[PAGE 1] CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Richfield, Minnesota Council Regular Meeting March 24, 2026 ITEM #1 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Supple at 7:02 p.m. on March 24, 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 Director; Kristin Asher, Public Works Director; Jay Henthorne, Director of Public Safety; Mary Tietjen, City Attorney; and Michelle Friedrich, City Clerk. Guests: 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 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 #4 APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: made by Council Member Coleman-Woods, seconded by Council Member Hayford Oleary to approve the minutes of the (1) City Council Work Session from March 10, 2026, and (2) Regular Meeting from March 10, 2026. Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council Member Christensen, and Council Member Coleman-Woods. Motion carried: 5-0 [PAGE 2] City Council Meeting Minutes -2- March 24, 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. Mayor Supple noted two emails received by staff regarding public comment were forwarded to Council for review. Three residents addressed the Council during the Open Forum opportunity. Birgit Johnson, Richfield resident, described her personal journey becoming a U.S. citizen as a respectful immigration experience, with a supportive and diverse naturalization ceremony. Ms. Johnson emphasized that immigrants work hard to earn citizenship and should be treated with dignity. Ashley Heurung, Richfield resident, expressed opposition to a proposal allowing the city manager and mayor to spend up to $10,000 on ICE-related reimbursements, citing concerns about lack of limits, transparency, and oversight. Ms. Heurung emphasized recent spending approved by Council, questioned prioritization over core services, and urged requiring full council approval and clear guidelines for any future use of taxpayer funds. Ginny Morin, Richfield resident, expressed opposition to ongoing city spending on charitable initiatives funded by taxpayers. Ms. Morin emphasized high taxes, questioned budget management, and urged stricter limits and more disciplined budgeting and prioritization of city funds. ITEM #6 PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS None. ITEM #7 CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar. a. Approve Disbursements/Claims U.S. BANK 3-13-2026 A/P Checks/ETF’s: (2-28-2026 - through 3-13-2026) $2,372,145.26 Payroll (3-13-2026) $1,059,980.50 TOTAL $3,432,125.76 b. Consider approval of an agreement with the Richfield Leadership Network nonprofit to provide social services to the City of Richfield and authorize the Mayor and City Manager to execute the final agreement. c. Consider approval of a resolution authorizing Recreation Services staff to submit a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Local Trail Connections Program Grant to [PAGE 3] City Council Meeting Minutes -3- March 24, 2026 connect the Nine Mile Creek Trail to the Southdale Library through Adams Hill Park, and authorize staff to execute a grant agreement, if awarded, and proceed with the trail connection project. RESOLUTION NO. 2026-12417 AUTHORIZING STAFF TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR THE LOCAL TRAIL CONNECTIONS PROGRAM TO CONNECT THE NINE MILE CREEK TRAIL TO THE SOUTHDALE LIBRARY THROUGH ADAMS HILL PARK, AND AUTHORIZING STAFF TO EXECUTE A GRANT AGREEMENT, IF AWARDED, AND PROCEED WITH THE TRAIL CONNECTION PROJECT d. Consider approval of a Stormwater Maintenance Agreement between the City of Richfield and Best Buy Company, Inc. and authorize the Mayor and City Manager to execute the agreement. e. Consider approval of a contract renewal with ADESA Minneapolis for 2026 for auctioning forfeited vehicles from Public Safety/Police Departments. Council responded to feedback on item 7b, explaining that the proposed $5,000–$10,000 for tow fee reimbursement is intended to balance fairness for residents with maintaining city policies such as snow removal and parking enforcement. Council noted that not enforcing towing could create operational and maintenance issues for the City and stated the funding supports equity and community stability and is a reasonable and purposeful use of city funds. Council commented on item 7c, thanking Recreation Services staff for applying for the grant. Council highlighted the importance of improving pedestrian connectivity between the Southdale Library and nearby park areas, particularly for children in a densely populated neighborhood, and noted the potential for future trail connections. MOTION: made by Council Member Hayford Oleary, seconded by Council Member Burk to approve consent calendar items 7a-e 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 CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, REMOVED FROM CONSENT ITEM #8 CALENDAR None. ITEM #9 PUBLIC HEARINGS None. ITEM #10 PROPOSED ORDINANCES None. [PAGE 4] City Council Meeting Minutes -4- March 24, 2026 ITEM #11 RESOLUTIONS None. ITEM #12 OTHER BUSINESS a. Consider a correction to an alternate appointment to fill a vacancy on the Advisory Board of Health and approval of Erik Porter as Advisory Board of Health Commissioner. Council Member Hayford Oleary presented staff report 12a, considering a correction to the previous commissioner’s appointment with the Advisory Board of Health due to an administrative error. MOTION: made by Council Member Hayford Oleary, seconded by Council Member Burk to remove alternate commissioner Jacob Peterson as the Advisory Board of Health Commissioner. Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council Member Christensen, and Council Member Coleman-Woods. Motion carried: 5-0 MOTION: made by Council Member Hayford Oleary, seconded by Council Member Burk to approve the appointment of Eric Porter as the Advisory Board of Health Commissioner commencing on March 24, 2026, and expiring January 31, 2027. Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council Member Christensen, and Council Member Coleman-Woods. Motion carried: 5-0 b. Consider an alternate appointment to fill a vacancy on the Planning Commission. Council Member Coleman-Woods presented staff report 12b, considering alternate commissioner Jacob Peterson, to fill the vacancy on the Planning Commission. MOTION: made by Council Member Coleman-Woods, seconded by Council Member Hayford Oleary to approve the appointment of Jacob Peterson to the vacant seat on the Planning Commission, commencing on March 24, 2026, and expiring January 31, 2027. 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 six residents who spoke during the open forum—four on impacts of increased immigration enforcement and two on outdoor lighting concerns. She noted no new questions were raised, and topics had been addressed in previous meetings. City Manager Rodriguez referenced a discussion by staff regarding agenda item placement of commission vacancies and appointments on future agendas and requested Council feedback. Council noted keeping commission vacancies and appointments under Other Business to formally acknowledge the time commitment of appointees. [PAGE 5] City Council Meeting Minutes -5- March 24, 2026 ITEM #14 COUNCIL DISCUSSION a. Hats off to Hometown Hits. Council Member Hayford Oleary expressed appreciation for the upcoming Richfield High School Job Olympics. Council Member Hayford Oleary noted the event provides students with hands-on experience in areas like job applications, mock interviews, thank-you notes, and professional skills, and encouraged volunteering for the event. Council Member Christensen thanked city staff, particularly the IT department, for their support with remote meeting technology over the past four months. She expressed appreciation for the assistance that allowed her to continue participating in meetings remotely and remarked that it feels good to be back in-person at the meetings. Council Member Coleman-Woods welcomed back Council Member Christensen and wished the Richfield High School basketball team good luck in the quarterfinal state championship game against Sartell at Williams Arena, adding, “Let’s go Spartans!” Mayor Supple recognized Village Shores, noting a follow-up visit and celebrating the 100th birthday of one of its residents. She also highlighted a successful community fundraising event at House of Prayer Church, hosted by the Richfield Community Safety Network, which featured an “Animals Helping People” theme and drew a large turnout. Mayor Supple mentioned Hennepin County’s ongoing small business assistance program and upcoming opportunities through the Economic Development Department, thanking staff and organizers for their efforts. b. Council Liaison Reports None. ITEM #15 ADJOURNMENT MOTION: made by Council Member Coleman-Woods, seconded by Council Member Burk to adjourn the meeting at 7:27 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 14, 2026 Mary Supple Mayor Michelle Friedrich Katie Rodriguez City Clerk City Manager [PAGE 6] From: Michelle Friedrich To: Mary Supple Cc: Mark McKinley; Katie Rodriguez Bcc: Sean Hayford Oleary; Sean Hayford Oleary; Walter Burk; Rori Coleman-Woods; Rori Woods; Sharon Christensen Subject: FW: Re:City Council Open Forum 3/24/26 Date: Monday, March 23, 2026 1:35:00 PM Attachments: image001.png Good afternoon Mayor and Council, We have received a public comment email for Open Forum for the Council regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 24. Please see the email trail below. Thank you, Michelle Friedrich (she/her/hers) City Clerk 6700 Portland Ave S., Richfield MN 55423 Tel: (612) 861-9739 |Fax: (612) 861-9715 mfriedrich@richfieldmn.gov From: Deb Nelson Sent: Monday, March 23, 2026 11:26 AM To: Michelle Friedrich Subject: Re:City Council Open Forum 3/24/26 It is my understanding that a closed door session is occuring with regard forcing Golden Tobacco, 22 W 66th Street, to give up their tobacco license. This establishment, operating for many years in Richfield, is a family run, minority owned, small business. It is an Adult only smoke shop, with a sign posted outside their door, that you have to be at least 21 to enter their premises. As far as I can tell, they comply with tobacco control law measures, albeit in all their years, there has possibly been some violations, with stricter compliances from the owner enacted. As a smoker, I frequent their establishment often, and shop at other Hub stores at the same time. The owner, family, and employees are friendly and a positive experience while shopping the Hub. I can't say that for some of the stores. It may appear that City Council are continuing End Game strategies, but please don't infringe on the rights and liberties of adults that smoke. Our choice, not yours. You already have plenty of non-smoking laws to restrict use and sales to help keep everyone safe. If your issue is underage sales, maybe have them card ALL customers like they do at the city owned liquor stores. This is not an inconvenience, and I'm 70, long past the looks of a 21 year old. And for those under-age, have them arrested [PAGE 7] or detained so that parents get involved to educate their child properly, as they should, or if 18+, give them a fine as money speaks volumes. Ending Golden Tobacco's tobacco license will put them out of business, and they don't deserve this. Thank you. Deb Nelson [PAGE 8] From: Michelle Friedrich To: Mary Supple Cc: Mark McKinley; Katie Rodriguez Bcc: Sean Hayford Oleary; Sean Hayford Oleary; Walter Burk; Rori Coleman-Woods; Rori Woods; Sharon Christensen Subject: FW: City Council Open Forum 3/24/26 Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2026 4:32:00 PM Attachments: image001.png Mayor and Council, Please review the email trail for an additional email Open Forum comment received today at 1:10 pm. This will also be included as a pdf tab on your dais computer at the regular meeting tonight. Thank you, Michelle Friedrich (she/her/hers) City Clerk 6700 Portland Ave S., Richfield MN 55423 Tel: (612) 861-9739 |Fax: (612) 861-9715 mfriedrich@richfieldmn.gov From: Aaron <2arondmn@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2026 1:09 PM To: Michelle Friedrich Subject: City Council Open Forum 3/24/26 I have concerns with the plan to use tax dollars to fund hardship by those affected by ICE operations in the city. While this is a very compassionate thing to do, using taxpayer money to fund this hardly seems appropriate. Minnesota taxpayers are already burdened with high income, property and sales taxes, which we have learned that a large amount has been used fraudulently. An appropriate approach would be to host a fundraiser or a go fund me to allow like minded compassionate individuals to help out, while not forcing the rest of our hard working citizens to give in a portion of their paycheck. Not giving us the choice in contributing to someone else's possible hardship, while many of us are struggling with our own, is just not right. Thank you for your consideration in this matter. Aaron Davis Richfield Resident