Work SessionItem 1Outcome pending
Discussion of the Lyndale Gardens Retail Parcel
The City Council held a work session discussion on the vacant retail parcel at the southwest corner of Lyndale Avenue South and 64th Street West, the last undeveloped piece of the Lyndale Gardens redevelopment. Property owner Colleen Carey and Colliers broker Terese Reiling-Holden described difficulties attracting retail or restaurant tenants due to a Reciprocal Easement Agreement, limited site visibility, and rising construction costs, after two prior proposals (Benefactor Brewing in 2022 and Luce Line Brewing in 2024) were withdrawn. Council discussed whether to amend the PUD to allow broader commercial uses, hold firm on the original retail requirement, or have the City acquire the parcel, but took no formal action.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
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Key figure: $500,000 — HRA forgivable loan approved in August 2021 for Benefactor Brewing LLC's proposed microbrewery/taproom (project later withdrawn).
Potential benefit
Resolving the future of this long-vacant parcel could finally bring a restaurant, retail shop, daycare, or other business to a highly visible corner near Richfield Lake and the amphitheater.
Concern to consider
Continued delay or a shift away from planned retail/restaurant use could mean residents keep looking at an empty lot indefinitely, or see a use (like a drive-thru bank or medical office) that doesn't match the area's original walkable, gathering-space vision.
What happens next: Staff and the Property Owner will incorporate Council feedback into a decision on whether to pursue a PUD amendment, hold the current retail requirement, or explore City acquisition of the parcel; TIF Spending Plan funds identified in December 2022 must be committed to a qualifying project before December 31, 2025.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 4Outcome pending
Approved consent calendar
The council approved the consent calendar, which included affirming municipal tort liability limits, setting a July 22, 2025 public hearing for new On-Sale Wine and 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor licenses for K-ChiMac at 6420 Nicollet Avenue South, approving a prosecution services agreement with H/J Law, accepting the bid tabulation and authorizing next steps for the 73rd Street Safe Routes to School project subject to MnDOT authorization with contract change authority up to $175,000, accepting a $10,000 Hennepin County Youth Sports Equipment Grant for the Richfield Ice Arena, and accepting two State of Minnesota Solar on Public Buildings grants of $67,064 and $68,785 for solar installations at the Ice Arena and Public Works building.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 4Outcome pending
Approval of the consent calendar
The City Council approved the consent calendar, which included affirming tort liability limits, setting a liquor-license public hearing for K-ChiMac, approving a prosecution services agreement with H/J Law, accepting the bid tabulation and contract authority for the 73rd Street Safe Routes to School project, accepting a $10,000 youth sports equipment grant, and accepting two state solar grants for public buildings.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 4.AApproved
Resolution Affirming Municipal Tort Liability Limits
Council adopted Resolution No. 12326 affirming the City will not waive the state-set municipal tort liability limits of $500,000 per claimant and $1,500,000 per occurrence, ahead of the City's insurance renewal with the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust on July 1, 2025. Waiving the limits would require purchasing costly excess liability insurance.
Passed 5-0
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Key figure: $500,000 — Per-claimant tort liability limit affirmed
Potential benefit
Keeps City insurance costs lower by maintaining statutory liability caps rather than purchasing costly excess coverage.
Concern to consider
Caps the amount an injured resident could recover from the City to $500,000 per claim and $1,500,000 per occurrence, even if actual damages exceed that.
What happens next: The City Manager will file the affirmation with the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust before the July 1, 2025 insurance renewal deadline.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 4.BApproved
Set Public Hearing for K-ChiMac Liquor License
Council set a public hearing for July 22, 2025 to consider issuing new On-Sale Wine and 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor licenses for SK Food, LLC dba K-ChiMac, located at 6420 Nicollet Avenue South. The applicant has submitted all required materials and paid licensing fees.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Moves forward a new restaurant's ability to serve wine and 3.2 beer at 6420 Nicollet Avenue South, expanding dining options.
Concern to consider
The license isn't final; the public hearing where residents can weigh in isn't until July 22, 2025.
What happens next: A public hearing on the K-ChiMac liquor license application will be held on July 22, 2025.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 4.CApproved
Prosecution Services Agreement with H/J Law
Council approved a one-year agreement with H/J Law, LLC, effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, continuing the firm's role as Richfield's municipal prosecutor at a monthly retainer of $15,500 with an annual limit of $186,000 plus expenses. H/J Law has represented the City since July 1, 2022.
Passed 5-0
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Key figure: $15,500/month — Monthly retainer fee for prosecution services
Potential benefit
Ensures continuous municipal prosecution services for city ordinance and traffic violations at a predictable annual cost to taxpayers.
Concern to consider
Locks the City into a $186,000 annual cost regardless of caseload changes.
What happens next: H/J Law will continue serving as Richfield's municipal prosecutor under the one-year contract through June 30, 2026.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 4.DApproved
73rd Street Safe Routes to School Bid Tabulation and Contract Authorization
Council accepted the bid tabulation for the 73rd Street Safe Routes to School project (SP 157-593-003) and authorized the Mayor and City Manager to award a contract to the lowest responsible bidder upon MnDOT authorization, allowing the City Manager to approve contract changes up to $175,000 without further Council review. The project previously secured $635,000 in federal funding for construction.
Passed 5-0
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Key figure: $175,000 — Maximum contract change amount City Manager can approve without Council review
Potential benefit
Advances a federally-funded pedestrian and bike safety trail project near 73rd Street schools, improving safe routes for children.
Concern to consider
Grants the City Manager authority to approve up to $175,000 in contract changes without additional Council votes, reducing direct oversight on cost increases.
What happens next: Staff will seek MnDOT authorization before awarding the construction contract to the lowest responsible bidder.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 4.EApproved
Hennepin County Youth Sports Equipment Grant Acceptance
Council adopted Resolution No. 12327 accepting a $10,000 Hennepin County Youth Sports Equipment Grant to purchase skate aids, hockey equipment, rental skates, and rink dividers for the Richfield Ice Arena, and authorized staff to execute the grant agreement.
Passed 5-0
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Key figure: $10,000 — Hennepin County grant for ice arena equipment purchases
Potential benefit
Adds $10,000 in new hockey and skating equipment at the Richfield Ice Arena at no cost to local taxpayers.
Concern to consider
None; the grant is fully funded by Hennepin County.
What happens next: Staff will execute the grant agreement and purchase the approved ice arena equipment.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 4.FApproved
Minnesota Solar on Public Buildings Program Grants
Council adopted Resolution No. 12328 accepting two Minnesota Solar on Public Buildings Program grants totaling $135,849 ($67,064 and $68,785) to purchase and install solar energy equipment on the roofs of the Richfield Ice Arena and the Richfield Public Works building.
Passed 5-0
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Key figure: $67,064 — Grant for Richfield Ice Arena solar installation
Potential benefit
Funds $135,849 in solar equipment for the Ice Arena and Public Works building entirely through state grants, reducing future energy costs without local tax increases.
Concern to consider
None identified; the project is fully grant-funded.
What happens next: Staff will proceed with purchasing and installing solar equipment on the Ice Arena and Public Works building roofs.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 5Discussed
Consideration of Items Removed from Consent Calendar
No items were removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration; all consent items (4.A-4.F) were approved together as presented.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Potential benefit
Confirms no consent items required separate discussion, so the previously listed actions took effect as approved.
Concern to consider
None; a procedural confirmation.
What happens next: No further action needed; all consent calendar items were approved as presented.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 6Outcome pending
Revocation of tobacco license for Richfield Tobacco & Vape Outlet / Smoke & Pure Vape
The City Council considered a resolution to revoke the tobacco license issued to Richfield Tobacco & Vape Outlet, doing business as Smoke & Pure Vape, at 6535 Nicollet Avenue South, for egregious flavored product and cannabis sales violations.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 6Outcome pending
Tobacco License Revocation Hearing for Richfield Tobacco & Vape Outlet (Removed from Agenda)
The public hearing to consider revoking the tobacco license of Richfield Tobacco & Vape Outlet, dba Smoke & Pure Vape, at 6535 Nicollet Avenue South for alleged egregious flavored product and cannabis sales violations was removed from the June 24 agenda so the matter could instead be heard by an independent hearing officer. Multiple residents spoke during Open Forum both for and against the underlying flavored tobacco ban.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
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Potential benefit
Ensures the license revocation of Smoke & Pure Vape will be reviewed by an independent hearing officer rather than decided directly by Council, adding a layer of procedural fairness.
Concern to consider
Delays resolution of alleged violations at 6535 Nicollet Avenue South, and residents who spoke for or against the flavored tobacco ban did not get a Council decision this meeting.
What happens next: The tobacco license revocation matter will be scheduled for a hearing before an independent hearing officer rather than at a future Council meeting.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7Approved
Amendment to Cooperative Agreement with Metro Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Council approved an amendment to its Cooperative Agreement with the Metro Housing and Redevelopment Authority allowing up to five additional housing units to operate under the Family Affordable Housing Program in Richfield. Metro HRA Director Terry Smith provided background, and Council expressed appreciation for expanding affordable housing options.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Expands the Family Affordable Housing Program by up to five additional units, giving more low-income Richfield families access to affordable housing.
Concern to consider
None raised by Council; members expressed unanimous support.
What happens next: Metro HRA will proceed to operate up to five additional units under the Family Affordable Housing Program per the amended agreement.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7Outcome pending
Amendment to cooperative agreement for additional Family Affordable Housing Program units
The City Council considered an amendment to the cooperative agreement with Metro Housing and Redevelopment Authority to operate up to five additional housing units under the Family Affordable Housing Program.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 8Approved
Appointment to Fill Vacancy on the Transportation Commission
Council appointed Jacob Olsen to fill a vacancy on the Transportation Commission, with his term commencing June 24, 2025 and expiring January 31, 2026.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Fills a vacant seat on the Transportation Commission, ensuring full membership to review transportation issues affecting the city.
Concern to consider
None; a routine appointment.
What happens next: Jacob Olsen begins his term on the Transportation Commission June 24, 2025, expiring January 31, 2026.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 8Outcome pending
Appointment to Transportation Commission vacancy
The City Council considered an appointment to fill a vacancy on the Transportation Commission.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 9Discussed
City Manager's Report
City Manager Rodriguez announced that Deputy Police Chief Mike Flaherty is retiring, with his last day on June 25, 2025, and thanked him for his years of dedicated service to the City.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Potential benefit
Recognizes Deputy Chief Mike Flaherty's years of service as he retires effective June 25, 2025.
Concern to consider
None; informational only, though it signals an upcoming leadership transition in Public Safety.
What happens next: The Public Safety Department will begin transition planning following Deputy Chief Flaherty's retirement on June 25, 2025.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 10Outcome pending
Claims and payroll
The City Council considered approval of claims and payroll.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
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Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 10Approved
Claims and Payroll
Council approved claims and payroll totaling $2,949,156.98, including $1,816,019.67 in accounts payable checks (numbers 336807-337219) and $1,133,137.31 in payroll (numbers 197470-197861).
Passed 5-0
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Key figure: $2,949,156.98 — Total claims and payroll approved for this period
Potential benefit
Ensures City vendors and employees are paid on schedule, covering $1,816,019.67 in vendor payments and $1,133,137.31 in payroll.
Concern to consider
Routine approval; no controversial spending was highlighted.
What happens next: Payments were processed as approved.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗