2025-01-28 Council Work Session Minutes
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
City Council Work Session
January 28, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Supple called the work session to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Bartholomew Room.
Councilmembers
Present:
Mary Supple, Mayor; Sharon Christensen; Walter Burk, Sean Hayford
Oleary, Rori A. Coleman-Woods
Staff Present:
Guests:
Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Samantha Crosby, Community
Development Planner; Melissa Poehlman, Community Development
Director; Michelle Friedrich, City Clerk; and Courtney Miller, Senior Analyst
ITEM #1
DISCUSS BAN ON SHORT-TERM RENTALS
City Manager Rodriguez provided an overview of the agenda and introduced the first item, turning it
over to City Planner Crosby.
City Planner Crosby introduced the topic to the Council, and discussed the solutions for the issue
and noted the staff recommendation for the topic.
Mayor Supple highlighted residents' concerns regarding short-term rentals, emphasizing issues
related to "party houses" and related complaints.
Councilmember Christensen asked how many short-term rentals exist in the City. City Planner
Crosby explained 72 rental properties exist, but are were self-reported so the number may not be
completely accurate.
Councilmember Hayford Oleary asked if Mayor Supple still thought this was a big concern after staff
shared their findings.
Mayor Supple responded short-term rentals had not been a concern until neighboring communities
began banning short-term rentals. Mayor Supple noted she does not object to owner-occupied
rentals, she is leaning toward a ban on short-term rentals due to enforcement challenges.
City Council Work Session Minutes
-2-January 28, 2025
Councilmember Hayford Oleary shared feedback from local business owners, noting that if the staff
supports it, a one-week rental limit could be implemented.
Councilmember Burk inquired on total number of emergency calls received from rentals.
Community Development Director Poehlman noted it is difficult to crossmatch the calls received, but
staff could look into it.
Mayor Supple expressed her preference for banning rentals shorter than 30 days, though she could
accept a two-week limit.
City Planner Crosby noted a consensus for some form of limitation and suggested that the next step
would be gathering community feedback.
Councilmember Hayford Oleary added that there seems to be agreement to delay enforcement until
January 1, 2026.
Mayor Supple inquired about who would receive notices. City Planner Crosby welcomed feedback
on the recipients of such notices.
Community Development Director Poehlman recommended sending notices to all rental owners to
ensure broad awareness and stated no additional work session would be necessary unless the
Council requests one.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Supple adjourned the work session at 6:27 pm.
Date Approved: February 11, 2025
Mary B. Supple
Mayor
Michelle Friedrich Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager