2026-04-14 Regular Council Minutes
ITEM #1
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Supple at 7:00 p.m. on April 14, 2026, in the Council
Chambers.
Council Present:
Mary Supple, Mayor; Walter Burk, Sean Hayford Oleary,
Sharon Christensen, and Rori A. Coleman-Woods.
Staff Present:
Guests:
Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; 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 Hayford Oleary, seconded by Council Member Coleman-
Woods to approve the agenda as presented.
Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council
Member Christensen, and Council Member Coleman-Woods.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #4
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: made by Council Member Hayford Oleary, seconded by Council Member Coleman-
Woods to approve the minutes of the (1) City Council Work Session from March 24, 2026, and (2)
Regular Meeting from March 24, 2026.
Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council
Member Christensen, and Council Member Coleman-Woods.
Motion carried: 5-0
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Council Regular Meeting
April 14, 2026
City Council Meeting Minutes -2- April 14, 2026
ITEM #5
OPEN FORUM
Mayor Supple noted the process for individuals wishing to speak during Open Forum and reviewed
the three-minute time limit for public comments and explained the use of time warning cards to alert
the speaker when their time is almost expired. Instructions were given for speakers to state their
name and city of residence before speaking.
Two residents addressed the Council during the Open Forum opportunity.
Birgit Johnson, Richfield resident, encouraged openness to outside perspectives and questioned
current definitions of conservatism. Ms. Johnson raised concerns about federal spending and
immigration policies, including impacts on Minnesota communities, and emphasized that
conservatism should focus on stability and long-term planning.
Theresa Guthrie, Richfield resident, raised concerns about immigration enforcement impacts,
called for accountability and higher standards from government agencies, and noted issues with
incomplete state projects and leadership oversight.
ITEM #6
PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
a. Proclamation celebration Arab American Heritage Month.
Mayor Supple read and presented the proclamation to Richfield School Board Member Callmie
Dennis and Richfield Schools Director of Student Support Services Christina Gonzalez.
b. Proclamation celebrating Earth Day.
Mayor Supple read and presented the proclamation to Richfield Recreation Director Karl Huemiller.
c. Proclamation celebrating Arbor Day.
Mayor Supple read and presented the proclamation to Richfield Recreation Director Karl Huemiller.
d. Presentation of the 2025 Food Safety Awards.
Support Services Manager Jennifer Anderson presented the annual Richfield Food Safety Awards,
recognizing restaurants for excellence in food safety practices and inspection performance. She
noted the program was established in 2006 and evaluates establishments on risk management,
employee health policies, and training. Support Services Manager Anderson presented the 2025
awards to Broadway Pizza (full-service category) and Five Guys (fast food category), with both
recognized for consistently high standards.
ITEM #7
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
a. Approve Disbursements/Claims
U.S. BANK 4-10-2026
A/P Checks/ETF’s: (3-14-2026 through 4-3-2026) $1,941,220.34
Payroll (3-27-2026) $1,136,746.51
City Council Meeting Minutes -3- April 14, 2026
Payroll (4-10-2026)
Includes health insurance premiums for April 2026. $1,411,657.06
TOTAL $4,489,623.91
b. Approval of a Stormwater Construction and Maintenance Agreement with Woodlawn
Terrace Cooperative located at 7421 Lyndale Ave South.
c. Approval of the bid tabulation and authorize the Mayor and City Manager to execute a
contract with Visu-Sewer for the 2026 Sanitary Sewer Lining Cured-in-Place-Pipe (CIPP)
Project in the amount of $790,929.60 and authorize the City Manager to approve contract
changes up to $175,000 without further City Council consideration.
d. Approval of the bid tabulation and authorize the Mayor and City Manager to execute a
contract with GMH Asphalt Corporation for the 2026 Mill and Overlay Project.
e. Approval of a resolution prohibiting on-street parking on County State Aid Highway 52
(Nicollet Avenue) from 77th Street to 66th Street.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-12418
PROHIBITING ON-STREET PARKING ON COUNTY STATE AID HIGHWAY 52
(NICOLLET AVENUE) FROM 77TH STREET TO 66TH STREET
f. Approval of the updated Climate Action Plan.
MOTION: made by Council Member Coleman-Woods, seconded by Council Member Christensen
to approve consent calendar items 7a-f as presented.
Council provided clarification that parking changes on Nicollet Avenue (Item 7e) will take effect
after construction is completed and new signage is installed. Council noted 77th to 70th Street will
be under construction in the first year, with remaining parking changes implemented the following
year when construction is completed.
Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council
Member Christensen, and Council Member Coleman-Woods.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #8
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT
CALENDAR
None.
ITEM #9
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
ITEM #10
PROPOSED ORDINANCES
None.
City Council Meeting Minutes -4- April 14, 2026
ITEM #11
RESOLUTIONS
None.
ITEM #12
OTHER BUSINESS
a. Consider confirmation of the appointment of Kate Croteau as Human Resources Director
for the City of Richfield effective May 18, 2026.
Council Member Christensen presented staff report item 12a, appointing Kate Croteau as Human
Resources Director for the City of Richfield, with an effective date of May 18, 2026.
City Manager Rodriguez thanked the council for elevating the HR Director position, noted a stronger
candidate pool, and shared positive references for the selected candidate.
MOTION: made by Council Member Christensen, seconded by Council Member Coleman-Woods
to approve the appointment of Kate Croteau as the Human Resources Director for the City of
Richfield effective May 18, 2026.
Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council
Member Christensen, and Council Member Coleman-Woods.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #13
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Rodriguez reported at the last meeting there were three residents who addressed the
concerns at the previous meeting. She noted one resident spoke on the importance of immigrants
to the community, and two expressed concerns about the city’s use of nonprofit contracts for social
services and noted no questions were raised for follow-up. Council and staff discussed
confirmation of the towing contract approval process through the nonprofit contract for social
services.
ITEM #14
COUNCIL DISCUSSION
a. Hats off to Hometown Hits.
Council Member Coleman-Woods reported updates from the Community Services and
Sustainability Commissions, including upcoming Earth Day activities with volunteer and community
participation opportunities. Congratulations were extended to the Richfield High School boys
basketball team for placing third in state, and anticipation was noted for the upcoming baseball
season.
Council Member Hayford Oleary noted the Transportation Commission continues discussions on
Penn Avenue, including planning for a future open house. He added updates focus on potential
improvements and context-sensitive design considerations for the area north of 69th from the
residential area.
City Council Meeting Minutes -5-April 14, 2026
Council Member Burk mentioned the Human Rights Commission is identifying potential speakers
for future presentations and may reach out for participation and cooperation.
Mayor Supple provided meeting dates for the property tax “open book” meetings, including an in-
person session in Richfield on April 20 for property valuation questions. Mayor Supple expressed
appreciation to Representative Howard for submitting a state bonding request for an emergency
water interconnect and noted previous bonding fund requests included Nicollet Avenue. Mayor
Supple noted the business stabilization program for immigrant-impacted businesses open through
April 27, and the significant philanthropic funding supporting rental assistance and food security
efforts within the City of Richfield. Mayor Supple noted participation with Council Member Hayford
Oleary at the Job Olympics event and expressed appreciation for the high school hosted event.
b.Council Liaison Reports
Brief reports noted above in Hats off to Hometown Hits.
ITEM #15 ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: made by Council Member Coleman-Woods, seconded by Council Member Burk to
adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m.
Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council
Member Christensen, and Council Member Coleman-Woods.
Motion carried: 5-0
Date Approved: April 28, 2026
Mary Supple
Mayor
Michelle Friedrich Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager