2025-12-09 Regular Council Minutes
ITEM #1
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Supple at 7:00 p.m. on December 9, 2025, in the Council
Chambers.
Council Present:
Remote Access:
Mary Supple, Mayor; Walter Burk, Sean Hayford Oleary, Rori A.
Coleman-Woods
Council Member Christensen participated remotely via
interactive technology for an excused medical reason.
Staff Present:
Guests:
Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Sack Thongvanh, Assistant City
Manager; Melissa Poehlman, Community Development
Director; Jennifer Anderson, Support Services Manager; Mary
Tietjen, City Attorney; and Michelle Friedrich, City Clerk.
None
ITEM #2
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Supple led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ITEM #3
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: made by Council Member Burk, seconded by Council Member Coleman-Woods to
approve the Agenda as presented.
AMENDMENT TO MOTION: made by Burk, seconded by Hayford Oleary to amend the Agenda
and move item 7c from the Consent Calendar to item 8a, under the Consideration of Items, if Any
Removed from Consent Calendar section, for further discussion.
Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council
Member Christensen (remote), and Council Member Coleman-Woods.
Motion carried: 5-0
MOTION: made by Burk, seconded by Hayford Oleary to approve agenda as amended.
Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council
Member Christensen (remote), and Council Member Coleman-Woods.
Motion carried: 5-0
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Council Regular Meeting
December 9, 2025
City Council Meeting Minutes -2- December 9, 2025
ITEM #4
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: made by Council Member Hayford Oleary, seconded by Council Member Burk to
approve the minutes of the (1) City Council Work Session from November 25, 2025, and (2) City
Council Special Meeting (Truth in Taxation meeting) from November 25, 2025, and (3) Council
Regular Meeting from November 25, 2025.
Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council
Member Christensen (remote), and Council Member Coleman-Woods.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #5
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 that more information on submitting comments can be
reviewed at www.richfieldmn.gov/citycouncil.
Five residents addressed the Council during the Open Forum opportunity.
Ginny Morin, Richfield resident, expressed concerns about the Council's stance on supporting gun
violence legislation as proposed in the September 23, 2025, work session. She opined that the
recommendations would not reduce gun violence and would criminalize law-abiding citizens. She
suggested that instead of adding more laws, the city should focus on ensuring prosecutors enforce
existing laws.
Karole Kelly, Richfield resident, raised concerns about recent U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) activities in Richfield. She described concerning incidents of ICE agents
operating in apartment complex parking lots without proper warrants or documentation, expressing
particular concern for vulnerable populations.
Erica Klein, Richfield resident and leader of Richfield Indivisible, posed two questions related to
ICE activities and local policing: 1) whether there is a law prohibiting following U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents for more than three blocks, and 2) clarification on whether
Richfield police could face job loss for intervening with ICE agents. She requested formal
responses to these questions.
Steve McKeown, Richfield resident, expressed concerns about U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) activities causing fear in the community and negatively affecting businesses
and churches. He urged the Council to consider measures like those adopted in Minneapolis.
Beatriz Leon, Richfield resident, recounted an incident on December 7, 2025, involving U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. She stated that she and her husband were
observing a church for potential ICE activity when they were approached by armed agents.
According to her account, the agents surrounded the car and pointed their weapons at them, made
mocking remarks, and asserted that local law enforcement had no authority over their actions. She
reported that a responding police officer was courteous and attempted to assist but explained that
local police had limited ability to intervene in matters involving federal agents.
ITEM #6
PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
City Council Meeting Minutes -3- December 9, 2025
a. Proclamation Honoring Human Rights Month
Mayor Supple presented a proclamation declaring December 2025 as Human Rights Month in the
City of Richfield. The proclamation recognized the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, first
proclaimed by the United Nations on December 10, 1948, and its influence on legislation such as
the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
Ally Beckman, representing the Center for Victims of Torture (one of the organizations mentioned
in the proclamation), accepted the proclamation and shared brief remarks about the immigrants
and refugees her organization serves. She noted these individuals have fled their home countries
due to persecution based on political beliefs, religion, or ethnicity, and expressed appreciation for
Richfield's diverse community.
ITEM #7
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
a. Approve Disbursements/Claims
U.S. BANK 11-28-2025
A/P Checks/ETF’s: (11/15/2025 thru 11/28/2025) $2,599,775.22
Payroll (12-5-2025) $1,035,262.45
TOTAL $3,635,037.67
b. Consider Adoption of a Resolution Designating Polling Places for 2026.
RESOLUTION NO. 12377
DESIGNATING POLLING PLACES FOR 2026
c. Item moved to section Consideration of Item, if Any Removed From Consent Calendar as
item 8a – Consider Adoption of the City’s Legislative Priorities for 2026.
d. Consider approval for a Temporary On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor license for the Blessed
Trinity Catholic School, located at St. Richard's Catholic Church, 7540 Penn Avenue
South, for their 2026 Sno*ball Dance taking place January 31, 2026.
e. Consider approval of the second amendment to the Response Sustainability Grant
agreement with the City of Bloomington.
f. Consider approval of the sixth amendment to the local public health services agreement
with the City of Bloomington for 2026.
g. Consider the renewal of the 2026 licenses for On-Sale Intoxicating, Club, On-Sale 3.2
Percent Malt Liquor and Wine, and Off-Sale 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor doing business in
Richfield.
h. Consider the adoption of a resolution authorizing Richfield Public Safety/Police Department
to accept donations from the listed agencies, businesses and private individuals for
designated uses.
City Council Meeting Minutes -4- December 9, 2025
RESOLUTION NO. 12378
AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF DONATION FROM LISTED AGENCIES,
BUSINESSES, AND PRIVATE INVIDIUALS FOR DESIGATED USES
i. Consider the adoption of a resolution accepting grants and donations received by the
Richfield Recreation Services in 2025 and authorizing staff to administer the funds in
accordance with any applicable grant agreements and terms prescribed by donors.
RESOLUTION NO. 12379
AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF GRANTS AND DONATIONS FROM RICHFIELD
RECREATION SERVICES IN 2025 AND AUTHORIZING STAFF TO ADMINISTER THE
FUNDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE GRANT AGREEMENTS AND
TERMS PRESECRIBED BY DONORS
MOTION: made by Council Member Coleman-Woods, seconded by Council Member Burk to
approve the consent calendar as amended with item 7c moved to item 8a under section
Consideration of Items, if any, Removed from Consent Calendar, for further discussion.
Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council
Member Christensen (remote), and Council Member Coleman-Woods.
Motion carried: 5-0
Mayor Supple thanked all donors who had given generously to both the police department and the
recreation department.
ITEM #8
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT
CALENDAR
a. (Item 7C moved from Consent Calendar.) Consider the Adoption of the City’s Legislative
Priorities for 2026.
Mayor Supple presented the executive summary of the City’s legislative priorities, highlighting
support for making 4d1 aid permanent for all affected cities and for repealing or modifying the 2024
legislation related to group assisted living facilities. Mayor Supple also noted the City’s support for
additional legislation aimed at reducing gun violence, the introduction of measures to lower local
contributions to county and state projects, and the advancement of bonding priorities including the
Nicollet Avenue reconstruction and the Richfield emergency water interconnect projects.
MOTION: made by Council Member Burk, seconded by Council Member Hayford Oleary to
approve the Adoption of the City’s Legislative Priorities for 2026.
Council proposed an amendment to include a federal legislative priority requesting that
Representative Omar support federal legislation establishing requirements for U.S. Immigration
and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Council proposed requirements should include wearing
clothing that clearly identifies them as ICE agents, immediately identifying themselves upon
request, notifying state and local law enforcement of ICE activities within their jurisdictions, and
ensuring that due process is followed when interacting with or apprehending individuals.
AMENDMENT TO MOTION: made by Council Member Burk, seconded by Council Member
Hayford Oleary to amend the motion and include proposed legislation establishing requirements for
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents within municipal jurisdictions as an
additional priority in the Adoption of the City’s Legislative Priorities for 2026.
Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council
Member Christensen (remote), and Council Member Coleman-Woods.
Motion carried: 5-0
City Council Meeting Minutes -5- December 9, 2025
Council also briefly discussed the resident’s earlier concern about gun legislation. Council
members explained that the ability to regulate guns on city property was particularly important, and
several members, including a legal gun owner, expressed support for the gun-related legislative
priorities as written. Council noted that the legislation wasn't intended to restrict legal gun
ownership but rather to implement common-sense measures like limiting high-capacity magazines.
MOTION: made by Council Member Burk, seconded by Council Member Hayford Oleary to
approve the Adoption of the City’s Legislative Priorities for 2026 as amended.
Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council
Member Christensen (remote), and Council Member Coleman-Woods.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #9
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
ITEM #10
PROPOSED ORDINANCES
None.
ITEM #11
RESOLUTIONS
a. Consider resolutions approving the 2025 Revised/2026 Proposed Budgets, Tax Levy and
related resolutions.
Council Member Coleman-Woods presented the staff report.
City Manager Rodriguez thanked Debit, Cash, and Budget Manager Steve McDaniel, department
directors, council members, and community members who spoke at the Truth in Taxation hearing.
City Manager Rodriguez acknowledged that while budget development is challenging for staff,
annual increases are also challenging for taxpayers and promise to carry that perspective forward
in future budget planning.
MOTION: made by Council Member Coleman-Woods, seconded by Council Member Burk, to
adopt the resolutions approving the 2025 Revised/2026 Proposed Budgets, Tax Levy, and related
resolutions.
RESOLUTION NO. 12380
AUTHORIZING REVISION OF 2025 BUDGET OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS
RESOLUTION 12381
ADOPTING A BUDGET AND TAX LEVY FOR THE YEAR 2026
RESOLUTION 12382
ESTABLISHING PUBLIC WORKS ON-CALL COMPENSATION RATES FOR 2026
RESOLUTION 12383
ESTABLISHING WASTEWATER SERVICE RATES AND CHARGES, WATER REATES
AND CHARGES, SPECIAL WATER SERVICE CHANRGES, STORM SEWER RATES
City Council Meeting Minutes -6- December 9, 2025
AND CHARGES, STREET LIGHT RATES AND CHARGES, AND 6.5% PENALTY ON
PAST DUE ACCOUNTS
RESOLUTION 12384
ADOPTING THE 2026 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET
RESOLUTION 12385
ADOPTING THE 2027-2030 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
RESOLUTION 12386
RELATING TO THE 2026 GENERAL PAY PLAN
RESOLUTION 12387
RELATING TO THE 2026 SPECIALIZED PAY PLAN
Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council
Member Christensen (remote), and Council Member Coleman-Woods.
Motion carried: 5-0
b. Labor Agreement with Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. Local 123 (Police Officers)
and Teamsters Local 320 (Police Sergeants and Police Lieutenants) for 2026-2027.
Council Member Burk presented the staff report.
Assistant City Manager Thongvanh thanked all parties involved in negotiations and noted that the
net-budget impact would be approximately $75,000. He explained that the market has stabilized
compared to 2024, when the city implemented an 11.4% increase (including 8.4% market
adjustment).
MOTION: made by Council Member Burk, seconded by Council Member Coleman-Woods, to
adopt the resolutions approving the provisions of the 2026-2027 labor agreements with Law
Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. Local 123 (Officers) Bargaining Unit, and Teamsters Local 320
(Sergeants and Lieutenants) Bargaining Unit and authorize the City Manager to execute the
agreements.
RESOLUTION 12388
RESOLUTION APPROVING LABOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF
RICHFIELD AND LAW ENFORCEMENT LABOR SERVICES, LOCAL 123 (OFFICERS)
BARGAINING UNIT FOR YEARS 2026-2027
RESOLUTION 12389
APPROVING LABOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF RICHFIELD AND
TEAMSTERS, LOCAL 320 (SERGEANTS AND LIEUTENANTS) BARGAINING UNIT
FOR YEARS 2026-2027
Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council
Member Christensen (remote), and Council Member Coleman-Woods.
Motion carried: 5-0
c. Consider a request for an Interim Use Permit (IUP) to allow temporary and occasional
employee parking in a vacant lot adjacent to Lakewinds Co-op.
Council Member Hayford Oleary presented the staff report.
Council Member Hayford Oleary noted the Planning Commission held a public hearing on
November 24, received no public comments, and voted 3–2 to recommend approval, with
City Council Meeting Minutes -7-December 9, 2025
dissenting commissioners favoring a shorter three-year term with potential administrative two,
single-year extensions rather than a full five-year approval.
MOTION: made by Council Member Hayford Oleary, seconded by Coleman-Woods, approving a 5-
year interim use permit for occasional employee parking on vacant lot 4 adjacent 6420 Lindale
Avenue South.
Council Member Hayford Oleary expressed support for the 5-year IUP, however addressed
concerns about the unsightly nature of the parcel since 2013. Council Member Hayford Oleary
proposed an amendment to reduce the IUP term to three years with two one-year administrative
extensions, requiring the co-op to meet with staff to discuss progress on long-term plans. Council
Member Hayford Oleary also noted that the co-op had available on-street parking that wasn't being
utilized.
AMENDMENT TO MOTION: made by Council Member Hayford Oleary, seconded by Burk,
amending the 5-year interim use permit for occasional employee parking on vacant lot 4 adjacent
6420 Lindale Avenue South, to a 3-year interim use permit term with two possible one-year
administrative extensions as discussed by the Planning Commission, and requiring the co-op to
meet with staff to discuss progress on long-term plans.
Council and staff discussed and clarified administrative approvals and staff time involved with the
two 1-year administrative extensions.
A representative from Lakewinds Co-op explained that their business has grown tremendously,
making additional parking increasingly important. The representative confirmed that their long-term
desire would be to combine the lots with permanent parking, as additional development on the site
beyond parking would constrict access to their business. Regarding on-street parking, he noted
that those spaces, only available in the past year, are heavily used by residents of nearby
apartment buildings.
Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council
Member Christensen (remote), and Council Member Coleman-Woods.
Motion carried: 5-0
RESOLUTION 12390
APPROVING AN INTERIM USE PERMIT TO ALLOW OCCASSIONAL EMPLOYEE
PARKING BY LAKEWINDS FOOD COOPERATIVE EMPLOYEES AT 6430 LYNDALE
AVENUE SOUTH
Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council
Member Christensen (remote), and Council Member Coleman-Woods.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #12 OTHER BUSINESS
None.
ITEM #13 CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Rodriguez noted a short-term rental owner spoke during Open Forum at the last
meeting to express concerns about the newly adopted short-term rental fee. City Manager
City Council Meeting Minutes -8-December 9, 2025
Rodriguez noted the speaker stated the fee remains too high and believed it exceeds fees in
neighboring cities. City Manager Rodriguez reviewed many neighboring cities have banned short-
term rentals and discussed the varying initial fees and subsequent fees of neighboring cities. City
Manager Rodriguez noted staff will review the short-term rental fee after the first year. City
Manager Rodriguez address the tourism tax revenue and noted staff clarified that 95% of the
tourism tax is required to be remitted to the Richfield Tourism and Promotion Board and cannot be
used for this enforcement cost purposes.
City Manager Rodriguez reported that Mayor Supple facilitated a meeting with community
volunteers, Chief Henthorne and Deputy Chief Griffin, and staff regarding recent ICE activity. The
group discussed the City’s role and limitations in responding, agreed to continue communication
and collaboration, and emphasized efforts to keep residents safe and the significant community
volunteer efforts supporting impacted families.
ITEM #14 COUNCIL DISCUSSION
a.Hats off to Hometown Hits.
Council Member Coleman-Woods expressed thankfulness to the community volunteers for their
efforts in keeping the community safe regarding the recent ICE activity within the city.
Council Member Hayford Oleary gave a brief liaison report of the last Transportation Commission
meeting and noted general information regarding road construction were presented. Council
Member Hayford Oleary seconded the sentiments expressed by Council Member Coleman-Woods.
Mayor Supple thanked the Public Works department preemptively for the upcoming snow plowing
and snow removal from city streets. Mayor Supple thanked the community volunteers for coming
together from the impact and actions of ICE agents within the city. Mayor Supple express gratitude
for the Public Safety department in deescalating tense situations and working to keep the
community safe.
ITEM #15 ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: made by Council Member Coleman-Woods, seconded by Council Member Burk to
adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council
Member Christensen (remote), and Council Member Coleman-Woods.
Motion carried: 5-0
Date Approved: January 13, 2026
Mary Supple
Mayor
Michelle Friedrich Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager