Work SessionItem 2.Outcome pending
Item Discussion
The council will hold a work session discussion covering two substantive agenda items: the Penn Avenue Reconstruction Update and the Proposed Traffic Calming Policy. Staff and Hennepin County representatives are expected to present information and seek direction from council members. No formal votes are anticipated during this work session.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
Work sessions allow council members to deliberate in depth before formal action, potentially leading to better-informed decisions on infrastructure and traffic safety.
Concern to consider
Directions given during work sessions may shape future project designs and policies that could affect residents, commuters, and businesses throughout Richfield.
What happens next: Council direction provided during this work session will guide staff and Hennepin County on next steps for Penn Avenue design and the traffic calming policy development.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗
Work SessionItem 2.aOutcome pending
Penn Avenue Reconstruction Update and Discussion (66th Street Intersection & Parking)
Hennepin County gave a midpoint update on the 2028 Penn Avenue reconstruction (75th Street to Highway 62) and sought Council direction on the 66th Street/Penn Avenue intersection design and on-street parking in the Penn-Central business district. After weighing a multi-lane roundabout (adding roughly $1.9 million in construction cost, requiring acquisition of 3 properties, and displacing businesses) against modifying the existing signal, the Council reached consensus to keep and upgrade the existing signal with added pedestrian and bicycle safety features rather than build a roundabout. Further design work and a third round of public engagement will begin around mid-April 2026.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
Learn more about this item
Key figure: +$1.9 million — Additional conceptual construction cost for a multi-lane roundabout option at 66th Street/Penn Avenue compared to the signal modification alternative
Potential benefit
Directs the design of a major reconstruction of Penn Avenue that will shape safety, traffic flow, and business access along the corridor for decades.
Concern to consider
Choosing the lower-cost signal option over a roundabout means the intersection retains a traditional signal-controlled design rather than the crash-reduction benefits some studies show for roundabouts.
What happens next: Hennepin County and city staff will develop concept alternatives and begin Phase 3 of public engagement, expected to start in mid-April 2026, ahead of an anticipated City Council resolution later in 2026 and construction tentatively planned for spring 2028.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗
Work SessionItem 2.bOutcome pending
Proposed Traffic Calming Policy Discussion
City staff presented a draft citywide traffic calming policy focused on school areas and reconstruction projects, noting local streets are easier to modify than county or state roads. The Council determined that current fiscal constraints and competing infrastructure priorities make a new formal program premature, so the policy was placed on the 'back burner' for future consideration rather than adopted. Staff will continue to look for opportunities to incorporate traffic calming into upcoming projects such as the 69th Street reconstruction.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
Signals that a structured, citywide approach to slowing traffic near schools and neighborhoods is being considered for the future, even though no program was created now.
Concern to consider
No new citizen-driven process or funding source for traffic calming requests was established, so residents seeking speed reduction measures have no formal petition avenue yet.
What happens next: Staff will continue to monitor traffic calming approaches used by comparable cities and incorporate design treatments into upcoming reconstruction projects, such as the 69th Street project, while the broader policy remains deferred for future budget and program discussions.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 4aApproved
Approval of Jan. 27, 2026 Work Session and Regular Meeting Minutes
The Council formally approved the written minutes from the Jan. 27, 2026 City Council Work Session and Regular Meeting, finalizing the official record of those proceedings.
Passed 5-0
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
Approving minutes creates an accurate public record of prior Council actions for transparency.
Concern to consider
No concerns; a routine record-keeping step.
What happens next: The approved minutes become the official public record, available on richfieldmn.gov.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗ · City Council agenda (city portal) ↗ · City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 6aDiscussed
Proclamation Celebrating Black History Month
Mayor Supple proclaimed February 2026 as Black History Month in Richfield, recognizing the contributions of Black Americans, noting Rori Coleman-Woods as the city's first Black council member, and citing a supporting recommendation from the Richfield Human Rights Commission on Feb. 5, 2026.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
Publicly recognizes the contributions of Black residents and history in Richfield, reflecting the city's stated equity and inclusion values.
Concern to consider
No concerns identified; a symbolic proclamation with no regulatory effect.
What happens next: The city may hold or promote related programs and events throughout February 2026.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗ · City Council agenda (city portal) ↗ · City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7aApproved
Approval of Disbursements/Claims ($2,948,442.42)
The Council approved payment of city disbursements totaling $2,948,442.42, covering accounts payable checks and electronic fund transfers of $1,525,181.40 issued Jan. 17-30, 2026, plus payroll of $1,423,261.02 including February health insurance premiums.
Passed 5-0
Learn more about this item
Key figure: $2,948,442.42 — Total disbursements approved, including $1,525,181.40 in A/P checks/EFTs (Jan. 17-30, 2026) and $1,423,261.02 in payroll including February health insurance premiums
Potential benefit
Timely payment of city bills and payroll keeps municipal services, including public safety and public works, running without interruption.
Concern to consider
Large routine expenditures like this are approved with limited line-item public discussion at the meeting.
What happens next: Payments were processed following approval; similar disbursement approvals occur at most Council meetings.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗ · City Council agenda (city portal) ↗ · City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7bOutcome pending
Engineering Consultant Pool Agreements for 2026-2030
The Council considered approving five-year professional services agreements with nine engineering firms — including Bolton & Menk, Stantec, WSB, HDR, and others — selected from 28 proposals to provide routine municipal, traffic, water/wastewater, and other engineering services through 2030. The agreements set pre-negotiated contract terms but do not guarantee any firm specific project work; individual project costs will be negotiated and budgeted separately as work orders arise.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
Ensures pre-vetted, qualified engineering firms are available for future street, water, and infrastructure projects without needing a new bidding process for each job.
Concern to consider
No specific financial impact is set now; actual costs will depend on future work orders negotiated project-by-project.
What happens next: If approved, the nine firms will be available under the 2026-2030 pool for individual work order agreements as needed.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗ · City Council agenda (city portal) ↗ · City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7cOutcome pending
Emergency Ordinance Extending Pre-Eviction Notice Requirements
The Council considered an emergency ordinance to temporarily extend existing pre-eviction notice requirements, part of the city's broader effort to explore rental assistance and eviction protections for residents facing economic hardship, including those affected by immigration enforcement actions referenced in the Feb. 10 City Manager's report.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
Gives tenants facing eviction more advance notice and time to seek assistance or resolve payment issues before losing housing.
Concern to consider
Landlords, including small landlord-homeowners, face extended timelines before initiating eviction proceedings.
What happens next: The emergency ordinance would take effect upon Council approval as a temporary extension of existing notice rules.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗ · City Council agenda (city portal) ↗ · City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 8aApproved
Hennepin County Cooperative Agreement for Nicollet Avenue Reconstruction Project
The Council approved Resolution No. 12408, authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to execute Hennepin County Cooperative Agreement No. PW 22-19-25 for the full 2026-27 reconstruction of Nicollet Avenue (Hennepin County State Aid Highway 52). The agreement sets cost-sharing terms, a payment schedule that defers a significant portion of the city's costs to 2027, and city maintenance responsibilities including landscaping and rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) for pedestrian crossings.
Passed 5-0
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
Secures county funding partnership and design agreement for a full street reconstruction, including new pedestrian safety beacons along Nicollet Avenue.
Concern to consider
Residents and businesses along Nicollet Avenue will experience construction disruption during the 2026-27 project, and the city has committed to future maintenance costs for lighting and landscaping.
What happens next: Hennepin County and the city will proceed with final design and begin construction on the Nicollet Avenue project in 2026-27, with a portion of city costs deferred to 2027.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗ · City Council agenda (city portal) ↗ · City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilOutcome pending
2050 Comprehensive Plan Update — Consultant RFP Discussion
During the Feb. 10 work session, City Planner Sam Crosby presented a draft Request for Proposals for a consultant to assist with the city's 2050 Comprehensive Plan update, outlining a timeline of consultant selection in March, contract approval in April, and plan completion by mid-2028. No formal vote was taken; Council directed staff to incorporate feedback on Penn Avenue and Cedar Avenue corridor planning, housing placement away from highway impacts, and sidewalk policy before releasing the RFP.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
Shapes how the city plans land use, housing, and transportation through 2050, including corridors like Penn Avenue and Cedar Avenue.
Concern to consider
The plan won't be finalized until mid-2028, so residents won't see concrete zoning or infrastructure changes from this process for several years.
What happens next: Staff will revise the RFP based on Council feedback and release it to consultants, with selection expected in March 2026 and contract approval in April 2026.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗ · City Council agenda (city portal) ↗ · City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilDiscussed
City Manager's Report: Operation Metro Surge Lawsuit Update and Emergency Ordinance Clarification
City Attorney Mary Tietjen updated the Council on the State of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and St. Paul's lawsuit against the federal government's Operation Metro Surge, noting a Jan. 30, 2026 court denial of a preliminary injunction while the case proceeds through discovery; Richfield joined an amicus brief on the operation's impact on municipal prosecution. City Manager Katie Rodriguez clarified the city's emergency ordinance bars staging of civil immigration enforcement operations on city property, though it does not bar federal vehicles from simply being present, and urged residents to call 911 to report staging activity.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
Clarifies what the city's emergency ordinance does and does not restrict regarding federal immigration enforcement on city property, and confirms the city is pursuing rental assistance and pre-eviction protections.
Concern to consider
The underlying federal court case remains unresolved, and enforcement-related disruption in the community continues.
What happens next: The federal lawsuit remains active in discovery; the city will continue collaborating with a multi-city coalition on policy and advocacy responses.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗ · City Council agenda (city portal) ↗ · City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilOutcome pending
Council Discussion: ALPR Cameras and Immigration-Related Vehicle Towing Policy
Council Member Burk addressed resident concerns about Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, noting state law limits data sharing to specific local agencies. Council Member Hayford Oleary reported the Transportation Commission is exploring more flexible towing and tagging rules for vehicles left behind when an owner is detained by ICE, aiming to reduce added stress on affected residents; staff are reviewing the recommendation.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
Learn more about this item
Potential benefit
A potential new towing policy could prevent unnecessary vehicle impoundment for residents detained by ICE, and current ALPR data sharing is limited to local agencies under state law.
Concern to consider
Residents who spoke at Open Forum want the ALPR cameras removed entirely, and no such decision has been made.
What happens next: City staff will review the Transportation Commission's towing/tagging recommendation and may bring a formal policy proposal to Council.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗ · City Council agenda (city portal) ↗ · City Council agenda (city portal) ↗