Work SessionItem 2.a.Outcome pending
Sidewalks and Tree Planting Policies Discussion
The City Council continued a work session discussion, begun April 14, 2026, on updating Richfield's 2016 Sidewalk Policy and related boulevard tree placement guidelines. Council generally supported planting trees 7-10 feet from the curb, prioritizing sidewalks on collector streets, school routes, and high-use pedestrian corridors, and exploring a resident petition process (potentially with assessments) for neighborhood-requested sidewalks. No formal policy was adopted; staff was directed to continue developing options and public engagement strategies, including through the upcoming Comprehensive Plan update.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
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Potential benefit
Future sidewalk and tree decisions could improve walkability, safety, and neighborhood tree canopy across Richfield's roughly 44 miles of existing sidewalks and residential streets.
Concern to consider
Any eventual policy change could bring new assessments to homeowners for petitioned sidewalks or new maintenance and snow-removal responsibilities, though no policy was finalized at this meeting.
What happens next: Staff will continue developing sidewalk and tree-planting policy options, engagement strategies, and recommendations, with public input to be gathered partly through the City's upcoming Comprehensive Plan update, before bringing revised policy proposals back to Council.
Sources: Work Session agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 2aOutcome pending
Work Session Discussion: Park Alcohol Ordinance Update
At the May 12 work session, Recreation Director Huemiller presented proposed updates allowing limited alcohol service, including hard liquor, at designated events and facility rentals such as Wood Lake Nature Center, the Community Center, and the Ice Arena, subject to licensing, staffing, and security requirements. Council reached consensus supporting the updates, clarifying that smoking remains prohibited in parks and that the changes do not affect THC or cannabis rules.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
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Potential benefit
Allows expanded alcohol service, including hard liquor, at popular venues like Wood Lake Nature Center and the Community Center for weddings and events.
Concern to consider
Expanded alcohol access in parks and facilities raises staffing, security, and enforcement considerations still being worked out.
What happens next: Staff will draft formal ordinance language reflecting Council's consensus for future first and second readings.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 2bOutcome pending
Utility Rate Study Discussion — Water Billing Structure
Senior Analyst Scott Kulzer and HDR consultant Sean Korn presented findings from the city's water utility rate study using 2025 consumption data, showing most residential customers fall in the lowest billing tier and that a tiered structure would yield only modest revenue differences for multi-family properties. Council supported keeping the current multi-family flat-rate structure and asked staff for further analysis on tiered rate options for commercial accounts.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
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Potential benefit
Keeping the current multi-family rate structure avoids near-term billing changes for apartment residents and property owners.
Concern to consider
Commercial tiered rate options remain undecided, with staff citing 'administrative and equity challenges' still under review.
What happens next: Staff will bring additional analysis on commercial usage and tiered rate options back to Council for further review.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 6aDiscussed
Proclamation Recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month
Mayor Supple read a proclamation recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month, received by Ken Liss and Doris Rubenstien on May 12, 2026.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Potential benefit
Symbolic city recognition of Jewish American history and contributions; no cost or regulatory change.
Concern to consider
Purely ceremonial with no binding policy or funding attached.
What happens next: The proclamation took effect immediately upon reading; no further council action required.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 6bDiscussed
Proclamation Recognizing Peace Officers' Memorial Day
Mayor Supple read a proclamation recognizing Peace Officers' Memorial Day, received by Richfield Police Chief Jay Henthorne on May 12, 2026.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Potential benefit
Symbolic city recognition honoring law enforcement officers; no cost or regulatory change.
Concern to consider
Purely ceremonial with no binding policy or funding attached.
What happens next: The proclamation took effect immediately upon reading; no further council action required.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7aApproved
Approval of Disbursements/Claims (May 12)
The Council approved payment of city disbursements and claims totaling $3,308,284.49, including $1,899,786.36 in accounts payable checks/EFTs and $1,408,498.13 in payroll, covering the period through May 8, 2026.
Passed 5-0
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Key figure: $3,308,284.49 — Total disbursements/claims approved, including $1,899,786.36 in A/P checks and $1,408,498.13 in payroll through May 8, 2026
Potential benefit
Ensures vendors, contractors, and city employees are paid on time, keeping city services running smoothly.
Concern to consider
Bulk approval of over $3.3 million limits line-by-line public scrutiny of individual payments.
What happens next: Payments were processed as approved; no further action required.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7bApproved
Richfield 4th of July Committee Celebration License Application
The Council approved the Richfield 4th of July Committee's celebration license application, allowing the committee to organize and host its annual Independence Day event at Veterans Memorial Park.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Enables the city's annual Fourth of July celebration to proceed at Veterans Memorial Park.
Concern to consider
No significant concerns noted; a routine annual license renewal.
What happens next: The Fourth of July Committee will proceed with planning and hosting the July 4, 2026 celebration.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7cApproved
Resolution Authorizing MnDOT Cooperative Construction Agreement for 73rd Street Trail
The Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-12421 authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to execute a Cooperative Construction Agreement (Contract No. 1061135) with the Minnesota Department of Transportation for the 73rd Street Trail project, which was completed in 2025.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Formalizes the cost-sharing and administrative agreement for a trail project already completed along 73rd Street.
Concern to consider
No new construction impact since the project was already completed in 2025; this finalizes paperwork with the state.
What happens next: The agreement is now executed; no further construction action is needed for this completed project.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7dApproved
New 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 a kiosk inside the CVS store at 6540 Penn Avenue South, allowing residents to sell used electronic devices at that location.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Adds another convenient location for residents to sell used electronics for cash.
Concern to consider
Requires city licensing oversight to prevent sale of stolen devices.
What happens next: The license took effect, allowing the kiosk to begin operating under city licensing requirements.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7eApproved
Resolution Authorizing Rain Garden Installation Agreement with Conservation Corps of Minnesota
The Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-12422 authorizing an agreement with the Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa to install rain gardens funded through the Richfield-Bloomington Watershed Management Organization (RBWMO) Grant Program, Project No. 220-11293.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Rain gardens funded through a watershed grant help manage stormwater runoff and reduce local flooding and pollution.
Concern to consider
Specific installation locations and total grant funding amount were not detailed in the resolution summary.
What happens next: The Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa will proceed with rain garden installation under the grant-funded agreement.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7fApproved
Site Plan Approval for Fitness Studio at 6503 Nicollet Avenue South
The Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-12423 approving a site plan converting a retail tenant space at 6503 Nicollet Avenue South into a fitness studio.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Brings a new fitness business into a formerly vacant or underused retail space on Nicollet Avenue.
Concern to consider
No significant concerns noted for this routine site plan approval.
What happens next: The tenant can proceed with build-out and permitting to open the fitness studio.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 7gApproved
Temporary On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License for Fourth of July Committee Events
The Council approved a Temporary On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor license for the Fourth of July Committee to serve alcohol at events held at Veterans Memorial Park on July 4, 2026.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Allows alcohol sales at the city's Fourth of July celebration, supporting event fundraising and attendee experience.
Concern to consider
Temporary licenses require oversight to ensure responsible alcohol service at a family-oriented public event.
What happens next: The Fourth of July Committee will operate under the temporary license during the July 4, 2026 event.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 10aApproved
First Reading: Ordinance Amending City Council Salaries for 2027 and 2028
The Council approved the first reading of an ordinance amending City Code Subsection 210.01 to set Mayor and Council Member salaries for 2027 and 2028 with no increase from current levels, reflecting direction given at the April 28, 2026 work session. The second reading was scheduled for the May 26, 2026 Council meeting.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Freezes elected official pay for two years, avoiding added cost to city government.
Concern to consider
Flat compensation over multiple years could affect who can afford to serve on the Council.
What happens next: The second reading was scheduled for the May 26, 2026 Council meeting for final adoption.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 11aApproved
Resolution Modifying Post-Employment Health Care Savings Plans
The Council adopted Resolution No. 2026-12424 modifying the General Services and Management Post-Employment Health Care Savings Plans to align plan language with the city's 2024 compensation and classification structure from the Baker Tilly study. Eligibility remains split by pay grade, with grade 12 and below in the General Services plan and grade 13 and above in the Management plan.
Passed 5-0
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Potential benefit
Updates outdated plan language to match the city's current pay grade system, ensuring city employee benefit plans remain accurate and legally consistent.
Concern to consider
Primarily an internal administrative update with no direct impact on residents outside city employment.
What happens next: The updated plan language takes effect immediately for eligible city employees.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗
City CouncilItem 12aOutcome pending
Alternate Appointment to Fill Vacancy on Human Rights Commission
The Council considered an alternate appointment to fill a vacancy on the Richfield Human Rights Commission. No candidate name or specific outcome was detailed in the agenda materials.
recorded in the approved minutes — tally not yet extracted here
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Potential benefit
Fills a vacant seat on the commission that reviews human rights proclamations and policy recommendations, such as the Pride Month proclamation.
Concern to consider
Details on the candidate and selection process were not specified in available materials.
What happens next: The Council's appointment decision, once made, will fill the vacant commission seat.
Sources: City Council agenda (city portal) ↗