Work SessionItem 2.a.Discussed
Fleet Electrification Analysis Review (Sawatch Labs Study)
The City Council reviewed findings from a fleet electrification study conducted by consultant Sawatch Labs between October 2024 and January 2025, which examined 68 of the city's 254 vehicles and identified 24 light-duty vehicles as strong candidates for conversion to battery electric vehicles, estimating about $140,000 in savings. Staff recommended a phased approach starting with installing three Level 2 charging stations (two at the Municipal Center, one at Public Works) before purchasing EVs. Council gave general support for exploring EV fleet vehicles but asked staff to complete a detailed financial analysis and a separate study of police vehicles before committing, with direction to inform the 2026 Revised/2027 Proposed budget process beginning in Spring 2026.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
Learn more about this item
Key figure: $140,000 — Estimated savings identified in the Sawatch Labs study from converting 24 light-duty vehicles to battery electric vehicles.
Potential benefit
Transitioning city vehicles to electric could reduce long-term fuel and maintenance costs and greenhouse gas emissions, potentially saving the city (and taxpayers) around $140,000 identified in the study.
Concern to consider
Upfront costs for EVs and charging infrastructure will require new budget allocations in coming cycles, and no purchasing decisions have been made yet pending further financial analysis.
What happens next: Staff will conduct additional financial analysis comparing EV versus traditional vehicle costs and a separate study of police vehicles, with findings intended to inform the 2026 Revised/2027 Proposed budget process starting in Spring 2026.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 5Approved
Extension of Open Forum Period and Speaking Time Limit
The Council voted to extend the Open Forum public comment period from 30 to 50 minutes (until 8:47 p.m.) and extended the individual speaker time limit from three to four minutes to accommodate an ADA request, given seventeen residents wished to speak, largely about ICE enforcement activity in Richfield.
Passed 5-0
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
Allowed more residents, including one requesting an ADA accommodation, to be heard on urgent community concerns about federal immigration enforcement.
Concern to consider
Extended meeting length by 20 minutes, which could affect attendees' time commitments.
What happens next: Seventeen residents spoke during the extended Open Forum; no further Council action was required for this procedural vote.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 6Discussed
Proclamations and Presentations: Winter Salt Week 2026 and Richfield Foundation Grants
Mayor Supple proclaimed January 26-30, 2026 as Winter Salt Week, presented to Deputy Public Works Director Chris Link, and the Richfield Foundation, marking nearly 40 years of community grantmaking, announced its 2025 grant recipients to local nonprofits and neighborhood projects.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
Highlights responsible winter road-salt use practices and recognizes ongoing philanthropic investment in Richfield neighborhoods and nonprofits.
Concern to consider
No concerns; these are recognition and informational items with no regulatory effect.
What happens next: No further action required; grant funds are distributed to recipients by the Richfield Foundation.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7aApproved
Approval of Disbursements and Claims
The Council approved routine city disbursements totaling $2,790,170.34, consisting of $1,637,722.23 in accounts payable checks/ETFs processed between January 3-16, 2026, and $1,152,448.11 in payroll issued January 16, 2026.
Passed 5-0
Learn more about this item
Key figure: $1,637,722.23 — Accounts payable checks/ETFs processed January 3-16, 2026
Potential benefit
Ensures city vendors, contractors, and employees are paid on schedule, keeping city operations running smoothly.
Concern to consider
None specific; this is routine financial administration funded through the existing approved budget.
What happens next: Disbursements are processed; no further Council action needed.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7bApproved
Second Reading: Rezoning for MICC Learning Center at 76th Street and Morgan Avenue
The Council adopted Ordinance 2026-01 rezoning four parcels at 2000, 2006, and 2018 - 76th Street West and 7532 Morgan Avenue South from Low Density Residential (R) to Multifamily Residential (MR-2), along with related resolutions approving summary publication, a conditional use permit and variances, and a preliminary plat, to allow Minnesota Independence College & Community (MICC) to build a new learning center.
Passed 5-0
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
Enables construction of a new learning center for adults with disabilities served by MICC, adding an educational facility near 76th Street and Morgan Avenue.
Concern to consider
Neighboring low-density residential parcels are converted to multifamily residential zoning, which could change density and traffic patterns in the immediate area.
What happens next: With second reading and summary publication approved, MICC can proceed with construction planning per the approved plat, CUP, and variances.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7cApproved
Second Reading: Ordinance Establishing Human Resources Department and Director Position
The Council adopted Ordinance 2026-02 amending Sections 300 and 310 of the City Code to formally establish a Human Resources Department and create the position of Human Resources Director within the city organization.
Passed 5-0
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
Formalizes a dedicated HR function to manage city staffing, potentially improving employee support and organizational efficiency.
Concern to consider
Adds a new department and director-level position that will draw on the city's personnel budget, though no specific salary figure was disclosed in this item.
What happens next: The Human Resources Department and Director position take effect per the ordinance's adoption.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 10aApproved
Emergency Ordinance Limiting Use of City-Owned Property for Civil Immigration Enforcement Staging
The Council adopted Ordinance 2026-03, an emergency ordinance prohibiting the use of city-owned off-street property, such as parking lots, for civil immigration enforcement staging purposes, except as required by law or judicial warrant. The ordinance took effect immediately, does not restrict on-street parking, public building lobbies, or lawful federal/judicial enforcement, and responds directly to recent ICE activity reported in Richfield.
Passed 5-0
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
Restricts ICE and other civil immigration agents from using city parking lots and vacant lots as staging areas, directly responding to resident fears raised by seventeen speakers during Open Forum.
Concern to consider
The ordinance cannot limit on-street parking, public building interiors, or lawful judicial warrants, so its practical reach is limited to specific off-street city properties.
What happens next: Public Works will install signage at affected city properties; staff will continue monitoring enforcement and exploring additional tenant-protection and legal options.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 11aApproved
Resolution Ratifying Participation in Municipal Prosecutors' Amicus Curiae Brief
The Council adopted Resolution 12407 ratifying the city's participation, alongside other municipal prosecutors, in an amicus curiae (friend-of-the-court) brief. The item was added to the agenda the same day due to a fast-moving legal opportunity requiring quick vetting before the meeting.
Passed 5-0
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
Allows Richfield to join other cities in supporting a legal position through the court system without initiating separate litigation costs.
Concern to consider
Limited public detail was provided on the specific case or legal issue the brief addresses.
What happens next: The city's participation in the brief proceeds as filed with the court.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 12aApproved
Appointment of Brett Stursa to Housing and Redevelopment Authority Commissioner
The Council approved Mayor Supple's appointment of Brett Stursa as a Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Commissioner for a five-year term beginning March 1, 2026 and expiring February 28, 2031. Stursa was selected from five applicants interviewed on January 20, 2026, following an application period from November 15 to December 15, 2025; because HRA and Economic Development Authority (EDA) membership overlap, the appointment also applies to the EDA. Council thanked outgoing Chair Erin Vrieze Daniels for her service.
Passed 5-0
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
Fills a citizen leadership role overseeing housing and economic development decisions that affect redevelopment projects and business incentives in Richfield.
Concern to consider
None specific; the process followed the standard application and interview procedure.
What happens next: Stursa's term begins March 1, 2026 and runs through February 28, 2031.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 13Discussed
City Manager's Report on ICE Response Efforts and Rental Assistance
City Manager Rodriguez reported on city actions responding to federal immigration enforcement activity, including allocating $50,000 in emergency rental assistance through VEAP, posting Council statements condemning ICE actions, reviewing Flock camera data practices (30-day retention, no federal data sharing), increasing police patrols at schools during drop-off/pick-up, and filing a friend-of-the-court brief in a federal ICE-related lawsuit. Staff also confirmed a state-required eviction moratorium is not legally permitted but is exploring extending eviction notice periods and tenant protections.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
Learn more about this item
Key figure: $50,000 — Emergency rental assistance funding allocated through VEAP
Potential benefit
Provides direct financial help ($50,000 through VEAP) to residents facing eviction and clarifies city data practices around license plate cameras used near ICE-related traffic stops.
Concern to consider
Legal review found the city cannot enact an eviction moratorium, leaving some residents facing income loss from enforcement activity without a full local remedy.
What happens next: Staff will continue monitoring housing needs, researching an affirmative-defense eviction ordinance, and pursuing state legislative changes to extend eviction notice periods from 14 to 30 days.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 14aDiscussed
Council Discussion: Recognition of Community Support ('Hats Off to Hometown Hits')
Council Member Burk publicly recognized community members supporting one another during the recent period of federal immigration enforcement activity, praising local solidarity and mutual aid efforts among Richfield residents.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
Highlights and encourages ongoing neighbor-to-neighbor support networks during a stressful community period.
Concern to consider
None; this is a verbal recognition with no policy or funding action.
What happens next: No formal action required; comments entered into the public record.
Sources: City Council minutes (city portal) ↗