2025-08-26 Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
City Council Work Session
August 26, 2025
ITEM #1 CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Supple called the work session to order at 4:33 p.m. in the Bartholomew Room.
Council Members
Present:
Mary Supple, Mayor; Sharon Christensen, Walter Burk, Sean Hayford
Oleary, Rori A. Coleman-Woods (Arrived at 5 p.m.)
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Mary Bogie, Finance Director; Steve
McDaniel, Budget, Cash, and Debt Manager; Sack Thongvanh, Assistant
City Manager; Chris Fierst, Liquor Operations Manager; Melissa Poehlman,
Community Development Director; Jenell Brooks, Fire Chief; Courtney
DesCamps, Senior Analyst; Jay Henthorne, Director of Public Safety/Chief
of Police; Jennifer Anderson, Support Services Manager; Chris Link, Deputy
Public Works Director; Karl Huemiller, Recreation Services Director; Kate
Aitchison, Communications and Engagement Manager; Kristin Asher, Public
Works Director; Andrew Spear, IT Director; Brittany Bartlett, Equity
Coordinator; Michelle Friedrich, City Clerk; and Mark McKinley,
Administrative Assistant
ITEM #2 ITEM DISCUSSION
A.Presentation of the 2025 Revised/2026 Proposed Budget and Tax Levy.
City Manager Rodriguez provided a summary of the agenda. She provided an update on
the misalignment of the expenses for the 65th Street project. She stated that they will have
an error correction in the 2024 audit. She presented the projected Utility fund cash
balances. She displayed the impact that the 7% increase in water and storm rates will have
on the utility rate. The Council asked questions related to the percentage increase.
Manager Rodriguez explained that they have made 7% increases in the past.
Manager Rodriguez turned the presentation over to the Administrative Services
Department Manager Sack Thongvanh. Sack presented an overview of the Administrative
Services Department. He reviewed the department's funding sources. He reviewed the
retirements and new hires in 2025. He displayed the 2025 revised and 2026 proposed
budgets. He presented the expenditures and revenues for the department. Manager Fierst
reviewed the Liquor store sales throughout the City. He presented the 2025 revised and
the 2026 proposed budgets for each store location. Assistant Manager Thongvanh
reviewed the investments and impacts in the 2026 proposed budget for Human Resources,
City Clerk, Deputy Registrar, Building Services, IT, and Communications. Manager Fierst
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reviewed the investments and impacts in the 2026 proposed budget for Liquor Operations.
Manager Thongvanh reviewed the unfunded items in the Administrative Services
Department.
Director Poehlman provided an overview of the Community Development Department. She
discussed the department's funding sources. She reviewed the changes within the
department. She presented the 2025 revised budget and the 2026 proposed budget. She
presented the investments and impacts in Community Development for 2026.
Manager McDaniel provided the Finance Department overview. He reviewed the 2025
revised budget and the 2026 proposed budget. He presented the investments and impacts
for the Finance Department in 2026.
Fire Chief Brooks provided a department overview. She reviewed the 2025 revised budget
and the 2026 proposed budget. She discussed the investments and impacts in the Fire
Department for 2026. She reviewed the unfunded items in the department. She provided
more details on the calls that the department receives.
Mayor Supple recessed the meeting briefly for dinner at 5:30 p.m.
Analyst DesCamps provided an overview of the Legislative/Executive department. She
reviewed the 2025 revised and 2026 proposed budgets. She discussed the investments
and impacts within the department for 2026. She reviewed the unfunded items in the
department.
Director Henthorne provided an overview of the Public Safety department. Manager
Anderson reviewed the Support Services division overview. Director Henthorne presented
the 2025 revised budget and the 2026 proposed budget for the department. Manager
Anderson reviewed the Support Services budgets and the revenues. Director Henthorne
discussed the investments and impacts for Public Safety in 2026. He reviewed the budget
forecast. He discussed the unfunded items in Public Safety. Council asked a budgeting
question relating to where the contract with Bloomington Health is reflected. Manager
Anderson stated that it is listed under the Support Services budget.
Director Asher provided the Public Works department overview. She discussed the service
delivery. She stated the department's mission and the core services. She presented the
general fund 2025 revised budget and the 2026 proposed budget. Director Link presented
the central garage budgets. He discussed the postponed purchases. Director Asher
reviewed the enterprise fund budgets. She discussed the investments and impacts in the
public works department in 2026. Director Link reviewed the public works unfunded items.
Council discussed public street maintenance and noted that they would like to see more
money put into these issues.
Director Huemiller provided a department overview of the Recreation Services budgets. He
reviewed the general fund divisions. He also reviewed the special revenue fund. He
presented the 2025 revised and 2026 proposed budgets. He reviewed the 2025 revised
and the 2026 proposed budget for the special revenue fund. He discussed the investments
and impacts in Recreation Services for 2026. He reviewed the unfunded items.
Council discussed the need for stop sign and warning sign replacements. Council also
noted that they think that the asphalt trail replacements are necessary for safety. Council
stated that tree planting is very behind where it should be; they noted that they would like
to see support behind the $25,000/ year for the planting. Mayor Supple asked for feedback
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on the Levy increase to implement these projects. Council stated that they would be in
favor of increasing the levy to support these items.
ITEM #3 ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Supple adjourned the work session at 6:56 p.m.
To Be Approved: September 9, 2025
Mary B. Supple
Mayor
Michelle Friedrich Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager