Work SessionItem 1Outcome pending
Updates to Recreation Fee Assistance Program
Staff was scheduled to present recommended updates to the city's Recreation Fee Assistance Program — currently branded the 'Passport Program' — which was found to be significantly underutilized, serving only 53 families with $3,299.25 in discounts in 2022. Proposed changes included rebranding, expanding eligibility to households at 200% of the Federal Poverty Line, and broadening benefits to include 50% off pool passes, free open skate at the Ice Arena, a Friends of Wood Lake membership, and a $35–$50 recreation credit. Council direction was sought on whether to implement these changes for 2024, with initial funding proposed from three months of the liquor store roundup program.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Learn more about this item
Key figure: $3,299.25 — Total discounts distributed under the current Passport Program in 2022, serving 53 families
Potential benefit
If approved, the updated program would expand recreational access for low-income Richfield residents, with multilingual outreach and active promotion at apartment complexes and schools. Comparable programs in neighboring cities invest $8,000–$20,000 annually, suggesting the current program significantly underserves eligible residents.
Concern to consider
Expanding eligibility and benefits could generate more applicants than available funding supports, potentially turning away some eligible residents. Funding relies partly on variable liquor store roundup proceeds and sponsorships rather than a guaranteed budget line.
What happens next: If Council provided direction to proceed, staff indicated the updated program would take effect in 2024, with multilingual promotional materials and outreach targeting apartment complexes and Richfield Public Schools.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗
Work SessionItem 2Discussed
Recognition of Fire Prevention Week and Hands-Only CPR Training
The Richfield Fire Department was scheduled to present on Fire Prevention Month and provide hands-only CPR training to Council members, with Fire Chief Mike Dobesh covering calls for service, the department's community value, and instruction in identifying and responding to sudden cardiac arrest. The RFD responds to approximately 4,500 calls per year, with roughly 80% being medical emergencies and an average of two cardiac arrests per month. This was a ceremonial and educational item with no policy action required.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
Hands-only CPR training equips bystanders to act during the critical minutes before professional responders arrive. With roughly two cardiac arrests per month in Richfield, broader community CPR awareness can meaningfully improve survival outcomes for residents.
Concern to consider
No policy changes or expenditures were proposed; this was a purely informational and educational agenda item.
What happens next: No follow-up action was required. This was a standalone informational and educational presentation recognizing Fire Prevention Month, with no pending votes or policy decisions.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 1Outcome pending
Agenda amendment and approval
The council amended the meeting order to move Item 11 to immediately after the consent calendar, then approved the agenda as modified.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Learn more about this item
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 2Outcome pending
Advisory Board of Health Commission annual presentation
The council received the annual presentation from the Advisory Board of Health Commission. No formal action was taken.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Learn more about this item
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3AOutcome pending
First reading of ordinance updating vegetation definitions and grass-height standard
As part of the consent calendar, the council approved the first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 9, Section 925 of the city code to add definitions for managed natural landscapes, ornamental plants, and rain gardens, and to change the maintenance standard for grass height from 6 inches to 8 inches.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Learn more about this item
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3BOutcome pending
Renewal of towing services contract with Chief's Towing, Inc.
As part of the consent calendar, the council approved renewing the contract with Chief's Towing, Inc. for Public Safety towing services from December 1, 2023 through November 30, 2025.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Learn more about this item
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3COutcome pending
Settlement agreement for easements at 6500 Lyndale Ave S.
As part of the consent calendar, the council approved a settlement agreement with 256 Holdings, LLC, Wendy's Properties, LLC, and Haza Foods of Minnesota, LLC for the purchase of temporary and permanent easements at 6500 Lyndale Ave S.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Learn more about this item
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3DOutcome pending
Lease agreement with Fortis Academy for Richfield Ice Arena training space
As part of the consent calendar, the council approved a lease agreement between the City of Richfield and Fortis Academy, LLC for use of training space at the Richfield Ice Arena.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Learn more about this item
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3EOutcome pending
Agreement between Public Safety Department and The Axtell Group
As part of the consent calendar, the council approved an agreement between the Richfield Department of Public Safety and The Axtell Group.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Learn more about this item
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 5Outcome pending
Ordinances modifying electric and gas franchise fees
After a public hearing, the council approved the second reading of an ordinance modifying the electric franchise fee on Northern States Power d/b/a Xcel Energy and approved an ordinance modifying the gas franchise fee on CenterPoint Energy. The council also approved summary publication of the ordinance updating franchise fee schedules in Appendix E, Articles II and III of the city code. Council discussion indicated support for using the revenue for a sustainability budget.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Learn more about this item
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 6Outcome pending
Special assessments for removal of diseased trees from private property
After a public hearing, the council adopted a resolution approving special assessments for the removal of diseased trees from private property for work ordered from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Learn more about this item
Part of an ongoing matter · 1 related discussion →
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7Outcome pending
ILN Project Area 2024 assessment and work plan
After a public hearing, the council adopted a resolution approving the 2024 assessment on the Interstate-Lyndale-Nicollet project area for maintenance costs and adopted a resolution ordering the undertaking of the current surface project within the ILN project area for 2024.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Learn more about this item
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 8Outcome pending
Public hearing on proposed street light user fee modification
The council held and closed a public hearing related to a proposed resolution modifying street light user fees, but the record provided did not show final action on adopting the fee change at this meeting.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Learn more about this item
Part of an ongoing matter · 1 related discussion →
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 9Outcome pending
Assessment for unpaid garbage collection services
After a public hearing, the council adopted a resolution approving assessments for unpaid garbage collection service from private property within the residential organized collection system for the period from August 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Learn more about this item
Part of an ongoing matter · 1 related discussion →
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 10Outcome pending
Certification of delinquent utility and other municipal charges to property taxes
After a public hearing, the council adopted a resolution authorizing certification of unpaid water, sanitary sewer, storm water, and street light charges, false alarm charges, weed eradication charges, public health or safety hazard charges, and vacant property registration fees to the County Auditor for collection with property taxes.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Learn more about this item
Part of an ongoing matter · 1 related discussion →
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 11Outcome pending
Second reading of ordinance prohibiting smoking in public parks, city-owned land, and during community events
The council approved the second reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 8, Subsection 840.13 of the city code to prohibit smoking in public parks, on city-owned land, and during community events, and established violations as a petty misdemeanor offense. The council also approved summary publication of the ordinance.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Learn more about this item
Part of an ongoing matter · 1 related discussion →
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 12Outcome pending
Appointment of youth member to the Sustainability Commission
The council approved the appointment of Patrick Skamser to the Sustainability Commission as a youth commissioner.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Learn more about this item
Part of an ongoing matter · 1 related discussion →
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 14Outcome pending
Approval of claims and payroll
The council approved claims and payroll totaling $2,239,052.45, including accounts payable checks and payroll disbursements.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Learn more about this item
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗