2025-09-23 Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
City Council Work Session
September 23, 2025
ITEM #1 CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Supple called the work session to order at 5:45 p.m. in the Bartholomew Room.
Council Present: Mary Supple, Mayor; Sharon Christensen; Walter Burk, Sean Hayford
Oleary, Rori A. Coleman-Woods
Staff Present:
Others Present:
Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Matt Hardegger, Transportation Engineer;
Joe Powers, City Engineer; Kristin Asher, Public Works Director, and
Michelle Friedrich, City Clerk. Jay Henthorne, Director of Public Safety/Chief
of Police arrived at 6:15 pm
Tim Brackett
ITEM #2 ITEM DISCUSSION
a.Presentation on updated Safe Routes to School Plan for Richfield Public Schools.
City Manager Rodriguez welcomed Tim Brackett and shared that he has been working on this
presentation. Public Works Director Asher provided a summary of the first item.
Transportation Engineer Hardegger provided a summary of the Safe Routes to School program. He
shared the history of the comprehensive and supplemental plans for Safe Routes to School and
provided details regarding grants that have been received. Tim Brackett shared some of the school
district successes they have seen for Safe Routes to School.
Transportation Engineer Hardegger provided details on the plan update process. He reviewed the
feedback received from different engagement activities and noted the items needing City action.
Transportation Engineer Hardegger reviewed a total of 44 opportunities that were identified, and
noted 5 were in progress, and 7 were programmed by other agencies. He provided details on the
remaining 32 items that will need City action and proposed implementation of remaining items.
Mr. Brackett shared some school district projects and referenced short and medium-term projects.
Transportation Engineer Hardegger summarized the next steps for these projects. Mr. Brackett
provided further details on the street closure at school arrival and dismissal times.
Council shared appreciation for the work they have done in providing safer ways for students to get
to school.
City Council Work Session Minutes -2-__________September 23, 2025
b.Hennepin County Cost Share Discussion.
Public Works Director Asher presented the item. Public Works Director Asher reviewed the cost
share, cost participation, and cost maintenance policies. Public Works Director Asher reviewed the
upcoming maintenance costs for the City and presented a graph displaying the City’s past 20 years
of MSA expenditures. She discussed project examples and included a financial breakdown of what
the City would be responsible for. Public Works Director Asher reviewed the City’s bonding history
over the past 10 years and provided details on the estimated cost share for the Nicollet Avenue
reconstruction. City Manager Rodriguez stated that the Utility Fund has been paying for local
projects. She noted staff have been reviewing the source of funding for this project.
Public Works Director Asher stated that the City's utility costs for the project are expected to be
lower than initially estimated and presented the proposed cost share. In response to Council's
question about collaborating with other cities to renegotiate with the County, she noted that 19
cities have already sent letters to Hennepin County. City Manager Rodriguez added that while
other cities are affected, Richfield is particularly impacted due to the high number of State and
County roads in and around the City.
c.Discussion on legislative advocacy supporting stronger protections against gun violence.
City Manager Rodriguez provided a summary of the item. She stated that the City and State have
seen an increase in gun violence this year. She noted that she, along with Chief Henthorne and
Mayor Supple, put together a statement regarding the issue. City Manager Rodriguez asked the
Council for any feedback on the statement. Council shared its support for the statement.
Mayor Supple summarized the current climate regarding cities and gun safety laws and noted the
authority of the State regarding gun safety law decisions. Council and staff discussed options
available to cities regarding gun safety laws, actions that can be taken, and applicable enforcement
of gun laws. Council shared feedback regarding the topic.
City Manager Rodriguez summarized the discussion on protections against gun violence.
ITEM #3 ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Supple adjourned the work session at 6:50 p.m.
Date Approved: October 14, 2025
Mary B. Supple
Mayor
Michelle Friedrich Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager