City CouncilItem 4.AOutcome pending
First Reading of Franchise Ordinance with CenterPoint Energy
The first reading of a proposed franchise ordinance and agreement with CenterPoint Energy Minnesota Gas was on the consent calendar, which would authorize CenterPoint Energy to use city right-of-way for natural gas distribution infrastructure. The city's previous franchise agreement expired on May 27, 2023, though it remained in effect pending a replacement. The proposed new agreement was expected to run for 10 years with an option to renew for a second 10-year term, and would preserve the city's authority to impose franchise fees on the utility.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Potential benefit
This proposal would provide a clear long-term legal framework ensuring continued natural gas service and infrastructure maintenance in Richfield, while preserving the city's authority to collect franchise fees that can support city services and public investment.
Concern to consider
Franchise fees authorized under the agreement can ultimately be passed on to utility customers through monthly gas bills, representing an indirect ongoing cost to residents and businesses.
What happens next: A public hearing and second reading were proposed to be scheduled for November 28, 2023, at which point the Council would be expected to take a final vote on the ordinance before it could take effect.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 6Outcome pending
Ordinance Amendment: Managed Natural Landscapes and Grass Height
The second reading of an ordinance amending Richfield's city code to allow managed natural landscapes and raise the maximum allowable grass height from 6 inches to 8 inches was scheduled for consideration. The change was required to bring Richfield into compliance with a Minnesota state law (Minn. Stat. 412.925), signed May 24, 2023 and effective July 1, 2023, which mandates that cities allow property owners to install and maintain intentional native or non-native plantings. If approved, managed natural landscapes — such as rain gardens, meadow vegetation, and ornamental plantings — would be permitted to exceed 8 inches and go to seed, provided they are properly maintained and free of noxious weeds.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Potential benefit
This proposal would give homeowners and occupants legal flexibility to use native plants and natural landscaping, which can reduce water use, support pollinators, and lower lawn maintenance costs. It would align Richfield with a state mandate designed to encourage environmentally sustainable land use.
Concern to consider
Properties undergoing landscape transitions can appear unkempt during the early years before native plantings establish, which may raise concerns among neighbors about neighborhood aesthetics and potential effects on nearby property values. Enforcement of maintenance requirements may present practical challenges for city staff.
What happens next: If the second reading was approved, the ordinance would update Richfield's city code to reflect the new 8-inch turf grass standard and managed natural landscape allowance. A resolution authorizing summary publication of the ordinance was also expected to be considered at the same meeting.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 8Discussed
Approval of Claims and Payroll
The Council was scheduled to approve routine claims and payroll disbursements for the period ending October 19, 2023, totaling approximately $4.24 million across accounts payable and employee payroll. Approval of claims and payroll is a recurring item on every Council meeting agenda and reflects the city's standard financial operations. No unusual or extraordinary expenditures were noted in the agenda materials for this disbursement cycle.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Key figure: $3,427,597.49 — Accounts payable checks (Nos. 324419–324775) for the period ending October 19, 2023
Potential benefit
Timely approval of claims and payroll ensures city vendors are compensated and employees receive wages on schedule, supporting the uninterrupted delivery of all city services that residents and businesses rely on.
Concern to consider
While routine, the disbursements represent significant taxpayer resources; ongoing public review of these approvals supports transparency and accountability in city spending.
What happens next: No further action expected; this is a recurring administrative item with no follow-up process beyond record-keeping.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 10Outcome pending
Closed Session: Multi-District Lawsuit on Aqueous Film Forming Foams
The City Council was scheduled to convene a closed attorney-client privileged session to discuss the city's options to participate in a multi-district lawsuit and related class settlements involving aqueous film forming foams (AFFF), commonly used as firefighting foam. The litigation is pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina and relates to products liability claims tied to PFAS chemical contamination. This closed session was expected to allow the Council to evaluate Richfield's legal position without public disclosure of legal strategy.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Potential benefit
If the city were to join the lawsuit or a related class settlement, Richfield could potentially recover funds to address PFAS-related contamination in local water systems or infrastructure at no additional direct cost to taxpayers.
Concern to consider
PFAS chemicals from firefighting foam have been linked to serious long-term health risks; the city's decision on whether to participate in litigation could have lasting implications for how Richfield addresses any related environmental contamination, and closed sessions limit public visibility into the deliberations.
What happens next: Following the closed session, the Council was expected to reconvene in open session. Any formal vote on participation in the lawsuit or settlements would typically be announced publicly at that time or at a subsequent meeting.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
Work SessionItem 1Outcome pending
Local Speed Limit Study Update and Recommendations
Staff was scheduled to present an update on Richfield's ongoing local speed limit study, including a recommendation to lower the default citywide speed limit to 25 mph, with exceptions of 30 mph on 76th Street west of Penn Ave and 35 mph on the remainder of the 76th/77th Street corridor. The presentation was expected to include data collected in July and August 2023 along those corridors, confirming that staff's recommendation remained unchanged from the May 2023 work session. Staff was also expected to seek council direction on the recommendation, signage plan, implementation timeline, and a proposed public education campaign.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Key figure: $200,000 — Total estimated cost for new speed limit signs, traffic signal re-timing and modifications, and a public education campaign, included in the 2023 CIB and 2024 CIP.
Potential benefit
If approved, lowering the default speed limit to 25 mph citywide could reduce crash severity and improve pedestrian and cyclist safety on local streets. Research cited by staff indicates the traditional 85th-percentile method for setting speed limits lacks evidence of reducing crash involvement, and national guidance now recommends lower urban speed limits as a safety best practice.
Concern to consider
Some residents and commuters may have concerns about travel times or the practicality of enforcement. Council members were expected to discuss equity implications and had varying preferences for specific corridors like 77th Street. The $200,000 cost covers signage, signal re-timing, and public outreach, and county and state roads are outside the city's authority to change.
What happens next: If council provided direction at this session, staff planned to bring formal resolutions and ordinances requiring two public readings, with a goal of passing the final ordinance by end of 2023 to allow spring 2024 signage installation and public education campaign launch.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗
Work SessionItem 2Discussed
Findings of the Water System Interconnect Evaluation
Public Works staff was scheduled to present findings from a study evaluating three alternatives for connecting Richfield's water system to an adjacent municipality's supply as an emergency backup. Staff's recommendation was a connection to the Minneapolis water system, with construction planned for the 2026–2027 Capital Improvement Plan at an estimated cost of $4 million. The presentation was informational, with no council direction required at this time.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Key figure: $4,000,000 — Estimated construction cost for the water system interconnect with Minneapolis, included in the 2026 and 2027 Capital Improvement Plan.
Potential benefit
If constructed, a water system interconnect with Minneapolis would give Richfield a reliable backup water source during emergencies such as equipment failure, natural disaster, or potential depletion of local groundwater supplies, strengthening the city's long-term water resilience and public health preparedness.
Concern to consider
The project carries a significant estimated cost of $4 million, with construction not planned until 2026–2027. Residents may want to monitor how this cost is ultimately financed and whether it affects future water utility rates or other municipal services.
What happens next: Staff plans to keep the Minneapolis interconnect project on the 2026–2027 Capital Improvement Plan timeline. No formal direction was required at this session; future steps would involve more detailed design work and eventually a formal council vote to proceed with construction funding.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗