Meeting record · Richfield, Minnesota
Work Session — Tuesday, April 25, 2023
5 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
City Council and Staff Team Quarterly Meeting - Policy Topic Proposals and Tentative 2024 Workplans
The April 25 work session was scheduled as the second quarterly City Council-Staff Leadership meeting, focused on reviewing four policy topic proposals submitted by council members for potential inclusion in 2024 department workplans. Staff presented tentative 2024 workplans to be finalized during the upcoming budget process beginning in May 2023. The session was designed to help the council prioritize new initiatives given limited financial and staff resources before the annual budget cycle.
Item history
- Apr 25, 2023 · Work Session · This item
- May 9, 2023 · City Council · Informational
Outcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Policy Proposal: Limitations on Institutional Ownership of Residential Properties
A proposal to study and potentially limit institutional or investor ownership of residential properties in Richfield was on the agenda, submitted by Mayor Mary Supple, in response to concerns raised by residents during recent zoning debates. Staff reported that investor ownership has not been identified as a significant current problem in Richfield, with approximately 700 single-family rental homes — about 7% of the single-family housing stock — in the city. The council was expected to discuss whether to add a formal data analysis to the 2024 workplan while monitoring state legislation on the issue.
Outcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Policy Proposal: Additional Renter Protections
A proposal to research and implement additional renter protections was on the agenda, submitted by Council Member Ben Whalen, modeled on policies adopted in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Possible protections discussed included limiting criminal background check timelines, prohibiting use of credit scores in screening, capping security deposits at two times monthly rent, and requiring notice to pay or quit before an eviction is filed. Staff suggested that a third-party Housing Navigator funded through an ARPA grant could serve as a complementary or alternative near-term first step.
Outcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Policy Proposal: Hosting a State of the Community Event
A proposal to host a citywide State of the Community event was on the agenda, submitted by Mayor Mary Supple, expanding on a concept previously delayed by severe weather and the pandemic. The event would feature the city alongside multiple community partner organizations, and staff indicated it was likely too late to hold an event in 2023, recommending a spring 2024 date instead — possibly opening the Music in the Park series at the Veterans Park bandshell. Estimated costs were approximately $5,000 for a postcard mailing with no food, plus approximately 60 hours of staff coordination time.
Outcome pendingfinal tally arrives when the city publishes the minutes
Policy Proposal: Eliminating Parking Minimums
A policy proposal to eliminate off-street parking minimums from Richfield's zoning code was on the agenda for discussion, submitted by Council Member Sean Hayford Oleary. The proposal would not ban parking or reduce current parking maximums, but would allow property owners to determine how much parking they need to meet demand rather than complying with a city-mandated minimum. Council discussion reflected divided views, with some members supportive of targeted reforms and the mayor preferring a case-by-case variance approach.
Official documents
Last updated Wednesday, April 8, 2026 · AI-assisted summaries — the official documents above are authoritative.