Work SessionItem 1Outcome pending
Wood Lake Nature Center Building Project Update and Local Option Sales Tax Ballot Language Discussion
The July 23, 2024 work session was scheduled to include a presentation by architectural firm HGA on the Wood Lake Nature Center building project design and site layout, along with a discussion of draft ballot language for a Local Option Sales Tax referendum. The proposal was expected to ask Richfield voters in November 2024 to authorize a 0.5% local sales and use tax — up to $11 million plus interest and issuance costs — to fund a new educational facility replacing the original 1971 building. Staff was also expected to seek council feedback before the ballot language submission deadline of August 23, 2024 to Hennepin County.
final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
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Key figure: $11 million — Proposed Local Option Sales Tax authorization to fund the new Wood Lake Nature Center building, plus the cost of interest and bond issuance
Potential benefit
Wood Lake Nature Center has operated as a free public resource since 1971, and the proposed new building would replace aging infrastructure while expanding educational programming for residents across the region. The project already secured $3 million in federal funding, and if voters approve the sales tax, the remaining $11 million would be spread across all taxable purchases rather than billed directly to property owners.
Concern to consider
If approved, the 0.5% sales tax would apply to purchases made in Richfield for up to 20 years, affecting all consumers including residents and visitors. The tax duration could vary depending on whether voters also approve companion ballot questions for Veterans Park and a new Community Center, all of which share the same 0.5% cap.
What happens next: Final ballot language was expected to be approved at the August 14, 2024 City Council Meeting, with submission to Hennepin County required by August 23, 2024. Geotechnical and soil testing by AET was scheduled to begin in September 2024, and the sales tax referendum was expected to appear on the November 2024 general election ballot.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 2.AApproved
Temporary On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License for St. Peter Catholic Church Tri Fest Harvest 2024
The council approved a temporary liquor license for St. Peter Catholic Church at 6730 Nicollet Avenue South to serve alcohol at their Tri Fest Harvest 2024 event on September 21-22, 2024. The church was authorized to offer intoxicating liquor, wine, and 3.2% malt liquor from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, alongside food vendors. The Director of Public Safety reviewed all required materials and found no basis for denial.
Approved 5-0
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Potential benefit
The church met all licensing requirements including proof of liquor liability insurance, and Public Safety found no safety concerns. The permitted festival provides a regulated community gathering with established oversight.
Concern to consider
Nearby residents on Nicollet Avenue South may experience temporary increases in traffic, noise, and parking demand during the two-day event weekend.
What happens next: The license is now in effect. The event is scheduled for September 21-22, 2024 at St. Peter Catholic Church, 6730 Nicollet Avenue South.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 2.BApproved
Grant Agreement with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for Stormwater Model Updates
The council authorized Richfield to enter into a $91,500 grant agreement with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to update the city's stormwater model and identify flood-risk capital improvement projects. The city committed a $50,000 match from Stormwater Utility funds, bringing the total project value to $141,500. The study must be completed by June 30, 2025, and will incorporate climate change projections, environmental justice analysis, and flood control feasibility planning.
Approved 5-0
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Key figure: $91,500 — MPCA Planning and Design grant for stormwater model updates and capital planning study
Potential benefit
The city secured $91,500 in state grant funding to update flood risk data last refreshed in 2018, which will help prioritize stormwater infrastructure investments and reduce flood risk across Richfield. The study includes an environmental justice component designed to ensure vulnerable and lower-income neighborhoods are identified and prioritized.
Concern to consider
The city is committing $50,000 in Stormwater Utility funds as a match, though these funds were already budgeted for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. The June 30, 2025 deadline creates time pressure for completing multiple technical tasks.
What happens next: City staff will execute the grant agreement with the MPCA (SWIFT Contract No. 243381) and begin work on stormwater model updates, environmental justice analysis, climate adaptation modeling, and flood control project identification and feasibility. All tasks must be completed by June 30, 2025.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 2.CApproved
Correction of Project Name in Livable Communities Grant Application
The council ratified a correction to Resolution No. 12222, which had mistakenly used the name 'Richfield Flats' instead of the correct project name 'Penn Station' for an affordable housing development at 6501-25 Penn Avenue South. The City Attorney determined the error was typographical and authorized the fix so the Livable Communities Pre-Development grant application could be submitted by the July 22, 2024 deadline. The application requests up to $100,000 from the Metropolitan Council to support a proposed 40-unit affordable housing development on HRA-owned land.
Approved 5-0
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Key figure: $100,000 — Metropolitan Council Livable Communities Pre-Development grant amount requested for the Penn Station affordable housing project at 6501-25 Penn Avenue South
Potential benefit
Ratifying the correction preserved Richfield's eligibility for up to $100,000 in Metropolitan Council pre-development funding at no city cost, supporting a proposed 40-unit affordable housing development that would serve households as low as 30% of Area Median Income.
Concern to consider
The administrative naming discrepancy highlighted a document review gap ahead of a hard deadline, though the City Attorney confirmed no legal harm resulted and the correction was appropriate.
What happens next: The Metropolitan Council was expected to announce Livable Communities Pre-Development grant award decisions in September 2024. If awarded, developer JO Companies, LLC would proceed with pre-development work on the 40-unit affordable housing project at 6501-25 Penn Avenue South.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 2.DApproved
Appointment of Election Judges for August 13, 2024 Primary Election
The council adopted a resolution appointing 87 election judges to staff Richfield precincts for the August 13, 2024 State Primary Election, fulfilling a requirement under Minnesota Statute 204B.21. The council also established an Absentee Ballot Board that includes Hennepin County Election Staff to process absentee ballot envelopes. The City Clerk was authorized to appoint additional judges within 25 days of the election if needed.
Approved 5-0
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Potential benefit
Formally appointing 87 election judges ensured all Richfield precincts were adequately staffed for the primary, supporting smooth and lawful voter access in compliance with state law.
Concern to consider
No significant concerns were identified; this was a routine statutory requirement with no issues raised by staff or council.
What happens next: The 87 appointed election judges served at Richfield precincts on August 13, 2024. The City Clerk retained authority to appoint additional judges within 25 days of the election as needed.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 4Approved
Second Reading and Summary Publication of Ordinance Amendment Adjusting Parking Requirements
The council approved, 3-2, the second reading of an ordinance amending Richfield's zoning code parking requirements, significantly reducing the Class III Restaurant minimum from 17 to 7 stalls per 1,000 square feet, standardizing multi-family parking minimums at 1.25 stalls per unit across all zoning districts, and expanding council flexibility to reduce parking requirements for low-driving populations including households below 60% AMI and neurodivergent individuals. The ordinance also established a new parking requirement for libraries and cultural institutions and revised multi-family parking maximums to help developers secure financing. The Planning Commission had recommended approval after a May 29 public hearing, and the first reading passed on July 9, 2024.
Approved 3-2
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Key figure: $1,000,000 — Potential city savings if funds are redirected from parking infrastructure to affordable housing
Potential benefit
Dramatically reducing restaurant parking minimums and standardizing multi-family requirements lowers development costs, which can make new housing and commercial investment more financially feasible in Richfield. The expanded flexibility for affordable and transit-adjacent housing aligns with the city's affordability and equity goals, and reducing impervious surface requirements offers environmental co-benefits.
Concern to consider
The 3-2 vote reflected council disagreement about potential spillover parking impacts on residential streets near restaurants and new housing. Staff noted that on-street parking restrictions resulting from nearby projects would need to be absorbed by Public Works and Public Safety operational budgets with no dedicated funding identified.
What happens next: The ordinance was approved on second reading and a resolution authorizing summary publication was also passed. The ordinance will be published in summary form per Richfield City Charter Section 3.12 and takes effect per Charter Section 3.09. The Planning Commission separately recommended that the council study sidewalk policies and consider further reductions or elimination of parking requirements near high-frequency transit lines and stations as a future policy priority.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 6Approved
Approval of Claims and Payrolls
The council approved claims and payroll totaling $5,223,039.79 for the period ending July 19, 2024. This included $3,847,374.60 in accounts payable checks and $1,375,665.19 in payroll. The motion was made by Council Member Trautmann, seconded by Council Member Whalen, and passed unanimously 5-0.
Approved 5-0
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Key figure: $3,847,374.60 — Accounts payable checks 329475–330042 issued via U.S. Bank on 07/19/2024
Potential benefit
Timely approval of claims and payroll ensures city vendors, contractors, and employees are compensated without delay, keeping municipal operations and services running smoothly.
Concern to consider
The total disbursement of over $5.2 million is a significant draw on public funds, though this reflects routine, pre-budgeted obligations rather than new spending authorizations.
What happens next: No further action is required. Claims and payroll approvals are a routine item at each regular council meeting and carry no ongoing obligations beyond the payments authorized.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗