Work SessionItem 1Discussed
Review of Racial Equity Dividends Index (REDI) Results
The City of Richfield was scheduled to review the results of the 2023 Racial Equity Dividends Index (REDI), an assessment administered by the Center for Economic Inclusion measuring organizational progress toward racial equity. Richfield received an overall score of 28.1 out of 100, placing it in the 64th percentile among all participating organizations and the 83rd percentile among peer small cities (populations under 75,000). Staff indicated the REDI results were expected to serve as the foundation for developing an internal citywide equity plan with departmental goals.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Key figure: $1,500 — Total cost for the City to participate in the 2023 REDI assessment, covered by the adopted 2023 budget.
Potential benefit
Richfield scored above most comparable small cities (83rd percentile among peers), suggesting relative strength in equity practices relative to similar municipalities. If staff proceed with building an equity plan from these results, it could lead to more targeted city services and hiring practices aimed at better serving underrepresented residents.
Concern to consider
An absolute score of 28.1 out of 100 indicates significant room for improvement in racial equity standards regardless of peer ranking. Without confirmed adoption of a follow-up equity plan, these results could remain informational without producing concrete policy changes.
What happens next: Staff indicated plans to use the REDI data as a foundation for creating an internal equity plan with citywide and departmental goals. The Council work session review was a discussion item with no direction required, so next steps would likely involve staff drafting an equity plan for future Council consideration.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 2AOutcome pending
Approval of Foundational Public Health Responsibilities (FPHR) Grant
The approval of a $220,548 Foundational Public Health Responsibilities (FPHR) grant from the Minnesota Department of Health was scheduled for consideration as a consent calendar item at this meeting. This state funding was expected to support Richfield's community health board in delivering core public health services — including communicable disease prevention, environmental health protection, and emergency preparedness — through calendar year 2024. The City Attorney reviewed the grant agreement and approved its contents prior to the meeting.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Key figure: $220,548 — Total state FPHR grant award for calendar year 2024, administered through the Minnesota Department of Health to support foundational public health services in Richfield.
Potential benefit
If approved, this $220,548 grant would bring state funding to support essential public health services for all Richfield residents at no direct cost to local taxpayers, covering services like disease surveillance, environmental hazard response, and community health promotion.
Concern to consider
The funds carry strict usage restrictions and can only be used for defined FPHR activities, with mandatory workplan and budget submissions through MDH's REDCap system. The council could also choose to decline the funding, which would leave these public health responsibilities unfunded by state dollars.
What happens next: If approved, staff would complete a workplan and proposed budget in MDH's REDCap system, implement FPHR activities through December 31, 2024, and submit required financial and programmatic reports to MDH on a schedule determined by the department.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 2BOutcome pending
Support for Safe Routes to School Grant Applications
Two resolutions of support for MnDOT Safe Routes to School grant applications were on the agenda as consent calendar items. The first would back a $500,000 infrastructure grant to construct pedestrian and bicycle improvements on 70th Street between Elliot and 12th Avenues, near Richfield STEM and Dual Language Elementary Schools. The second would support a planning grant application by ISD #280 to update the district's 2014 Safe Routes to School Comprehensive Plan, which has not been revised in approximately a decade despite significant changes in student travel conditions.
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Part of an ongoing matter · 1 related discussion →
Key figure: $500,000 — Requested MnDOT Safe Routes to School infrastructure grant for pedestrian and bicycle improvements on 70th Street near Richfield STEM and Dual Language Elementary Schools.
Potential benefit
If approved, the infrastructure grant application could bring up to $500,000 in state funding to improve walking and biking safety near two elementary schools. The planning grant would provide consultant resources to update school travel safety strategies for the first time since 2014, with approximately 15% of district students currently walking or biking to school.
Concern to consider
The city would be responsible for any project costs exceeding the infrastructure grant award, as well as design and construction administration expenses. Both applications are competitive grants, so approval of the resolutions does not guarantee funding will be awarded by MnDOT.
What happens next: If the resolutions are adopted, the city would formally submit its $500,000 infrastructure grant application to MnDOT, and ISD #280 would submit its planning assistance application. Both are competitive; award outcomes would depend on MnDOT's statewide review process.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 4Outcome pending
Appointment of Youth Member to Sustainability Commission
The appointment of Helen Burk as a youth member of the City's Sustainability Commission was scheduled for consideration at this meeting. Youth commissioner terms run one year and expire August 31; the City Manager's office conducts annual recruitment through the city website, social media, and local high schools. Staff recommended approving the appointment, noting that youth representation promotes more inclusive and community-representative decision-making on sustainability issues.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Part of an ongoing matter · 1 related discussion →
Potential benefit
If approved, appointing a youth commissioner would ensure that young residents have a formal voice in sustainability-related discussions and decisions, aligning with the city's strategic goal that boards and commissions reflect community diversity.
Concern to consider
Staff noted a potential unintended consequence of relying too heavily on youth commissioners to represent all youth perspectives. The commission would need to be intentional about how youth members are included in proceedings to avoid placing an undue representative burden on a single individual.
What happens next: If approved, Helen Burk would begin serving as a youth commissioner on the Sustainability Commission, with the term running through August 31 of the current year.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 5Outcome pending
Adoption of Active Transportation Action Plan
The adoption of an Active Transportation Action Plan for Richfield was scheduled for consideration at this meeting. Developed through a public engagement process that included an online open house, a winter bike and walk workshop, and a pop-up event at the Eco Fair, the plan provides a 0–7 year framework for expanding and maintaining safe walking, biking, and rolling infrastructure citywide. It builds on the Bicycle Master Plan (2012), Pedestrian Plan (2018), and completed projects like 66th Street and Lyndale Avenue, and carries an explicit equity focus on connecting communities of color and low-income residents to transportation options.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Potential benefit
If adopted, the plan would provide a data-backed roadmap for improving active transportation safety across Richfield, including neighborhood traffic calming, safer school-area crossings, and partnerships with Hennepin County and MnDOT on major corridors. It also positions the city to pursue future grants by having an adopted plan in place.
Concern to consider
Council members were expected to note that achieving the plan's goals would require significantly more financial resources and staff capacity than currently allocated. Many identified problem corridors lack dedicated funding for improvements, and progress would depend heavily on future budget decisions and competitive grant awards.
What happens next: If adopted, city staff would begin work on near-term (0–3 year) action items, including developing a neighborhood traffic calming program, deepening partnerships with Hennepin County and MnDOT, and updating related master plans. The City Council would need to address funding needs in future budget sessions to advance capital projects identified in the plan.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 6Outcome pending
Amendment of 2024 Legislative Platform to Include NorthSTAR Bill
An amendment to Richfield's 2024 Legislative Platform to include support for the NorthSTAR Bill was scheduled for consideration at this meeting. The NorthSTAR Bill is a proposed state law that would separate all Minnesota government resources — including local governments — from civil immigration enforcement, on the basis that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility. Staff recommended adding specific supportive language to the platform's Public Safety section, while also calling on the bill's authors to collaborate with law enforcement associations and municipal organizations to refine the bill's specific language.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Potential benefit
If this amendment is adopted, it would signal Richfield's formal support for legislation intended to build trust between local government and immigrant residents, potentially lowering barriers for community members to access public safety, public health, and other city services. Staff noted alignment with the city's equity goals and its immigrant community.
Concern to consider
Staff expressed concern about specific details in the bill's current language and indicated it would need refinement before passage. Any final bill language would require review by the City Attorney to assess legal impacts, and staff specifically recommended that supporters engage law enforcement stakeholders — including the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association and the League of Minnesota Cities — before the bill advances.
What happens next: If the amendment is adopted, Richfield's support for the NorthSTAR Act's goals would be formally included in the city's 2024 Legislative Platform. Staff would monitor the bill's progress in the Minnesota Legislature and review any final bill language for legal impacts before the city takes further positions.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 8Outcome pending
Approval of Claims and Payroll
Routine approval of city claims and payroll was scheduled for consideration at the January 23, 2024 meeting. The payment batch was expected to cover accounts payable checks numbered 326136–326439 totaling approximately $2,575,240.95, along with payroll of $753,877.42, for a combined total of $3,329,118.37. This is a standard administrative action the Council considers regularly to authorize payment of city obligations to vendors, contractors, and employees.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Key figure: $3,329,118.37 — Total combined disbursement including accounts payable and payroll for the period
Potential benefit
Timely approval of claims and payroll ensures city employees receive their wages on schedule and that vendors and contractors providing services to Richfield are paid, keeping city operations running smoothly.
Concern to consider
The combined disbursement of over $3.3 million represents significant public funds; regular Council review of these batches is one of the primary mechanisms for public accountability over city spending.
What happens next: If approved, the city's finance department would process the authorized payments to vendors and employees. This item recurs at each regular Council meeting as part of standard financial oversight.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗