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CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Council Regular Meeting
February 24, 2026
ITEM #1 CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Supple at 7:06 p.m. on February 24, 2026, in the Council
Chambers.
Council Present: Mary Supple, Mayor; Walter Burk, Sean Hayford Oleary, Rori A.
Coleman-Woods
Remote Access: Council Member Christensen participated remotely via
interactive technology for an excused medical reason.
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Joe Powers, City Attorney:
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 Coleman-
Woods to approve the agenda as presented.
Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council
Member Christensen (remote), and Council Member Coleman-Woods.
Motion carried: 5-0
ITEM #4 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: made by Council Member Burk, seconded by Council Member Hayford Oleary to
approve the minutes of the (1) City Council Work Session from February 10, 2026, and (2) City
Council Regular Meeting from February 10, 2026.
Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council
Member Christensen (remote), and Council Member Coleman-Woods.
Motion carried: 5-0

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City Council Meeting Minutes -2- February 24, 2026
ITEM #5 OPEN FORUM
Mayor Supple noted the 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. Attendees were reminded to listen respectfully to all
speakers. Instructions were given for speakers to state their name and city of residence before
speaking.
Six residents addressed the Council during the Open Forum opportunity.
Birgit Johnson, Richfield resident, expressed concern about current immigration enforcement
tactics. Ms. Johnson noted she does not oppose immigration enforcement, but disagrees with
immigration and customs enforcement’s harsh methods and a lack of accountability.
Jacob Poppe, Richfield resident, voiced concern regarding automated license plate readers
(ALPRs) in the community. Mr. Poppe opined that ALPR cameras threaten privacy by continuously
tracking movements without warrants or probable cause. Mr. Poppe urged the City Council to
remove the installed FLOCK cameras, end the FLOCK contract, and prevent future ALPR use in
Richfield.
Erica Klein, Richfield resident, proposed a temporary towing moratorium to protect families who,
due to fear of immigration enforcement, cannot access or move their cars, highlighting existing
flexibility in street parking enforcement.
Nick Trautner, Richfield resident, opined that laws only work when people have faith in them,
criticized police for failing to protect the community from immigration and customs enforcement
during Operation Metro Surge, and warned that without accountability, residents feel compelled to
protect themselves, questioning the police’s role and purpose.
Scott Dahlquist, Richfield resident, veteran, and retired officer criticized harsh ICE enforcement,
highlighted its harm to residents, and urged federal reforms to expand legal immigration and
citizenship pathways while upholding America’s founding principles of equality and rights.
Ginny Morin, Richfield resident, asked the Council to stop funding economic losses from ICE
operations, arguing that business closures and other impacts are consequences of civil
disobedience or illegal actions. Ms. Morin emphasized that individuals make choices and must face
the results, and that city funds should not cover these losses for residents or businesses.
Ava McKnight, Richfield resident, raised concerns about excessive lighting in Richfield, citing public
health impacts, safety hazards from blinding lights, and environmental effects on wildlife. Ms.
McKnight noted issues at Vets Park, the ice arena, community gardens, and a public works
building, emphasizing the negative effects on residents and the surrounding environment.
ITEM #6 PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
a. Proclamation Celebrating Black History Month.
Mayor Supple read the proclamation and presented to Michael Zazzara, Human Rights
Commission.

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City Council Meeting Minutes -3- February 24, 2026
ITEM #7 CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
a. Approve Disbursements/Claims
U.S. BANK 2-13-2026
A/P Checks/ETF’s: (1/31/2026- thru 2/13/2026) $4,696,284.35
Payroll (2/13/2026) $1,036,473.80
TOTAL $5,732,758.15
b. Consider the approval of engineering consultant pool agreements between the City and
the selected engineering firms for routine professional engineering services for calendar
years 2026 through 2030.
c. Consider an Emergency Ordinance to temporarily extend Pre-eviction Notice
requirements.
BILL NO. 2026-04
EMERGENCY ORDINANCE TO TEMPORARILY EXTEND PRE-EVICTION NOTICE
REQUIREMENTS
MOTION: made by Council Member Coleman-Woods, seconded by Council Member Burk to
approve consent calendar items 7a-c as presented.
Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council
Member Christensen (remote), 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.
ITEM #11 RESOLUTIONS
None.

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City Council Meeting Minutes -4- February 24, 2026
ITEM #12 OTHER BUSINESS
None.
ITEM #13 CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Rodriguez reported on public feedback from the last council meeting, noting updates
to police dispatch procedures for federal agent interactions and continued rental assistance
coordination with VEAP.
City Manager Rodriguez noted the Transportation Commission submitted the following
recommendation to the City Council to consider:
Directly in response to Operation Metro Surge, the Transportation Commission recommended to
City Council to cease the impoundment of abandoned vehicles, excluding instances where the
vehicle poses a threat to public safety, and that the City does not issue associated City fines for the
impoundment of the vehicle. If fees must be assigned, the Commission recommends the
opportunity for fees to be retroactively waived should proof of detainment resulting in the
abandonment of the vehicle be provided.
City Manager Rodriguez shared that relaxing the city’s enforcement of abandoned vehicles is likely
to have unintended consequences as one of the most common code complaints is illegally parked
vehicles. However, cars may be left in a legal parking space, including on the street, for 48 hours.
In addition, Public Safety staff have confirmed with the city’s towing contractor that if vehicle
owners can submit proof that the car was abandoned as the result of immigration enforcement,
they will only be charged for the towing fee and 1 day’s storage.
City Manager Rodriguez proposed a social services contract with the Richfield Leadership Network
(RLN) for an initial amount of $5,000, to be increased to a maximum of $10,000 if needed, to
reimburse Richfield residents for towing and impound fees related to immigration enforcement. The
City Council directed staff to bring back a draft agreement at a future meeting.
ITEM #14 COUNCIL DISCUSSION
a. Hats off to Hometown Hits.
Council Member Christensen noted the hometown guide, released this spring, is well-organized
and highlights numerous social activities and events for community involvement starting next
month.
Council Member Coleman-Woods thanked the City of Richfield and the community for their support
following the death of her father-in-law, Pastor James Willie Woods, highlighting his journey from
Mississippi, his sacrifices, faith, and the legacy he instilled in his family.
Mayor Supple thanked Margaret Perez and host Armando for their outreach efforts and referenced
an interview with La Raza Radio and thanked the League of Women Voters. Mayor Supple noted
collaboration with local business owners, and highlighted ongoing participation in “Cities for Safe
and Stable Communities,” including recent meetings with Senator Smith, and upcoming
discussions with Governor Walz.

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City Council Meeting Minutes -5- February 24, 2026
b. Council Liaison Reports
None.
ITEM #15 ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: made by Council Member Hayford Oleary seconded by Council Member Burk to adjourn
the meeting at 7:45 p.m.
Voting Aye: Mayor Supple, Council Member Burk, Council Member Hayford Oleary, Council
Member Christensen (remote), and Council Member Coleman-Woods.
Motion carried: 5-0
Date Approved: March 10, 2026
Mary Supple
Mayor
Michelle Friedrich Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager