The council will receive an update from consultants Mo Convery and Brad Aldrich of Confluence on the 20-year Parks Master Plan, which will guide future park development and programming citywide. The update covers the completed "Listen + Learn" engagement phase, which gathered hundreds of comments via an online engagement site, a statistically valid ETC Institute survey, tabling events at every park, and four focus groups. This is a discussion-only item with no action to be taken, and the plan must be finalized before the city's Comprehensive Plan review in June 2028.
The 20-year plan will shape park investment, programming, and amenities across Richfield based on feedback from hundreds of residents, including historically underrepresented groups.
Concern to consider
No funding decisions or site-specific projects are being approved at this meeting; residents who want their priorities reflected need to continue engaging as the plan develops.
What happens next: The Parks Master Plan process will continue, with further phases needed to complete the document before it is incorporated into the city's Comprehensive Plan ahead of the June 2028 review period.
Wood Lake Nature Center Building Construction Update
The council will receive a construction and budget update on the new Wood Lake Nature Center building at 6710 Lake Shore Drive, which is nearing completion with staff moving in around October 19, 2026 and a public grand opening planned for Tuesday, November 17, 2026 at 4 p.m. The $27.32 million project is funded by $12M in state funding, $11M from a voter-approved local sales tax referendum, $3M in federal funding, and other sources, with a current project budget of $27,111,095, leaving about $204,245 remaining. Fifteen change orders totaling $1,274,943 (6.0%) have been added to the original $21,378,425 construction contract with Mortenson, bringing the current guaranteed maximum price to $22,653,368.
Key figure: $27,315,340 — Total funding sources secured for the Wood Lake Nature Center building project
Potential benefit
Richfield will gain a new $27.32 million nature center building, funded largely by state, federal, and voter-approved local sales tax dollars rather than property taxes, opening to the public November 17, 2026.
Concern to consider
Construction costs have grown via fifteen change orders totaling over $1.27 million above the original contract, though the project remains within the overall $27.3 million available budget with about $204,000 remaining.
What happens next: Staff will move into the building around October 19, 2026, with exhibit installation for Phase 1 and Phase 2 running October 19 through November 17, 2026, ahead of the public grand opening on Tuesday, November 17, 2026 at 4 p.m.
Approval of September 22, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes
The council will consider approving minutes from the September 22, 2026 regular meeting, which recorded adoption of the 2027 preliminary property tax levy of $33,933,792 (a 4.55% increase over 2026), consent calendar approvals, and Arts and Sustainability Commission appointments.
final tally arrives with the minutes, expected ~Nov 10
Key figure: $33,933,792 — 2027 preliminary property tax levy adopted at the September 22, 2026 meeting, a 4.55% increase over 2026
Potential benefit
These minutes record the preliminary 2027 levy, which keeps Richfield's increase at 4.55%, historically lower than many Hennepin County cities.
Concern to consider
The final levy could still change before the December 1, 2026 Truth in Taxation hearing and final adoption.
What happens next: If approved, the minutes become the official record; the final 2027 levy will be set after the December 1, 2026 Truth in Taxation hearing.
The council will proclaim October 12, 2026 as Indigenous Peoples' Day in Richfield, honoring the ancestral ties of the Dakota and Anishinaabe peoples to the land and recognizing contributions of Indigenous Minnesotans such as Peggy Flanagan and Winona LaDuke.
The council will consider approving $7,243,743.40 in disbursements, including $4,666,783.94 in accounts payable checks and wires (September 12–October 2, 2026) and $2,576,959.46 combined in two payroll runs.
final tally arrives with the minutes, expected ~Nov 10
Temporary Liquor License for Blessed Trinity Catholic School Gala
The council will consider approving a temporary on-sale intoxicating liquor license for Blessed Trinity Catholic School's annual gala, to be held Saturday, December 5, 2026, at St. Richard's Catholic Church, 7540 Penn Avenue South.
final tally arrives with the minutes, expected ~Nov 10
First Reading: Transitory Ordinance Funding Capital Improvements from Liquor Contribution Fund
The council will consider the first reading of a transitory ordinance authorizing funding for certain capital improvements using money from the City's Liquor Contribution Special Revenue Fund, which draws from municipal liquor store profits rather than taxes.
final tally arrives with the minutes, expected ~Nov 10
Minnesota Wind Chill Foundation Grant for Ultimate Frisbee Programs
The council will consider adopting a resolution authorizing Recreation Services staff to accept a $2,000 grant from the Minnesota Wind Chill Foundation to develop Ultimate Frisbee programs in Richfield.
final tally arrives with the minutes, expected ~Nov 10
Consideration of Items Removed from Consent Calendar
If any Council Member requests that a Consent Calendar item be removed, the council will discuss and act on that item separately at this point in the agenda.
City CouncilItem 9aOutcome pendingYour input welcome
Public Hearing: Delinquent Utility, False Alarm, Health/Safety, Weed Eradication, and Vacant Property Fees Assessment
The council will hold a public hearing and consider a resolution certifying delinquent utility accounts, false alarm charges, public health or safety hazard charges, weed eradication charges, and vacant property registration fees to affected property owners' tax bills.
final tally arrives with the minutes, expected ~Nov 10
City CouncilItem 9bOutcome pendingYour input welcome
Public Hearing: Delinquent Solid Waste Charges Certification
The council will hold a public hearing and consider a resolution certifying delinquent solid waste collection charges from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 to property taxes within Richfield's residential organized collection system.
final tally arrives with the minutes, expected ~Nov 10
City CouncilItem 9cOutcome pendingYour input welcome
Public Hearing: Special Assessments for Diseased Tree Removal
The council will hold a public hearing and consider a resolution adopting special assessments against private property owners for diseased tree removal work ordered between January 1 and December 31, 2025.
final tally arrives with the minutes, expected ~Nov 10
City CouncilItem 9dOutcome pendingYour input welcome
Public Hearing: ILN/77th Street Project Area Assessment and 2027 Service Project
The council will hold a public hearing and consider a resolution adopting a $64,018.01 assessment for 2025 maintenance costs within the ILN/77th Street Project Area, along with a resolution ordering continuation of the maintenance service project for 2027.
final tally arrives with the minutes, expected ~Nov 10
City CouncilItem 9eOutcome pendingYour input welcome
Public Hearing: Special Assessments for Sanitary Sewer Line Repair/Replacement
The council will hold a public hearing and consider a resolution adopting special assessments against private property owners for sanitary sewer line repair or replacement work ordered between August 2, 2025, and August 1, 2026.
final tally arrives with the minutes, expected ~Nov 10
Public Hearing and First Reading: City Charter Amendment on Elections and Petition Requirements
The council will hold a public hearing and consider the first reading of an ordinance amending Richfield City Charter Sections 4.05, 5.04, 5.05, 5.10, 5.12, and 5.15, updating requirements related to municipal elections and citizen petition processes.
final tally arrives with the minutes, expected ~Nov 10
Updates to election and petition rules could modernize or clarify how residents participate in local democracy, including initiative and referendum petitions.
Concern to consider
Changes to petition signature requirements or election procedures could make civic participation easier or harder depending on the specifics.
What happens next: A second reading will be required before the Charter amendment can take effect.
First Reading: Fee Schedule Amendment for Building, Planning, and Zoning Fees
The council will consider the first reading of an ordinance amending Richfield City Code Appendix D (Fee Schedule) to update building, planning, and zoning fees, with a public hearing for the second reading scheduled for the October 27, 2026 Council meeting.
final tally arrives with the minutes, expected ~Nov 10
Appointment of Youth Commissioners to Various Commissions
The council will consider appointing youth commissioners to serve on various City commissions, providing young residents the opportunity to participate in local government.
final tally arrives with the minutes, expected ~Nov 10