The City Council discussed a draft ordinance rewriting City Code Section 840.11 to allow low-alcohol beverages (under 17% ABV) at the new Wood Lake Nature Center, the Community Center, the Richfield Ice Arena, and designated park areas for approved City-sponsored events. The draft also sets licensing, permitting, and enforcement requirements and expands where City Council-approved community celebrations can serve alcohol. This was a discussion-only work session item; no ordinance was adopted, and general alcohol consumption in parks remains prohibited outside these newly defined exceptions.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
Allowing regulated low-alcohol beverages at Wood Lake Nature Center, the Community Center, and the Ice Arena could let residents host weddings, anniversaries, and fundraisers with alcohol service, and generate additional facility revenue that could reduce the City subsidy needed to operate these buildings.
Concern to consider
Expanding where alcohol can be consumed in City parks and facilities raises enforcement, licensing, and liability questions, and some residents may be concerned about alcohol use near recreational and family spaces even though hard liquor above 17% ABV remains banned.
What happens next: Staff sought Council feedback and direction on the draft ordinance, including the 17% ABV limit and allowed locations; a formal ordinance reading and vote would follow at a future Council meeting.
Discussion of Utility Rate Study Work Session Follow-Up: Multifamily/Commercial Tiered Rates and Sewer Minimum Charge
The City Council reviewed staff and consultant (HDR, Inc.) findings on whether to move commercial and multifamily accounts from a flat tier-1 water rate to a conservation/tiered rate structure like the one already used for single-family homes, plus a proposed 2027 rate structure and a sewer minimum-charge reduction from 7,000 to 5,000 gallons quarterly. Staff recommended no change for multifamily properties due to limited revenue difference (about $19,042 citywide) and added billing complexity, while calling the commercial tiered-rate decision a policy choice for Council since about 115 commercial accounts using tier-3 volumes would see a 44.4% increase in annual water costs, generating roughly $186,900 more citywide. No formal vote was taken; this was a discussion-only work session.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
Key figure: $5,044.58 — Estimated annual revenue difference from not applying tiered rates to the 9 highest-use multifamily properties plus 10 random buildings sampled
Potential benefit
Reducing the sewer minimum quarterly volumetric charge from 7,000 to 5,000 gallons could lower bills for low-usage customers, and keeping multifamily properties on flat tier-1 rates avoids new administrative billing complexity that would cost the City more to manage than it would recover (~$19,042/year citywide).
Concern to consider
Moving commercial accounts to a tiered rate structure could raise water costs by 44.4% annually for roughly 115 high-usage businesses, and residents should watch whether Council adopts a new 2027 rate structure that changes future utility bills for all customer classes.
What happens next: Staff and consultant HDR, Inc. sought Council feedback and direction on the 2027 rate structure, the sewer minimum charge reduction, and whether to pursue tiered rates for multifamily and/or commercial accounts; formal rate ordinance changes would require a future Council vote.
Proclamation Celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month
Mayor Supple proclaimed May 2026 as Jewish American Heritage Month in Richfield, recognizing the contributions of Jewish Americans to the city and country; the proclamation was received by Ken Liss and Doris Rubenstein.
Proclamation Recognizing Peace Officers' Memorial Day
Mayor Supple proclaimed May 10-16, 2026 as National Police Week and May 15, 2026 as Peace Officers' Memorial Day in Richfield, honoring law enforcement officers; the proclamation was received by Police Chief Jay Henthorne.
The Council approved $3,308,284.49 in city disbursements and claims through May 8, 2026, including $1,899,786.36 in accounts payable checks/EFTs (April 18-May 1) and $1,408,498.13 in payroll (April 24).
4th of July Committee Celebration License and Fee Waiver
The Council granted the Richfield 4th of July Committee a celebration license for a one-day Independence Day event at Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday, July 4, 2026, and waived the standard $5,000 license fee, continuing more than 40 years of city-supported festivities.
Cooperative Construction Agreement with MnDOT for 73rd Street Trail
The Council authorized the Mayor and City Manager to execute Cooperative Construction Agreement Contract No. 1061135 with MnDOT, clarifying maintenance responsibilities for the shared-use path and roadway improvements built in MnDOT right-of-way as part of the 73rd Street Trail (Safe Routes to School) project near Centennial Elementary School, completed in fall 2025 at 73rd Street and Cedar Avenue (Trunk Highway 77).
Formalizes long-term maintenance of a new pedestrian trail and safer street crossings near an elementary school.
Concern to consider
The city takes on ongoing maintenance and future replacement costs for infrastructure located on MnDOT right-of-way, though staff say these costs mirror what they'd be on city land.
What happens next: The Mayor and City Manager will finalize and execute the agreement with MnDOT.
Secondhand Goods Dealer License for EcoAtm at 6540 Penn Avenue South
The Council approved a new Secondhand Goods Dealer license for EcoAtm, LLC to operate an electronics buyback kiosk inside the CVS store at 6540 Penn Avenue South, allowing residents to trade in used phones and laptops.
Agreement with Conservation Corps of Minnesota for Rain Garden Installation
The Council authorized the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement with the Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa to install rain gardens funded by the Richfield-Bloomington Watershed Management Organization (RBWMO) Grant Program, Project No. 220-11293.
Temporary On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License for 4th of July Events
The Council approved a Temporary On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor license for the Fourth of July Committee to serve alcohol at events at Veterans Memorial Park on July 4, 2026.
First Reading: Ordinance Setting City Council Salaries for 2027-2028
The Council approved the first reading of an ordinance amending City Code Subsection 210.01 to set Mayor and Council salaries for 2027 and 2028 with a 0% increase in both years, per direction given at the April 28, 2026 Work Session. The second reading is scheduled for the May 26, 2026 Council meeting.
Resolution Modifying Post-Employment Health Care Savings Plans
The Council approved Resolution 2026-12424 modifying the city's General Services and Management Post-Employment Health Care Savings Plans to align plan language with the 2024 compensation and classification structure adopted following the Baker Tilly study. Eligibility continues to be based on pay grade, with grade 12 and below in the General Services plan and grade 13 and above in the Management plan.