Meeting record · Richfield, Minnesota
City Council — Tuesday, February 14, 2023
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
Proclamation Celebrating Black History Month
The Richfield City Council was scheduled to consider a proclamation recognizing February 2023 as Black History Month, celebrating the contributions of African Americans to the city, state, and nation. The proclamation noted that African Americans represented 11.8% of Richfield's population in 2022 and traced the origins of Black History Month to historian Carter G. Woodson's 1925 Negro History Week. The Richfield Human Rights Commission supported the proclamation at its February 2, 2023 meeting and recommended the Council adopt it.
Item history
- Feb 14, 2023 · City Council · This item
- Feb 13, 2024 · City Council
- Feb 13, 2024 · City Council
Item 2Discussedinformational or procedural item — no vote taken
Proclamation Declaring February 11, 2023 as Solveig Tvedten Day
The Council was scheduled to consider a proclamation honoring Solveig Tvedten, a longtime Richfield resident celebrating her 100th birthday on February 11, 2023. Tvedten moved to Richfield in 1955, raised five children, and became a registered dietician, remaining active in her community well into her centennial year. The proclamation recognized her as an example of an exemplary life lived in the Richfield community.
Item 3Outcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Approval of the Agenda
Approved the agenda for the February 14, 2023 City Council meeting.
Item 4AOutcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Site Plan Review, Sign Variances, and Parking Variance for MSP Commercial Headquarters
MSP Commercial, a construction company, was scheduled for consideration of a three-part land use request to relocate its headquarters from Eagan to 6436 Penn Avenue South in the Penn Avenue Corridor. The request included site plan approval, two sign variances to bring an existing oversized freestanding sign closer to code compliance, and a one-stall parking variance — with the site proposing 26 stalls against a requirement of 25 (including credit for four bicycle parking spaces). Staff recommended approval, noting that the office use fits the Mixed Use–Community zoning of the Penn Avenue Corridor and the proposal would improve pedestrian sidewalk access by eliminating a pinch point caused by the current sign placement.
Item 4BOutcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Modification of Health Care Savings Plan for Police Sergeants, Teamsters #320
The Council was scheduled to consider adopting a resolution modifying the post-employment Health Care Savings Plan (HCSP) for Police Sergeants in the Teamsters Local #320 bargaining unit, adjusting the severance contribution formula agreed to by both the union and the City. The modification had already received preliminary approval from the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS), and staff noted the plan has no cost to the City — in fact, generating modest savings through reduced Social Security and Medicare contributions on amounts employees direct into the plan. Under state statute, HCSP modifications can only occur once every two years; the last modification for this group was in 2016.
Item 4COutcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Extension of Land Use Approvals for Planned Unit Development at 101 – 66th Street East
North Bay Companies was on the agenda to request a one-year extension of land use approvals for a planned five-story mixed-use building at 101 – 66th Street East, featuring 80 residential units and approximately 2,685 square feet of commercial space — approvals that had expired on January 11, 2023. The applicant cited the challenging economic climate as the reason for the delay and noted progress through multiple building permit submittals and a demolition permit already issued; without an extension, the developer would need to restart the entire land use approval process. Staff continued to support the proposed development as an investment in the 66th Street corridor and a source of needed housing.
Item 4DOutcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Award Contract for Sheridan Pond Maintenance Project Phase 2
The Sheridan Pond Maintenance Project Phase 2 contract award was scheduled for council consideration, with staff recommending Davey Resource Group as the lowest of four bidders at $94,128.99. Phase 2 was expected to begin in Spring 2023 and would include vegetative improvements — seeding, plugging, tree planting, and pollinator habitat establishment — following Phase 1 dredging work that commenced in November 2022. This was on the agenda as the first significant maintenance effort at Sheridan Pond in at least 30 years, funded through stormwater user fees.
Item 4EOutcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Award Contract for Water Treatment Plant Roof Replacement Project
The council was scheduled to consider awarding a $1,389,615 contract to Huot Construction and Services, Inc. for a full roof replacement at Richfield's Water Treatment Plant, which was built in the early 1960s and last had its roof replaced in 2002. The project was expected to come in approximately 26% above the $1,100,000 engineer's estimate due to inflationary pressures and volatile roofing material prices, with the shortfall anticipated to require deferring some other planned 2023 capital improvement projects. The project also included replacement of rooftop heating and cooling units, with the new roof expected to carry an approximately 25-year lifespan.
Item 4FOutcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Master Utility Agreement for 494 Project 1
The council was scheduled to consider authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to execute Master Utility Agreement No. 1051052 with MnDOT and its design-build contractor, establishing a framework to govern the replacement, repair, and relocation of Richfield-owned utilities during I-494 Project 1. Because the project uses a design-build delivery method, the full scope of utility work was not yet determined at the time of the meeting; the agreement was expected to allow the city to participate in all utility design decisions as the project advances through individual work orders. The City Engineer would hold approval authority over any work impacting city-owned utilities.
Item 4GOutcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Cost-Share/Reimbursement Agreement with Partnership Academy
The council was scheduled to authorize a cost-share/reimbursement agreement with Partnership Academy (6500 Nicollet Ave) in the amount of $36,665.70 for water utility work the school completed in tandem with the city's 65th Street Reconstruction Project during summer 2022. The amount represented an increase from a previously council-approved figure of $31,311.20, with the additional $5,354.50 resulting from a gate valve connection and related concrete replacement that the city required as part of the installation. The city's finance department was expected to request that payment be issued before February 28, 2023.
Item 5Outcome 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 6Discussedinformational or procedural item — no vote taken
City Manager’s Report – Council Conference Attendance Policy Discussion
City Manager Katie Rodriguez presented a discussion on the City Council's policy for attending conferences, as part of the City Manager's Report. This was an informational and policy discussion item rather than a formal vote. The Council reviewed how attendance at conferences is handled and potentially discussed guidelines or expectations for Council members.
Item 7Outcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Approval of Claims and Payroll
The council was scheduled to approve routine accounts payable and payroll disbursements processed through U.S. Bank, covering city operating expenses and employee compensation for the period ending February 14, 2023. Available documentation indicates the disbursements included accounts payable checks totaling approximately $2,486,304.04 and payroll of approximately $726,063.09, for a combined total of approximately $3,212,367.13. Approval of claims and payroll is a standard recurring action at each council meeting.
Outcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Approval of Minutes
Approved the minutes of the City Council Regular Meeting of January 24, 2023, and the Joint City Council and Transportation Commission Work Session of February 1, 2023.
Official documents
Last updated Wednesday, April 8, 2026 · AI-assisted summaries — the official documents above are authoritative.