Work SessionItem 1Discussed
Compensation and Classification Study Presentation
The City of Richfield was scheduled to receive an informational presentation on a compensation and classification study being led by consulting firm Baker-Tilly, which the city engaged using ARPA funds. The study was expected to cover position reviews, market assessments, and pay plan development across a roughly 6-8 month timeline beginning in June 2023. No action or direction from the City Council was anticipated at this session, as it was intended solely to inform council members of the project's scope and methodology.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Key figure: ARPA funds — The full cost of the compensation and classification study was being covered by ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds; a specific dollar amount was not disclosed in the agenda materials.
Potential benefit
A formal compensation and classification study could help ensure city employees are paid competitively relative to similar municipalities, which supports staff retention and the city's ability to maintain public services. The study uses a structured, data-driven methodology (including the SAFE® job evaluation tool) to assess internal equity and external market alignment, potentially making city pay practices more transparent and defensible.
Concern to consider
Depending on findings, the study's recommendations could result in increased personnel costs for the city, which may eventually affect the budget and taxpayer dollars — even though ARPA funds are covering the study's direct cost. The timeline and scope are substantial, and implementation of any recommended pay changes would require future council decisions.
What happens next: The Baker-Tilly team was expected to proceed through several study phases from June through approximately October 2023, including data collection, position reviews using the SAFE® evaluation tool, market assessment, and pay plan development. Final recommendations and implementation scenarios were to be presented to city leadership and elected officials upon project completion.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 1Discussed
2023 Gene & Mary Jacobsen Citizen of the Year Award
The Richfield Human Rights Commission was scheduled to present the 2023 Gene & Mary Jacobsen Citizen of the Year Award to Joe Carr, a lifelong Richfield resident. Over five years, Carr's annual lemonade stand has raised more than $40,000 for Gillette Children's Hospital, and he has been a dedicated advocate for people with Cerebral Palsy and other physical and cognitive challenges. This annual award, presented since 1971, honors individuals whose actions foster human understanding, tolerance, and community relations.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Key figure: $40,000+ — Amount raised by Joe Carr's lemonade stand for Gillette Children's Hospital over five years — not a city expenditure.
Potential benefit
Highlights a community member's sustained charitable fundraising and advocacy work, reinforcing Richfield's culture of civic engagement and inclusion.
Concern to consider
No concerns — this is a recognition ceremony with no policy or fiscal implications.
What happens next: Award presented; no further action.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3Discussed
Receipt of 2022 Annual Financial Report
The council was scheduled to formally receive the City of Richfield's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for fiscal year ending December 31, 2022, audited by BerganKDV, Ltd. The auditors issued an unmodified (clean) opinion, meaning the city's financial statements were found to be accurate with no material discrepancies. The report was expected to be submitted to the State of Minnesota and to the Government Finance Officers Association for their Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Potential benefit
A clean audit opinion signals the city is managing public funds responsibly and transparently, with no findings of material misstatement.
Concern to consider
Auditors noted a common internal control finding related to segregation of accounting duties, though mitigating controls were confirmed to be in place.
What happens next: The report was to be published in the Sun Current in July 2023 and filed with the State of Minnesota per state law, following a reporting deadline.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 4Outcome pendingYour input welcome
Approval of New On-Sale Wine and 3.2% Malt Liquor License for Toma Mojo Grill
The council was scheduled to hold a public hearing and consider approving new On-Sale Wine and 3.2% Malt Liquor licenses for Toma Richfield, LLC dba Toma Mojo Grill at 1700 66th Street East. The application was filed in April 2023, all required fees and documentation were received, and the Public Safety Director found no basis to deny the license following a completed background investigation. The restaurant serves Mediterranean-inspired food at modest price points and this location would be its second.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Potential benefit
If approved, this would add a new dining option with alcohol service to the 66th Street East corridor, potentially increasing foot traffic and economic activity in that area.
Concern to consider
Residents near 1700 66th Street East may have concerns about noise, parking, or increased activity associated with on-sale alcohol service, though Public Safety found no disqualifying issues with the applicant.
What happens next: If the license was approved, the owner indicated a grand opening was planned for the weekend of July 14, 2023, with half-off promotions.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 5Outcome pending
Renewal of Cable Television Franchise with Comcast of Minnesota, Inc.
The council was scheduled to hold a second reading and public hearing for an ordinance renewing Comcast of Minnesota's cable television franchise for a 10-year term, replacing the existing franchise under Ordinance No. 2012-10. The renewal was negotiated in accordance with city code, Minnesota Statutes Chapter 238, and the federal Cable Act, with the Southwest Suburban Cable Communications Commission involved in ongoing administration. Key changes included increasing the security fund from $10,000 to $25,000 per member city, while maintaining PEG (public, educational, and governmental) access channels and a $100,000 performance bond.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Key figure: $25,000 — Security fund per member city under the renewed franchise, up from $10,000 under the existing franchise.
Potential benefit
If approved, this would lock in cable television service terms for Richfield residents for 10 years, maintain public access channels, and increase the financial security fund that protects the city if Comcast fails to meet franchise obligations.
Concern to consider
A 2019 FCC order allows Comcast to deduct 'marginal costs' from franchise fees after 120 days' notice, which could reduce city revenue from the franchise over the term. Residents would have no competing cable franchise option under this arrangement.
What happens next: As a second reading, a final vote on the ordinance was expected at this meeting. If passed, the franchise would take effect upon adoption and run for 10 years.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 6Outcome pending
Funding for Capital Improvements from Liquor Contribution Special Revenue Fund
A transitory ordinance was scheduled for its second reading to authorize $550,000 in capital improvement spending from the Liquor Contribution Special Revenue Fund, which is sourced from profits generated by Richfield's municipal liquor stores. The proposed projects span multiple parks and recreation facilities, with allocations ranging from a new Ice Arena sign to a significant skate park expansion. City Charter requires this ordinance process before liquor store profits can be directed toward capital projects.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Key figure: $550,000 — Total proposed from Liquor Contribution Special Revenue Fund for 2023 capital improvements
Potential benefit
If approved, $550,000 in capital improvements would upgrade parks and recreation facilities across Richfield at no direct cost to taxpayers — funded entirely by liquor store profits rather than property taxes or new debt issuance.
Concern to consider
The largest single allocation ($125,000) was proposed for the Wood Lake Nature Center Building; residents who do not use specific facilities may question whether the project mix reflects their community's priorities.
What happens next: If the ordinance passed on second reading, the $550,000 in expenditures would be authorized and individual project contracts would proceed under the 2023 Capital Improvement Budget process.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7Outcome pending
Amendment of 2022 General Fund Budget Allocation
A resolution was on the agenda to retroactively amend the 2022 General Fund budget, addressing overages in two departments identified after the fiscal year closed. The Fire Department was expected to show a $183,624 overage (3.6%) attributed to unanticipated overtime and costs associated with hiring six new firefighters, while Public Works exceeded its budget by $167,698 (3.6%) due to higher-than-projected Xcel Energy utility rates and expanded emerald ash borer tree removal efforts. The proposed resolution would offset these overages by reducing budgeted appropriations in Public Safety and Recreation Services, resulting in no net change to the overall General Fund.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Key figure: $351,322 — Total proposed budget adjustment across Fire and Public Works departments
Potential benefit
This is a routine fiscal housekeeping measure ensuring the city's books remain in balance and comply with charter requirements after departments faced unforeseen cost pressures largely outside their control.
Concern to consider
Recurring EAB tree removal costs and utility rate volatility may continue pressuring departmental budgets in future years; the offset reductions in Public Safety and Recreation Services may reflect constrained capacity in those areas.
What happens next: If approved, this resolution would finalize the 2022 General Fund budget reconciliation. The 2023 budget process would be expected to incorporate lessons from these overages, particularly around utility cost assumptions and firefighter personnel timing.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 8Outcome pending
City Manager Annual Performance Evaluation and Employment Agreement Amendment
The City Council was scheduled to present a public summary of City Manager Katie Rodriguez's annual performance evaluation, which was conducted in closed sessions on June 13 and June 15, 2023, as required by Minnesota State Statute. Following the evaluation summary, the Council was expected to consider a resolution amending the City Manager's employment agreement to reflect a salary adjustment, with the proposed base salary listed as $179,126.06 effective July 1, 2023. The agenda noted that a cost-of-living adjustment consistent with other city employees in the Management Pay Plan had already been applied on January 1, and any merit increase would follow the June evaluation.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Key figure: $179,126.06 — Proposed annual base salary for City Manager Katie Rodriguez under the amended employment agreement, effective July 1, 2023
Potential benefit
Annual performance reviews and public summaries of the City Manager's evaluation provide accountability for the city's top administrator, whose decisions affect all municipal operations, capital investments, and long-term planning.
Concern to consider
The specific merit rationale and the magnitude of any increase above the standard cost-of-living adjustment were not detailed in the available agenda materials; residents would need to have attended the meeting to receive the full public summary.
What happens next: If the resolution was approved, the amended salary of $179,126.06 would take effect July 1, 2023, and a new evaluation cycle for the period of July 2023 to June 2024 would begin.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 10Outcome pending
Approval of Claims and Payroll
Approval of city accounts payable and payroll was scheduled for consideration at this meeting, covering routine disbursements to vendors, contractors, and city employees. The agenda item listed a total of approximately $2,162,430.26 in payments expected to be reviewed, including over $1.6 million in accounts payable checks and over $553,000 in payroll. This is a standard recurring item that appears at each council meeting to authorize the city's financial obligations.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Key figure: $1,608,909.27 — Accounts payable checks (nos. 314952–322315) scheduled for U.S. Bank disbursement on 06/27/2023
Potential benefit
Regular public council approval of claims and payroll ensures transparency and accountability over how city funds are spent. Timely payment of vendors and employees keeps city services operational and maintains the city's financial credibility with contractors.
Concern to consider
While largely procedural, the disbursements total over $2.1 million in a single meeting cycle, and public awareness of these expenditures supports fiscal oversight. No specific concerns were flagged in the available agenda materials.
What happens next: If approved, all listed accounts payable checks and payroll disbursements would be authorized and processed through U.S. Bank by the city's finance department for the period ending June 27, 2023.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilOutcome pending
Correction of Minutes to Reflect $10 Million Figure
A correction to prior meeting minutes was scheduled for consideration to accurately reflect a $10 million figure in the official public record, though the specific context of what the $10 million referenced was not fully detailed in the available agenda materials. Corrections to minutes are a standard procedural matter to ensure the city's official record accurately captures what occurred at a prior meeting. The financial tables in the meeting packet reference multiple fund balances and transfers in the range of tens of millions of dollars, which may provide context for the figure in question.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Key figure: $10,000,000 — Figure referenced in proposed minutes correction; specific context of what this amount represents was not fully detailed in available agenda materials
Potential benefit
Accurate meeting minutes are the official legal record of city actions; correcting material errors ensures transparency and the integrity of public documentation that residents, media, and researchers rely on.
Concern to consider
A $10 million figure in a minutes correction is notable in scale and may warrant attention to understand whether the original record was materially misleading about a significant city financial matter.
What happens next: If approved, the corrected minutes would replace the prior version in the official city record, and the corrected figure would stand as the accurate account of what was discussed or decided at the prior meeting.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗