2025-07-22 Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
City Council Work Session
July 22, 2025
ITEM #1 CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Supple called the work session to order at 5:33 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; Karl Huemiller, Recreation Services
Director; Kris Weiby, Facilities Manager; Joe Powers, City Engineer;
Michelle Friedrich, City Clerk; Courtney DesCamps, Management Analyst;
and Mark McKinley, Administrative Assistant.
Amber Blanchard, MnDOT Metro District Major Projects Manager; Ryan
Wilson, MnDOT Metro District West Area Manager; Adam Barnett, Principal
Sports Architect at JLG Architects; Zach Finstrom, Project Architect at JLG
Architects; Nick Nowacki, Senior Aquatics Engineer at Reengineered, Inc.;
and Will Forbord, CPE at Loeffler Construction & Consulting.
ITEM #2 ITEM DISCUSSION
A.I-494 Phase 2 Discussion
City Engineer Powers provided a summary of the item and opened the discussion to MnDOT staff.
Amber Blanchard provided a summary of the agenda and reviewed the follow-up action items from
the last discussion. Council asked what the future holds for the 2nd Avenue pedestrian bridge if
MnDOT does not take any action on the project. Ms. Blanchard stated that if the bridge becomes a
safety concern, consideration of a deconstruction plan for replacement would be reviewed. Ms.
Blanchard reviewed City and MnDOT projects that will be taking place during the I-494 project. Ms.
Blanchard gave an update on the noise analysis and air quality studies. Ms. Blanchard reviewed
the feedback MnDOT received from the community. An outline of the public engagement from
project 1 and the phase 2 public engagement plans were reviewed.
Ryan Wilson revisited the implementation plan for the projects. He provided a summary of the
regional framework and the next steps for this project. Council discussed wanting to increase
safety in the area where West 76th Street and I-35W cross, noting they would like to see paving as
well as increased safety fixes in that area. Mr. Wilson explained they are trying to make these
changes over time in that area, and staff are aiming to continue to target these areas.
City Council Work Session Minutes -2-July 22, 2025
Engineer Powers noted action items include follow-up on 76th Street intersections, trail crossing at
railroad bridge, air quality gas emissions, and phase 2 noise.
B.Pool Project Update
Director Huemiller provided a summary of the pool project. Adam Barnett summarized the goal of
the project, presented the schedule of the project, and provided a breakdown of the budget.
Nick Nowacki discussed the pool base structure. He noted the structure of both pools is in very
good condition and just needs some general maintenance. Mr. Nowacki listed the repairs that are
needed. Council asked if concrete replacement is necessary at the big pool, or if resurfacing with
plaster is in order. Recreation Services Director Huemiller stated refinishing the pool with new
plaster is maintenance that will protect the existing concrete. Mr. Nowacki discussed the lifespan of
the updates that are needed.
Will Forbord provided a summary of the bathhouse base scope and needed updates. Mr. Forbord
listed bathhouse maintenance needed, some concession changes, and presented alternatives for
the pool and bathhouse. Mr. Forbord displayed visuals of alternatives. Mr. Nowacki discussed
future opportunities for the pool and provided a breakdown of the estimated cost for the total
project.
Council discussed pool-related updates and maintenance and provided feedback on the
presentation.
ITEM #3 ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Supple adjourned the work session at 6:54 p.m.
Date Approved: August 12, 2025
Mary B. Supple
Mayor
Michelle Friedrich Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager