Remarks by Sean Hayford Oleary
24 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 1 of 1
I move approval of all three sets of minutes.
I just wanted to say generally on the cost participation policy, I agree with the mayor and it was I think we're happy with the direction of where things are going, and we're very thankful for your advocacy for it. The timing issue of the possibility of this only applying to projects after PAN was new to us, and I just learned about that tonight.
But I did also just want to say it was encouraging to hear your thoughts about that very real issue of that some communities can't afford to do their share. Richfield, despite its modest tax base, has prioritized this, but that has come at the expense of some other things, and what parks need a lot of money. Yeah.
So I appreciate that consideration. I also just want to say on the design process to somebody who's a real nerd about the exact way streets are designed and has been an advocate for walking and biking safely, how much things have improved with the county. I first got really involved in a Richfield campaign for 66th Street, and I'm very proud of what was built with 66th Street. But the county staff, city staff relationship, at least in my observer as a citizen advocate, was a lot more tense then. I've been really impressed with the county staff on this project. I will say even One of your…
Thank you, Mayor. This item is to consider a resolution authorizing the closure of the Shops at Lindale Municipal Liquor Store. Staff recommends the closure of the Shops at Lindale Liquor Store effective December 31, 2026. The recommendation is supported by several factors. First, the Shops at Lindale Store had operating losses for 19 consecutive years. averaging $51,000 in annual losses from 2007 through 2023. Second, the store's recent and projected financial performance indicates a continued deterioration in operating results. The net loss increased from $200,973 in 2024 to $266,200 in…
Yep, I will move that we approve a resolution authorizing the closure of the shops at Lindale Municipal Liquor Store. I'll second that motion.
I just want to echo the comments by Council Member Burke of gratitude of the careful planning that went into this and the efforts to reduce the impact on staff. And just a thank you to the staff who served as well at the liquor store. We don't ever like to be in this position. But I think it's ultimately a reminder that the purpose of these liquor stores, first and foremost, is to generate money for our parks and for our community needs. And we absolutely need to put that first. So I regret the negative impacts because there are some negative impacts here, but I think this is a net positive…
I just wanted to share generalized excitement about Halloween. I feel like many things have gotten worse in society since COVID, but one thing that's gotten better is people's Halloween decorations. People are putting out these big skeletons. They're doing all kinds of crazy stuff, and I'm kind of boring. I just do the two jack-o'-lanterns, but I do love seeing all that stuff around. I think this point has been made to me. It's not my own idea, but... I love the idea that Halloween is like the neighborhood or the urbanist holiday because it's parents and kids like walking door to door,…
Thank you, Mayor. So just to be clear, I'm going to be reading a brief summary about each of these categories of charges, just so we're all on the same page about why they exist and what the legal basis is for the charge. And again, after I'm done speaking, the mayor will actually call people up and you'll be able to speak. So the first item just to explain is about the assessments on delinquent utility accounts, false alarm charges, public health or safety charges, weed eradication, and vacant property. And the summary for that is that Minnesota state statutes 444-075-429-101 and 429-061…
I move approval of that motion. Seconded.
Well, I guess first off, I'm just wondering if staff can clarify what the setup is for the owner to be able to know that there's an unpaid balance. Do the garbage companies allow them to have separate accounts? How do they... keep the owner thing on file when there's a tenant in the house, or how was that arranged?
I guess I would just say, in terms of the charges that are in front of us today, the charges were incurred under the rules we have, but the situation of a tenant moving out and you have an opportunity to collect a security deposit back from the tenant, but you don't find out that they owed money until well after that's gone, that does concern me. That doesn't seem like a great approach right now.
But again, so you should be calling the city to ask about an account you don't have access to, but the city will look it up for you?
Okay. Is that communicated when people get a rental license? Compared to the way utility bills work, where there might be an agreement for the tenant to do it. I agree in terms of the validity of these charges. This is mainly a dispute between the property owner and the tenant. But I am a little bit concerned that we're not giving the property owners the appropriate tools to be able to address that issue. it would be hard for me to know if I rented a property that money was owed.
Okay, just and then there was one only a single thing about a vacant property, which, you know, we have this conversation each year, I actually remember mostly being about people saying, I'm not using the service, and I don't want to pay for that actually, because this seems somewhat unique in terms, at least in my recollection, which isn't perfect. One person did mention the property that was vacant, and they felt they shouldn't be charged. Do we have like vacant property registration for a single family home? And if so, are they exempt if it's like a registered vacant property with the city?
Okay. But just to be clear, the cost to the city has already been incurred in this case if it was vacant? for the previous year, right? This is more of a preventing future charges advice?
I just wanted to say it's great to see so many youth applicants in these roles. We don't always get these filled, so seeing four all at once is so awesome. I first got involved in city government in Northfield, where I was when I was in high school. I was a youth liaison or appointee to the library board, and so I know it's just a great way to get involved in public service.
I guess I want to say first on the overall policy question, I'm not opposed to having a good exception policy. I would hope we'd have very limited exceptions. At this point, I don't know that I want to say where that should rank on the work plan. So this is not personally a priority for me, but I appreciate it is for other council members. So I think there is value in having the policy in place. I don't know how urgent it is. With regard to the current project, my position would be that staff should plant the trees as planned. I think in general we should think of our boulevard trees as a…
This item is to adopt resolutions establishing the 2027 preliminary budget and property tax levy setting the date for the truth and taxation hearing authorizing budget revisions authorizing revision of the 2026 department budgets and approving city fees for 2027 on August 12th 2026 a City Council special meeting was held for the purpose of presenting and discussion discussing the 2026 revised 2027 proposed budget and the 2027 preliminary property tax levy at this meeting staff presented to the City Council preliminary gross tax levy of thirty three million one hundred ninety three thousand…
I will move that we adopt the attached resolutions establishing the 2027 preliminary budget and property tax levy, setting the date for the truth and taxation hearing, authorizing budget revisions, authorizing revision of the 2026 department budgets, and approving city fees for 2027. I'll second that.
I just want to thank staff for their work on this and to Acknowledge I feel like the last you know I've been on the council for six years now in the last two cycles I've just been much more aware of actively hearing from residents about the cost increases in their life and People are just really more sensitive to every increase that they're feeling right now with the cost of everything going up so severely so I'm just grateful to staff for finding the efficiencies where they can and And I don't know if we'll be on the bottom of that increase list, but I know we are being financially prudent…
I'm grateful for the Human Rights Commission for taking that on and that we are going to have a work session to discuss it. I certainly appreciate the staff need time to prepare information and we all need to be available and I have the personal luxury of a flexible schedule, but there's any way to be doing that work session any sooner. I think it would be beneficial, especially given the timing of the public meeting that the HRC is holding. I worry that almost a two month delay would be problematic given the level of public input that we've received.
Thank you for that. And I do think regardless of how soon we can do it, having the day will be helpful for community members that are interested in this issue.
I just wanted to share that I got my tickets to a toast to Richfield today, and I hope many folks will be able to join us for that. It's always been a lot of fun, and it will happen prior to our next council meeting. So October 8th. I don't know when ticket sales end, but they do sometimes sell out. So if you want to go, get your tickets.