But we're not on the air, so Good evening. I'm calling to order this Richfield City Council meeting. It's December 9th at 700 p.m. If you're able, please rise and join us in the Pledge of >> Allegiance. Thank you.
So, um, Council Member Christensen is joining us remotely, so we will have to do roll call votes this evening. So, if I slip up and forget, please remind me. Um, It is in order to approve the agenda.
So if someone wants to make that motion, >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded to approve the agenda. Is there any discussion? >> All right. Um cler was there not an item
to >> my apologies. Yes. Um I did want to have um item 7 C removed from the consent calendar. Second that motion. >> Okay. So, we're amending the agenda to remove item 7 C from the consent
calendar and be moved down to item eight for consideration of items removed from the consent calendar. Is there any discussion? So, first we'll vote on the amendment. Um, city clerk Friedick, could you call the role? >> Yes. Thank you, Mayor Supple. Council
member Burke, >> I. >> Council member Hayford Olri. >> Hi. >> Mayor Supple. I, >> Council Member Christensen. >> I, >> and Council Member Coleman Woods, >> I. >> Thank you.
>> So, now we have added an amendment. So, now we'll vote on approving the agenda as amended. Could we please call the RO again? >> Yes. Council member Burke. >> I. >> Council member Hayford Deliri. >> Hi. >> Council member uh Christensen. >> Hi.
>> Council member Coleman Woods. >> Hi. >> And Mayor Supple. I >> thank you. >> We have now passed the agenda as amended. Our next order of business is the approval of the minutes. >> I move approval of all sets of minutes.
Second. >> Okay. We have a motion to approve the minutes from the work session meeting from November 25th, 2025. the special city council meeting, truth and taxation meeting from November 25th, 2025 and the regular council meeting from November
25th, 2025. Is there any discussion? >> Hearing none. Um, clerk Friedick, would you please call the RO? >> Yes. Thank you, Mayor Supple. Council member Burke. >> Hi. >> Council member Hayford Olri. >> Hi. >> Council member Christensen. >> Hi.
>> Council member Coleman Woods. >> Hi. >> And Mayor Supple. >> Hi. Thank you. >> We've passed the minutes. Next, we'll move on to open forum. Um, several people have filled out cards in the back. If you're here and want to speak and haven't filled out a card, you are
welcome to do that now. Um, participants can share their comments in person, by voicemail, or email, and may also request to participate virtually. For more information on submitting comments, refer to the council agenda minutes page on richfieldm.gov/city.
If comments were emailed in, they'll be distributed to the council members and you'll have three minutes to speak. And I don't like interrupting people, so I'm going to hold up a sign when you've got 30 seconds so I don't have to cut you off in mid-sentence. So that'll be a
visual suggestion and then when the time is up, we can put the red card up so people are aware of that. Also, um, for privacy concerns, we're not going to ask you to give your exact address. If you could simply say your name and your city
of residence, that would be helpful. So, um, the first person that I have a card for is Jenny Morin. So, if you want to come up. Thank you. I'm Jenny Morren. I am a resident of
Richfield. Thank you, Mayor Supple, council members, Richfield residents and guests. I'm here today to ask the council to reconsider their stance on supporting legislation to disrupt guns gun violence
as and in the manner it was proposed in the September 23rd, 2025 working session. The recommendations as laid out in that session will not reduce gun violence and will only serve to criminalize
law-abiding Richfield residents who are exercising their constit constitutional rights. Your plan of action simply doesn't make sense or move the needle in the actions that you're trying to prevent. To be
clear, I do not support gun violence, nor do I know any law-abiding citizen or gun owner who does. Now, do you want to disrupt the cycle of gun violence? That solution actually moves um the solution that actually
moves the needle. Look at the cases. What do all of those cases have in common? They're all done by people intent on committing criminal acts.
another law doesn't suddenly make them reconsider the fear expressed by one council person in that session that criminals will shop around for a city with less strict gun violent or gun laws to commit their crimes is unfounded
because if Chicago tells us anything it's a dire warning strictest gun laws rampant gun violence so I ask you once Again, do you really want to disrupt the cycle of gun
violence? Start by insisting that the prosecutor that we contract with to prosecute crimes actually prosecutes crimes. All crimes. She's made it clear that's
not her agenda. Badger the legislature to require our attorney general to fight real crime in this state. The dirty little secret is that one more
law doesn't make doesn't change anything. Criminals don't stop and say, "Oh, wait. There's a law here. Guess I I can't. That plan isn't going to work out. Not going to do that." Infringing the rights of law-abiding
citizens doesn't suddenly make a person intent on committing a crime law-abiding. I respectfully request that you reconsider your approach to not work against the rights of law-abiding residents. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Our next speaker is Carol Kelly Anstead. Good evening, Mayor Supple, and good evening, council. Thank you very much for giving this time to um our community. I'm here today to talk about the recent ICE activity in the city of
Richfield. I have grave concerns about how their quite literal kidnappings are occurring here. Um there is concern in how they're kind of stalking residents.
I love my community. I am the child of immigrants. I am a firstborn generation American and quite frankly my Canadian-born white mother was illegal until 1980 whatever when Reagan did his
amnesty. Um, my biggest concern is their activity in parking lots of residential areas that are often populated with our immigrant population um without the proper warrants without um the proper
authority and when sometimes when asked um they don't have the proper documentation. So my concern is twofold. It does not seem that they are as
properly trained and versed in the law as they should be and um they are not necessarily always forthright in what someone can do while um they are trying
to detain someone. Additionally, when I talk about apartments, the Colony Apartments also in this community houses MIC, which is the Minneapolis indep independent college community. And um
those students are vulnerable adults. They're kids on the spectrum. There are kids with cognitive and learning disabilities that are being trained to and learning how to be independent. And a lot of and I speak of this as a
mother with a child who will be going there who's currently in the Richfield Transitions program like they're not necessarily good at following directions or processing in a timely manner. and I'm concerned about
their safety and I'm concerned about the safety of families in general. So, I would very much like to ask the council to consider if there are other ways we can bring the community together or work with our police force in ensuring that
these um agents are following the letter of the law. Thank you. >> Thank you. Our next speaker is Erica Klene. Thank you. My name is Erica Klene and I
live in Ridgefield. I'm one of the leaders of Richfield Indivisible. And when I say we in remarks, I'm referring to Richfield Indivisible. I have two questions about policing related to ICE activities and I would like someone to get back to me. I did
leave my contact information. I understand that local police have limitations in what they can do and my questions pertain to transparency and honesty. First, we've been told that Richfield police, someone at least at times, have
advised either citizens or ICE that someone can be arrested if they follow ICE agents for more than three blocks. ICE agents have claimed this to be the case and have used this as an excuse to point automatic weapons at observers and to threaten arrest. Richfield
Indivisible has received guidance that there is no such law about following for three blocks or more. Second, and I may have misunderstood this from the report on the meeting with the city and Richfield Indivisible, did
Richfield police say that they could be fired or lose their jobs or their policing license if they help in any way related to federal agents acting illegally in the course of the invasion? And if so, I would like to know how that job loss would occur. Would the
Richfield police chief fire them? Would the ICE agent file a complaint with the Minnesota Post Board, which as I understand it is the only way they could lose their license for policing? Has any ICE agent ever filed a complaint with the post board resulting in adverse
action against a local officer? Is this a realistic risk? Speaking as a resident and as one of the leaders of Richfield Indivisible, we do understand the limitations local police may be under. We understand them. don't like them and we're frustrated. We're
hurting, but we do understand. We want to deal with our local law enforcement with mutual honesty and transparency, and we need to have mutual trust. Thank you. Thank you. Is there anybody else that's here that
wishes to speak? All right. Um, since you didn't fill out a card, can you just write down your name or you've got the Thank you. That solves the problem. So, I am now calling forward Steve Mchu.
>> Yes, my name is Steve Mchuan. Uh, I've been a resident in the same house of Richfield for 55 years. Uh, I've seen it Richfield when it was an all-white community pretty much. And over the years, we've had like the United Nations here, and it's been sort
of a resurrection of our city, and I really am glad for it. What we're having now is so much fear put out there that businesses are suffering, churches are suffering, and we got little kids that shouldn't have to go and face what
they're facing today. I strongly encourage to take what Minneapolis police chief has said that any illegal action that he will fire any police officer that doesn't interfere with that illegal
action. And so I ask that of you for one thing. The other thing is that anything else that we can do to encourage our city from this council to take on and I will say this word and I don't say it
lightly. I'm a veteran. My dad was in World War II. My grandfather was wounded in World War I and I have nephews that were in the Gulf in Afghanistan that were facing a cowardly move by administration that has no business doing what they're
doing and so anything would be helpful in that regard. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Is there anybody else who wishes to speak in the open forum? Anybody else? Um, so, oh, okay, go
ahead. If you haven't filled out one of the cards, you can just put your name up there and then you can um tell us your name in your city of residence and you'll have three minutes and I'll hold up the sign. right here. Um, she'll
apolog Thank you. Go ahead. >> My name is Beatatric and my city of residence is Richfield. I am here to recount my experience with ICE agents. On December 7th,
uh this past Sunday, me and my husband Ethan drove to the Church of the Assumption on behalf of our community's request to stand guard and watch um for any potential ICE threats
or ICE activity at the Hispanic masses. And it was just for arrivals and departures. As me and my husband pull up to the church, we park and realize that the
Facebook group had informed us that there have been people showing up and that they didn't need any more help. So, we just park and debate what to do. My husband notices a suspicious vehicle
speeding, so he just takes note of it and He noticed it was speeding up and down 77th and we had only been there 5 minutes. We didn't want to jump to conclusions, so we just decided, let's just go home.
It seems to be nothing to be alarmed about. As we turn on to 77th to go home, Ethan happens to drive behind the same vehicle. So, I start recording just to take pictures in case. And they notice and pick up speed and
drive right through red lights. They turn right onto Nicollet Avenue, run another red light. At this point, we drive back to Assumption just to inform the group about our suspicions. We didn't follow the vehicle for more than a block.
We spend about 20 minutes talking with the church group, describing the vehicle, and we noticed that the same black Ford Explorer was pulling into Roosevelt Park. and we assumed that's where ICE was posted
up waiting for church to to be dismissed. We just decide to park over by the gymnasium since we know that our parish members like to park over there as well and we were just worried about their safety. At this point in time, I see Ice
detaining another vehicle across the street at Roosevelt Park. I get out of the car to the sidewalk and document from across the street and they spot me. As they run to their vehicles, I walk to my car. Ethan is yelling at me to get in
the car, but I can barely hear him over the agents honking and yell at yelling at me from across the street. When I'm finally buckled in, I hear the vehicle screeching to a halt. They're surrounding us and in a split second they jump out. Assault weapons in hand
pointed at us. Out of fear, we drop our phones and put our hands in the air. They scream at us the entire time. Not only pointing their pistols at our faces, but AR-15s as well. The whole time they just taunt and mock us,
saying, "Hit me and you'll see what happens. Record this with your little phone. We know exactly who you are and know that you're citizens, but we can detain you and we will hold you. We will arrest you for interfering with our investigation.
Luckily, RPD shows up and only then do they lower their weapons. As they walk away, one of them turns around and yells, "See what happens when you call the police? Nothing. They can't do to us." RPD officer was nice, but said
there wasn't much that she could do since they're federal. She let us know our rights and left. I wanted to bring awareness to what these agents said and did to us. These agents are truly reckless and not only
with their driving, but with how they're handling these situations of speaking to community members, citizens or not. And that's all I wanted to let you guys know. >> Thank you. Is there anyone else who wishes to
speak? All right. Anyone else who wishes to speak? Thank you so much to all of our speakers this evening. Um if there were questions asked um at the next council meeting, the city manager report will include answers and we also if we give
us your contact information, then we can um have them get back to you as well. Um so hand this so we don't lose it over to the city clerk right now so that she has everything.
All right, at this point we're going to turn to proclamations and presentations. Um, the presenter this e this is a proclamation honoring human rights month and Alli Beckman and Julia Decker will
be joining me at the microphone. Okay. um one of um so Ally is here and Julie wasn't able to make it. So welcome. This is a proclamation of the city of Richfield whereas international human rights month is celebrated in
December to commemorate the proclamation of the universal declaration of human rights by the United Nations on December 10th, 1948. And whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been translated into
more than 562 languages and has served as a foundation for awareness and advocacy to protect and advance human rights. And whereas its 30 articles have influenced legislation such as the Minnesota Human Rights Act, which led to
the founding of what is known as the Minnesota Department of Human Rights in 1967. And whereas the Minnesota Human or excuse me, whereas the Richfield Human Rights Commission is one of over 37 local commissions throughout the state
of Minnesota working to protect civil rights and promote equity and inclusion. And whereas Minnesota is also home to numerous human rights advocacy organizations that work locally as well as globally, including the center for the victims of torture, al light, and
the advocates for human rights. And whereas progress has been made to advance civil rights for all motans, but stark disparities remain in areas such as health outcomes, access to housing, and quality education.
And now therefore, or excuse me, I missed one more. Whereas Richville's mission aspires to provide equitable systems, infrastructures, and services that can be leveraged to protect the human rights of its community and members. And now therefore, I, Mary
Supple, mayor of Richfield, on behalf of the Richfield City Council, do hereby declare the month of December 2025 as Human Rights Month in the city of Richfield and call on the people of Richfield to observe this month with appropriate programs, activities, and
ceremonies. So, thank you. I'd like to present this. I believe the city clerk wants to take a picture, and then if you'd like to say a few words. Would you like to say a few words? Sure. Go ahead. Um, I don't have any prepared statements, but I I'll I'll just say
hello. My name is Ally. Um, I work at one of the organizations mentioned, the Center for Victims of Torture. I've been there for 25 years. And the people that I work with are individuals who have fled their home countries because um they have been targeted because of their
political beliefs, because of their religion, um because of their ethnicity. uh a lot of the same reasons a lot of the European folks in the 1800s came here to the United States. These are folks who didn't necessarily want to leave their country but are very
grateful to be here and grateful to be in Minnesota. They're farmers, they're teachers, they're nurses, they're lawyers. Um they're they're grateful for opportunities. They want to live and work kind of just like the rest of us.
And I encourage folks to get to know your neighbor. It's pretty hard to to hate people when you get to know them. Um, and we have a pretty rich community here in Richfield. So, thank you very much for this. Thank you. We're going to do the consent calendar. We've pulled the legislative
priorities because there was a desire to make an amendment. So, we will get deal with that one later, but it is now in order for um someone to move the consent calendar. City Manager Rodriguez, can you tell us
what's on the consent calendar? >> Yes, Mayor. Thank you. The consent calendar contains several separate items which are acted upon by the city council in one motion. Once the consent calendar has been approved, the individual items and recommended actions have also been approved. No further council action on
these items is necessary. On tonight's consent calendar, item A, approve dispersements and claims. Item B, consider adoption of a resolution designating polling places for 2026. Item C has been removed and will be
considered after the consent calendar. Item 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 snowball dance taking place January 31st, 2026. Item E, consider approval of the second amendment of to the response sustainability grant agreement with the city of Bloomington. Consider I'm sorry, item F, consider approval of the sixth
amendment to the local public health services agreement with the city of Bloomington for 2026. Item G, consider the renewal of the 2026 licenses for on sale intoxicating club
on sale 3.2% malt liquor and wine and offsale 3.2% malt liquor doing business in Richfield. Item eight, 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. Item 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 the donors. And I submit these items for your consideration on tonight's consent calendar. Thank you. >> Move to approve the consent calendar as amended.
>> I'll second. Is there any discussion? I would like to thank all of the donors that gave so generously to the city to both the police department and the recreation department. Any other discussion?
>> Um, clerk Friedrich, can you call the role, please? >> Yes. Thank you, Mayor Supple. Council member Burke, >> hi. >> Council member Hayford Olri. >> Hi. Council member Christensen, could you please uh unmute?
Council member Christensen >> and Council Member Coleman Woods. >> I, >> Mayor Stupel, >> I. >> Thank you. >> So, the consent calendar as amended has passed. Next, we'll move on to consideration of the item removed from
the consent calendar, item 7C. Um, so I'll go ahead and read the executive summary. Each year, the city of Richfield adopts its legislative priorities, which outline the city's positions on key policy issues. This priority list serves as a summary
document to guide the city's legislative advocacy and outreach in the coming year. Proposed top legislative priorities are as follows. Support making 4D1 a permanent and ensuring it is available to all impacted cities. Additionally, support provisions that
ensure cities are made financially whole. Support the repeal or modification of 2024 legislation prohibiting cities from subjecting statelicic group assisted living facilities to city rental licensing requirements.
Support additional legislation to disrupt the cycle of gun violence, including provisions like stricter gun laws. strengthening existing licensing programs, the ability to ban guns in city-owned spaces, additional funding for mental health, and other programs
that make our community and staff safer. Recognizing that the problem is complicated, we support solutions that are both common sense and data driven. And finally, introduce or support reductions in local contributions to county and state projects and limit any
long-term ownership and major maintenance responsibility placed on local agencies. Support for bonding priorities. support Richfield's bonding request for House File 691, Senate File 380 for $10
million to supplement the city's estimated local cost share for Henipin County's upcoming Nicollet Avenue CASH52 reconstruction project recommended for construction in 2627. introduce or support a bonding request
for $2,500,000 for the Richfield Emergency Water Interconnect Project, which will hydraulically connect the WA drinking water systems of Richfield and Minneapolis. The project will provide a clean and reliable secondary source of portable water for the residents and
businesses within Richfield in the event of any measurable changes to the water qual quality of the current groundwater source water, cyber attacks, or unplanned p planned outages. City city staff will present the city's adopted legislative platform to elected
representatives at the annual legislative breakfast scheduled for January 15, 2026 at 7:45 a.m. Richfield's legislative delegation will have an opportunity to discuss the priorities, ask questions, and share perspectives. Is there a motion to adopt
the proposed legislative priorities? Okay. Um I'll talk ask the city attorney. Do we have to make the original motion and then move to amend it? >> So if you can make the motion and then you can make an additional motion to amend it. >> So I would make the motion approve and
also make a motion to >> Okay. So the motion before us the original motion was to adopt the proposed legislative priorities for 2026. Formal adoption indicates the city council's support for these priorities as being used in the best interest of
the community and increases visibility for the issues. Now, um, for the general public that doesn't have the copy of what you're proposing to amend, would you please read your amendment? >> Mayor, I second the first motion to >> Oh, yes. Thank you. Thank you. Now, if
you have an amendment, Council Member Burke, that would be in order. >> So, at the end of the legislative priorities, it lists the federal priorities. priorities. The one I'd like to add to the very end to directing or asking Representative Omar to support
federal legislation that requires officers of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency. For to number one, wear clothing that identifies them as ICE agents. Number two, immediately identify themselves upon request. Three, inform state and local law enforcement about ICE
activities in their jurisdictions. And number four, ensure that Due process is followed whenever engaging with or apprehending someone. >> All right. Is there a second for that motion? >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. So we are right now discussing the amendment.
Would you like to speak to your motion, Council Member Burke? >> Um especially after your very moving test. It's clear that things need to get done. It's unfortunate
that local government is not as powerful as sometimes it ought to be. Sometimes locally we make more sense than uh than we do at the federal level. But I think this is the best that we can do
and I'm sorry that we can't do more. >> Are there other members that would like to add anything? Council member Hay for >> I just want to thank Council Member Burke for bringing this forward. Um and thank you for everyone who who showed up today as well. I think it's really unfortunate that mostly we're having to
ask the federal government to follow the law and follow norms of law enforcement that have existed for decades. Um but that is the situation that we're in and I think this is an appropriate response and something that we can do and I will support the amendment. >> Any other discussion?
>> No, I completely agree with this uh the amendment Thank you. >> And I'll second that amendment. >> All right. Um I would also support this amendment. Um I think that as was
stated, there are certain things that should just that's the way it should work. We shouldn't have to have people wearing masks. We shouldn't have to have people refusing to identify themselves. Um, I have great respect for law enforcement, but I do not have respect for the things that have been happening
in Richfield lately. It has been an abuse of authority, and we I think we should throw our weight behind trying to get it changed. So, I would be in full support of this amendment. Um, city clerk Friedrich, have we lost council member Christensen or is she still with us?
>> She is still with us. We were having some issues with the mute and unmute. So, we'll try it again. And if we can't get her in, we'll go with a vote of four. >> Okay. Is she able to >> give me three seconds here? There we go.
>> There we go. >> Council member Christensen, did you want to add anything to the discussion? >> Uh, no, not at this time. >> All right. So, is there Further discussion. We're voting just on the amendment to amend the current
legislative um policies. So, Clerk Friedri, could you please take the role? >> Yes. Thank you, Mayor Simple. Council member Burke, >> hi. >> Council member Hayford Deliri. >> Hi. >> Council member Christensen. >> Hi.
>> Council member Coleman Woods. >> Hi. >> And Mayor Supple. >> I. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, that amendment has passed unanimously. So it is now part of the main legislative platform. So we are now discussing the platform as amended. Um I
believe that we had a resident that spoke um with a request to change the legislative um policies that are being proposed. So if anyone wishes to speak to that or any other item that is in the legislative priorities, this would be the time to do
so. Um, Council Member Hayer, >> I appreciate the resident sharing their concerns and I will say I definitely heard them. Um, I I respectfully disagree with the conclusion, although I I agree that um, criminals break laws. I think part of
our problem in in our country and in Richfield is there's just too many guns and anything we do to reduce access to guns, in my opinion, is the right thing for protecting Richfielders and protecting Americans. So, I continue to support it as written.
Are there any other comments? Council member Burke. >> Yeah, I second council members comments. And I would also add that an important part of this is a city's ability to say when guns can
be brought to city property. That to me is the most important. And it's surprising to me as an attorney not be aware of such absence of laws. But I'm certainly glad that we're making this up. member Coleman Woods. >> Thank you, Mayor. Um, I as a legal gun
owner actually would still support this as it's written. Um, I understand that the the comments that the uh our constituent made. Um, however, I think that it's still required that we make our legislative stance on restricting
gun uh gun purchases. >> Right. Thank you. Council member Christensen, did you want to add anything? >> Uh, no. >> All right. Thank you. Um, and I I appreciate the the sentiments that were expressed. Um, people do make choices. I
also think that we have a a very big supply of guns right now that are not necessary. And kids, like having been a teacher, kids are curious. And we have people that are playing with guns. hurt there. If you're
um having suicidal ideation and you have easy access to a gun, you end up having a higher rate of risk for someone that might harm themselves. So, there's a number of different things. So, we are saying that we're strengthening the
existing lensure programs. We are not saying that we're going to say that illegal gun owner cannot have a gun, but we're trying to make the law strict because in my opinion, things like highcapacity magazines are not necessary for hunting or self-p protection. So, I
think we can look and try and find solutions that are both common sense and data driven. So, I would support it as written. Is there any other discussion that anybody else would like to talk about? All right. So, we have a motion before
us for the legislative platform as amended. Clerk Friedrich, could you please call the role? >> Yes. Thank you, Mayor Sipple. Council member Burke, >> I. >> Council member Hayford Olirri, >> I. >> Council member Christensen, >> I. >> Council member Coleman Woods,
>> I. >> And Mayor Sppel, >> I. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, we have passed that portion. Moving on, we are going to go to item 11 A, which consider to consider resolutions according, excuse me,
approving the 2025 revised and the 2026 proposed budgets, the tax levy, and the related resolutions. And I'll turn that over to Council Member Coleman Woods. >> Thank you, Mayor. On September 23rd, 2025, the city council approved and certified a preliminary tax levy of
31,749,381, which included a levy for general fund operations of $25,475,883. A debt service a debt service levy of $3,946,30. an equipment and technology level levy of1,682,38
and an economic development agency level of excuse me levy of $645,160. There are no proposed changes to this final to the final levy as proposed. The 2026 gross levy represents a 6.616
16, excuse me, 616% increase from the 2025 gross levy. The proposed 2026 Housing and Redevelopment Authority levy is a 3% increase to 742,230. The combined gross levies represent a
6.80% increase over the 2025 combined gross levies. The final tax levy of $32,491,611, which includes both the city levy and the HA levy, must now be considered and approved by the city council. Taxpayers
have received their individual partial specific property tax specific tax notices as part of the truth truth and taxation hearing process. The city of Richfield held its 2025 truth and taxation hearing on November 25th, 2025
at 6:30 p.m. At this meeting, staff presented in council and the council discussed the proposed city budget. While finalizing the city's 2026 budget book, the staff carefully reviewed in every budget at fund level and department level. There are four changes
made to the budget book since the August 12th, 2025 work session. Please note that these changes have no impact on the general fund budget and the levy and the tax levy. Below are the changes to the budget book. Uh during discussion on August 12th, 2025, the city council
directed that the public works budget be increased by $55,000. The increase will fund asphalt trail maintenance, stop sign replacement, warning sign replacement, and the forestry tree planting. This increase was included in the proposed property
tax levy that the C city council approved on September 23rd, 2025 and is now reflected in the budget book. Utility rates are proposed to increase by 7% for water, 2% for sewer, and 10% for storm. These utility rates uh increases are reflected in the budget
book for these enterprise funds. The local tax revenue and debt service payments on the general operating local sales tax bonds are now included in the 2025 revised in the 2026 proposed budget
for the debt service funds and as adopted during the 20 November 25th 2025 city council meeting. The budget book now includes the following for 2025 revise. Ice Arena loans totaling 472,170
$170 will be paid off with a transfer from the long-term capital reserve fund. The elections fund is transferring $1.8 million to the long-term capital reserve fund and this amount is designated for future government building project capital projects. Included for your
consideration are salary increases for non-represented employee pay plans and the proposed increases are a 3% increase for the general services and the specialized pay plans. The increases will be effective the first pay period
of July sorry January 2026 and this change will be reflected in the paycheck issued on January 16th. And is there a motion to adopt the resolutions approving the 2025 revised and 2026 proposed budgets tax levy and related
resolutions? >> So did you want to make that motion then? >> Yes, please. Let's make that motion. >> All right. So is there a second? >> I I will. >> Okay. It's been moved and seconded. Did staff want to add anything or are you simply present for questions?
>> Uh yes, mayor. I just wanted another round of thank yous. Um, I want to thank budget manager Steve McDaniel for all his work uh leading the budget process um for directors and their teams for putting the budget together. Uh council members for their good direction. Um I
also want to thank the community members that spoke at Truth and Taxation. Um they they really made compelling points and while putting the budget together on our side is really difficult, it gets more challenging every year. Um I I heard from them uh that it's challenging
on their side as well with those annual increases. So we will uh carry that forward when we put the budget together uh next year. Thank you. >> Thank you. Is there any discussion? I would um echo city manager Rodriguez's
thanks and I also want to thank you because you were a good leader in organizing this whole project and thoroughly looking at the budget and taking all of the feedback into consideration. So I appreciate that. Is there any other discussion?
Um city clerk Friedrich, could you please call the role? >> Yes. Thank you, Mayor Supple. Council member Burke. Hi, >> Council Member Hayford Deliri. >> Hi, >> Council Member Christensen. >> I, >> Council Member Coleman Woods.
>> I, >> and Mayor Supple, >> I. >> Thank you. >> So, the motion passes. Next, we'll move on to item 11B. Council member Burke. >> The item for consideration is a labor agreement with Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc., Local 123 police
officers and teamsters Local 320 police sergeants and police lieutenants for 2026 2027. A two-year labor agreement has been reached with the police officers, police sergeants, and police lieutenants bargaining units. Contracts would take
effect January 1st, 2026 and remain in effect through December 31st, 2027. The agreements provide consistent cost of living adjustments, targeted market adjustments, and updates the specialty and on call compensation to support recruitment, retention, and internal pay
equity across the police department. Police officers l 2026 3% cola plus 1% market adjustment 2027 3% cola plus 1% market adjustment.
Special assignment increase from $300 to $350 a month specialty pay top of step pay. Officers take on special assignments as part of professional development. At any time there are approximately 8 to 11 officers assigned to special assignments
which is about 20% of all officers. Police sergeants team local 3206 3% cola plus 1% market adjustment 2027 3% cola plus 1% market adjustment. Specialty pay increase from 300 to $350
per month. Standby court pay increase from 37 to $65 per occurrence for family level or county attorney charged cases. Clothing allowance increase from 965 to $1,000 a year. And for police police lieutenants team
local 3206 3% cola plus 1% market adjustment 2027 3% cola plus 1% market adjustment on call compensation $350 a month beginning January 1st 2026 and clothing allowance
increase from $965 to0. Additionally, police officers, police sergeants and police lieutenants will receive the same insurance benefits including the new Innesota paid leave program as additional comments from staff.
>> Thank you, mayor, council members. I just wanted to take this opportunity to uh thank the the team serves, LS, their business agents and the stewards that represented the uh the various unions. And I also wanted to thank staff and the
negotiation team. Uh everyone was very respectful, professional throughout the process. So, I just wanted to thank everyone for participating and also to get us to where we are now. So, I'll make a motion to adopt the resolutions approving the provisions of
the 2026 2027 labor agreements with Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc. Local 123 and Team Local number 320 and authorize the city manager to execute the agreements. >> Second. It's been moved and seconded. Um
I did have a question. Um assistant city manager Tongvan, could you tell us um how much this will cost for this settlement addition and additional expense to the city? >> Thank you. Fair supple uh the additional
uh I wouldn't say additional cost but within budget uh there'll be about a 70 a net impact about $75,000. And it's uh it's encouraging. It's encouraging because the market has started to stabilize uh compared it to
2024 where we had 11.4% increase uh to the budget and that accounted for a 3% cola but a 8 8.4% market adjustment. In 2025, we had a 1% market adjustment. Uh so now with this
contract in 26 and 27, it will be a 1% mark adjustment for each year. Knowing that the city will need to be competitive uh in terms and continue to be competitive uh in the market and continue to
recruit and retain our officers. >> Right. Thank you. Are there additional questions or discussion? >> Thank you to all the parties to the negotiation both from the labor side and from the city side. I appreciate that.
If there's no further discussion, um clerk Could you please call the role? >> Yes. Thank you, Mayor Supple. Council member Burke. >> Hi. >> Council member Hayford Olri. >> Hi. >> Council member Christensen. >> Hi.
>> Council member Coleman Woods. >> I. >> And Mayor Stuple. >> I. >> Thank you. >> Okay, that motion passes. Next, we'll turn it over to council member Haver for item 11 C to consider a request for an interim use permit to allow temporary
and occasional employ parking on a vacant lot adjacent to Lake Wind's Co-op. >> Thank you. Uh executive summary is Lakewoods Co-op has submitted an application for an interim use permit to utilize the vacant and unpaved lot south of their property for approximately 122
days a year for the next 5 years, which is the maximum term afforded by the zoning code. Lot four, which is the name of the lot, an adjacent but separately entirely separate lot from the Lakewoods Co-op lot, was acquired by Lakewin's co-op in 2016. At that time, Lakewood's co-op requested and was granted a
two-year interim use permit to utilize the lot for occasional employee parking for no more than 45 days a year. The IUP was granted on the basis that the need for long-term parking in the area would be better evaluated once the parcel to the north was developed. Um, development of the parcel uh to the
north of Lake's Co-op has proven to be slower than anticipated. I'm just going to pause temporarily from staff writings to clarify that as the the brewery lot that we've talked about many times. So, not that loud. We're talking about it a lot on the other side of Lakewoods. Back to the staff summary. Additionally, in the years since the previous IUP
expired, Lakewin's co-op customer base has grown significantly, which in turn puts continued strain on the availability of parking. See the attached applicants request letter for more information in our packet. Parking is not permitted as the primary use of a parcel. In order to develop lot 4 into
permanent parking, it would need to be formally combined with the Lakeman's co-op lot, and planned unit development would have to be amended. An interim use permit would afford Lakewood co-op more time to evaluate long-term needs in conjunction with the eventual development of the northern parcel. Building more parking when it is truly
not needed would be unfortunate and against the premise that the property should be used for the highest and best use as in 2016. Only minor maintenance of the lot as opposed to paving and striping is recommended. Paving and striping could encourage regularly use of the lot by non-employees which is not the intent. Appropriate signs and
landscaping as described in the proposed resolution will help prevent non-employee parking. The planning commission held the public hearing on November 24th. No members of the public spoke. Planning commission voted 32 to recommend approval request. Descenting commissioners preferred a three-year term combined with two single
year extensions for a total possible term of five years rather than just doing five years off the bat. Staff finds the request reasonable and recommends approval. Um, just to keep things moving, I'll go ahead and make the initial motion that we can discuss more. I move that we approve a 5-year interim use permit for
occasional employee parking on vacant lot 4 adjacent 6420 at Lindale Avenue South. >> Second. >> Okay, it's been moved and seconded. Um, council member here for Larry. >> Yes. Um, would the staff have anything to add at this time or should I just go to my questions?
>> Let's just go to your questions. Thank you. >> Okay, thanks. So, I am a little bit concerned about this. Um the the language um or the idea here is that this is a temporary use and it's not that bad that we're breaking our rules of it being the exclusive use of the
parcel because it is temporary. But the situation has existed since 2013 which was 12 years ago and we're proposing to extend that to 17 years um of having this this very unsightly parcel um surrounded by a permanent parking lot on all sides. So I'm not I'm not very
excited to see this back. in the same form again. Um I'm becoming skeptical basically that there is any realistic redevelopment use of the parcel. Um and I'm uncomfortable with sort of giving them a blank check for the full five years. Um in part it it is really
unsightly. It has been kind of an unregulated space. I just got a complaint in the last week of an apartment resident nearby who was complaining about illegal uh dump truck parking on there. To my credit, they did resolve that issue when they were alerted to it. Um I see some protections in this of adding
the landscaping, but basically we have a really unsightly isore um in this area that we put so much priority into. Um and they're basically expanding their their previous authorization for a longer period of time. So I also raise
one concern although this isn't necessarily a factory way. They do have at least 12 spots um of available on street parking that is not being utilized for employees. So, I think my suggestion um I think the permits that staff have put in or the provisions that
staff put in here to require signage and require landscaping are helpful. I would like to go back to the three-year term that the minority of the planning commission recommended just to encourage them to keep moving. And then I would also just ask Lakewoods and if staff could pass on this suggestion, if the council agrees with it to explore use of
the available on street parking to avoid having to continue to use this for 17 years. >> So, are you making a formal amendment? Yes. I will move that we keep everything as as is except change it to a three-year interim use permit. >> Is there a second? >> Well, if you want to second it so we can
debate it and then we can vote it up or down. Ask the questions then. >> Mayor Sele, may may I ask a question of uh council member Hayford? Uh the planning commission actually debated a motion that would have limited it to
three years but authorized two one-year administrative extensions by the developer or I'm sorry by the director um so long as Lakewins would come in and talk with us about the progress that they had been making and what they what they were doing. Um, is are you you
referenced the planning commission motion so I want I want to make sure are you are you actually proposing what the planning commission discussed or three years period. >> Thank you. >> For the sake for this motion I will say what the planning commission recommended the two-year available administrative
extensions. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Now do we have a second? >> I would second the uh amendment. >> Okay. So now we're discussing the amendment. Are there any questions? Council member >> B. Is there anything about this that would prevent development during this
time period? >> Council member Burke, there is not. Um, and I I will also mention that I believe the general manager for Lakewins is here tonight in case the council has any questions for them um about their use of the property um and their long-term
plans. Just to mention >> other questions, >> could I ask questions of the director then or the the >> Yes, I I had a question for the director, too. So, >> yeah. Well, if you want to complete your staff question, but if the store manager could could come up, we do have a couple questions for you. Thank you.
>> All right. Thank you. Um, so, um, Director Palman, I'm curious as to what is the procedure for like that extra administrative approval. Is that a difficult procedure that's going to take a lot of staff time or is that something
that's pretty quick that could happen? Because realistically, I doubt that something's going to happen in the next five years. And if it's a small thing, fine. But if it's going to take a whole lot of staff time for something that probably isn't going to matter, um, then I would have
concerns about that. So, what is how long does it take to do an administrative approval? >> Yes, thank you for the question, Mayor Supple. Generally, when we have done these types of administrative approvals, what we've requested is that the applicant come in and meet with staff to
discuss um actions that they've taken um if they've done any studies, if they have any further plans, um if they've had discussions um about f, you know, the future, what that looks like. So, it's it's essentially been a check-in.
It has not been an ownorous um an ownorous thing for either staff or the applicant. That is not the intent. It's to make sure that um it continues to stay on everyone's at top of mind and that we understand this isn't um a permanent solution.
>> Thank you. Um and for the um Could you introduce yourself, sir? >> Lakewin's Food Co-op. I want to thank city staff for the support that they've provided through this process and for council and mayor supple's consideration of our application.
>> Thank you. Council member Hayfield, you had questions. >> Yeah. Well, first off, thank you for making this meeting. I know this was originally on consent and I appreciate you making the time for us. Um, my question is what what do you see happening with this parcel in five years? One of the reasons why we're allowing this is the hope that there would be redevelopment there. But I will
just say I'm I'm skeptical if you don't have enough parking in your current lot that you would want a building there that also demands parking. >> I think that that's an appropriate statement. Our our business has grown tremendously as the report shares. Uh and as a community-owned food co-op, it
is very much our desire to provide services to the members of the community that elect to shop at our co-op. With the growth of our co-op, that additional parking has become increasingly uh important for our smooth
operation. Um to the extent that the city would consider a combination of the lots in future, this is uh work that we would like to endeavor in. In the meantime, the interim use permit was a temporary solution um that provided
opportunity for feedback and consideration. Okay. Additional development on that site beyond our intended use of a parking lot would um constrict access to our business in a
way that would be unfavorable. >> Okay. Um and then just out out of curiosity, is there a reason why you don't direct employees to use the on street parking that's available? The on street parking development is really been made available just in the
last year. Yeah. >> And availability for those spots and I'm not sure what the count of the spots is. I think it's somewhere between 10 and 15 spots is they're heavily used by the residents of the apartment buildings
surrounding our co-op. >> Okay. Well, I would just ask regardless of what we approved tonight just if you can consider looking at that. Personally, I see cars on the apartment side a lot, but almost never on the Lakewood side. And it just seems like a shame to have this extra asphalt and then also need to use this temporary lot. But, um, thank you. Those are all
my questions, unless anybody else has any. >> Right. Any other questions? >> Thank you, sir. >> Thank you. >> Um, is there any other discussion of the amendment? We're voting just on the amendment. >> I I think fundamentally their their
long-term desire is to make this a permanent parking lot. And it feels like right now we kind of have the worst of both worlds of they're effectively exceeding the parking maximums that they're allowed to have, but we're not even getting a decent looking lot to do that in. Um, so I do think it's it's reasonable to limit them to three years,
especially knowing that it's a fairly minor ask of staff and the applicant to just come in and update them on their progress in three years. I think it's helpful to keep them accountable and keep them moving, especially again given this has been 12 years in the current situation.
>> All right, any further discussion? Um, we're voting just on the amendment. Um, city clerk Fick, could you call the role? >> Yes. Thank you, Mayor Supple. Uh, Council Member Burke, >> I. >> Council member Hayford, >> hi. >> Council member Christensen.
>> I, >> Council Member Coleman Woods, >> I. >> And Mayor Supple. >> I. >> Thank you. >> So, now we've approved the amendment. So, now we are discussing the motion as amended.
So, is there any discussion? All right. Seeing none, city clerick, could you please call the role? >> Yes. Thank you. Uh, council member Burke, >> hi. >> Council member Hayford. >> Hi. >> Council member Christensen. >> I. >> Council member Coleman Woods.
>> I. >> And Mayor Seppel. >> I. >> Thank you. >> So, we have now concluded that business item and we'll move on to the city manager report. Um, thank you all for everybody that was here. City Manager Rodriguez.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Um, at last at the last meeting during open forum, there was a short-term rental owner that spoke uh to express his concerns about the new short-term rental fee. Uh, he thanked staff for their information, but still feels the fee is too high. He believes
it's higher than neighboring cities. Um, most of our neighboring cities have actually banned short-term rentals. Um the total initial fee in Minneapolis is higher than the proposed fee um although subse subsequent years in uh Minneapolis
is lower. Um we will be reviewing the fees after the first year. Um, also the owner suggested that using we could use the tourism tax to help offset the cost to enforce the program, but the tourism tax we we are um obligated to remit 95%
of that tourism tax to the Richfield Tourism and Promotion Board for Promotion Services. So, that's not an option. Um, also, Mayor Supple facilitated a meeting uh last week uh with community volunteers and it
included Chief and Deputy Chief Griffin um and myself and we talked through what the city can and can't do in response to the additional ICE activity. Uh we agreed to continue to communicate and to work together to keep people safe. Um I
know the city is doing everything that they can. Um spending a lot of time um trying to respond where we can. I know that feels insufficient right now. Um, and I just want to say I'm really um impressed and uh grateful for the
community efforts to help those impacted families. There's a lot of people out there volunteering to keep people safe. So, I appreciate that. That's it tonight. Thank you. Any questions for city manager Rodriguez? All right. Then we will move on to
council discussion and it can be either hats off to hometown hits or liaison reports. Um, Council Member Coleman Woods, did you have anything? >> Um, yeah. I thank you, Mayor. I really do want to extend our my gratitude to everybody who has been boots on the
ground for our residents here who are um being harassed and being um detained and unlawfully and illegally. And I think it's been taking a lot more volunteers and a lot of effort in order for people
to become present um in the most difficult times. And I what I can remember our city ever having um having been a lifelong resident here and having um grown uh grown up here, it is um the
Brown Girls dream that um that people come together and actually come up with ideas, solutions, safety measures. that volunteers come out in droves. And so um while I have
uh continued to try to live this uh this life, um it has been my my greatest honor to serve with the mayor and this um the activists that are here in our
city. And so I thank all of the community members that have been in the and on the ground uh trying to keep our citizens safe. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Christensen.
Council member Christensen, did you have anything that you wanted to say or add? >> No. >> Okay. Thank you. Council member Hayford Deliri. >> Um just briefly leazison report. I will say transportation commission had kind of a
um fun kind of meeting where they basically just did a Q&A session with an extra meeting and it was a nice idea that I think other commissions could benefit from. So just questions of like how does you know how does a road how does a road get built? How do traffic signals work? That sort of stuff is really helpful.
Um for hats off I did not have anything but I just want to thank council member Coleman Woods for her comments. That was very powerful and I'm also really touched by seeing people show up. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Member Burke.
>> Thank you. Um, given the weather out there, I want to do a preemptive thank you to the public works department that's going to be out there plowing the roads and keeping everyone safe. Um, I also want to thank the community for all of the things that people have been
doing to come together. Um, the impact of the actions of ICE on this community have been I'm not even sure how to say it. It the magnitude has been um stunning and and
not in a positive way. So, I have been very impressed with people going out to get groceries for their neighbors, giving people rides to appointments, um standing outside of schools to make sure that kids feel safe coming and going to school so they can go to school.
Standing churches so people can um worship without fear. And there have been people working together to stand in solidarity. Um working together and also I want to thank our public
safety for the things they've been doing to deescalate some situations that been very tense and dangerous to help keep people safe. As we heard the testimony tonight, there have been that are unspeakable going on in this community and I am very proud of our community for
the way everybody has been standing together. So, thank you to everybody that has helped their neighbors. Um, is there anybody else that wants to add anything? Then I would um accept a motion to
adjourn the meeting. >> So, moved and seconded. >> It's been moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting. That is not debatable. So, um, city clerk Friedick, would you call the role? >> Yes. Thank you, Mayor Supple. Council member Burke, >> hi. >> Council member Hayford Deliri, >> hi.
>> Council member Christensen, >> hi. >> Council member Coleman Woods, >> hi. >> And Mayor Supple. Hi. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. We stand adjourned.