Work SessionItem 2.a.Outcome pending
Discussion of Draft Emergency Pre-Eviction Notice Ordinance
The Richfield City Council discussed a draft emergency ordinance that would extend the required pre-eviction notice for nonpayment of rent from 14 to 30 days, citing income disruptions from federal 'Operation Metro Surge' immigration enforcement actions. The ordinance would preserve landlords' ability to evict for non-financial reasons and would automatically expire at the end of the 2026 Minnesota Legislative Session (currently scheduled for May 18, 2026). Staff reported $12,000 of a $50,000 HRA-funded VEAP rental assistance allocation has already been distributed, and the council directed staff to bring a formal ordinance to the February 24, 2026 meeting.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
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Key figure: $50,000 — HRA Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) commitment to VEAP for emergency rental assistance
Potential benefit
Extends the time tenants facing income loss have to access rental assistance and avoid eviction, from 14 to 30 days.
Concern to consider
Delays rent payments to landlords, which could strain small property owners' finances, including their ability to pay property taxes due in May.
What happens next: Staff plans to bring a formal emergency ordinance for Council consideration and possible adoption at the February 24, 2026 City Council meeting, incorporating feedback from a landlord survey and VEAP rental assistance data.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗ · Work Session supplement (city portal) ↗
Housing & Redevelopment AuthorityItem 2.a.Outcome pending
Discussion of 4d(1) Low-Income Rental Classification Tax Impacts and Possible Policy
The City Council and HRA held a joint work session to review the 4d(1) affordable housing tax classification, which cuts a property's tax rate from 1.25% to 0.25% in exchange for rent/income restrictions at 60% of Area Median Income. Staff reported that existing 4d properties (including Seasons Park's 420 units and three Hempel-owned NOAH complexes with 236 units approved in 2025) already shift about $477,000 in city taxes to other taxpayers, costing a median-valued home about $28/year and an 11-unit apartment building about $176/year. No formal action was taken; council members were asked to rank housing priorities and submit feedback to staff by April 10 ahead of a second work session on April 20, 2026.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
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Key figure: $343,376 — Total city tax savings/cost from currently 4d-classified properties as of taxes payable 2025
Potential benefit
Preserving and expanding 4d-classified affordable housing helps keep rents stable for lower-income renters and maintains Richfield's stock of naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH).
Concern to consider
Every dollar of tax savings granted to a 4d property is a dollar shifted onto other Richfield taxpayers, and expanding the program to all 14 eligible NOAH properties (2,100 units) could shift up to $1.48 million annually, or about $100/year onto a median-valued home.
What happens next: Council and HRA members were asked to review the materials, rank the housing priorities outlined by staff, and submit feedback by April 10, 2026, ahead of a second work session scheduled for April 20, 2026.
Sources: Housing & Redevelopment Authority agenda (city portal) ↗
Housing & Redevelopment AuthorityItem 5.aDiscussed
Approval of January 20, 2026 HRA Work Session and Regular Meeting Minutes
The HRA considered approving the minutes of its January 20, 2026 Work Session, during which Commissioners interviewed five candidates for an HRA/EDA vacancy, and its January 20, 2026 Regular Meeting, at which the HRA approved a $50,000 VEAP emergency rental assistance agreement and a MnDOT sidewalk access permit at 1600 and 1620 78th Street East.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Key figure: $50,000 — Local Affordable Housing Aid approved January 20, 2026 for a VEAP emergency rental assistance agreement, referenced in the minutes being approved.
Potential benefit
Approving minutes creates an official public record of prior HRA decisions, including the $50,000 VEAP rental assistance commitment.
Concern to consider
This action does not itself change any policy; it only certifies the record of what already occurred on January 20, 2026.
What happens next: The approved minutes become the official public record of the January 20, 2026 meetings.
Sources: Housing & Redevelopment Authority supplement (city portal) ↗
Housing & Redevelopment AuthorityItem 6.aDiscussed
2025 HRA/EDA Year in Review Presentation
Staff presented a review of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority and Economic Development Authority's activities and accomplishments during 2025 to the HRA Commissioners.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Potential benefit
Gives residents a public summary of how HRA/EDA housing and development programs performed in 2025.
Concern to consider
As an informational presentation, it does not involve a vote or new funding commitment.
What happens next: No further action was required; the presentation was for informational purposes only.
Sources: Housing & Redevelopment Authority supplement (city portal) ↗
Housing & Redevelopment AuthorityItem 7Discussed
Consent Calendar
The HRA considered a consent calendar of routine items recommended for approval in a single motion, with any Commissioner able to request an item be pulled for separate discussion.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Potential benefit
Allows the HRA to efficiently approve routine, non-controversial items in one motion.
Concern to consider
Items are approved without individual discussion unless a Commissioner requests removal.
What happens next: Approved consent calendar items require no further HRA action.
Sources: Housing & Redevelopment Authority supplement (city portal) ↗
Housing & Redevelopment AuthorityItem 10.aOutcome pending
Developer Agreement with West Hennepin Affordable Housing Land Trust (Homes Within Reach)
The HRA considered a resolution authorizing a Developer Agreement providing $240,000 to Homes Within Reach to acquire and rehabilitate at least three single-family homes in Richfield through 2026, which will then be resold to households earning no more than 80% of Area Median Income. Since 2002, Homes Within Reach has purchased, rehabilitated, and sold 15 homes and built 3 new homes in Richfield using its Community Land Trust model, which keeps land ownership with the trust to preserve long-term affordability for future buyers.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
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Key figure: $240,000 — Total HRA funding for WHAHLT to acquire and rehabilitate at least three single-family homes, averaging about $60,000 per property, from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, a state Trust Fund Matching Grant, and CDBG funding.
Potential benefit
Creates a path to homeownership for at least three moderate-income Richfield households by funding home acquisition and rehab up to $80,000 per property.
Concern to consider
Commits $240,000 in Affordable Housing Trust Fund, state grant, and CDBG dollars to a small number of properties (at least three) rather than a broader intervention.
What happens next: If approved, the HRA Chair and Executive Director were to execute the Developer Agreement, after which WHAHLT could begin identifying and purchasing eligible properties with HRA consent, with the agreement running through December 31, 2026.
Sources: Housing & Redevelopment Authority supplement (city portal) ↗
Housing & Redevelopment AuthorityItem 11.aOutcome pending
Demolition Contract with Harkness Excavating for 6804 14th Avenue South
The HRA considered a resolution authorizing a $22,304 contract with Harkness Excavating to fully demolish the vacant, substandard home and structures at 6804 14th Avenue South, a property the HRA purchased in September 2025 for $150,000 under the Richfield Rediscovered Program. Demolition must be completed by May 31, 2026, after which the site would be marketed for a new single-family home or duplex; staff found deconstruction, estimated at $41,530 even with a Hennepin County grant, too costly compared to the $22,304 demolition-only bid.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
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Key figure: $22,304 — Contract price for Harkness Excavating to fully demolish structures at 6804 14th Avenue South.
Potential benefit
Removes a vacant, poorly secured, substandard 1950-built home to clear the way for a new single-family home or duplex on 14th Avenue South.
Concern to consider
Chooses full demolition over deconstruction, forgoing an estimated $19,226 in material salvage that would have supported the City's Climate Resilience goals.
What happens next: If approved, the Executive Director would execute the contract with Harkness Excavating, with demolition required to be completed no later than May 31, 2026, after which the site will be marketed to builders and potential buyers.
Sources: Housing & Redevelopment Authority supplement (city portal) ↗
Housing & Redevelopment AuthorityItem 14Approved
Approval of Claims
The HRA Commissioners considered approval of routine claims and payments for HRA operations, following the same process used at the January 20, 2026 meeting, where $323,296.07 (12/15/2025) and $515,013.28 (1/20/2026) in combined HRA and Section 8 checks were approved.
per the meeting record — vote tally not extracted
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Key figure: $323,296.07 — Combined HRA and Section 8 checks approved 12/15/2025 (referenced from prior meeting's claims)
Potential benefit
Ensures HRA vendors, contractors, and Section 8 housing payments are paid on schedule.
Concern to consider
Represents routine payment of previously committed obligations, not new spending decisions.
What happens next: Approved claims are processed and paid through the HRA's financial system.
Sources: Housing & Redevelopment Authority supplement (city portal) ↗
Economic Development AuthorityItem 7aApproved
Amended Agreement with Center for Energy and Environment for 2026 Apartment Remodeling Program Budget
The EDA approved an amended agreement with the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) to authorize the 2026 budget for administering the Apartment Remodeling Program, which helps fund upgrades to rental apartment buildings in Richfield.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Continues a program that helps improve the condition and quality of Richfield's rental apartment stock, benefiting tenants and property values.
Concern to consider
No specific 2026 budget figure was disclosed in the consent item; residents cannot yet assess the size of the funding commitment.
What happens next: The amended agreement is in effect; CEE will administer the program in 2026.
Sources: Economic Development Authority supplement (city portal) ↗
Economic Development AuthorityItem 11aOutcome pending
Downtown Richfield Brand Identity & Style Guidelines and Placemaking Playbook
The EDA considered approval of a new Downtown Richfield brand identity, style guidelines, and a Placemaking Playbook developed by consultant CivicBrand, funded by a $45,000 Hennepin County Business District Initiative grant plus a $5,000 EDA match. The plan, informed by feedback from about 1,160 people, creates a logo, color palette, and typography for the district and outlines ten placemaking opportunities such as a Richfield Lake Gateway, a 66th Street bicycle spine, and activation of The Hub, intended to make downtown (Lyndale Avenue/66th Street/Nicollet Avenue area) more walkable and inviting without displacing existing small businesses.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
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Key figure: $45,000 — Hennepin County Business District Initiative grant awarded to the EDA for the branding and placemaking project
Potential benefit
A cohesive downtown brand and placemaking framework could help attract grants, private investment, and new foot traffic to Lyndale Avenue/66th Street businesses without directly costing residents beyond the $5,000 EDA match already committed.
Concern to consider
The Playbook is a flexible framework rather than a funded construction plan, so specific projects like the Richfield Lake Gateway or Bridging the Tracks art installations still require future design, funding, and approvals before residents see changes.
What happens next: The EDA was scheduled to vote on approval of the Brand Identity & Style Guidelines and Placemaking Playbook at its February 17, 2026 meeting; the CivicBrand contract expires April 18, 2026 and the Hennepin County grant expires June 30, 2026.
Sources: Economic Development Authority supplement (city portal) ↗
Economic Development AuthorityItem 14Approved
Approval of EDA Claims for September, October, and November 2025
The EDA approved payment of claims totaling $100,764.13 covering U.S. Bank checks from September, October, and November 2025, covering routine EDA expenses.
Passed 5-0
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Key figure: $27,427.43 — EDA claims paid via U.S. Bank checks #23755-23773, September 15, 2025
Potential benefit
Ensures EDA vendors, contractors, and program partners are paid on time for economic development work.
Concern to consider
Claims approval is routine and provides limited detail on what specific goods/services were purchased.
What happens next: Claims have been paid; no further action needed.
Sources: Economic Development Authority supplement (city portal) ↗