark next to it and call it done um with the contingency of if that funding were to be rescinded, we would look at those franchise fee funds to fund that $635,000 federal gap. Um the alternative would be to cancel the project completely. We'd give up the federal funds. Um we could potentially look at building that project again in the future. However, we would probably look at doing some sort of redesign to try to minimize costs. And with the staff workload that we have over the next five to six years with construction projects coming up, we don't anticipate being able to put in that effort for probably about five years before we could get back to this project and look at it again. Um with the volatility of construction costs over the last half a decade or so, we've just seen costs going up and up. Um we don't feel that that's probably a good decision. We would not recommend doing that, but it is the alternative available for council. And so our next steps: the project is currently out for public bid. We'll be opening those bids in two days and then awarding at the June 24th council meeting and we would look to start construction as soon as we possibly can to try to get this project done before school starts in the fall. So I will stand for any questions and discussion from the council. [39:10] **Mary Supple:** All right. And so, um, we are being asked to give direction whether to proceed with the scheduled bid opening. So, does anyone have any feedback or thoughts on the matter? Council Member Hayford Oleary. [39:20] **Sean Hayford Oleary:** Yeah, I appreciate staff's assessment here. Um, I'm glad to hear that you—you feel the risks are low and I hope that that is the way it will work out. I do think continuing with the contingency plan is the the best approach. I think it's very unfortunate we're in this position. Uh the main reason I say that although I had asked if you know are there lower cost alternatives—understanding that there's no way we'll get the money back if we build something that's not what was shown in the plan and redesigning it would put it back by five years—that's all of the kids who would currently benefit will be in middle school by then. So I think that's just a big thing. I know this school has been asking for the sidewalk gap for years prior to this. Um and I don't want to delay it any further. My only question with the contingency plan: a good chunk of that is $200,000 allocated for the North Lyndale restripe this year. Were you planning to get to that this year? And if so, how do you know whether you can spend that money or not? [40:25] **Joe Powers:** Yeah. No, that's a great question. Uh it—it's programmed for this year. Um as as you're aware from your comment, there's a high likelihood we're probably not going to get to that project this year. Um the plan if we didn't do it this year and we didn't have to spend that money with this project would be to shift it out one year further. Okay. There are some—as you're aware there's some conversations that need to be had with both MnDOT and the city of Minneapolis to move to move that forward. [41:00] **Sean Hayford Oleary:** Okay. I will just—I know you have many things on your plate and bigger deals than that. I will say I do still care about that project and I do want to see that gap resolved. Um it is just such an unnecessary bad section for bicycling and unnecessary chaos for cars that I know can be resolved. So I hope we will do that, but understanding that it's not realistic in your work plan anyway this year that seems fine. Um, should we have to do this? Another question: our budget timeline—if we knew that we had to do this, would we have the opportunity to replenish from like general fund revenue in budget season or would we not know if we had to spend this money by the time we're—we have a budget? Sorry, that was really unclear in the way I stated that. Knowing that we would lose franchise fees and there might be projects we still wish to fund through another source, would we know in time for next year's budget that we might need to identify other sources such as increasing the general tax? I understand that may not be staff's recommendation to do so, but would we have that option in time? Would we know from the federal government whether it's—would we know if we're getting money for this and we're going to have to use the contingency plan or not? [42:15] **Katie Rodriguez:** I mean, I actually think this will be—if you proceed with it, it will be built and we will be reimbursed before we would have total clarity from the federal government on this. Because it's—they've—they've sued, and it seems like even when things get resolved they go in multiple directions. But if—I mean we can be flexible. So if we learn that there's a higher risk that we could lose the funding or there is clarity on the issue, we could add it to the budget discussions. [42:50] **Sean Hayford Oleary:** Okay. Thank you. [42:52] **Mary Supple:** Other comments or questions? [42:54] **Sharon Christensen:** I think this does need to be one of our priorities here because I actually live right across the street from this school and it has been a long overdue that it—it isn't—it isn't safe for those kids or for kids to walk to that school very easily. I mean if you're going to go—if you're right across the street of course you're fine but it is a very busy street and we need to we need to get this taken care of as soon as possible. [43:20] **Mary Supple:** Any other comments or questions? So, I do think we should keep moving forward. I think the contingency plan makes sense. Um, but we do have to keep in mind that there are tradeoffs. Um, I think we're following the law. So, after that lawsuit goes through, I think it will be settled in our favor because we are following the law, but I do realize this does take time. And so, I'm happy that the states are pushing back and saying, "Hey, this isn't right." And so I think we should move forward on this. But I do want to make—be very clear that there is a small risk involved here and that we need to know that there are possible tradeoffs. But I think the alternative plans make sense and in some ways if it was bike and pedestrian funds, it's going to be used for that to help the kids get to school safely. So it's not totally a different use of the funds. It's just a different name for it. Any other questions? Staff, do you have the clarity that you need? [44:20] **Joe Powers:** Yes mayor. I think uh we're ready to move forward if council's in agreement. [44:24] **Mary Supple:** All right. Thank you. I hope we have some good bids tomorrow. Moving on, we'll go on to Hats Off to Hometown Hits and we'll start off with Council Member Coleman Woods. [44:35] **Rori A. Coleman-Woods:** I don't have anything this week. [44:38] **Mary Supple:** No, that's—that's fine. Council member Christensen. [44:40] **Sharon Christensen:** Yes. I'd like to—I'm not sure if you're going to mention it or not, but the state of the city tomorrow night from 4:30 to 7 I believe it is. And here at city hall and a lot of organizations representative, a lot of commissions, a lot of—a lot of different things, activities going on. So yeah, invite everybody to come. Thank you. [45:00] **Mary Supple:** Council Member Hayford Oleary. [45:02] **Sean Hayford Oleary:** Yeah. Um, this is unusual having a somewhat more serious thing two—two meetings in a row, but I did want to take my hat off to my grandmother, Rachel Hayford. She passed away two days ago. Um, but I wanted to share that with all of you in part because it's a—it's a big thing for me personally, but she spent 69—or 103 years in Richfield and this community was so important to her. When she wasn't able to live in her house anymore, she looked for senior housing and she—it had to be in Richfield. That was—that was not up for debate. And when she needed more care and needed more of a nursing facility, unfortunately, we were more limited in her options and we did have to move her out of Richfield and she'd always hated that—that she was not in in Richfield, her hometown, where she belonged. Um I probably wouldn't be in this community in this state if it were not for her because she watched me a lot during the summers when my mom was away for work. I got to, you know, go to the Richfield Pool, go to Augsburg Park. Um, and yeah, her her story aligns with the story that was so common in Richfield of moving here in the early 50s, buying an almost new house, raising her two daughters, my mom and aunt, in that house that—that is now my house. Um, she was very proud of the community and she was very proud of me for serving on the council and so I'll miss her and I love her her Richfield story. [46:40] **Mary Supple:** Well, condolences to you and your entire family. Thank you. Council Member Burke. [46:45] **Walter Burke:** Have a hats off to—and I apologize if I'm mispronouncing her name—it's I think it's Ruby Via. I get it right? Okay. Uh she's a planner one here at the city of Richfield staff. Uh she was incredibly helpful to a resident who had some misunderstandings about local ordinances. And there was nothing but praise by this—by this resident and I wanted to give her some public acknowledgement for that. So, thank you, Ruby. [47:15] **Mary Supple:** Thank you. Um and I'm going to echo what Council Member Christensen said to invite you all to stay in the community tomorrow. It's going to happen rain or shine. So, we really want you all to come together and we have lots of departments and commissions and nonprofits and schools and community organizations that want to share information. And so, I kind of think of it as a big community party. So, we'll be right here at City Hall from 4:30 to 7 tomorrow and look forward to seeing you then. With that, we have no further business. And so, would someone like to move to adjourn the meeting? [47:55] **Walter Burke:** I move to adjourn the meeting. [47:57] **Sharon Christensen:** I'll second it. [47:58] **Mary Supple:** It's been moved and seconded. All in favor of adjournment, please say I. [48:02] **Council Members:** I. [48:03] **Mary Supple:** All oppose. And the meeting stands adjourned. [48:05] **Sean Hayford Oleary:** Yeah. Thanks. 103 is a pretty good run. [48:08] **Mary Supple:** 103 is a pretty good one. We switched it to try and be more state of the city. Say Joe?