Meeting record · Richfield, Minnesota
City Council — Tuesday, October 25, 2022
14 items on the record
Read this day's brief Official records (city portal)
Items on the record
Item 1Discussedinformational or procedural item — no vote taken
17th Annual Great Pumpkin Giveaway Coloring Contest Winners
The 17th Annual Great Pumpkin Giveaway Coloring Contest was scheduled as a presentation item, with Mayor Regan Gonzalez expected to announce winners in each category. The event, a 16-year Richfield tradition, was sponsored by The Schneeberger Realty Group and Luminate Home Loans. The presentation was intended to celebrate young community members and recognize local businesses for supporting community-building activities.
Item 2Discussedinformational or procedural item — no vote taken
Arts Commission Yearly Presentation
Planning Commission Chair James Rudolph was scheduled to present the Commission's annual overview of its 2022 work to the City Council. The presentation was expected to cover the Commission's role in reviewing staff recommendations and deliberating on land use and development matters prior to full Council consideration. Council members were anticipated to recognize the Commission's contributions to thorough and respectful deliberation on community development issues.
Item 3Discussedinformational or procedural item — no vote taken
Planning Commission Annual Presentation
Planning Commission Chair James Rudolph was scheduled to give an annual presentation to the City Council, providing an overview of the commission's efforts throughout the year. The presentation was expected to highlight the Planning Commission's role in reviewing staff recommendations and deliberating on land use and development matters before they reach the Council. Council members have previously expressed appreciation for the commission's thoughtful, respectful deliberations on proposals.
Item 4Outcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Approval of the Agenda
The City Council approved the meeting agenda as presented.
Item 5AOutcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Reclassification of Friendship City Commission
This item was scheduled for consideration to reclassify the Friendship City Commission — which has fostered Richfield's sister city relationship with Heredia, Costa Rica since 1984 — as a committee under the Community Services Commission, effective January 1, 2023, by rescinding Resolution No. 8248. Staff recommended this change because travel to Costa Rica and hosting delegations are infrequent, leaving commission meetings with few agenda items in non-trip years. If approved, current commission members would be invited to continue as committee members, retaining their financial account and staff support for travel and community events.
Item 5BOutcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
First Reading of Ordinance Amending Section 601 (Solid Waste)
The City Council was scheduled to consider the first reading of an ordinance amending Section 601 of the Richfield City Code governing solid waste disposal, collection, and hauling. The proposed changes were expected to add clarifying language specifying which generators are covered under the city's organized collection contract versus commercial collection services—a gap identified after the new garbage code was adopted the prior year. Staff recommended approving the first reading and scheduling a second reading for November 9, 2022.
Item history
- Oct 25, 2022 · City Council · This item
- Nov 9, 2022 · City Council
Item 5COutcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Easement Purchase for 77th St Underpass Project
A resolution was on the agenda to authorize payment for two easements at 7601 18th Avenue required for the ongoing 77th Street Underpass project, which began in July 2021 and was anticipated to continue through fall 2023. The easements were needed due to drainage design changes that required new stormwater infrastructure on the west side of the property along the future Richfield Parkway, and the property owner agreed to the purchase without the need for eminent domain proceedings. Staff recommended the Council approve the resolution to allow timely construction of the drainage structure.
Item 5DOutcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Ratification of Contract for Taft Park Lift Station Improvements
The City Council was asked to ratify a contract with Meyer Contracting, Inc. totaling $175,788.34 for the already-completed Taft Park Lift Station Improvements Project, which installed a stormwater lift station to actively control water levels in Taft Lake. The original contract of $174,824.64 was executed without Council approval because it fell below the $175,000 purchasing threshold, but a $963.70 amendment for construction quantity overages pushed the total above that threshold, requiring formal Council ratification before the city could pay the final invoice. The project provides Public Works with active control over pond levels, preventing flooding in Taft Park and over the Three Rivers Park District trail.
Item 6Outcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Consideration of Items Removed from Consent Calendar
No items were removed from the consent calendar for separate consideration.
Item 7Outcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Public Hearing and Resolution for Special Assessments for Diseased Tree Removal
The Council held a public hearing and voted 5-0 to adopt Resolution No. 12020, approving special assessments totaling $84,622.54 across 23 properties for the removal of diseased trees from private property during 2021. Of 27 property owners who originally chose the city assessment option, 4 had since paid off their balances. Unpaid amounts would be certified to the Hennepin County Auditor and spread over five years at 5% interest, with a deadline of November 11 for payment without interest.
Item history
- Oct 25, 2022 · City Council · This item
- Oct 10, 2023 · City Council
Item 8Outcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Second Reading of Interim Ordinance Imposing One-Year Moratorium on Sale of Cannabis Products
The Council voted 4-1 to approve the second reading of an interim ordinance imposing a one-year moratorium on the sale of cannabis and THC-infused products within Richfield, with Council Member Hayford Oleary casting the sole dissenting vote. The moratorium was triggered by a 2022 Minnesota law that authorized the sale of THC edibles and beverages but provided limited local regulatory guidance, and it is designed to give the city time to develop a local licensing and zoning framework before any sales begin. The ordinance (Bill No. 2022-17) took effect December 3, 2022, thirty days after publication, and applies to all cannabis product sales except medical cannabis and non-edible hemp products that were already lawful.
Item history
- Oct 25, 2022 · City Council · This item
- Jul 25, 2023 · City Council · First Reading
- Aug 8, 2023 · City Council
Item 9Outcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Second Reading of Ordinance Amending Section 925 (Public Nuisances and Refuse)
A second reading of an ordinance amending Section 925 of the Richfield City Code was scheduled for consideration at this meeting, which would add a formal definition of 'refuse' and language addressing its accumulation under the city's Public Nuisances section. This proposal was brought forward because the elimination of the old garbage code left Environmental Health staff without clear legal language to enforce nuisance violations tied to refuse accumulation. The first reading of this amendment was approved by the City Council on October 11, 2022.
Item history
- Oct 25, 2022 · City Council · This item
- Apr 23, 2024 · City Council · Second Reading
Item 11Discussedinformational or procedural item — no vote taken
Approval of Claims and Payroll
The Richfield Arts Commission was scheduled to deliver its annual overview of 2022 activities to the City Council, led by Co-Chairs Karin Wolverton and Larry Nelson. The presentation was expected to highlight the Commission's community engagement work and honor retiring staff liaison MaryKaye Champa. Discussion was anticipated around an upcoming sculpture installation at the Chase Bank site, planned for November 9th.
Outcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Approval of Minutes
The City Council approved the minutes of the City Council Work Session and Regular City Council Meeting of October 11, 2022.
Official documents
Last updated Wednesday, April 8, 2026 · AI-assisted summaries — the official documents above are authoritative.