2025-03-25 Council Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
City Council Work Session
March 25, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Supple called the work session to order at 5:32 p.m. in the Bartholomew Room.
Council Present:
Council Absent:
Mary Supple, Mayor; Sharon Christensen; Sean Hayford Oleary, Rori A.
Coleman-Woods
Walter Burk
Staff Present:
Guests:
Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Kristin Asher, Public Works Director; Matt
Hardegger, Transportation Engineer; Joe Powers, City Engineer; Melissa
Poehlman, Community Development Director, Michelle Friedrich, City Clerk;
and Courtney Miller, Senior Analyst.
Andrew Lutaya, Metro District Project Manager
ITEM #1 CONSIDER ADDITIONAL ADVOCACY RELATED TO THE CITY’S LEGISLATIVE
PRIORITIES FOR 2025.
City Manager Rodriguez provided a summary of the first legislative priority item. She noted that
staff compiled a summary document to help clarify the City’s legislative advocacy. She described
the US Conference of Mayors' letter and asked for feedback on approval of the letter.
Mayor Supple noted periodically, groups ask for a letter of support with a deadline prior to a
Council meeting. She asked if the Council would approve of the mayor signing letters of support
without meeting first. Council consensus indicated no concerns with regard to signing the letter for
support.
City Manager Rodriguez noted the second legislative priority asking for support for legislation to
establish a State-funded County and City Cybersecurity Grant Program. She described the grant
program and the needs it meets. Council consensus was in support of the grant program.
City Manager Rodriguez explained the third legislative advocacy priority is for support of legislation
that would extend the time period to use unobligated tax increment funding to stimulate private
development. Community Development Director Poehlman added further context of the bill
proposal. Council consensus was in support of the third legislative advocacy priority.
City Council Work Session Minutes
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ITEM #2 RECEIVE A PRESENTATION FROM MNDOT ON PHASE 2 OF THE I-494
RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT
Council Member Hayford Oleary mentioned a bill that provides municipal state aid using gas tax
funds for street improvements and highlighted the City's costs for the 70th Street project. Public
Works Director Asher noted that while the bill presents opportunities, its variance requirements are
more restrictive. Council and staff agreed to review the topic further at a future meeting.City
Engineer Powers introduced the item to the Council and introduced Andrew Lutaya, Metro District
Project Manager.
Mr. Lutaya provided a summary of his presentation. He discussed the development of the corridor
vision and explained the timeline of the project and past developments. He presented the primary
needs that have been discovered from public outreach. He displayed the full corridor vision plan
and the implementation plan based on phases of funding. He noted that all nine phases could be
constructed independently. He described phase two of the project, noting that phase two is a
combination of all nine previously listed phases due to federal funding gained.
Council Member Hayford Oleary questioned why the pedestrian bridge across 494 was not
included in the reconstruction plan. Mr. Lutaya explained that the planned east crossing bridge met
community needs, and feedback suggested a new pedestrian bridge closer to the apartment
buildings would be more beneficial. He also mentioned the old bridge would be removed. City
Engineer Powers clarified that the bridge was never intended for demolition, and the City had
advocated for its repair or renovation. Council and MnDot discussed the costs of the bridge, limited
funds, and the criteria for bridge replacements.
Mr. Lutaya outlined the corridor vision delivery schedule, with phase two set to begin in fall 2026
with completion by fall 2029. He explained the municipal consent process and the framework
evaluation criteria for projects in Richfield. He discussed the impacts and benefits for commuters
using the corridor, highlighted the needs the project addresses for the City, and provided details on
the funding. He confirmed that the project is currently fully funded by the federal government, with
an agreement already signed for the funding.
Mr. Lutaya described the local congestion and mobility improvements. He added information on the
local safety benefits, both for pedestrians and for vehicles and noted the ownership of the project
and the major maintenance of the project. The project reduces inequity and improves community
access in areas below the poverty line. He explained the property impacts of both phases of the
project, air quality analysis, cost-benefit analysis, and that the reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions still needs to be studied for phase two.
Public Works Director Asher inquired on a timeline for the noise wall process. Mr. Lutaya noted
MnDOT hopes to have a noise wall process timeline in place mid-to-end of summer.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Supple adjourned the work session at 6:46 pm.
Date Approved: April 8, 2025
Mary B. Supple
Mayor
City Council Work Session Minutes
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Michelle Friedrich Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager