Meeting record · Richfield, Minnesota
City Council — Tuesday, October 22, 2024
8 items on the record
Read this day's brief Official records (city portal)
Items on the record
Item 5AOutcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Awarding American Rescue Plan Act Funding to Non-Profit Organizations
The council was scheduled to consider awarding $94,881.06 in remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to five local non-profits serving Richfield residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff recommended splitting the funds among VEAP, Tapestry, Reach for Resources, Cornerstone, and Senior Community Services, covering food access, community meals, disability recreation, domestic violence advocacy, and senior support. This would complete the city's $420,000 ARPA social services allocation originally designated in 2022.
Item history
- Mar 14, 2023 · City Council
- Mar 28, 2023 · City Council · Under Review
- Feb 28, 2024 · City Council · Under Review
- Oct 22, 2024 · City Council · This item
Item 5BOutcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
City Contribution Toward Employee Insurance Premiums for 2025
The council was scheduled to adopt a resolution setting the city's contribution toward employee health, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance premiums for 2025, reflecting a 12.9% health insurance cost increase driven by movement to a higher HealthPartners band level based on claims experience. Full-time employee individual health coverage contributions were proposed at $880–$1,059 per month, with family coverage up to $1,922.84 per month and a maximum $200 per month HSA contribution. Dental, life insurance, and long-term disability contributions were proposed to remain unchanged from 2024.
Item history
- Oct 22, 2024 · City Council · This item
- Oct 28, 2025 · City Council · Under Review
Item 5COutcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
State Assumption of Electrical Inspections
The council was scheduled to authorize the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DoLI) to assume responsibility for all electrical inspections in Richfield effective November 1, 2024, ending the city's independent inspection program that has operated since 1955. The change was proposed because both of the city's contract electrical inspectors are departing — one retired and the other is joining DoLI full-time — and the city has been unable to recruit replacements given a statewide inspector shortage. Electrical permits applied for before November 1 would still be finalized by the city's departing inspector.
Item 5DOutcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Construction and Maintenance Agreement for 6300-6400 Blocks (Rya Apartments, Cedar Point, RF64 HOA)
The council was scheduled to approve a Construction and Maintenance Agreement formalizing ownership and upkeep responsibilities for shared public and private improvements in the newly redeveloped 6300–6400 blocks between 16th Avenue S and Richfield Parkway, involving Rya Apartments LLC, Cedar Point Investments LLC, and the RF64 Homeowners Association. The agreement covers sidewalks, landscaping, irrigation, boulevard trees, street and pedestrian lighting, and stormwater infrastructure including an underground detention system and surface pond. Property owners would be responsible for privately-built stormwater systems, with the city retaining authority to perform and bill for maintenance if owners fail to do so.
Item 7Outcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Second Reading: Ordinance Establishing Zoning Regulations for Cannabis Businesses
The City Council approved a second reading of an ordinance establishing zoning regulations for cannabis businesses in Richfield, with the motion carrying 5-0. Cannabis retailers were approved as permitted uses in commercial districts (C-2, MU-C, MU-R, PC-2, and PMU), subject to distance separations from schools, parks, and treatment facilities. Non-retail cannabis businesses were approved as conditional uses in the Industrial (I) zoning district, with a city-wide moratorium on cannabis operations remaining in effect until January 1, 2025 or receipt of an application from the state Office of Cannabis Management.
Item history
- Aug 8, 2023 · City Council
- Oct 22, 2024 · City Council · This item
Item 8Outcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Second Reading: Ordinance Amending Wetland Protection (Section 427) to Add Buffer Requirements and Clarify Appeals
The City Council approved updates to Section 427 of the city code governing wetland protection, with the motion carrying 5-0. The ordinance aligns Richfield's regulations with new buffer requirements adopted by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) in April 2024, which Richfield is required to match under a 2009 memorandum of understanding. The ordinance also clarifies the decision-making and appeals process for Wetland Conservation Act decisions.
Item 9Outcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Second Reading: Ordinance Amending Erosion, Sedimentation, Water Resource, and Well Drilling Regulations (Sections 428, 429, 620)
The City Council approved updates to three city code sections covering erosion and sedimentation control (428), water resource management (429), and well drilling (620), with the motion carrying 5-0. The changes update outdated references, incorporate current Municipal Separate Storm Sewer (MS4) stormwater permit requirements, streamline administration by authorizing the City Engineer and Public Works Director to delegate duties, and replace the well drilling section entirely with a reference to current state statutes and rules. Staff identified no financial impact from these changes.
Item history
- Oct 8, 2024 · City Council
- Oct 22, 2024 · City Council · This item
Item 11Outcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Approval of Claims and Payrolls
The city council was scheduled to approve routine claims and payroll totaling approximately $2,262,256 for the period ending October 17, 2024, covering accounts payable checks and employee payroll. This is a standard agenda item for council authorization of regular city expenditures, appearing on every council meeting agenda.
Official documents
Last updated Wednesday, April 8, 2026 · AI-assisted summaries — the official documents above are authoritative.