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CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
City Council Work Session
March 24, 2026
ITEM #1 CALL TO ORDER
Council Member Coleman-Woods called the work session to order on March 24, 2026, at 5:05 p.m.,
in the Bartholomew Room.
Council Present: Mary Supple, Mayor; Walter Burk, Sean Hayford Oleary, Sharon
Christensen, Rori A. Coleman-Woods.
Mayor Supple and Council Member Hayford Oleary arrived at 5:10 pm.
Absent: None.
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Kristin Asher, Public Works Director; Mary
Bogie, Finance Director; Andrew Spear, IT Manager; Russ Lupkes, Utility
Superintendent; Scott Kulzer, Senior Analyst; and Michelle Friedrich, City
Clerk.
Guests: Kabby Jones, HDR Project Manager; Shawn Koorn, HDR Rate Analyst.
ITEM #2 ITEM DISCUSSION
a. Utility Rate Study and Financial Analysis for Infrastructure Renewal Planning
Public Works Director Asher introduced the utility rate study and financial analysis item and noted
Council understanding and feedback is needed on policies and approaches for potential
implementation in 2027. She noted a detailed presentation would be provided at the August KFS Utility
Rates Work Session, with additional sessions possible if needed. Public Works Director Asher
introduced HDR Rate Analyst Shawn Koorn.
Mr. Koorn presented the utility rate study and financial analysis covers a 10-year period through 2035
and assumes 4% inflation. Mr. Koorn noted findings include a large funding gap in water utility, while
sewer and stormwater utilities present stronger financial positions with sustainable pay-as-you-go
funding supported by reserves across the 10-year period. Mr. Koorn noted the analysis and proposed
rate adjustments support operations/maintenance system expenses and prudently fund system
improvements and replacements. He added that the analysis does not include funding for future
renewal and replacement projects or renewal and replacement reserves. Mr. Koorn reviewed
residential, multifamily, and commercial utility rate transition plans, and noted the plans were
developed to be cost-based, stable, and easy to understand, while encouraging conservation. Council
discussed potential refinements, including equity for larger users and separate infrastructure charges.

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City Council Work Session Minutes -2- March 24, 2026
Council consensus prefers maintaining the current rate structure with proportional increases,
supporting transparency, conservation incentives, with further analysis of multifamily and commercial
usage to enhance equity.
ITEM #3 ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Supple adjourned the work session at 6:51 p.m.
Date Approved: April 14, 2026
Mary B. Supple
Mayor
Michelle Friedrich Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager