07-14 Bill 2026-061
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City of Richfield July 14, 2026
County of Hennepin
State of Minnesota
BILL NO. 2026-06
Motion by: Coleman-Woods
Seconded by: Hayford Oleary
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SUBSECTION 840.11 OF THE RICHFIELD CITY
CODE PERTAINING TO ALCOHOL IN CITY PARKS
Section 1. Subsection 840.11 of the Richfield City Code is amended as follows:
840.11. - Sale and consumption of beer alcoholic beverages in parks.
Subdivision 1. Definitions. For purposes of this subsection, terms defined in the
subdivision have the meanings given them below.
(a)"Sale", “sell” and “sold” means all means of furnishing alcoholic beverages and
includes but is not limited to the furnishing for money or other consideration.
(b)"Beer" means any beverage which is produced wholly or in part from the brewing of
any grains or malt or malt substitute and containing more than “Low alcohol
beverages” mean any beverage which contains less than seventeen percent (17%)
alcohol by volume but more than one-half (½) of one percent (1%) alcohol by volume.
(c)"Organization" means any entity having a club, or religious, veteran, charitable or non-
profit organization. business activities as its principal purpose and which qualifies in
all respects for the issuance of a license to sell the type of beer to be furnished at the
activity or event for which the permit is being sought.
(d)“Alcoholic Beverages” means any beverage containing more than one-half (½) of one
percent (1%) alcohol by volume.
(e)“Director” means the Recreation Services Director or their designee.
Subd. 2. Sale and consumption prohibited. The sale, possession with intent to
consume, or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in the public parks of the City, except
as expressly permitted by subdivisions 3 and 4 of this subsection.
Subd. 3. Alcohol allowed in certain recreation facilities and parks. The sale and
consumption of alcoholic beverages is allowed as follows, subject to the requirements in
subdivision 4:
(a)Alcoholic beverages may be sold and consumed inside the Wood Lake Nature Center
building and on designated decks, patios, and designated outdoor areas which are
adjacent to the Wood Lake Nature Center building.
(b)Alcoholic beverages may be sold and consumed inside the Community Center
building and on designated decks, patios, and designated outdoor areas which are
adjacent to the Community Center building.
(c)Low alcohol beverages only may be sold and consumed inside the Richfield Ice Arena.
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City of Richfield July 14, 2026
County of Hennepin
State of Minnesota
BILL NO. 2026-06
(d)Low alcohol beverages only may be sold and consumed in park areas and park
pavilions approved by the Director for City-sponsored events only.
Subd. 4. Requirements for sale and consumption of alcohol. Sale and consumption of
alcoholic beverages allowed by this subsection is subject to the following requirements:
(a)Persons, organizations, or entities selling or dispensing alcoholic beverages must
have an appropriate liquor license or permit from the City’s Public Safety Department
and/or the State of Minnesota and meet all applicable provisions of city code and state
law.
(b)Alcohol sales or consumption are allowed only in connection with banquets,
receptions, social functions, tasting events, or community festivals approved by the
Director.
(c)The Director must give written approval to the host of any event at which alcoholic
beverages will be sold or consumed.
(d)The host of an event at which alcoholic beverages will be sold or consumed must
enter into a user or indemnification agreement with the City if determined appropriate
by the Director and City Attorney.
Subd. 3 5. Community celebration. An organization or other authorized liquor licensee
nonprofit corporation that has obtained a community celebration license in accordance with
subsection 850.09 of this code may sell 3.2 percent malt liquor in Veteran's Memorial Park low
alcohol beverages in connection with the licensed community celebration, provided that the
corporation organization also obtains a license under subsection 1210.07 1202.05, subdivision
3 of this code and applicable state law. The community celebration license and temporary on-
sale license must designate the area(s) of Veteran's Memorial Park where sales may be made.
A person of legal age may possess with intent to consume or consume alcohol purchased
pursuant to this subdivision within the areas designated in those licenses. (Added, Bill No. 1999-
6)
Subd. 4. Richfield Ice Arena. An establishment holding a food license may sell 3.2
percent malt liquor at the Richfield Ice Arena, located in Veteran's Memorial Park, provided that
the establishment obtains a license under subsection 1202.05, subdivision 3(a)(1) of this code.
The 3.2 percent malt liquor license must designate the area(s) of the arena where sales may be
made. Sale and consumption of 3.2 percent malt liquor under this subdivision are allowed only
during junior hockey league games at the arena for consumption on the premises. Upon the
effective date of special legislation enacted by the State of Minnesota Legislature allowing the
issuance of on-sale wine and malt liquor licenses for beverage sales at the arena, this subdivision
shall become null and void. (Added, Bill No. 2013-16)
Subd. 6. Enforcement. Those selling, possessing or consuming alcoholic beverages in
public parks in violation of this subsection or other applicable provisions of city code or
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City of Richfield July 14, 2026
County of Hennepin
State of Minnesota
BILL NO. 2026-06
state law may be removed from public property. A violation of this subsection is a
misdemeanor.
Section 2. This Ordinance is effective in accordance with Section 3.09 of the Richfield City
Charter.
Passed by the City Council of the City of Richfield, Minnesota this 14th day of July, 2026.
VOTING AYE VOTING NAY
Supple, Mary Supple, Mary
Burk, Walter Burk, Walter
Christensen, Sharon Christensen, Sharon
Coleman-Woods, Rori Coleman-Woods, Rori
Hayford Oleary, Sean Hayford Oleary, Sean
Mary B. Supple, Mayor
ATTEST:
Michelle Friedrich, City Clerk
City of Richfield July 14, 2026
County of Hennepin
State of Minnesota
RESOLUTION NO. 12440
RESOLUTION APPROVING SUMMARY PUBLICATION OF AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING SUBSECTION 840.11 OF THE RICHFIELD CITY CODE
PERTAINING TO ALCOHOL IN CITY PARKS
WHEREAS, the City has adopted the above-referenced Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the verbatim text of the Ordinance is cumbersome, and the expense of
publication of the complete text is not justified; and
WHEREAS, the following summary clearly informs the public of the intent and effect of
the Ordinance.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Richfield that
the following summary is hereby approved for official publication:
SUMMARY PUBLICATION
BILL NO. 2026-06
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SUBSECTION 840.11 OF THE RICHFIELD CITY CODE
PERTAINING TO ALCOHOL IN CITY PARKS
On June 23 2026, the Richfield City Council amended an Ordinance, designated as Bill
No 2026-XX, the title of which is stated above. This summary of the Ordinance is published
pursuant to Section 3.12 of the Richfield City Charter. The purpose of the Ordinance is to
amend subsection 840.11 of the Richfield City Code pertaining to alcohol in city parks.
Copies of the Ordinance are available for public inspection in the City Clerk’s office during
normal business hours or upon request by calling 612-861-9739.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Richfield, Minnesota on this 14th day of July,
2026.
May B. Supple, Mayor
ATTEST:
Michelle Friedrich, City Clerk