2026-05-12 Work Session MinutesCITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
City Council Work Session
May 12, 2026
ITEM #1 CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Supple called the work session to order on May 12, 2026, at 5:45 p.m., in Bartholomew
Conference Room.
Council Present: Mary Supple, Mayor; Walter Burk, Sean Hayford Oleary, Sharon
Christensen, Rori A. Coleman-Woods.
Staff Present:
Guest Presenter:
Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Karl Huemiller, Recreation Director; Jay
Henthorne, Police Chief; Jennifer Anderson, Support Services Manager;
Scott Kulzer, Senior Analyst; Jordan Vennes, Utilities Engineer; Russ
Lupkes, Utilities Superintendent; Mary Tietjen, City Attorney; and Michelle
Friedrich, City Clerk.
Sean Korn, Utility Rate Study Consultant with HDR.
ITEM #2 ITEM DISCUSSION
a.Discussion of Park Alcohol Ordinance Update
Recreation Director Huemiller presented proposed updates to the city’s alcohol policy for parks and
city facilities to allow limited alcohol service at designated events and facility rentals, including the
Wood Lake Nature Center, Community Center, Ice Arena, and certain city-sponsored park events.
Staff reviewed proposed ordinance changes related to low-alcohol beverage definitions, temporary
liquor licensing, designated service areas, event oversight, staffing and security requirements,
permitting, enforcement provisions, and community celebration permits. Council and staff also
discussed THC beverage and cannabis regulations, with clarification that the ordinance changes
applied only to alcohol and that smoking remains prohibited in parks.
Council consensus supported the proposed updates, including clarification of designated decks,
patios, and designated outdoor service areas, and allowing expanded alcohol service, including hard
liquor service at the Wood Lake Nature Center and Community Center, subject to licensing, staffing,
and security requirements.
b.Utility Rates
Senior Analyst Scott Kulzer and HDR Utility Rate Study Consultant Sean Korn presented an update
on the city’s water utility rate study, reviewing current residential tiered billing and flat-rate structures
for multi-family and commercial customers. Staff and consultants analyzed 2025 water consumption
data to evaluate potential tiered rate structures, finding that most residential users remain in the
lowest tier and that multi-family properties would largely fall within lower usage tiers, resulting in a
City Council Work Session Minutes -2-May 12, 2026
modest projected revenue difference under a tiered alternative. For commercial accounts, staff noted
significant variability in usage across business types and cautioned that a uniform tiered structure
could present administrative and equity challenges. Council discussed potential tiered approaches in
relation to sustainability, fairness, conservation goals, irrigation usage, and system cost recovery.
Staff recommended no change to multi-family rates and provided no specific recommendation on
commercial tiering, instead deferring the policy decision and offering to provide additional analysis
for Council review.
Council consensus supported maintaining the current multi-family rate structure and requested
further information and analysis from staff on commercial usage and tiered rate options.
ITEM #3 ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Supple adjourned the work session at 6:51 p.m.
Date Approved: May 26, 2026
Mary B. Supple
Mayor
Michelle Friedrich Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager