Work SessionItem 1Discussed
2023 Strategic Plan Progress Report Presentation
Management Analyst Chris Swanson presented the 2023 Strategic Plan Progress Report at the February 13 work session, covering advances across five strategic priorities including community development, human resources, technology, and parks. The report indicated roughly 39% of action items were completed, though City Manager Rodriguez cautioned that figure may be overstated due to how tasks are logged in the system. Staffing vacancies and volatile market conditions were identified as key disruptions to overall progress.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Potential benefit
The strategic plan provides a public-facing dashboard—which received 4,596 visits in 2023—allowing residents to track how the city is meeting goals in areas like economic development, housing, and parks. Concrete highlights included a new sewer access charge (SAC) program to support housing development and ongoing LED and fleet electrification work through the Climate Action Plan.
Concern to consider
Staff acknowledged the 39% completion figure may be inflated, and several community development goals face uncertainty due to external forces like the struggling office space market. An equity toolkit is not expected until 2025, and a vacant GIS coordinator position has delayed the asset management plan for parks.
What happens next: Staff will continue refining the strategic plan dashboard and progress reporting methodology, with a broader evaluation of potentially unattainable KPIs planned for the two-year mark. Quarterly updates to the council and the public-facing dashboard will continue through 2024.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗
Work SessionOutcome pending
Policy Proposals Discussion: Short-Term Rentals, Housing Efficiency, Downtown Naming, Liquor Store Branding, City Website
Council members introduced five policy proposals for staff to research and assess: regulating short-term rentals, better supporting housing efficiency upgrades, formally defining and potentially establishing official boundaries for 'Downtown Richfield,' clarifying official liquor store names, and updating the city's brand and website. Staff was directed to evaluate the feasibility of each proposal and bring additional information back to the council. No votes or decisions were made at this work session, as it served as a scoping and discussion session.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Potential benefit
If advanced, these proposals could bring clearer rules for short-term rental hosts and neighbors, improved access to energy efficiency programs for property owners, a more defined and marketable downtown identity, consistent branding for city liquor stores, and a modernized city website to improve resident access to information and services.
Concern to consider
Each proposal would require dedicated staff time and resources to research and implement. Short-term rental regulation involves balancing property owner rights with neighborhood quality-of-life concerns, and the feasibility and prioritization of all five initiatives will depend on council decisions yet to come.
What happens next: Staff will analyze the feasibility of each of the five policy proposals and return to the council with additional information. The council will then determine which proposals to prioritize for formal action during the coming year.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 2Outcome pending
Proclamation Celebrating Black History Month
The Mayor, on behalf of the City Council, proclaimed February 2024 as Black History Month in Richfield and called on residents to observe the month with programs, activities, and ceremonies honoring Black Americans.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Part of an ongoing matter · 5 related discussions →
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 2Outcome pending
Proclamation Celebrating Black History Month
The Mayor, on behalf of the City Council, proclaimed February 2024 as Black History Month in Richfield, recognizing the contributions, history, and cultural heritage of Black residents and communities.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Part of an ongoing matter · 5 related discussions →
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3AOutcome pending
Renewal of 2024 Off-Sale 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor Licenses
The City Council approved the 2024 renewal of off-sale 3.2 percent malt liquor licenses for Richfield Minnoco and Speedway locations #4186, #4188, #4191, and #4615, allowing those businesses to resume sales after their prior licenses had expired.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3.AOutcome pending
Renewal of 2024 Off-Sale 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor Licenses
As part of the consent calendar, the City Council approved 2024 renewals of off-sale 3.2 percent malt liquor licenses for Richfield Minnoco and Speedway locations #4186, #4188, #4191, and #4615, allowing those businesses to resume sales after their licenses had expired at the end of 2023.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3.BOutcome pending
Construction and Maintenance Agreement with LYNK 65, LLC
As part of the consent calendar, the City Council approved a construction and maintenance agreement with LYNK 65, LLC defining ownership and maintenance responsibilities for certain features built as part of the redevelopment at 6445 Lyndale Avenue South.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3BOutcome pending
Construction and Maintenance Agreement with LYNK 65, LLC for 6445 Lyndale Ave S
The City Council approved a construction and maintenance agreement with LYNK 65, LLC to define ownership and maintenance responsibilities for certain features built as part of the redevelopment at 6445 Lyndale Avenue South.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3COutcome pending
Acceptance of Nine Mile Creek Watershed District Grant and Cost Share Agreement for Low Salt Design Pilot City Program
The City Council adopted a resolution authorizing the City to accept $27,800 in grant funds and enter into a cost share agreement with the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District to implement a Low Salt Design Pilot City program.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3.COutcome pending
Acceptance of Grant Funds and Cost Share Agreement for Low Salt Design Pilot City Program
As part of the consent calendar, the City Council adopted a resolution authorizing the City to accept $27,800 in grant funds and enter into a cost share agreement with the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District to implement a Low Salt Design Pilot City program.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3DOutcome pending
First Reading of Ordinance Amending Nuisance Regulations
The City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance amending Section 925 on nuisances to add provisions related to flexible dumpsters and to classify violations of yard and vehicle parking/storage rules under Section 1305.27 as nuisance conduct subject to repeat nuisance fees.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3.DOutcome pending
First Reading of Ordinance Amending Nuisance Regulations
As part of the consent calendar, the City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance amending Section 925 on nuisances to add provisions related to flexible dumpsters and to classify violations of yard and vehicle parking/storage rules under Section 1305.27, subdivisions 5 and 6, as nuisance conduct subject to a repeat nuisance fee.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3.EOutcome pending
Fairwood Park Play Equipment Replacement
As part of the consent calendar, the City Council accepted a quote from Northland Recreation for $100,000 to replace play equipment at Fairwood Park and authorized the Recreation Services Director to proceed with the project.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Part of an ongoing matter · 1 related discussion →
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3EOutcome pending
Fairwood Park Play Equipment Replacement
The City Council accepted a $100,000 quote from Northland Recreation for replacement of play equipment at Fairwood Park and authorized the Recreation Services Director to proceed with the project.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Part of an ongoing matter · 1 related discussion →
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3.FOutcome pending
Appointment of Election Judges and Establishment of Absentee Ballot Board
As part of the consent calendar, the City Council adopted a resolution appointing election judges and establishing an absentee ballot board for the March 5, 2024 Presidential Nomination Primary Election.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3FOutcome pending
Appointment of Election Judges and Establishment of Absentee Ballot Board for March 5, 2024 Presidential Nomination Primary
The City Council adopted a resolution appointing election judges and establishing an absentee ballot board for the March 5, 2024 Presidential Nomination Primary Election.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 5Outcome pending
Civil Enforcement Resolution for Failed Alcohol Compliance Checks
The City Council held a violation hearing and considered a resolution regarding civil enforcement for establishments that had recently failed alcohol compliance checks by selling alcohol to a person under age 21.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Part of an ongoing matter · 1 related discussion →
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 5Outcome pending
Civil Enforcement Resolution for Alcohol Compliance Check Violations
The City Council held a violation hearing and considered a resolution regarding civil enforcement for establishments that had recently failed alcohol compliance checks by selling alcohol to a person under age 21.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Part of an ongoing matter · 1 related discussion →
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 6Outcome pending
Approval of Mayor's Appointment of a Housing and Redevelopment Authority Commissioner
The City Council considered approving the Mayor's appointment of a commissioner to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Part of an ongoing matter · 1 related discussion →
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 6Outcome pending
Approval of Mayor's Appointment of a Housing and Redevelopment Authority Commissioner
The City Council considered and approved the Mayor's appointment of a Housing and Redevelopment Authority commissioner.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Part of an ongoing matter · 1 related discussion →
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7Outcome pending
Charter Commission Recommendations for City Charter Amendments
The City Council considered the Charter Commission's recommendations for amendments to the current City Charter by ordinance and the publication of notice for a public hearing on the proposed amendments.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Part of an ongoing matter · 2 related discussions →
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7Outcome pending
Charter Commission Recommendations for City Charter Amendments
The City Council considered the Charter Commission's recommendations for amendments to the current City Charter by ordinance and the publication of notice for a public hearing on the proposed amendments.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Part of an ongoing matter · 2 related discussions →
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 8Outcome pending
City Manager's Report
The City Council received the City Manager's report.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 8Outcome pending
City Manager's Report
The City Council received the City Manager's report.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 9Outcome pending
Claims and Payroll
The City Council considered claims and payroll for payment.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 9Outcome pending
Claims and Payroll
The City Council approved claims and payroll for payment.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 10Outcome pending
Hats Off to Hometown Hits
The City Council held its customary council discussion and recognitions under Hats Off to Hometown Hits.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 10Outcome pending
Hats Off to Hometown Hits
The City Council held its customary council discussion and recognitions under Hats Off to Hometown Hits.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗