Work SessionItem 1Outcome pending
Selection of 2024 State Bonding Request: Nicollet Avenue Reconstruction vs. 73rd Street Pedestrian Bridge
City staff submitted two infrastructure projects to Minnesota Management and Budget for potential inclusion in the 2024 state bonding package: the Nicollet Avenue Reconstruction project and the 73rd Street Pedestrian Bridge over I-35W. Staff recommended advancing only the Nicollet Avenue project, citing its regional significance, its existing placement in Hennepin County's Capital Improvement Plan, and a 2026 construction deadline requiring a committed funding source. The Council was scheduled to provide direction on which project, if any, to advance before an October 13, 2023 legislative deadline.
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Key figure: $10 million — State bonding request for Nicollet Avenue reconstruction, intended to cover the city's utility and road costs with minimal local match required
Potential benefit
If the Nicollet Avenue bonding request advanced, it could bring $10 million in state funds to cover the city's utility and road reconstruction costs with minimal local match required, reducing the infrastructure cost burden on Richfield's relatively small tax base.
Concern to consider
Pursuing only one bonding project in this cycle would defer state funding support for the 73rd Street pedestrian bridge, which was described as being in poor condition and ADA non-compliant, leaving a safety and accessibility gap unaddressed in the near term.
What happens next: A resolution of support from the City Council was required to be submitted to the state legislature by October 13, 2023, ahead of the 2024 bonding session. The 73rd Street pedestrian bridge was expected to be pursued separately for federal funding through the Met Council's Regional Solicitation process in fall 2023.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗
Work SessionItem 2Outcome pending
Discussion of Ordinance Regulating Cannabis Use in Public Places
With Minnesota's adult-use cannabis legalization set to take effect August 1, 2023, Police Chief Henthorne presented a draft ordinance for Council discussion on regulating cannabis use in public spaces within Richfield. State law permits adults 21 and older to use cannabis in private residences, on private property not open to the public, and at licensed on-site consumption premises, but does not grant a right to use cannabis on public property. The Council was expected to provide direction on whether to advance a formal draft ordinance to a future meeting for potential adoption.
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Potential benefit
If adopted, the ordinance would give residents, businesses, and law enforcement clear local rules about where cannabis use is permitted in public, creating consistency with existing tobacco-use restrictions and reducing ambiguity as statewide legalization takes effect.
Concern to consider
The ordinance would establish only a petty misdemeanor penalty for public cannabis use—a lighter charge than the misdemeanor currently applied to tobacco and alcohol violations—and enforcement may be limited given there is currently no reliable field test for cannabis impairment.
What happens next: Staff was seeking Council direction on whether to bring a formal draft ordinance to a future city council meeting. Any ordinance would need to be posted ten days in advance before it could be considered for adoption, with the underlying cannabis legalization taking effect August 1, 2023.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 1Discussed
Proclamation Celebrating the Passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Mayor Mary Supple was scheduled to issue a proclamation declaring July 2023 as Americans with Disabilities Act Awareness Month in Richfield, marking the 33rd anniversary of the ADA's passage on July 26, 1990. The Richfield Human Rights Commission recommended the proclamation at its July 6, 2023 meeting, noting that people with disabilities make up approximately 8.4% of Richfield's population. The proclamation highlighted the city's accessibility programs, including the Adaptive Recreation & Learning Exchange Cooperative.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Potential benefit
The proclamation recognizes an estimated 8.4% of Richfield residents living with disabilities and reaffirms the city's stated commitment to accessibility, equity, and inclusion through programs like the Adaptive Recreation & Learning Exchange Cooperative, which provides tailored recreation and community education opportunities.
Concern to consider
As a ceremonial proclamation, it does not create new programs, dedicated funding, or legally enforceable obligations for the city.
What happens next: No follow-up legislative action is required for a ceremonial proclamation. The city's existing accessibility programs continue as previously established.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3AOutcome pending
Repeal of Moratorium on Sale of Edible Cannabinoid Products
The first reading of an ordinance to repeal a moratorium on the sale of edible cannabinoid (THC) products was scheduled for consideration at this meeting. The moratorium had been in effect since December 3, 2022, and was set to expire December 3, 2023; state law permits the sale of THC products containing no more than 5mg per dose and 50mg per container to purchasers aged 21 and older. A second reading was expected to be scheduled for the August 8, 2023 City Council meeting.
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Key figure: Unquantified — Additional Public Safety costs for mandatory compliance checks on retailers selling THC products, including staff training and ongoing age verification and product limit oversight.
Potential benefit
If approved, this would allow Richfield retailers—potentially including city-owned liquor stores—to legally sell regulated THC edible products, providing residents with a local, regulated option and potentially generating revenue that could offset losses from other product restrictions. Retailers would register with the Minnesota Department of Health by October 1, 2023.
Concern to consider
Lifting the moratorium would obligate Public Safety to conduct mandatory compliance checks of retailers for age verification, THC product limits, and operational requirements, adding unquantified costs to the Public Safety budget. Staff would also require specific training to conduct these compliance checks.
What happens next: A second reading of the repeal ordinance was expected to be scheduled for the August 8, 2023 City Council meeting. Retailers interested in selling edible cannabinoid products would need to register with the Minnesota Department of Health by October 1, 2023.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 5Outcome pending
First Reading: Moratorium on Cannabis Businesses Until January 1, 2025
A first reading of an interim ordinance was scheduled for consideration that would impose a moratorium on the opening of new cannabis businesses in Richfield until January 1, 2025, unless repealed earlier by the City Council. The moratorium was proposed in response to the Minnesota Legislature's comprehensive adult-use cannabis legalization law (2023 Session Laws, Chapter 63, H.F. 100), which created a new Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) to oversee licensing statewide. A public hearing was expected to be set for August 8, 2023.
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Key figure: Unknown — Financial impact of the adult-use cannabis legislation on the city was noted as unknown at the time of the agenda; staff expected a clearer picture after the October 1, 2023 state registration deadline for edible cannabinoid product retailers.
Potential benefit
This proposal would give Richfield time to study and develop local zoning, operational, and time-and-place regulations before any cannabis businesses open, protecting the planning process and community welfare. The city would retain the ability to respond to OCM license applications within 30 days and could repeal the moratorium early if needed.
Concern to consider
The moratorium would delay any cannabis businesses from operating in Richfield until at least January 1, 2025, potentially directing consumers and associated tax revenues to neighboring cities. The financial impact of the broader cannabis legislation on the city was described as unknown at the time of the agenda.
What happens next: A public hearing was expected to be set for the August 8, 2023 City Council meeting for the second reading of this interim ordinance. The moratorium could be repealed early if the OCM notifies the city of a pending license application before January 1, 2025, to which the city would have 30 days to respond.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 6Outcome pending
First Reading: Ordinance to Ban Sale of Flavored Tobacco and Cap Tobacco Licenses
The council was scheduled to consider the first reading of an ordinance amending City Code Chapter 11, Section 1146 to ban the sale of all flavored tobacco products and cap the total number of tobacco retail licenses in Richfield at four, down from the current 25. The proposed effective date for the changes was December 31, 2023, giving existing license holders time to sell down existing inventory. Proponents including community health advocates, and opponents including the National Hookah Community Association and the National Association of Tobacco Outlets, were expected to be present at the meeting.
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Key figure: $13,525 — Total annual tobacco licensing revenue currently generated by 25 licenses at $541 each. Capping licenses at four would reduce this revenue over time as existing licenses lapse.
Potential benefit
If approved, this would align Richfield with neighboring cities including Edina, Bloomington, Golden Valley, and St. Paul in restricting flavored tobacco. The proposed ordinance also would strengthen self-service sales restrictions, ban in-store smoking and sampling, extend the violation lookback period to 36 months, and prohibit furnishing tobacco products to minors.
Concern to consider
Capping licenses at four would reduce annual city tobacco licensing revenue from $13,525 over time as licenses lapse. Some business owners and cultural organizations, including the National Hookah Community Association, raised concerns that the ban would harm businesses and restrict cultural practices associated with flavored hookah products. License transfers would be prohibited, and any change of ownership or location would result in license revocation.
What happens next: A second reading of the ordinance was expected to be scheduled after this first reading. If ultimately adopted, the effective date for the flavor ban and license cap was discussed as December 31, 2023.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7Outcome pending
Approval of Resolution for Local Option Sales Tax in Richfield
The council was scheduled to consider approving a resolution authorizing a 0.5% local option sales tax to fund three major community infrastructure projects: the Wood Lake Nature Center ($11 million plus bonding costs), the Veterans Park Complex ($9 million plus bonding costs), and a new Richfield Community Center ($45 million plus bonding costs). Approving the resolution would direct staff to submit the signed document to the Minnesota Secretary of State, but the tax itself would still require voter approval at the November 2024 general election before taking effect. Staff noted that deferring approval would reduce the city's opportunity to educate residents ahead of the referendum.
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Key figure: $11,000,000 — Proposed construction funding for the Wood Lake Nature Center building, plus associated bonding costs.
Potential benefit
If ultimately approved by voters, this sales tax would fund over $65 million in community amenities without solely relying on property taxes. Council members noted that a significant portion of revenue would be paid by visitors and non-residents who shop or use services in Richfield, as neighboring cities already impose similar local sales taxes.
Concern to consider
A 0.5% sales tax applies to purchases made within Richfield by all buyers, including lower-income residents for whom it represents a proportionally larger share of income. Voter approval is required at the November 2024 general election before any projects could be financed through this mechanism.
What happens next: If the resolution was adopted, the city would submit the signed resolution and required certificate to the Minnesota Secretary of State. Staff would then begin resident education and outreach ahead of the November 2024 general election, at which Richfield voters would decide whether to authorize the sales tax for each of the three projects individually.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 9Outcome pending
Approval of Claims and Payroll
The approval of claims and payroll for the period ending July 21, 2023 was scheduled for consideration at the July 25 meeting. The total disbursement was expected to be $2,264,741.24, comprising $1,707,389.53 in accounts payable checks (nos. 322608–322890) and $557,351.71 in payroll. This is a routine administrative action through which the Council authorizes payment of city obligations to vendors and employees.
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Key figure: $2,264,741.24 — Total combined claims and payroll disbursement for the period ending July 21, 2023
Potential benefit
Routine approval of claims and payroll keeps city services running and ensures vendors and municipal employees are paid on time, maintaining public trust and operational continuity.
Concern to consider
The disbursement of over $2.2 million in a single cycle represents significant public funds; residents rely on Council oversight to verify expenditures are appropriate and properly documented.
What happens next: If approved, payments would be disbursed via U.S. Bank as listed. Claims and payroll approvals are recurring agenda items at each regular Council meeting.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗