2025-02-25 Work Session Minutes
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
City Council Work Session
February 25, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Supple called the work session to order at 6:15 p.m. in the Bartholomew Room.
Council Present:
Mary Supple, Mayor; Sharon Christensen; Walter Burk, Sean Hayford
Oleary, Rori A. Coleman-Woods
Staff Present:
Guests:
Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Joe Powers, City Engineer; Michelle
Friedrich, City Clerk; and Courtney Miller, Senior Analyst.
Abby Shea, MN Department of Health.
ITEM #1
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (MDH) SOURCE WATER PROTECTION
DIVISION STAFF WILL PROVIDE A PRESENTATION AND RESPOND TO
QUESTIONS REGARDING THE WEST METRO MULTI-COMMUNITY WELLHEAD
PROTECTION PLAN PROJECT.
City Engineer Powers provided a summary of the agenda and turned the first item over to Abby
Shea, who works with the Minnesota Department of Health.
Abby Shea summarized the project and listed the cities that are participating, noting Richfield has
become a leading City in the project. Ms. Shea described the goals for this project and provided a
project background and a brief timeline. There are benefits of this project being a multi-community
project. Ms. Shea also listed some challenges they have faced. A before and after photo was
displayed. She explained the criteria for determining if a well is up to code and vulnerable or not.
Ms. Shea explained that all of Richfield’s wells are up to code, but some are considered vulnerable.
Ms. Shea listed the reasons why each well is considered vulnerable and described some of the
differences in this new system from the past.
City Engineer Powers stated that staff are looking forward to being able to partner with more cities
on issues like this.
Ms. Shea provided an overview of the next steps in the project.
Councilmember Hayford Oleary asked about physical aspect impacts of the City. Ms. Shea noted
there are some implications for agriculture areas and it would affect stormwater management.
City Council Work Session Minutes
-2-February 25, 2025
Mayor Supple asked for an update on the emergency interconnect with Minneapolis. Engineer
Powers noted staff are in the design development phase, and added design would be completed
by the end of the year.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Supple adjourned the work session at 6:55 pm.
Date Approved: March 11, 2025
Mary B. Supple
Mayor
Michelle Friedrich Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager