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Your civic brief · Updated July 30

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Here's what matters for all residents.

Wednesday, August 14, 2024 · 31 topics, explained in plain English

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Meeting topics · 31
    1. Preview of Preliminary 2025 Budget, Utility Rates, City Fees, and Capital Improvement PlansOutcome pending

Work SessionItem 1Outcome pending

Preview of Preliminary 2025 Budget, Utility Rates, City Fees, and Capital Improvement Plans

The City Council work session was scheduled to include a high-level preview of the preliminary 2025 operating budget, proposed utility rates, city fee changes, and a Capital Improvement Budget (CIB) for 2025 along with a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) covering 2026–2029. Staff was expected to use the Key Financial Strategies (KFS) spreadsheet to guide long-term financial planning discussion and seek council feedback ahead of a more detailed budget presentation on August 20. The preliminary property tax levy was on track to be set by a September 10 council meeting, with a legal deadline of September 30, 2024 to certify the levy to the County Auditor.

final tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes

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Key figure: $5,000,000City Manager Rodriguez cited a goal of maintaining approximately $5 million in capital reserves as part of the long-term financial strategy.

Potential benefit

This preview was designed to give residents and the council an early look at the city's financial direction, including planned investments in infrastructure and services. A transparent, multi-year capital plan can signal stable, predictable city finances and help prevent deferred maintenance that costs more over time.

Concern to consider

If proposed utility rate increases and fee hikes are adopted, residents and businesses could see higher costs on water bills and city service fees. Once the preliminary levy is set, it legally cannot be increased — but it can be reduced — meaning this early discussion shapes the ceiling for 2025 property taxes.

What happens next: A more detailed budget presentation was scheduled for August 20, 2024. The City Council was then expected to consider and set the preliminary property tax levy on September 10, 2024 — with a hard legal deadline of September 30, 2024 to certify it to the County Auditor. A Truth in Taxation public hearing was scheduled for November 26, 2024, and final budget and levy adoption was planned for December 10, 2024.

Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 2.AOutcome pending

Designated City Manager as signing authority for HUD environmental review for Wood Lake Nature Center grant

The Council approved a resolution designating the City Manager as the signing authority for the HUD environmental review required to advance a $3,000,000 HUD Economic Development Initiative grant for the Wood Lake Nature Center Building Project.

recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 2.AApproved

Designated the City Manager as signing authority for HUD environmental review for the Wood Lake Nature Center project

The Council approved a resolution designating the City Manager as the signing authority for the HUD environmental review required to release a $3,000,000 federal Economic Development Initiative grant for the new Wood Lake Nature Center Building project.

Approved 5-0 as part of the consent calendar

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 2.BOutcome pending

Approved Conditional Use Permit and two buffer yard variances for auto repair shop at 7524 Lyndale Avenue South

The Council approved a Conditional Use Permit and two buffer yard variances to allow an auto repair shop to operate at 7524 Lyndale Avenue South, subject to conditions recommended by staff and the Planning Commission.

recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 2.BApproved

Approved a Conditional Use Permit and two buffer yard variances for an auto repair shop at 7524 Lyndale Avenue South

The Council approved a Conditional Use Permit and two buffer yard variances to allow an auto repair shop to operate at 7524 Lyndale Avenue South, reusing the former Barrett Lawn Care property.

Approved 5-0 as part of the consent calendar

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 2.COutcome pending

Entered into Joint Powers Agreement with Hennepin County for assessment services

The Council approved entering into a Joint Powers Agreement with Hennepin County for assessment services.

recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 2.CApproved

Approved a Joint Powers Agreement with Hennepin County for assessment services

The Council approved entering into a Joint Powers Agreement with Hennepin County for assessment services.

Approved 5-0 as part of the consent calendar

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 2.DOutcome pending

Approved engineering consultant pool agreements for 2024-2025

The Council approved two engineering consultant pool agreements for routine professional engineering services for calendar years 2024 through 2025.

recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 2.DApproved

Approved engineering consultant pool agreements for 2024-2025

The Council approved two engineering consultant pool agreements with selected firms for routine professional engineering services for calendar years 2024 through 2025.

Approved 5-0 as part of the consent calendar

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 2.EOutcome pending

Authorized Livable Communities Demonstration Account grant application for Aster Commons development

The Council adopted a resolution identifying the need for a Livable Communities Demonstration Account Development grant and authorizing an application for grant funds on behalf of the Aster Commons development at 6613-25 Portland Avenue.

recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 2.EApproved

Authorized a Livable Communities Demonstration Account grant application for Aster Commons

The Council adopted a resolution identifying the need for a Livable Communities Demonstration Account Development grant and authorizing an application for grant funds on behalf of the Aster Commons development at 6613-25 Portland Avenue.

Approved 5-0 as part of the consent calendar

Learn more about this item

Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 2.FOutcome pending

Approved agreement with Science Museum of Minnesota for Wood Lake interpretive exhibit planning and design

The Council approved an agreement with the Science Museum of Minnesota for professional services to plan and design interpretive exhibits for the new Wood Lake Nature Center building.

recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 2.FApproved

Approved an agreement with the Science Museum of Minnesota for Wood Lake interpretive exhibit planning and design

The Council approved an agreement between the City and the Science Museum of Minnesota for professional services to plan and design interpretive exhibits for the new Wood Lake Nature Center Building.

Approved 5-0 as part of the consent calendar

Learn more about this item

Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 2.GOutcome pending

Approved reimbursement resolution for utility bond proceeds for Water System Interconnect Project

The Council approved a resolution allowing reimbursement of certain expenditures from future utility bond proceeds for the Water System Interconnect Project.

recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 2.GApproved

Approved a reimbursement resolution tied to future utility bonds for the Water System Interconnect Project

The Council approved a resolution allowing certain expenditures for the Water System Interconnect Project to be reimbursed from proceeds of utility bonds to be issued by the City.

Approved 5-0 as part of the consent calendar

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 4Outcome pending

Approved contract with International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 49

The Council approved a resolution approving the labor contract with the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 49, for the period January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025.

recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 4Approved

Approved the labor contract with International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 49

The Council approved a resolution approving the contract with the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 49, for the period January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025.

Approved 5-0

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 5Outcome pending

Approved Construction Manager at Risk agreement with M. A. Mortenson for new Wood Lake Nature Center building

The Council approved an agreement with M. A. Mortenson Company for Construction Manager at Risk services for construction of the new Wood Lake Nature Center building.

recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 5Approved

Approved a Construction Manager at Risk agreement with M. A. Mortenson for the new Wood Lake Nature Center Building

The Council approved an agreement between the City of Richfield and M. A. Mortenson Company for Construction Manager at Risk services for construction of the new Wood Lake Nature Center Building.

Approved 5-0

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 6Outcome pending

Adopted title and ballot language for local option sales tax question for November 5, 2024 election

The Council adopted a resolution setting the title and ballot language for a local option sales tax authorized by the Minnesota Legislature to be submitted to Richfield voters at the November 5, 2024 General Election.

recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 6Approved

Adopted ballot title and language for a local option sales tax question for the November 5, 2024 election

The Council adopted a resolution approving the title and ballot language for a local option sales tax authorized by the Minnesota Legislature to be submitted to Richfield voters at the November 5, 2024 General Election.

Approved 4-1

Learn more about this item

Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

City CouncilItem 9Outcome pending

Hats Off to Hometown Hits

Council members shared recognitions and community updates during the 'Hats Off to Hometown Hits' portion of the meeting.

recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here

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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal)

Routine procedure · 2 items
  • Item 1Approval of the Agenda · record
  • Approval of prior meeting minutes · record

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