Work SessionItem 2.a.Outcome pending
Presentation of the 2025 Revised/2026 Proposed Budget and Tax Levy
City staff presented the 2025 Revised and 2026 Proposed Budget and Tax Levy to the Council, including a proposed 5.97% increase in the 2026 city tax levy and a 7.18% increase in the General Fund budget over 2025. Staff also outlined a proposed 7% increase in water and storm water utility rates and department-by-department budget reviews for all city divisions. Council discussed adding funding for street maintenance, stop/warning sign replacement, asphalt trail repairs, and $25,000/year for tree planting, and indicated support for raising the levy to cover these items.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
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Key figure: 5.97% — Proposed increase in the 2026 City tax levy over the 2025 adopted levy
Potential benefit
The discussion shapes how much Richfield residents will pay in property taxes and utility fees in 2026 and determines funding levels for streets, trails, trees, and public safety.
Concern to consider
A 5.97% levy increase and 7% utility rate hikes mean higher property tax bills and water/storm bills for residents starting in 2026.
What happens next: The preliminary 2025 Revised/2026 Proposed budget and preliminary tax levy will be presented to the City Council for formal approval at the September 23, 2025 City Council meeting.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗ · Work Session minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 4Approved
Approval of August 12, 2025 Work Session and Regular Meeting Minutes
The Council approved the minutes from the August 12, 2025 City Council Work Session and the August 12, 2025 Regular Meeting without changes.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Formal record-keeping ensures an accurate public record of city decisions.
Concern to consider
No policy concerns; purely administrative.
What happens next: The approved minutes become the official record of the August 12, 2025 meetings.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 5Discussed
Open Forum: Resident Comment on Short-Term Rentals
During Open Forum, Richfield resident Rod Sather asked the Council to limit short-term rentals in the city, arguing that houses should remain available for families rather than being operated as businesses. No Council action was taken on this comment at this time.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Potential benefit
Public comment directly influenced the short-term rental ordinance discussed later the same meeting.
Concern to consider
Some residents worry short-term rentals reduce available long-term housing stock.
What happens next: The Council considered a related short-term rental licensing ordinance later in this same meeting (Item 9B).
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7.AApproved
Approval of Disbursements/Claims
The Council approved routine city disbursements and claims as part of the consent calendar. No specific dollar total was detailed in the minutes.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Ensures the city pays its bills and obligations on time, keeping operations running smoothly.
Concern to consider
Routine approval with no specific line-item detail provided in this record.
What happens next: Disbursements are processed as approved.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7.BApproved
Temporary Liquor License for St. Peter Catholic Church Tri Fest Harvest 2025
The Council approved a Temporary On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor license for St. Peter Catholic Church, located at 6730 Nicollet Avenue South, allowing alcohol sales at its Tri Fest Harvest 2025 event on September 20-21, 2025.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Enables a long-standing community fundraising event to include alcohol sales, supporting church and neighborhood programming.
Concern to consider
Increased foot traffic and noise near Nicollet Avenue South during the event weekend.
What happens next: The license is valid for the event dates of September 20-21, 2025.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7.CApproved
Temporary Liquor License for October Fest at Fred Babcock VFW #5555
The Council approved a Temporary On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor license for an October Fest event at Fred Babcock VFW #5555, located at 6715 Lakeshore Drive, scheduled for October 4, 2025.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Supports a veterans organization fundraising and community event.
Concern to consider
Temporary increase in traffic and noise near Lakeshore Drive on the event date.
What happens next: The license is valid for the event date of October 4, 2025.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7.DApproved
Temporary Outdoor Premises Expansion for Fireside Foundry and Sandy's Tavern - Penn Fest
The Council approved temporary expansion of licensed premises for Thompson's Fireside Pizza, Inc. d/b/a Fireside Foundry (6736 Penn Avenue South) and Sandy's Tavern (6612 Penn Avenue South) to allow outdoor beer and malt beverage service in their parking lots on Sunday, September 21, 2025, in conjunction with Richfield's Penn Fest event.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Supports local businesses participating in the Penn Fest community festival along Penn Avenue.
Concern to consider
Temporary increase in noise and pedestrian/vehicle activity along Penn Avenue South on September 21.
What happens next: The expanded premises license is valid only for September 21, 2025.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7.EApproved
First Reading: Ordinance Amending Subsection 905.40 - Feeding of Wildlife
The Council approved the first reading of an ordinance amending subsection 905.40 of the Richfield City Code pertaining to the feeding of wildlife. No details of the specific amendment language were discussed in the minutes.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Could address neighborhood nuisances related to wildlife feeding, such as pest attraction.
Concern to consider
Details of what feeding practices will be restricted were not specified in this reading.
What happens next: A second reading will be required before the ordinance amendment takes effect.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7.F / 8.FApproved
First Reading: Ordinance on Temporary Outdoor Portable Storage Containers (Sections 1135 & 925)
After being pulled from the consent calendar for discussion, the Council amended and approved the first reading of an ordinance regulating temporary outdoor portable storage containers (like moving pods and dumpsters) on residential properties. Amendments extended the allowed placement time from 30 to 60 days, capped the total to 2 containers measured by combined size (not container count), capped total use to 90 days per calendar year, and explicitly banned human or animal habitation in the containers.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Gives homeowners more flexibility (60 days instead of 30, up to 90 days/year) for renovation and moving projects while addressing complaints about container appearance and habitation.
Concern to consider
Containers remain limited to 2 per property and city staff will regulate placement location (e.g., driveway vs. grass), which some residents found restrictive during moves.
What happens next: A second reading will be scheduled before the amended ordinance takes final effect.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7.GApproved
Grant Compliance Agreement with MSP Lupe Richfield LLC - 6501 Portland Avenue South
The Council approved a Grant Compliance Agreement with MSP Lupe Richfield LLC related to a Tax Base Revitalization Account Seeding Equitable Environmental Development Grant for the property at 6501 Portland Avenue South. Specific grant dollar amounts were not detailed in the minutes.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Supports environmental cleanup and redevelopment of a site on Portland Avenue South, potentially improving neighborhood conditions.
Concern to consider
No specific grant amount or project scope was detailed in this record.
What happens next: The Grant Compliance Agreement moves forward per its terms; project details would be managed by Community Development staff.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7.HApproved
Loan Agreement with Penn Station Apartments, LLLP - Local Housing Initiatives Account Grant
The Council approved a Loan Agreement with Penn Station Apartments, LLLP for a Local Housing Initiatives Account Grant. Mayor Supple confirmed the Penn Station project is moving forward while meeting all city parking requirements, including underground parking for residents.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Supports development of the Penn Station Apartments project, which includes underground parking to meet city requirements, potentially adding housing units in Richfield.
Concern to consider
Specific loan amount and unit count were not detailed in this record.
What happens next: The Penn Station Apartments project continues moving forward under the terms of the loan agreement.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 9.AApproved
First Reading: Multifamily Development Regulations (MR-2 & MR-3 Zoning District Updates)
The Council approved, 4-1 with Council Member Burk opposed, the first reading of ordinance changes updating multifamily zoning regulations for the MR-2 and MR-3 districts, after amending the ordinance to remove proposed changes to section 509.13 regarding central air conditioning units. Council Member Burk voted against the overall motion citing concerns that residents lack an opportunity to comment on individual projects before staff approval when a project meets code.
Passed 4-1 (Burk opposed)
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Potential benefit
Updates zoning rules for multifamily buildings in MR-2 and MR-3 districts, which City Planner staff say streamlines development that already meets code.
Concern to consider
Council Member Burk and some residents worry the update reduces opportunities for public comment before staff approves projects meeting code, since neither staff nor Council can deny code-compliant projects.
What happens next: A second reading is required before the zoning ordinance updates take final effect.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 9.BApproved
First Reading: Ordinance Regulating Use and Licensing of Short-Term Rentals
The Council approved the first reading of an ordinance establishing licensing requirements for short-term rentals in Richfield. Council members discussed but did not finalize potential limits, such as capping licenses at 2 per owner (or 1 for non-Richfield resident owners) and banning registered sex offenders from holding a license; these details will be further refined before the second reading.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Establishes a licensing framework intended to track and regulate short-term rentals, addressing resident concerns that such rentals reduce available long-term housing.
Concern to consider
Council has not yet finalized limits on the number of licenses per owner, so current rental owners face uncertainty about future restrictions.
What happens next: Staff and Council will continue refining licensing limit details, including caps per owner and background check requirements, ahead of the second reading.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 9.C / 10Approved
Second Reading and Public Hearing: Ordinance Amending Section 601 - Solid Waste Disposal, Collection, and Hauling
The Council held a public hearing (no residents spoke) and approved the second and final reading of an ordinance amending section 601 of the Richfield City Code governing solid waste disposal, collection, and hauling. Mayor Supple and Council Member Coleman-Woods expressed enthusiasm about the changes' impact on trash flow, and Coleman-Woods thanked the Sustainability Commission for its work.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Finalizes updated rules for trash collection and hauling citywide, expected to improve waste flow and management per Council comments.
Concern to consider
Specific changes to collection schedules or hauler requirements were not detailed in the public record.
What happens next: The ordinance amendment is now final following the second reading; implementation proceeds under Public Works and Sustainability Commission guidance.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 12.AApproved
Appointment of Rose Thompson to the Sustainability Commission
The Council approved the appointment of Rose Thompson, a youth resident, to the Sustainability Commission. Mayor Supple and Council Member Burk thanked Rose for joining and discussed opportunities for other youth residents to get involved.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Brings youth perspective to the city's Sustainability Commission, which shapes environmental policy recommendations.
Concern to consider
No specific concerns identified with this appointment.
What happens next: Rose Thompson begins serving on the Sustainability Commission.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 13Discussed
City Manager's Report: Update on Speeding Concerns
City Manager Rodriguez shared an update responding to resident Phillip Lowry's concerns about speeding, outlining Public Safety's efforts over the past two years, including increased patrols, arrests, citations issued, speed tracking signs, and completed reports.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Potential benefit
Highlights ongoing city efforts to address speeding complaints through increased patrols and speed tracking signs.
Concern to consider
Resident Phillip Lowry indicated ongoing concerns about road noise and speeding despite these efforts.
What happens next: Public Safety continues its speeding mitigation efforts; Mr. Lowry was given time later in the meeting to further address the Council directly.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 14Approved
Council Discussion: Hats Off and Resident Comment on Road Noise
Council members gave 'Hats Off' recognitions covering topics such as I-494 construction work, a September 4 paper shredding event at the Richfield Ice Arena, Donaldson Park updates, and the Penn Avenue open house. The Council also voted to allow resident Phillip Lowry additional time to speak about road noise concerns.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Highlights community events and improvements, including Donaldson Park updates and a free paper shredding event on September 4.
Concern to consider
Resident Phillip Lowry's continued concerns about road noise suggest an unresolved issue for some neighborhoods.
What happens next: Mr. Lowry addressed the Council directly regarding road noise; no formal action was taken on his comments at this meeting.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilOutcome pending
Preview of Preliminary 2026 Budget, Utility Rates, Fees, and Capital Improvement Plan
During the August 12, 2025 Work Session (materials included in this packet), staff previewed a proposed 2026 tax levy of $31,693,831 (a 5.97% increase) and a proposed 2026 general fund budget of $35,079,115 (a 7.18% increase from 2025). Staff also previewed proposed utility rate increases, city fee changes, and the 2026 Capital Improvement Budget covering projects like the Nicollet Avenue and Penn Avenue reconstructions.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
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Key figure: $31,693,831 — Proposed 2026 total tax levy, a 5.97% increase
Potential benefit
Funds key infrastructure projects like Nicollet and Penn Avenue reconstructions and adds two new city staff positions (Finance Senior Financial Analyst, Public Works GIS Analyst).
Concern to consider
A proposed 5.97% levy increase and 7.18% general fund budget increase could raise property tax bills and utility rates for residents in 2026.
What happens next: The preliminary 2026 budget, levy, fees, and Capital Improvement Plan will go through further Council review and public hearings before final adoption later in 2025.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗