2025-03-25 Council Regular Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Supple at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Council Present:
Council Absent:
Mary Supple, Mayor; Sharon Christensen; Sean Hayford
Oleary; and Rori A. Coleman-Woods.
Walter Burk
Staff Present:
Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Mary Tietjen, City Attorney;
Melissa Pohlman, Community Development Director, Kristin
Asher, Public Works Director; and Michelle Friedrich, City
Clerk.
Others Present: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Supple led the Pledge of Allegiance.
OPEN FORUM
Mayor Supple reviewed the participation options for residents at the Council meeting including in-
person comments, comments by voicemail or email, and an option to request to participate virtually
with advance notice. Mayor Supple noted more information on submitting comments can be
reviewed at www.richfieldmn.gov/citycouncil.
No residents participated in the Open Forum public comment opportunity.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: made by Council Member Coleman-Woods, seconded by Council Member Hayford
Oleary to approve the minutes of the: (1) City Council Special Meeting from January 31, 2025, and
(2) City Council Special Meeting from February 1, 2025, and (3) City Council/RBWMO Special
Meeting from March 11, 2025, and (4) City Council Regular Meeting from March 11, 2025
Motion carried: 4-0
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Regular Council Meeting
March 25, 2025
City Council Meeting Minutes -2- March 25, 2025
ITEM #1
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: made by Council Member Hayford Oleary, seconded by Council Member Christensen to
approve Agenda as presented.
Motion carried: 4-0
ITEM #2
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
A. Consideration of the approval of a resolution authorizing staff to submit an application for a
Hennepin County Youth Equipment Grant in the amount of $10,000 for the purchase of skate
aids, hockey equipment, rental skates, and rink dividers and authorizing staff to enter into a
grant agreement, if awarded. (Staff Report No. 38)
RESOLUTION NO. 12309
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING STAFF TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR A HENNEPIN
YOUTH EQUIPMENT GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,000 FOR THE PURCHASE OF
SKATING AIDS AND HOCKEY EQUIPMENT FOR THE RICHFIELD ICE ARENA’S LEARN
TO SKATE AND LITTLE SPARTAN HOCKEY PROGRAMS, AND TO EXECUTE A GRANT
AGREEMENT, IF AWARDED.
B. Consider the adoption of a resolution authorizing the acceptance of a Hose Roller 1 unit from
First Response Fire and Safety. (Staff Report No. 39)
RESOLUTION NO. 12310
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A DONATED HOSE ROLLER 1 UNIT
FROM FIRST RESPONSE FIRE AND SAFETY
C. Consider approval of the contract with Becker Arena Products to provide and install new
Dasher Boards on Rink 2 for $251,067. (Staff Report No. 40)
D. Consider a resolution authorizing the execution of an agreement with the State of Minnesota to
release the 2023 appropriations bill funds awarded to the Wood Lake Nature Center Building
Project in the amount of $12,000,000 and authorizing staff to administer the funds in
accordance with all terms as prescribed by the State of Minnesota. (Staff Report No. 41)
RESOLUTION NO. 12311
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING STAFF TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE
OF MINNESOTA TO RELEASE FUNDS FROM THE 2023 STATE OF MINNESOTA
APPROPRIATIONS BILL, ADMINISTERED BY THE MN DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $12,000,000, AND DESIGNATED
FOR THE WOOD LAKE NATURE CENTER BUILDING PROJECT, AND AUTHORIZING
CITY OF RICHFIELD STAFF TO ADMINISTER THE FUNDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH
GRANT AGREEMENTS AND TERMS PRESCRIBED BY DONORS
City Council Meeting Minutes -3- March 25, 2025
MOTION: made by Council Member Coleman-Woods, seconded by Council Member Hayford
Oleary to approve the consent calendar.
Motion carried: 4-0
ITEM #3
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT
CALENDAR
None.
ITEM #4
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Rodriguez shared information regarding the two short-term rental owners who spoke
at the previous meeting, and noted they had no further questions.
ITEM #5
CLAIMS AND PAYROLL
MOTION: made by Council Member Hayford Oleary, seconded by Council Member Coleman-
Woods to approve the following claims and payrolls:
U.S. BANK 03/14/2025
Payroll: 195229-195544;
44134-44136 manual checks $1,354,508.15
U.S. BANK 03/21/2025
A/P Checks: 335083-335368 $2,748,194.46
TOTAL $4,102,702.61
Motion carried: 4-0
ITEM #6
HATS OFF TO HOMETOWN HITS
Council Member Hayford Oleary had nothing to report.
Council Member Christensen shared that she attended the Empty Bowls 2025 event at Richfield
High School. She explained that the event features a variety of foods, with the High School Arts
program creating all the bowls used at the event. She also mentioned that all proceeds from the
event go to support the Richfield Food Shelf.
Council Member Coleman-Woods shared that insurance agent Karl Herman has been organizing a
City-wide food drive, with the help of Richfield High School activity groups volunteering. Mr. Herman
donates $750 to each group participating in the food drive. She also congratulated CJ Armstrong for
being named a finalist in the top five for Mr. Basketball.
Mayor Supple reported that the Housing and Redevelopment Authority and the Economic
Development Authority recently presented their year-in-review reports. She highlighted that the
City Council Meeting Minutes -4-March 25, 2025
presentations were inspiring, showcasing the positive and significant work accomplished over the
past year. The presentations and related information are available on the City website.
Mayor Supple mentioned that an item related to the Richfield Ice Arena was included in the Consent
Calendar for the current meeting. She noted that the ice arena attracts 500,000 visitors annually and
expressed her appreciation to all staff and community members involved in its operations.
The Mayor also shared that four new officers were sworn in at a recent Police Department awards
ceremony, with Officer Drew Gifford being named Officer of the Year. She thanked the family
members and community members who attended the ceremony for their continued support.
Additionally, Mayor Supple conveyed that she had the privilege of joining the local Tibetan
community at the Capitol Rotunda to celebrate the 14th Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday. She noted that
the celebration focused on a year of compassion and gratitude.
ITEM #7 ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: made by Council Member Coleman-Woods, seconded by Council Member Hayford
Oleary to adjourn the meeting at 7:12 p.m.
Motion carried: 4-0
Date Approved: April 8, 2025
Mary Supple
Mayor
Michelle Friedrich Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager