Work SessionItem 2.a.Outcome pending
Discuss Proposed Public Works Storage Site at Diagonal Boulevard and Cedar Avenue South
The Council discussed a staff proposal to build a new Public Works storage facility on a parcel near Diagonal Boulevard and Cedar Avenue South, acquired from MnDOT at no cost, to replace the Taft Lake temporary storage site and the MnDOT salt storage arrangement that is being terminated. The estimated project cost is $1,750,000, including a $700,000 storage building, $200,000 for stormwater requirements, and $850,000 in construction costs, with funding proposed from Capital Reserve/Bonds ($650,000), Utilities ($500,000), and Franchise Fees ($325,000). Council members raised concerns about the site's proximity to nearby residential homes and asked that the property be kept clean and orderly, but staff sought further direction rather than a formal vote.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
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Key figure: $1,750,000 — Total estimated project cost for the new Public Works storage facility, including $700,000 for the storage building, $200,000 for stormwater requirements, and $850,000 for construction.
Potential benefit
A new, better-designed storage site would let Public Works continue storing salt, tree trunks, water main-break materials, and other equipment needed to maintain city streets and utilities after the Taft Lake site and MnDOT salt storage arrangement end.
Concern to consider
Residents living across from the proposed Diagonal Boulevard/Cedar Avenue South site raised concerns about truck traffic, screening, and the facility's proximity to homes, and the $1,750,000 project could affect utility rates or franchise fees used to fund it.
What happens next: Staff requested Council direction on whether to proceed with the storage site plan; no formal action was taken, and further design, budgeting, and neighbor-impact discussions are expected before a future vote.
Sources: Work Session minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 5Discussed
Open Forum: Resident Comments on ICE Activity and Gun Violence Legislation
Five Richfield residents spoke during Open Forum. Several raised concerns about recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the city, including an incident on December 7, 2025 where a resident and her husband said armed ICE agents surrounded their car near a church; another resident questioned the Council's gun violence legislative stance. No council action was taken on these comments during this agenda item.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Potential benefit
Public comment gave residents a direct channel to raise safety concerns about ICE activity, which later influenced the Council's legislative priorities later in the same meeting.
Concern to consider
Residents described specific incidents of armed ICE agents confronting bystanders near a church, raising fear among immigrant and vulnerable community members.
What happens next: City Manager later reported that Mayor Supple convened a meeting with community volunteers and police leadership to discuss the city's role and limitations regarding ICE activity; the Council also added an ICE-related item to its 2026 legislative priorities later in the meeting.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 6aDiscussed
Proclamation Honoring Human Rights Month
Mayor Supple proclaimed December 2025 as Human Rights Month in Richfield, citing the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Minnesota Human Rights Act. Ally Beckman of the Center for Victims of Torture accepted the proclamation and spoke about immigrants and refugees the organization serves.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Potential benefit
Symbolically affirms the city's commitment to human rights and recognizes organizations like the Center for Victims of Torture that serve Richfield's immigrant and refugee residents.
Concern to consider
The proclamation carries no funding or enforceable policy change.
What happens next: No further council action required; proclamation stands as a symbolic city recognition for December 2025.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7aApproved
Approval of Disbursements/Claims
Council approved $3,635,037.67 in total city disbursements as part of the Consent Calendar, including $2,599,775.22 in U.S. Bank accounts payable checks/EFTs (November 15-28, 2025) and $1,035,262.45 in payroll dated December 5, 2025.
Passed 5-0
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Key figure: $3,635,037.67 — Total disbursements/claims approved for the period, including AP checks/EFTs and December 5 payroll
Potential benefit
Ensures city vendors, contractors, and employees are paid on schedule, keeping city operations and services running.
Concern to consider
Represents routine large sums of taxpayer-funded spending approved with limited individual line-item discussion.
What happens next: Disbursements were processed as approved; routine financial reporting continues in future council packets.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7bApproved
Resolution Designating Polling Places for 2026
Council adopted Resolution No. 12377 designating official polling locations throughout Richfield for the 2026 election cycle. This sets where residents will vote in upcoming city, state, and federal elections.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Establishes clear, accessible voting locations for all Richfield residents ahead of 2026 elections.
Concern to consider
Residents should confirm their assigned polling place has not changed from prior election cycles.
What happens next: Polling place designations take effect for 2026 elections; the list will be published by the City Clerk's office.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7dApproved
Temporary Liquor License for Blessed Trinity Catholic School Sno*ball Dance
Council approved a temporary on-sale intoxicating liquor license for Blessed Trinity Catholic School's 2026 Sno*ball Dance, to be held January 31, 2026 at St. Richard's Catholic Church, 7540 Penn Avenue South.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Allows a local school fundraising event to serve alcohol legally for one night, supporting community and school fundraising.
Concern to consider
Temporary licenses require monitoring for responsible service at a single-night event.
What happens next: The license takes effect for the January 31, 2026 event only.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7eApproved
Second Amendment to Response Sustainability Grant Agreement with City of Bloomington
Council approved a second amendment to the Response Sustainability Grant agreement partnership with the City of Bloomington. The amendment continues shared sustainability grant funding and program administration between the two cities.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Continues joint sustainability programming funded through grants shared with Bloomington, supporting environmental initiatives in Richfield.
Concern to consider
Specific program details and dollar amounts of the amendment were not disclosed in the minutes.
What happens next: The amended agreement continues in effect with the City of Bloomington under its updated terms.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7fApproved
Sixth Amendment to Local Public Health Services Agreement with City of Bloomington for 2026
Council approved the sixth amendment to its shared local public health services agreement with the City of Bloomington for 2026, continuing the joint provision of public health services to Richfield residents.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Ensures continued public health services for Richfield residents through the shared arrangement with Bloomington for another year.
Concern to consider
Specific cost changes or service level adjustments in the sixth amendment were not detailed in the minutes.
What happens next: The amended agreement takes effect for the 2026 service year with the City of Bloomington.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7gApproved
2026 Liquor License Renewals
Council approved the renewal of 2026 On-Sale Intoxicating, Club, On-Sale 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor and Wine, and Off-Sale 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor licenses for businesses operating in Richfield.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Allows Richfield bars, restaurants, and retailers to continue legally selling alcohol in 2026 without interruption.
Concern to consider
No specific license fee amounts or business names were listed in the minutes.
What happens next: Renewed licenses take effect for the 2026 calendar year.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7hApproved
Resolution Accepting Donations for Richfield Public Safety/Police Department
Council adopted Resolution No. 12378 authorizing the Richfield Public Safety/Police Department to accept donations from listed agencies, businesses, and private individuals for designated uses. Mayor Supple thanked donors for their generosity.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Allows community and business donations to directly support police department programs and equipment without additional taxpayer cost.
Concern to consider
Specific donor names, amounts, and designated uses were not itemized in the minutes.
What happens next: Police department staff will administer donated funds according to donor-designated uses.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7iApproved
Resolution Accepting 2025 Grants and Donations for Richfield Recreation Services
Council adopted Resolution No. 12379 accepting grants and donations received by Richfield Recreation Services in 2025 and authorizing staff to administer the funds according to applicable grant agreements and donor terms.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Enables Richfield Recreation Services to use donated and grant funds for community programs without additional city budget allocation.
Concern to consider
Specific grant sources, amounts, and designated program uses were not itemized in the minutes.
What happens next: Recreation Services staff will administer the accepted funds per grant and donor terms.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 8aApproved
Adoption of the City's Legislative Priorities for 2026
Council adopted Richfield's 2026 state and federal legislative priorities, including making 4d1 affordable housing aid permanent, repealing or modifying 2024 group assisted living facility legislation, gun violence reduction measures, reducing local funding contributions to county/state projects, and bonding support for the Nicollet Avenue reconstruction and emergency water interconnect projects. Council also amended the priorities to add a request urging Representative Omar to support federal legislation requiring ICE agents to visibly identify themselves, notify local law enforcement of activity, and ensure due process.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Sets the city's advocacy agenda for state and federal funding and policy, including bonding support for major infrastructure like Nicollet Avenue reconstruction and a new push for ICE agent accountability requirements.
Concern to consider
Priorities are advocacy positions only; their success depends on state and federal legislative action outside city control.
What happens next: City staff will advocate for these priorities with state legislators and Congress during the 2026 legislative session.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 11aApproved
2025 Revised/2026 Proposed Budgets and Tax Levy Resolutions
Council adopted a package of resolutions (Nos. 12380-12387) revising the 2025 budget, setting the 2026 budget and tax levy, establishing 2026 water/wastewater/storm sewer/streetlight rates with a 6.5% penalty on past-due accounts, adopting the 2026 Capital Improvement Budget and 2027-2030 Capital Improvement Program, and setting the 2026 general and specialized pay plans.
Passed 5-0
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Key figure: 6.5% — Penalty rate on past due wastewater, water, storm sewer, and street light accounts for 2026
Potential benefit
Finalizes the city's 2026 spending plan, capital projects for 2026-2030, and utility rate structure following the Truth in Taxation public hearing held earlier in November.
Concern to consider
City Manager Rodriguez acknowledged that annual budget increases are challenging for taxpayers even as staffing and service costs rise.
What happens next: The 2026 budget, tax levy, and rate schedules take effect January 1, 2026.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 11bApproved
2026-2027 Labor Agreements with Police Officers and Sergeants/Lieutenants Unions
Council approved labor agreements for 2026-2027 with Law Enforcement Labor Services Local 123 (police officers) and Teamsters Local 320 (police sergeants and lieutenants). Assistant City Manager Thongvanh reported a net budget impact of approximately $75,000, noting the labor market has stabilized compared to 2024's 11.4% increase (including an 8.4% market adjustment).
Passed 5-0
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Key figure: $75,000 — Approximate net budget impact of the 2026-2027 police labor agreements
Potential benefit
Secures stable staffing and compensation terms for Richfield police officers, sergeants, and lieutenants through 2027 at a modest $75,000 net budget impact.
Concern to consider
Ongoing personnel costs contribute to the overall city budget that taxpayers fund through property taxes.
What happens next: City Manager was authorized to execute the agreements; terms take effect for 2026-2027.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 11cApproved
Interim Use Permit for Temporary Employee Parking Near Lakewinds Co-op
Council approved a 3-year Interim Use Permit, with two possible one-year administrative extensions, allowing Lakewinds Food Cooperative to use a vacant lot adjacent to its store (identified as 6420 Lindale Avenue South / 6430 Lyndale Avenue South) for occasional employee parking. The Planning Commission had voted 3-2 on November 24 to recommend approval, with dissenters preferring the shorter three-year term over a full five-year permit; the co-op must meet with city staff to discuss long-term site plans.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Gives a growing local grocery co-op needed employee parking relief while requiring it to work with the city on a long-term solution for a vacant lot that has been unsightly since 2013.
Concern to consider
The shorter 3-year term (versus the originally proposed 5 years) means the issue may return for city review sooner, and on-street parking near the co-op is already heavily used by nearby apartment residents.
What happens next: The co-op must meet with city staff to discuss progress on long-term plans for the site; the permit is subject to renewal review after three years, with up to two one-year administrative extensions possible.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 13Discussed
City Manager's Report: Short-Term Rental Fee Review and ICE Response Update
City Manager Rodriguez reported that staff will review the newly adopted short-term rental fee after its first year, following resident concerns it exceeds fees in neighboring cities; she noted many neighboring cities have banned short-term rentals outright and that 95% of tourism tax revenue must legally go to the Richfield Tourism and Promotion Board, not enforcement costs. She also reported that Mayor Supple convened a meeting with community volunteers, Police Chief Henthorne, and Deputy Chief Griffin to discuss the city's role and limits in responding to recent ICE activity.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Key figure: 95% — Share of tourism tax revenue legally required to be remitted to the Richfield Tourism and Promotion Board
Potential benefit
Signals the city will reassess the short-term rental fee structure after one year of data, and clarifies that 95% of tourism tax revenue is legally restricted to the Tourism and Promotion Board.
Concern to consider
Short-term rental operators believe the current fee is too high compared to neighboring cities, and current law limits how tourism tax revenue can offset city enforcement costs.
What happens next: Staff will review the short-term rental fee after the program's first full year in operation.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 14aDiscussed
Council Discussion: Hats Off to Hometown Hits
Council members thanked community volunteers for their efforts supporting families affected by recent ICE activity in Richfield, with Council Member Hayford Oleary also giving a Transportation Commission liaison update on road construction, and Mayor Supple thanking Public Works ahead of the winter snow removal season.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Potential benefit
Publicly recognizes community volunteers supporting families impacted by ICE activity and previews upcoming winter snow removal operations.
Concern to consider
No new policy or funding commitment resulted from this discussion.
What happens next: Public Works will proceed with seasonal snow plowing operations; Transportation Commission road construction updates will continue at future meetings.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗