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Your civic brief · Updated July 30

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Here's what matters for all residents.

Tuesday, April 9, 2024 · 33 topics, explained in plain English

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Meeting topics · 33
    1. Implementation of Baker Tilly Compensation and Classification StudyOutcome pending

Work SessionItem 1Outcome pending

Implementation of Baker Tilly Compensation and Classification Study

The Richfield City Council work session on April 9, 2024 was scheduled to consider options for implementing findings from a Baker Tilly Compensation and Classification Study. The study, which compared Richfield's pay structure to data from 11 peer cities, resulted in 35 positions being recommended for higher pay grades — the first comprehensive compensation review the city had undertaken in over two decades. Three implementation options were on the agenda for discussion, with staff expected to present a recommendation aligned with the city's goal of recruiting and retaining a high-quality workforce.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

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Key figure: $801,000Estimated total cost to implement Option 1 Plus in 2024, including union pay plans and payroll taxes.

Potential benefit

Aligning city employee compensation with market rates could help Richfield attract and retain qualified staff across all departments, potentially improving the consistency and quality of city services residents depend on. The study was designed to ensure equitable pay — notably, all options under consideration would provide proportionally greater increases to employees at lower pay grades.

Concern to consider

Adjusting salaries for city positions would increase personnel expenditures, and depending on which option the council ultimately selects, those costs could put upward pressure on the city budget and, by extension, property taxes or service fees for residents.

What happens next: Following work session discussion, the City Council would typically bring a formal resolution to adopt one of the implementation options at a subsequent regular council meeting, at which point a binding vote would occur.

Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 2Outcome pending

Proclamation celebrating Arab American Heritage Month

The mayor read a proclamation recognizing Arab American Heritage Month, and a community representative accepted it and encouraged residents to listen to and learn from Arab neighbors.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 2Outcome pending

Proclamation celebrating Arab American Heritage Month

The mayor presented and read a proclamation recognizing Arab American Heritage Month, and a community representative accepted it and encouraged residents to listen to and learn from Arab neighbors.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 3AOutcome pending

First reading of ordinance amending Section 925 on public health nuisance abatement and assessment of abatement costs

As part of the consent calendar, the council approved the first reading of an ordinance amending city code Section 925 related to abating public health nuisances and assessing abatement costs to property.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 3AOutcome pending

First reading of ordinance amending Section 925 on public health nuisance abatement and assessment of costs

As part of the consent calendar, the council approved the first reading of an ordinance amending city code Section 925 related to abatement of public health nuisances and assessment of abatement costs to property.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 3BOutcome pending

New Opioid Services Agreement with the City of Bloomington

As part of the consent calendar, the council approved a new Opioid Services Agreement with the City of Bloomington for January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2028.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 3BOutcome pending

New Opioid Services Agreement with the City of Bloomington

As part of the consent calendar, the council approved a new Opioid Services Agreement with the City of Bloomington for January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2028.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 3COutcome pending

Resolution authorizing application for Livable Communities Policy Development grant funds

As part of the consent calendar, the council adopted Resolution No. 12195 identifying the need for Livable Communities Policy Development funding and authorizing a grant application for MR-2 and MR-3 zoning code updates.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 3COutcome pending

Resolution authorizing application for Livable Communities Policy Development grant funds

As part of the consent calendar, the council adopted Resolution No. 12195 identifying the need for Livable Communities Policy Development funding and authorizing a grant application for MR-2 and MR-3 zoning code updates.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 3DOutcome pending

Amended Planned Unit Development and construction agreement amendment for Audi Richfield parking ramp

As part of the consent calendar, the council approved Resolution No. 12196 granting a time extension and amendments to the construction agreement for a multi-story parking structure at Audi Richfield, 1401 East 77th Street.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 3DOutcome pending

Amended Planned Unit Development and construction agreement amendment for Audi Richfield parking ramp

As part of the consent calendar, the council approved a request for an amended Planned Unit Development, including a time extension and amendments to the construction agreement for a multi-story parking structure at 1401 East 77th Street for Audi Richfield, and adopted Resolution No. 12196.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 3EOutcome pending

Approval of Intensive Comprehensive Peace Officer Education and Training 2024 Grant

As part of the consent calendar, the council approved a 2024 grant agreement between the Richfield Police Department and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Justice Programs to fund a non-traditional police officer candidate.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 3EOutcome pending

Peace Officer Education and Training 2024 Grant approval

As part of the consent calendar, the council approved the Intensive Comprehensive Peace Officer Education and Training 2024 Grant agreement between the Richfield Police Department and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Justice Programs to fund a non-traditional police officer candidate.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 3FOutcome pending

Use of construction manager at risk process for Wood Lake Nature Center building project

As part of the consent calendar, the council approved Resolution No. 12197 authorizing use of a construction manager at risk process for the Wood Lake Nature Center building project and authorizing staff and the city attorney to complete the selection process and negotiate a contract.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 3FOutcome pending

Construction manager at risk process for Wood Lake Nature Center building project

As part of the consent calendar, the council approved Resolution No. 12197 authorizing use of a construction manager at risk process for the Wood Lake Nature Center building project and authorized staff and the city attorney to complete the selection process and negotiate a contract.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

Learn more about this item

Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 3GOutcome pending

CDC Infrastructure grant services agreement with the City of Bloomington

As part of the consent calendar, the council approved a CDC Infrastructure grant services agreement with the City of Bloomington effective January 1, 2024 through November 30, 2027.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 3GOutcome pending

CDC Infrastructure grant services agreement with the City of Bloomington

As part of the consent calendar, the council approved the CDC Infrastructure grant services agreement with the City of Bloomington for January 1, 2024 through November 30, 2027.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

Learn more about this item

Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 3HOutcome pending

Urban Area Security Initiative program funds

As part of the consent calendar, the council approved the item related to Urban Area Security Initiative funding, which supports planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercises to help prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

Learn more about this item

Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 3HOutcome pending

Urban Area Security Initiative program funds item

As part of the consent calendar, the council approved the Urban Area Security Initiative program funds item related to planning, organization, equipment, training, and exercises to help prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

Learn more about this item

Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 4Outcome pending

Consideration of items removed from the consent calendar

No items were removed from the consent calendar, so the council took no separate action under this agenda item.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

Learn more about this item

Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 4Outcome pending

Consideration of items removed from the consent calendar

No items were removed from the consent calendar, so the council took no separate action under this agenda item.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

Learn more about this item

Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 5Outcome pending

Second reading of ordinance amending City Code on City Council salaries for 2025 and 2026

The council approved Bill No. 2024-04, an ordinance amending Section 210 of the Richfield City Code pertaining to City Council salaries for 2025 and 2026, and also approved Resolution No. 12198 authorizing summary publication of the ordinance.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

Learn more about this item

Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 5Outcome pending

Second reading of ordinance amending City Council salaries for 2025 and 2026

The council approved the second reading of an ordinance amending Section 210 of the Richfield City Code related to City Council salaries for 2025 and 2026, and approved a resolution authorizing summary publication of the ordinance. Staff clarified that the action applied only to elected positions.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 6Outcome pending

Notification and public comment on planned police acquisition of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

The council received a notification and held public comment on the Richfield Police Department’s planned acquisition of unmanned aerial vehicles. No council approval was required at this meeting. During discussion, police staff said the department planned to purchase three consumer-grade drones using forfeiture funds at an estimated cost of $31,000, use them for specified public safety purposes, delete unnecessary data, and prepare a draft policy for data retention and use. Staff also said public comments would be collected online for a couple of weeks and shared with the council.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

Learn more about this item

Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 6Outcome pending

Notification and public comment on planned police acquisition of unmanned aerial vehicles

The council received notification about the Richfield Police Department’s planned acquisition of unmanned aerial vehicles and took public comment. No council decision was required. During discussion, police staff described the drones as consumer-grade equipment, said the program cost would be about $31,000 using forfeiture funds, and indicated a draft policy would be prepared and public comments would continue through city communication channels.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

Learn more about this item

Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 7Outcome pending

City Manager's Report

The city manager reported that this was the city clerk’s last meeting with Richfield, and council members thanked him for his service. No formal council action was taken.

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 manager reported that this was the city clerk’s last meeting with Richfield, and council members thanked him for his service, especially his work on elections.

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

Council members offered community recognitions, including Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, demolition progress at 101 East 66th Street, condolences for a longtime resident, and appreciation for a police department staff member’s event work. 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 9Outcome pending

Hats Off to Hometown Hits

Council members shared community recognitions, including Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, demolition progress at 101 East 66th Street, remembrance of a longtime resident, and praise for a recent community event.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

Learn more about this item

Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

Routine procedure · 2 items
  • Approval of March 26, 2024 meeting minutes · record
  • Approval of March 26, 2024 meeting minutes · record

Meeting housekeeping — approving agendas and past minutes. Always available, never the headline.