City CouncilItem 1Discussed
Proclamation Celebrating Juneteenth
Mayor Supple formally presented a proclamation recognizing June 19 as Juneteenth Freedom Day in the City of Richfield, commemorating the announcement of freedom for the last enslaved Americans on June 19, 1865 in Galveston, Texas. Human Rights Commissioner Karole Kelly accepted the proclamation on behalf of the Human Rights Commission and thanked the Council for the recognition. The proclamation reaffirmed the City's commitment to deconstructing systemic racism and honoring the contributions of African Americans throughout the year.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Potential benefit
The proclamation formally recognizes a significant moment in American history and signals the City's ongoing commitment to equity and inclusion for all Richfield residents.
Concern to consider
No fiscal or regulatory concerns are associated with this ceremonial item.
What happens next: The City calls on residents to observe June 19 with appropriate programs, activities, and ceremonies each year.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 3H/4Approved
Second Reading and Amendment of Short-Term Rental Ordinance
After extensive debate spanning multiple meetings, the council approved a second reading of an amended short-term rental ordinance (Bill No. 2025-04) on a 4-1 vote, with Councilmember Burk dissenting. The ordinance establishes a minimum 5-day stay requirement for short-term rentals unless the licensee resides on-site, and restricts the total number of short-term rental business licenses allowed in the city. A companion resolution authorizing summary publication of the ordinance passed 5-0.
Approved 4-1
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Potential benefit
The ordinance aims to reduce neighborhood disruption associated with very short-term rentals and preserve residential character, while still allowing owner-occupied hosts to rent on shorter terms.
Concern to consider
Some short-term rental hosts testified that the 5-day minimum will significantly reduce bookings and may penalize hosts who have already accepted reservations up to 18 months in advance; a 3-day minimum was proposed but did not prevail.
What happens next: The ordinance will be published in summary form per Resolution No. 12323 and will take effect according to standard municipal ordinance timelines. Staff had previously noted a September work session was discussed but not formally scheduled.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 5Approved
Approval of New On-Sale Wine and 3.2% Malt Liquor Licenses for Dragon Pot
The council approved new On-Sale Wine and 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor licenses for MC Richfield LLC doing business as Dragon Pot, located at 9 66th Street East, on a unanimous 5-0 vote. A public hearing was held and closed prior to the vote, with no noted public opposition. The approval allows Dragon Pot to serve wine and low-alcohol malt beverages on-site at its restaurant location.
Approved 5-0
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Potential benefit
Expands dining and beverage options for residents in the 66th Street area and supports a local business establishment.
Concern to consider
No significant concerns were raised during the public hearing process.
What happens next: Dragon Pot may now operate with on-sale wine and 3.2 percent malt liquor service at 9 66th Street East under the approved licenses.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 5.AApproved
Adams Hill Pond Maintenance Project Change Orders
The council approved four change orders for the Adams Hill Pond Maintenance Project totaling a net increase of $167,137.77 to the original contract, passing 5-0 as part of the consent calendar. The original contract was awarded to Blackstone Contractors, LLC on December 10, 2024 for $845,290.41, and the changes covered additions such as a trash-collecting structure for water quality, additional tree removal, erosion-control seeding and plantings, and partial trail reconstruction. Gross additions to the contract totaled $202,227.76, offset by $35,089.99 in deductions for reduced quantities and scope changes.
Approved 5-0
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Key figure: $845,290.41 — Original contract award to Blackstone Contractors, LLC on December 10, 2024
Potential benefit
The changes improve water quality, reduce erosion, and restore the riparian landscape around Adams Hill Pond, which serves as both a stormwater management system and community green space.
Concern to consider
The net change order amount of $167,137.77 represents approximately a 20% increase over the original contract value, which is a notable cost growth, though staff attributed it to necessary field-driven improvements.
What happens next: Construction work under the amended contract will continue with Blackstone Contractors, LLC completing the additional scope items as directed.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 5.EApproved
Award of Contract for 2025 Maltene Pavement Rejuvenation Project
The council approved a bid tabulation and awarded a contract to Corrective Asphalt Materials, LLC for the 2025 Maltene Pavement Rejuvenation Project in the amount of $690,250.00, passing 5-0 as part of the consent calendar. The approval also authorized the City Manager to approve contract changes under $175,000 without further City Council consideration. Maltene pavement rejuvenation is a preventive treatment applied to asphalt streets to extend pavement life and defer more costly reconstruction.
Approved 5-0
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Key figure: $690,250.00 — Contract award to Corrective Asphalt Materials, LLC for the 2025 Maltene Pavement Rejuvenation Project
Potential benefit
Preventive pavement treatment is a cost-effective strategy to extend the life of city streets, reducing the need for more expensive full reconstruction projects in the future.
Concern to consider
The authorization allowing the City Manager to approve changes up to $175,000 without council review represents a significant delegation of spending authority on a single project.
What happens next: The contract with Corrective Asphalt Materials, LLC will be executed and pavement rejuvenation work is expected to proceed during the 2025 construction season.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 5.FApproved
Acceptance of Grant Funds for Green Infrastructure and Fisheries Study
The council approved a resolution authorizing the City of Richfield to enter into a grant agreement and accept $69,644 in funds from the Board of Water and Soil Resources on behalf of the Richfield-Bloomington Watershed Management Organization. The grant supported two initiatives: a green infrastructure rain garden program and a fisheries and aquatic invasive species study. The vote passed unanimously 5-0.
Approved 5-0
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Key figure: $69,644 — Grant funds accepted from the Board of Water and Soil Resources for a green infrastructure rain garden program and a fisheries/aquatic invasive species study
Potential benefit
The grant brought in nearly $70,000 in external funding at no direct cost to Richfield taxpayers, supporting water quality improvements and environmental health in local waterways. Rain garden programs can reduce stormwater runoff and flooding in residential areas, while the fisheries study helps protect local aquatic ecosystems from invasive species.
Concern to consider
There are no significant concerns identified; grant acceptance agreements typically carry administrative obligations and reporting requirements that staff must manage, but no local match funding was noted in the available documents.
What happens next: City staff will execute the grant agreement with the Board of Water and Soil Resources and administer the rain garden program and fisheries study on behalf of the Richfield-Bloomington Watershed Management Organization.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 5.GApproved
Acceptance of Property Conveyance from MnDOT
The council approved a resolution authorizing the City of Richfield to accept a conveyance of real property from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). The parcel is located east of Cedar Avenue South, west of Trunk Highway 77, south of 69th Street, and north of Diagonal Boulevard. The vote passed unanimously 5-0.
Approved 5-0
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Potential benefit
Acquiring surplus MnDOT land can expand city-controlled property for future public use, green space, or infrastructure needs without requiring a purchase. This type of conveyance is a standard process that can add value to the city's land portfolio.
Concern to consider
The documents note existing highway easements in favor of Hennepin County on portions of the property, which may limit how the city can use parts of the parcel. Underground utility locations are not fully confirmed, which could affect future development planning.
What happens next: The city will formally accept the property deed from MnDOT. Future decisions about the use or development of the parcel would require separate council action.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 6Approved
Confirmation of Appointment of Jenell Brooks as Fire Chief/Fire Services Director
The council confirmed the appointment of Jenell Brooks as Fire Chief and Fire Services Director for the City of Richfield, effective June 12, 2025, with a unanimous 5-0 vote. Brooks, who has worked for the city for 15 years, was sworn in during the meeting and succeeds retiring Fire Chief Mike Dobesh. City Manager Rodriguez expressed strong support for the appointment, and council members welcomed Brooks into the role.
Approved 5-0
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Potential benefit
Promoting a 15-year city veteran to Fire Chief provides leadership continuity and institutional knowledge within the Fire Department. Council members expressed confidence in Brooks' vision and experience, suggesting stable and experienced leadership for public safety services.
Concern to consider
No concerns were raised by the council or public during the meeting regarding this appointment.
What happens next: Jenell Brooks officially assumed the role of Fire Chief and Fire Services Director effective June 12, 2025. No further council action is required for this appointment.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
Work SessionItem 1Discussed
Council Training and Review of Board Portal Options
City Clerk Michelle Friedrich and Administrative Assistant Mark McKinley provided training to the full City Council on the city's new agenda and meeting management platform. The training covered logging in, reviewing agendas and meeting packets, and using Council action tools within the platform. The Board Portal feature was highlighted as a tool to help elected officials and commissioners access meeting materials, maintain personal repositories, and use interactive organizational tools.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Potential benefit
Improved digital tools for council members can lead to better-prepared officials, more efficient meetings, and easier public access to meeting materials over time.
Concern to consider
Transition to new software platforms can involve a learning curve and potential short-term disruptions to meeting workflows.
What happens next: Council members are expected to begin using the new agenda management platform and Board Portal for upcoming meetings. No formal vote or follow-up action was required from this training session.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗
Work SessionItem 2Outcome pendingYour input welcome
Lupe Development Housing Proposal for American Legion Site (6501 Portland Avenue)
Lupe Development, represented by VP of Construction Aaron Diederich and architects from Pope Design Group, presented a concept for a 329-unit affordable housing development on the 4.16-acre American Legion site at 6501 Portland Avenue South. The two-phase project would include 177 units of family housing in Phase 1 and 152 units of senior housing in Phase 2, with affordability levels ranging from 30% to 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) and an average just under 60% AMI. The site is zoned high-density residential (MR-3) and falls within the Veterans Park Area Overlay District, which was adopted following a city moratorium and community engagement process that began in 2020.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
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Key figure: 0.25% — Tax rate for units restricted to households earning less than 60% AMI (4d tax status).
Potential benefit
The project would add 329 units of income-restricted affordable housing serving both families and seniors, addressing documented housing needs in Richfield across a broad range of income levels. Amenities proposed include park connections, a pickleball court, play area, community garden, and pedestrian street frontage.
Concern to consider
The scale of the development — 365,000 square feet across two buildings on 4.16 acres — raises questions about density, parking adequacy (227 total spaces for 329 units), compatibility with Veterans Memorial Park, and adherence to the overlay district standards adopted after extensive community input.
What happens next: The Council, HRA, and Planning Commission were directed to listen to the presentation and provide feedback to guide the developer before any formal application is submitted. Staff noted policymakers should focus on whether the concept aligns with the Portland Avenue and 66th Street Overlay District standards. No formal vote was taken at this work session; a formal development application and public review process would follow if the project moves forward.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗