2026-06-23 Regular Council MinutesITEM #1 CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Supple at 7:00 p.m. on June 23, 2026, in the Council
Chambers.
Council Present: Mary Supple, Mayor; Walter Burk, Sean Hayford Oleary,
Sharon Christensen, and Rori A. Coleman-Woods.
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Karl Huemiller, Recreation
Services Director; Kate Croteau, Human Resources Director;
Mary Bogie, Finance Director; Mary Tietjen, City Attorney;
and Michelle Friedrich, City Clerk.
ITEM #2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Supple led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ITEM #3 PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
a.Gene and Mary Jacobsen Awards Ceremony.
Mayor Supple introduced the Gene and Mary Jacobson Awards ceremony and noted the Richfield
Human Rights Commission has presented the Citizen of the Year Award annually since 1971 to
recognize a Richfield resident, employee, family, group, organization, or business whose actions
promote human understanding, tolerance, and positive human relations.
Mayor Supple introduced the Human Rights Commissioner Valerie Hurst Baker and Kim Jacobsen
to present award. Commission Hurst Baker noted accolades to all the nominees for the award
including Brianna Darling, Carl Herman, Kimberly Anderson, Melissa Gonzalez, Maria Day,
Jaquelyn Sanchez Vidal, Margaret Perez, and Jonathan Sabellos. Mr. Jacobsen announced Maria
Day as the recipient of the Gene and Mary Jacobsen Outstanding Citizenship Award and presented
the award to her.
Award recipient Maria Day accepted the Gene and Mary Jacobson Outstanding Citizenship Award
and expressed gratitude for the recognition. Ms. Day emphasized that the honor reflected the
collective efforts of the Richfield community and acknowledged the contributions of local
organizations, including VEAP, RCSN, St. Stephen's, Diaper Depot, and donors to the Richfield
Little Pantry. Ms. Day thanked the City of Richfield, their family, volunteers, and community leaders
for their support and encouraged continued collaboration to build an inclusive and supportive
community.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Council Regular Meeting
June 23, 2026
City Council Meeting Minutes -2-June 23, 2026
ITEM #4 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION: made by Council Member Hayford Oleary, seconded by Council Member Burk 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 #5 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: made by Council Member Hayford Oleary, seconded by Council Member Burk to approve
the minutes of the (4a) City Council Regular Meeting from June 9, 2026, and (4b) City Council
Special Meeting from June 16, 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 #6 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. No residents participated in the Open Forum
opportunity.
One resident spoke during Open Forum.
Birgit Johnson, Richfield resident, encouraged the City to continue expanding community outreach
and public engagement, stating that increased communication and opportunities for residents to
connect can help build trust and strengthen the community.
ITEM #7 PRESENTATIONS
b.Receipt of the City of Richfield Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.
Finance Director Bogie introduced Bergan KDV, Ltd., Manager Caroline Strutsman, to present the
report. Bergan KDV Manager Stutsman presented the 2025 annual audit results and reported an
unmodified opinion, concluding that the financial statements are fairly presented. No findings were
reported for federal or Minnesota legal compliance audits, and the City remained in compliance with
its fund balance policy. Bergan KDV Manager Stutsman also provided an overview of general fund
revenues and expenditures, budget performance, and the financial results of the liquor, water and
sewer, and storm sewer funds.
MOTION: made by Mayor Supple, seconded by Council Member Christensen, to accept the
annual comprehensive financial plan report for the year ended December 31, 2025.
City Council Meeting Minutes -3- June 23, 2026
Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council
Member Christensen, and Council Member Coleman-Woods.
ITEM #8
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
a. Approve Disbursements/Claims
U.S. BANK
A/P Checks/ETF’s: (06-01-2026 through 06-12-2026) $1,219,378.03
Payroll (06-18-2026) $1,159,399.80
TOTAL $2,378,777.83
b. Consider Resolutions of Support for Project Submittals for the 2026 Metropolitan Council
Regional Solicitation.
RESOLUTION 12430
SUPPORTING REGIONAL SOLICITATION APPLICATION FOR RICHFIELD BICYCLE
MASTER PLAN UPDATE PROJECT
RESOLUTION 12431
SUPPORTING REGIONAL SOLICITATION APPLICATION FOR WEST 68TH STREET
SIDEWALK PROJECT
RESOLUTION 12432
SUPPORTING REGIONAL SOLICITATION APPLICATION FOR WEST 73RD STREET
TRAIL PROJECT
RESOLUTION 12433
SUPPORTING REGIONAL SOLICITATION APPLICATION FOR RICHFIELD MIDDLE
SCHOOL SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROJECT
RESOLUTION 12434
SUPPORTING REGIONAL SOLICITATION APPLICATION FOR WEST 76TH STREET
MODERNIZATION PROJECT
RESOLUTION 12435
SUPPORTING REGIONAL SOLICITATION APPLICATION FOR WEST 76TH STREET
AND NEWTON AVENUE INTERSECTION PROJECT
c. Consider approval of a request for three (3) new Secondhand Goods Dealer licenses for
EcoATM, LLC.
d. Consider approval of a Temporary On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor license for the Richfield
Foundation's Wine Tasting event scheduled for Thursday, October 8, 2026, in the atrium
area of Woodlake Center, located at 6601 Lyndale Ave South.
e. Consider approval of a Temporary On Sale Intoxicating Liquor license for the Fred
Babcock Days event scheduled to take place August 1, 2026, at Fred Babcock VFW
#5555, located at 6715 Lakeshore Drive.
f. Appoint 2026 Election Judges for the Primary and General Elections.
RESOLUTION 12436
APPOINTING ELECTION JUDGES AND AN ABSENTEE BALLOT BOARD FOR THE
2026 PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTIONS
g. Consider adoption of a resolution authorizing the City to affirm the monetary limits on
statutory municipal tort liability.
RESOLUTION 12437
AFFIRMING MUNICIPAL TORT LIABILITY LIMITSESTABLISHED BY MINNESOTA
STATUTES, SECTION 466.04
City Council Meeting Minutes -4- June 23, 2026
h. Consider approval of an agreement with Preferred Properties, in the amount of $263,970,
for the replacement of exterior soffit on rink one of the Richfield Ice Arena.
MOTION: made by Council Member Hayford Oleary, seconded by Council Member Coleman-
Woods, to approve Consent Calendar items 7a-h 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 #9
CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT
CALENDAR
None.
ITEM #10
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
ITEM
#11
PROPOSED ORDINANCES
a. Consider the first reading of an ordinance amending Subsection 840.11 of the Richfield City
Code, pertaining to alcohol in City parks.
Council Member Hayford Oleary presented staff report 11a, Consider the first reading of an
ordinance amending Subsection 840.111 of Richfield Cit Code, pertaining to alcohol in City parks.
BILL 2026-06
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SUBSECTION 840.11 OF THE RICHFIELD CITY CODE
PERTAINING TO ALCOHOL IN CITY PARKS
MOTION: made by Council Member Hayford Oleary, seconded by Council Member Coleman-
Woods, to approve the first reading of an ordinance amending subsection 840.11 of the code
of ordinances pertaining to alcohol in city parks, and schedule the second reading for July 14,
2026.
Council members expressed support for the proposed ordinance revisions, with one member
encouraging staff to continue evaluating security requirements for smaller events. Council also
discussed whether to explicitly prohibit alcohol in the pool area. Staff noted that alcohol has not
been permitted there and that the Recreation Services Director has discretion to deny requests for
safety reasons. Council agreed to leave the ordinance as drafted without additional amendments.
Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council
Member Christensen, and Council Member Coleman-Woods.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM
#12
RESOLUTIONS
a. A resolution related to the amended 2026 General Pay Plan.
Council Member Christensen presented staff report 12a, Amending the General Pay Plan, adding
pay grades 23 through 25 and reclassifying the City Manager position to pay grade 25. The
City Council Meeting Minutes -5-June 23, 2026
proposed changes were recommended to better align the position with the current market and
support future recruitment and retention.
Human Resources Director Croteau explained that the proposed amendments to the 2026 General
Pay Plan reflect changes in the compensation market and recent legislative updates affecting city
manager salaries. The additional pay grades are intended to maintain a competitive and equitable
pay structure and provide flexibility for future position classifications.
RESOLUTION 12438
AMENDING THE 2026 GENERAL PAY PLAN
MOTION: made by Council Member Christensen, seconded by Council Member Coleman-Woods,
to approve the resolution amending the 2026 General Pay Plan.
Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council
Member Christensen, and Council Member Coleman-Woods.
Motion carried: 5-0
Council noted that the 2023 removal of the state salary cap for local government employees has
allowed city manager compensation to better align with market rates, resulting in higher salaries for
comparable positions.
b.Summary of the City Manager’s Annual Performance.
Mayor Supple presented Item 12b, Summary of the City Manager’s Annual Performance Evaluation,
covering the period of July 2025 through June 2026. The evaluation was conducted in closed
sessions on June 9 and June 16, 2026, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 13D.05, Subdivision
3(a). Mayor Supple noted that the Council recognized City Manager Rodriguez for her outstanding
leadership, organizational improvements, and efforts to support the City and region during
challenging events.
RESOLUTION 12439
AMENDING THE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF RICHFIELD AND
CATHERINE RODRIGUEZ, CITY MANAGER
MOTION: made by Mayor Supple, seconded by Council Member Coleman-Woods, to approve the
resolution amending the city manager's employment agreement with the city reflecting a salary
adjustment.
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 OTHER BUSINESS
None.
ITEM #14 CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Rodriguez reported there were no speakers at the previous open forum. City Manager
Rodriguez thanked the Finance Department staff for their work completing the annual audit and
expressed appreciation to the City Council for its support and guidance.
City Council Meeting Minutes -6-June 23, 2026
ITEM #15 COUNCIL DISCUSSION
a.Hats off to Hometown Hits.
Council Member Coleman-Woods thanked the City Manager for her guidance and support and
congratulated Ava Wiederholt on winning a gold medal at the Special Olympics, recognizing her
representation of Richfield.
Council Member Christensen reminded residents of the upcoming Fourth of July celebration in Richfield,
including the pancake breakfast, wreath-laying ceremony, parade, fireworks, music, and food trucks.
Council Member Hayford Oleary expressed excitement for the Fourth of July celebration and thanked
the Fourth of July Committee, police officers, and City staff for their efforts in coordinating the event.
Council Member Burk had nothing to report this week.
Mayor Supple thanked volunteers, staff, and community partners for their work on recent Juneteenth
and Summer Kickoff events. Mayor Supple expressed appreciation for community efforts, including Joe
Carr’s annual lemonade stand fundraiser for Gillette Children’s Hospital, and for City Clerk Friedrich and
staff supporting upcoming election services.
b.Council Liaison Reports
No reports were discussed.
ITEM #16 ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: made by Mayor Supple, seconded by Council Member Coleman-Woods to adjourn the
meeting at 7:49 p.m.
Voting Aye: Supple, Burk, Hayford Oleary, Christensen, and Coleman-Woods.
Motion carries: 5:0
Date Approved: July 14, 2026
Mary Supple
Mayor
Michelle Friedrich Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager