City CouncilItem 2BOutcome pending
First reading of zoning code amendment aligning the Zoning Code with the Comprehensive Plan
The council considered and, through the consent calendar, approved a first reading of an ordinance amendment to align the zoning code with the Comprehensive Plan, eliminate the Two-Family Residential (MR-1) district, and amend the Single-Family Residential (R) district. The item drew substantial public comment about potential impacts on single-family neighborhoods and housing types.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 2EOutcome pending
MnDOT agency agreement for federal participation in transportation construction
The council approved a resolution authorizing the city to enter into MnDOT Agency Agreement No. 1052132 so MnDOT could act as the city's agent in accepting federal aid for transportation projects. This action supported the city's ability to access outside funding for transportation improvements.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 2FOutcome pending
Cooperative construction agreement for the I-494 Airport to Highway 169 Project 1
The council approved a resolution authorizing execution of Cooperative Construction Agreement No. 1050958 with MnDOT for construction related to the I-494 Airport to Highway 169 Project 1. The agreement advanced a major regional transportation project involving Richfield.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 2GOutcome pending
Pedestrian access and trail easement agreement at 600 West 64th Street
The council approved a construction, maintenance, and easement agreement with private property owners for public pedestrian access and trail features at 600 West 64th Street. The agreement also defined ownership and maintenance responsibilities for the improvements.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 4Outcome pending
New on-sale wine and 3.2 percent malt liquor licenses for Minnesota Whitecaps at Richfield Ice Arena
The council held a public hearing and considered approval of new on-sale wine and 3.2 percent malt liquor licenses for NTLL Hockey Ventures, LLC, doing business as Minnesota Whitecaps, at the Richfield Ice Arena. The licenses would allow alcohol sales at the arena location.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 5Outcome pending
Vacation and replacement of utility and stormwater easements at Partnership Academy
The council held a public hearing to consider vacating an existing utility easement and replacing it with new utility and stormwater easements at 6500 Nicollet Avenue South, Partnership Academy. The action related to site infrastructure and stormwater management on the property.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7Outcome pending
Second reading of ordinance amendment on landscaping requirements
The council considered a second reading of a proposed ordinance amendment modifying zoning code landscaping requirements. The change would have updated development standards affecting how properties are landscaped.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 8Outcome pending
Approval of mayoral appointments to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority
The council considered approval of the mayor's appointments of Mary Supple and Sean Hayford Oleary to serve as Housing and Redevelopment Authority commissioners. These appointments shaped leadership over housing and redevelopment matters in the city.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 9Outcome pending
Selection of 2023 liaisons to local, regional, state organizations and city boards
The council considered representatives to serve as 2023 liaisons to various organizations and city boards and commissions. These assignments determined how Richfield would coordinate with outside agencies and internal advisory bodies.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
Work SessionItem 1Outcome pending
Second discussion on the Charter Commission’s recommendations for amendments to the current City Charter
A second discussion on the Charter Commission's recommended amendments to the Richfield City Charter was scheduled for this work session. The proposed amendments, drafted by the City Attorney following an August 2022 joint work session, were expected to cover simplifying and clarifying language, updating emergency authority provisions, expanding the Council's public purpose expenditure authority, and aligning the document with current state law and community conditions. If the Council and Commission align, the amendments would proceed by ordinance — the Charter's last amendment was in 2013, with the original document dating to 1964.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Potential benefit
Updating the Charter by ordinance would be significantly less expensive than a voter referendum and would bring the city's foundational governing document in line with current state law and best practices for the first time since 2013. If approved, clearer rules around emergency authority and public expenditures could improve how the city responds to crises and invests in the community.
Concern to consider
Adopting charter amendments by ordinance requires a unanimous vote of the mayor and all council members, setting a high bar. Even if passed, a referendum petition filed within 60 days of publication could send the question to voters, potentially delaying or overturning changes.
What happens next: If Council provided direction at this session, any suggested changes would return to the Charter Commission for review. If the Commission supported the updates, it could formally recommend Council adopt amendments by ordinance, which would require a public hearing followed by a Council vote within one month. Unanimous approval of the mayor and all council members would be required; the ordinance would then be published and take effect 90 days later unless a referendum petition was filed within 60 days.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗
Work SessionItem 2Outcome pending
Update on local sales tax projects and funding
The City Council was scheduled to receive a staff update on potential projects and funding strategies for a local sales tax (LST), with Council input needed on project selection, costs, and timing. Key projects under consideration were expected to include Veterans Park, Wood Lake Nature Center, and a community center, though the community center was flagged as significantly larger and more costly than the others. A critical legislative deadline of January 31, 2023 required a resolution to be submitted to the state legislature, with staff planning to bring a draft resolution to the January 24, 2023 Council meeting.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Key figure: $10M — Annual bonding cap identified as a constraint when financing multiple large capital projects simultaneously, including a potential community center.
Potential benefit
If approved by voters through a future referendum, a local sales tax could fund major capital improvements to parks and recreation facilities without directly increasing property taxes. Financial advisor Ehlers was evaluating bonding scenarios that could allow the city to advance projects like Veterans Park and Wood Lake Nature Center.
Concern to consider
The $10 million annual bonding cap could limit the city's capacity to simultaneously fund street and other infrastructure projects, affecting how neighborhood needs are prioritized. The community center project was expected to be especially complex and costly to finance within existing debt constraints.
What happens next: Staff planned to present a proposed resolution for Council approval at the January 24, 2023 regular Council meeting. The resolution — which was required to include proposed projects, total costs, and timing — needed to be submitted to the Minnesota Legislature by January 31, 2023, in order for the city to pursue authority to place a local sales tax referendum before voters.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗