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Richfield City Council Agenda
February 17, 2026 -- 5:45 PM
Richfield Municipal Center
Council Chambers
6700 Portland Avenue South
1. Call to Order
2. Item Discussion
a. Discussion of a draft Emergency Pre-Eviction Notice Ordinance.
3. Adjournment
Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. Requests must be made at least 96 hours in advance to the
City Clerk at 612-861-9739.
Includes Materials - Materials relating to these agenda items can be found in the Council Chambers Agenda Packet book located by
the entrance. The complete Council Agenda Packet is available electronically on the City of Richfield website.
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City Council Meeting 2/17/2026
Agenda Section: Item Discussion
Agenda Item: 2.a.
Report Prepared By:
Melissa Poehlman, Community Development Director
Julie Urban, Assistant Community Development Director
Department Director:
Melissa Poehlman, Community Development Director
Item for Consideration:
Discussion of a draft Emergency Pre-Eviction Notice Ordinance.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Operation Metro Surge has created significant disruptions in the ability of many people
to get to work and/or conduct business and thus earn income to pay for necessities like
shelter and food. The number of tenants who will be unable to pay rent is expected to
be similar to the Covid-19 Pandemic. In response, the City Council has asked staff to
draft an emergency ordinance extending the required pre-eviction notice period of 14
days in order to allow additional time for tenants to access financial assistance. A pre-
eviction notice or eviction filing is often needed to access emergency assistance.
The attached emergency ordinance for discussion proposes the following:
• Extends pre-eviction notice for non-payment of rent or other financial obligation
from 14 days to 30 days;
• Except for timing, notice requirements match the requirements of the State;
• Maintains landlords' ability to evict tenants for non-financial reasons;
• Provides a tool for tenants to challenge evictions that are not preceded by 30-day
notice;
• Maintains current non-local enforcement policy;
• Emergency ordinance "sunsets" (ends) with the close of the Legislative Session.
Staff is supportive of the emergency ordinance given the extraordinary circumstances
created by Operation Metro Surge. Consideration of a permanent ordinance to extend
pre-eviction notice requires additional research and outreach; this work is already in the
Community Development work plan for late 2026, early 2027. Consideration of an
extension of pre-eviction notice is also included in the City's legislative platform and is
expected to be proposed at the State level (a preferred solution to avoid disparate rules
by City).
The true need for tenants at this time, beyond an ability to safely attend or operate
places of employment, is financial assistance. An extension of notification requirements
or an eviction moratorium does not eliminate the requirement to pay rent, and in some
instances leads to a debt that exceeds available sources of assistance. Ensuring that
tenants and landlords are aware of financial resources as soon as possible remains a
key component of our housing stabilization work.
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Discussion only.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
None.
EQUITABLE OR STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS OR IMPACTS
Operation Metro Surge has had a significantly greater impact on our communities of
color, who disproportionately live in rental housing.
POLICIES (RESOLUTIONS, ORDINANCES, REGULATIONS, STATUTES, ETC.)
Richfield City Charter Section 3.06 establishes rules for the enactment of an emergency
ordinance.
CRITICAL TIMING ISSUES
• Dependent upon feedback at the work session, staff plans to bring an ordinance
for consideration to the February 24 City Council meeting.
• The timing of the emergency ordinance allows minimal time for communication
with renters, rental property owners, and others who will be impacted by the
ordinance. A survey was sent to property owners at the end of last week, and
rental assistance data from VEAP is anticipated by the time of the work session.
A more robust engagement process should be undertaken before consideration
of a permanent ordinance.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
• There is no direct financial impact to the City; however, rental property owners
will likely be impacted by a delay in rent payments. A significant delay and
possible loss in revenue may impact the ability of some owners to pay bills,
including property taxes, which are due in May.
• The Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) committed $50,000 in Local
Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) to VEAP to provide emergency rental assistance
to tenants. It is likely that VEAP will ask the HRA for additional funding.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
The proposed ordinance was drafted with the City Attorney's office.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATION(S)
Discussion only.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 021026 DRAFT Richfield_Emergency_Ordinance_Eviction_Notification_Period
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BILL NO. ______
AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR AN EXTENDED NOTICE
PERIOD PRIOR TO THE FILING OF AN EVICTION FOR NONPAYMENT OF RENT
THE CITY OF RICHFIELD DOES ORDAIN:
SECTION 1.
PREAMBLE.
1.01 The City of Richfield (“City”) values the safety, dignity, equal protection and treatment,
and human rights of all its residents, regardless of race, religion, immigration status, or
national origin. The City is home to persons of diverse racial, ethnic, and national
backgrounds, including a significant immigrant and refugee population.
1.02 In December 2025, federal immigration enforcement action dramatically increased in the
Twin Cities metro area as part of its Operation Metro Surge. These actions have led to the
deployment of approximately 3,000 federal officers to the Twin Cities, a number which
exceeds the combined total of the ten largest Twin Cities metro police forces and dwarfs
that of the City. The federal immigration enforcement actions have led to the arrest of over
2,000 individuals.
1.03 The federal immigration enforcement action has occurred within and around the City and
has targeted those within the City. On January 8, 2026, a highly publicized federal
immigration enforcement action involved the arrest of two U.S. citizens at a retail store
within the City. These individuals worked within the City at that store. This immigration
enforcement action resulting in the arrest of US citizens indicates a general danger to
those who live and work within the City.
1.04 The federal immigration enforcement action has broadly sown fear within the Twin Cities,
including among City residents. Retail establishments have temporarily closed or reduced
hours causing City residents working for those establishments not to receive expected
income. City residents have felt compelled to remain in their homes and miss work in
order to avoid being caught up in or targeted by the federal immigration enforcement
action. [Staff to add narrative information on closures, residents staying home from work,
and other effects, prior to final consideration. In addition, any data regarding increased
evictions or filings from landlord survey and VEAP.].
1.05 The City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan identifies several broad housing policies, including
developing policies for naturally occurring affordable multi-family housing that encourage
the maintenance and upgrading of aging apartment buildings, while maintaining
affordability and preventing displacement of residents.
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1.06 By this ordinance, the City desires to mitigate the negative effects of the federal
immigration enforcement action on its residents’ housing stability by establishing a pre-
eviction notice requirement greater than that which exists under Minnesota statute. Winter
in Minnesota can be notoriously harsh, this year included. Causing City residents to face
housing instability in the midst of the federal immigration enforcement action and freezing
temperatures is likely to threaten residents’ well-being. Renters that have a recent eviction
on their record often have a difficult experience finding appropriate housing. This
ordinance is intended to provide an extended period for residents to access resources and
avoid eviction for nonpayment of rent.
1.07 This ordinance qualifies as an emergency ordinance under Richfield City Charter Section
3.06 as there is an established connection between housing, public health, and safety. In
consideration of the ongoing circumstances in the City, it is necessary for the immediate
preservation of public health, safety, and welfare for the aforementioned reasons.
SECTION 2.
2.01 NOTICE REQUIRED PRIOR TO INITIATING EVICTION PROCEEDINGS
(A) At least thirty (30) days before bringing an eviction action alleging nonpayment of rent
or other unpaid financial obligations in violation of the lease, a landlord must provide
written pre-eviction notice to the residential tenant specifying the basis for future eviction
action.
1. The written pre-eviction notice under this Section 2.01 must include:
(a) the total amount due;
(b) a specific accounting of the amount of the total due from unpaid
rent, late fees, and other charges under the lease;
(c) the name and address of the person authorized to receive rent and
fees on behalf of the landlord;
(d) the following statement: "You have the right to seek legal help. If
you can't afford a lawyer, free legal help may be available. Contact
Legal Aid or visit www.LawHelpMN.org to know your rights and
find your local Legal Aid office.";
(e) the following statement: "To apply for financial help, contact your
local county or Tribal social services office, apply online at
MNBenefits.mn.gov or call the United Way toll-free information
line by dialing 2-1-1 or 800-543-7709."; and
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(f) the following statement: "Your landlord can file an eviction case if
you do not pay the total amount due or move out within 30 days
from the date of this notice."
2. The landlord or an agent of the landlord must deliver the notice personally or by
first-class mail to the residential tenant at the address of the leased premises.
(B) If the tenant fails to correct the rent delinquency within thirty (30) days of the notice or
fails to vacate, the landlord may bring an eviction action under Minnesota Statutes
§504B.321.
(C) In the case of an expedited eviction action filed pursuant to Minnesota Statutes
§504B.321, subd. 2, a landlord will not be required to provide or comply with the pre-
eviction notice required under this Section.
2.02 WAIVER NOT ALLOWED. The parties to a written or oral lease may not waive or
modify the requirements imposed by this ordinance.
2.03 AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE. In addition to any other remedy available to a tenant at
equity or law, it shall be an affirmative defense that a tenant’s landlord failed to comply
with the provisions of this ordinance. This affirmative defense is available to a tenant
facing an eviction action alleging nonpayment of rent or other unpaid financial obligations
in violation of the lease.
2.04 SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this ordinance are severable. If any provision of this
ordinance or its application is held invalid, that invalidity will not affect other provisions or
applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
SECTION 3. This ordinance will be effective upon publication in accordance with Section 3.09
of the City Charter and will remain in effect through May 18, 2026 (the currently scheduled end
of the 2026 Minnesota Legislative Session); following that date, this ordinance will be
automatically repealed.
Adopted by the City of Richfield this ___ day of _________, 2026.
Mary B. Supple, Mayor
ATTEST:
Michelle Friedrich, City Clerk
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