Work SessionItem 1Discussed
Local Sales Tax Communications Update
A communications update on the proposed local sales tax (LST) referendum was scheduled for the March 26 work session, where staff was expected to present the 'Our Legacy, Our Future' campaign developed with consultant Rapp Strategies, Inc. The proposed 0.5% sales tax on retail purchases was on track to appear on the November 2024 general election ballot. If approved by voters, proceeds were intended to fund three major projects: a new Wood Lake Nature Center, improvements at Veterans Park Complex, and a Richfield Community Center project.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Key figure: 0.5% — Proposed local sales tax rate on gross receipts from retail sales in Richfield, to fund three capital projects over up to 20 years.
Potential benefit
If approved by voters, the 0.5% LST would fund major community amenities—Wood Lake Nature Center, Veterans Park Complex, and the Community Center—without raising property taxes. The tax would automatically expire after 20 years or when project costs are fully covered.
Concern to consider
A 0.5% sales tax on all retail purchases in Richfield would increase the cost of everyday goods for residents and could put local retailers at a competitive disadvantage compared to businesses in neighboring cities with no local sales tax.
What happens next: The LST referendum was scheduled to go before Richfield voters at the November 2024 general election. Staff was expected to continue rolling out the 'Our Legacy, Our Future' communications campaign, with Rapp Strategies building a public-facing website in the weeks following this work session.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗
Work SessionItem 2Outcome pending
Discussion of Impacts from Citywide Speed Limit Reduction on School Bussing Operations
The city was scheduled to discuss concerns raised by Richfield Public Schools regarding the impact of a planned citywide speed limit reduction on school bus schedules. The school district estimated that lowering local roads to 25 mph could add 3–5 minutes to bus routes, while also reducing 76th/77th Street to 30 mph could add another 10 minutes—potentially forcing changes to school start times. Staff recommended pausing speed limit changes on 76th/77th Street while proceeding with the 25 mph reduction on other local roads, with an implementation target of June 25, 2024.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Potential benefit
Reducing speed limits on local roads to 25 mph is expected to improve pedestrian and traffic safety throughout residential Richfield. The phased approach—holding off on 76th/77th Street changes—was designed to minimize disruption to school bus operations and avoid forcing changes to school start times before the district could fully model the impact.
Concern to consider
Even the more limited 25 mph change on local roads was estimated to add several minutes to bus routes, and the school district had not yet been able to run the changes through their scheduling software. If school start times ultimately need to shift, it could significantly disrupt childcare and work schedules for Richfield families.
What happens next: Based on the discussion, there was reported agreement to proceed with 25 mph speed limits on local roads with an implementation date of June 25, 2024, while pausing any changes to 76th/77th Street. The school district was expected to model the impact on bus routing software after summer school concluded, with the intent to communicate any schedule changes to families before the start of the school year.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 2Outcome pending
Richfield City Council Presentation/Q&A from Hennepin County District Court
The City Council received a presentation and held a question-and-answer session with representatives of the Hennepin County District Court regarding court operations, caseloads, priorities, and services.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 2Outcome pending
Richfield City Council Presentation/Q&A from Hennepin County District Court
The council received a presentation and question-and-answer session from the Hennepin County District Court about court operations, caseloads, priorities, and services. No formal action was listed on the agenda materials.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3Outcome pending
Proclamation Celebrating Women's History Month
The City Council recognized a proclamation declaring March 2024 as Women's History Month in Richfield and honoring the contributions of women, including women of diverse backgrounds and identities, to the community and society.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3Outcome pending
Proclamation Celebrating Women's History Month
The mayor, on behalf of the council, proclaimed March 2024 as Women's History Month in Richfield and called on residents to observe it with programs, activities, and ceremonies.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 4.AOutcome pending
First reading of ordinance amending City Code on City Council salaries for 2025 and 2026
On the consent calendar, the council considered and approved the first reading of an ordinance amending Subsection 210.01 of the City Code to adjust mayor and council salaries for 2025 and 2026 so they would match the percentage increases granted in the Management and General Services pay plans. The item also scheduled a second reading for April 9, 2024.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 4.AOutcome pending
First reading of ordinance amending City Code related to City Council salaries for 2025 and 2026
On the consent calendar, the City Council considered the first reading of an ordinance to amend Subsection 210.01 of the City Code to adjust mayor and council salaries for 2025 and 2026 so they would match the percentage increases granted in the Management and General Services pay plans. The recommended action also scheduled a second reading for April 9, 2024.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 4.BOutcome pending
Authorization to apply for Hennepin County Youth Play Spaces Grant for Donaldson Park playground replacement
On the consent calendar, the City Council authorized staff to submit an application for a $100,000 Hennepin County Youth Play Spaces Grant to replace and expand play equipment at Donaldson Park and authorized staff to execute a grant agreement if awarded. The project was estimated at $175,000, with the city planning to provide the remaining $75,000 from capital improvement funds sourced from liquor store revenue.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 4.BOutcome pending
Authorization to apply for Hennepin County Youth Play Spaces Grant for Donaldson Park playground replacement
On the consent calendar, the council authorized staff to apply for a $100,000 Hennepin County Youth Play Spaces Grant to replace and expand outdated play equipment at Donaldson Park and authorized staff to execute a grant agreement if awarded. The total project cost was estimated at $175,000, with the city covering the remaining $75,000 from capital improvement funds sourced from liquor store revenue.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 4.COutcome pending
Authorization to apply for Hennepin County Youth Activities Play Spaces grant for future Pillsbury Plaza playground feature
On the consent calendar, the council authorized staff to submit a Hennepin County Youth Activities Play Spaces grant application for $100,000 to help fund inclusion of a playground or play feature at the future Pillsbury Plaza community space.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 4.COutcome pending
Authorization to apply for Hennepin County Youth Activities Play Spaces grant for future Pillsbury Plaza playground feature
On the consent calendar, the City Council authorized staff to submit a Hennepin County Youth Activities Play Spaces grant application for $100,000 to help fund inclusion of a playground or play feature at the future Pillsbury Plaza community space.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 4.DOutcome pending
Authorization to sign letter of commitment for US EPA Twin Cities Commercial Energy Efficiency Program grant application
On the consent calendar, the City Council authorized the Mayor and City Manager to sign a letter of commitment and participate in a grant application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a Twin Cities Commercial Energy Efficiency Program.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 4.DOutcome pending
Authorization to sign commitment letter for EPA grant application for Twin Cities Commercial Energy Efficiency Program
On the consent calendar, the council authorized the mayor and city manager to sign a letter of commitment and participate in a grant application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a Twin Cities Commercial Energy Efficiency Program.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 5Outcome pending
Consideration of items removed from Consent Calendar
No items were listed as removed from the consent calendar for separate discussion or action.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 5Outcome pending
Consideration of items removed from Consent Calendar
The agenda included time for consideration of any items removed from the consent calendar, but no specific removed items were identified in the agenda materials provided.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 6Outcome pending
Public hearing on host designation for City of Landfall Village senior housing and healthcare revenue bonds for The Pines
The council held a public hearing to consider approving host designation for the City of Landfall Village to issue senior housing and healthcare revenue bonds to finance acquisition of The Pines senior housing development. The agenda materials provided did not include minutes or the final action outcome.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 6Outcome pending
Public hearing on host designation for City of Landfall Village senior housing and healthcare revenue bonds for The Pines
The City Council held a public hearing to consider approving host designation for the City of Landfall Village to issue senior housing and healthcare revenue bonds to finance acquisition of The Pines senior housing development.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7Outcome pending
City Manager's Report
The council received the City Manager's report. The agenda materials did not show a separate formal action tied to this item.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7Outcome 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
Claims and Payroll
The council considered claims and payroll for payment. The agenda materials did not include minutes, so the specific approved amounts or final action could not be confirmed from this meeting record.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 8Outcome pending
Claims and Payroll
The City Council considered claims and payroll for approval.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 9Outcome 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 9Outcome pending
Hats Off to Hometown Hits
The council held its customary 'Hats Off to Hometown Hits' recognition segment to acknowledge community people, organizations, or accomplishments. No formal action was indicated.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗