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CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Council Regular Meeting
February 10, 2026
ITEM #1 CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Supple at 7:00 p.m. on February 10, 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:
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 move Consent Calendar item, 7b Consider a resolution authorizing the Mayor and City
Manager to finalize and execute Hennepin County Cooperative Agreement No. PW 22-19-25 for
the 2026-27 Nicollet Avenue Reconstruction Project, to item 8a and approve the agenda as
amended.
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

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City Council Meeting Minutes -2- February 10, 2026
MOTION: made by Council Member Coleman-Woods, seconded by Council Member Burk to
approve the minutes of the (1) City Council Work Session from January 27, 2026, and (2) City
Council Regular Meeting from January 27, 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
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.
Seven residents addressed the Council during the Open Forum opportunity.
Birgit Johnson, Richfield resident, described concern after hearing children incorporate references
to immigration enforcement into their play, reflecting the broader impact of current events on young
children. Ms. Johnson expressed sadness about this influence and emphasized the important
contributions immigrants make to essential industries and caregiving. Ms. Johnson also raised
concerns about the economic and human impact of enforcement actions by U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement, encouraging recognition of immigrants’ humanity and role in the
community.
Betsy Stark, Richfield resident, asked the city to have its police department document incidents
when officers respond to federal immigration enforcement actions. Ms. Stark noted an event in
which a detained resident’s vehicle was left blocking traffic and no police report was filed. Ms. Stark
cited community disruption and associated costs as reasons for creating formal documentation in
such cases.
Ava J T McKnight, Richfield resident, stated that she believes dispatch and police have a duty to
document incidents where residents’ rights may be impacted and shared a written statement from a
neighbor who was too fearful to attend. The written statement expressed the neighbor’s concerns
about immigration enforcement actions, uncertainty about whether legal documentation would be
accepted, and fear of possible profiling. Ms. McKnight emphasized the importance of ensuring that
families and children feel protected and supported by law enforcement.
John Poppe, Richfield resident, raised privacy and data-security concerns about the City’s use of
automated license plate readers, including those operated by Flock Safety. Mr. Poppe opined on
issues related to data collection, sharing, and potential misuse, and asked the City Council to
consider removing existing cameras and prohibiting future use of ALPR technology in the
community.
Landon McKay, Richfield resident, voiced frustration with the City’s continued use of automated
license plate reader cameras from Flock Safety, citing concerns about data privacy, security
vulnerabilities, and potential data sharing with federal authorities. Mr. McKay expressed concerns
about Flock cameras and urged Council to consider removal of the cameras.
Brianna Darling, Richfield resident, shared a story on behalf of a friend who immigrated from
Mexico, adapted to a new trade, and identifies strongly as American. Ms. Darling noted the friend

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City Council Meeting Minutes -3- February 10, 2026
expressed concern about lacking the same rights and protections as others despite living, working,
and paying taxes in the U.S. Ms. Darling highlighted community support and suggested focusing
efforts on broader immigration legalization.
John Lehnen, Richfield resident, requested increased funding for the organization Volunteers
Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP), which provides food and essential items to individuals affected
by poverty, including those impacted by immigration enforcement. Mr. Lehnen also suggested that
local representatives advocate for an eviction moratorium to help residents unable to pay rent due
to economic challenges.
ITEM #6 PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
None.
ITEM #7 CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Rodriguez presented the consent calendar.
a. Approve Disbursements/Claims
U.S. BANK 1-30-2026
A/P Checks/ETF’s: (1/17/2026- thru 1/30/2026) $1,525,181.40
Payroll (1/30/2026) Includes Feb health insurance premiums $1,423,261.02
TOTAL $2,948,442.42
b. Moved to Item 8a, under Consideration of Items, if Any, Removed from Consent Calendar:
Consider a resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to finalize and execute
Hennepin County Cooperative Agreement No. PW 22-19-25 for the 2026-27 Nicollet
Avenue Reconstruction Project.
c. Consider the approval of a resolution authorizing the lawful gambling premises permit by
Richfield Lion’s Club, to conduct lawful gambling at Sandy’s Tavern, 6612 Penn Avenue
South.
RESOLUTION NO. 12409
APPROVING THE LAWFUL GAMBLING PREMISES PERMIT APPLICATION FOR
RICHFIELD LIONS CLUB TO CONDUCT LAWFUL GAMBLING AT SANDY’S TAVERN
AT 6612 PENN AVENUE SOUTH
MOTION: made by Council Member Coleman-Woods, seconded by Council Member Burk to move
Consent Calendar item 7b to 8a, and approve consent calendar items 7a and 7c.
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

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City Council Meeting Minutes -4- February 10, 2026
a. Consider a resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to finalize and execute
Hennepin County Cooperative Agreement No. PW 22-19-25 for the 2026-27 Nicollet
Avenue Reconstruction Project.
Council Member Hayford Oleary presented the staff report, and noted the project involves a full
reconstruction of Nicollet Avenue. Council Member Hayford Oleary reviewed past public
engagement beginning in August 2023, City Council approval for the project layout in October
2024, final design, cost contributions, payment schedule, and maintenance responsibilities,
including landscaping, and rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) negotiated by city staff with
Hennepin County.
City Engineer Powers noted negotiations regarding RRFB maintenance are ongoing, with plans to
install a hardwired system to improve reliability. City Engineer Powers reviewed the City’s cost
share has been structured to defer a significant portion of project payments to 2027 within the
cooperative agreement. City Engineer Powers noted
Council and staff discussed landscaping responsibilities, lighting plans, project phasing, and
measures to coordinate with waste haulers during construction. Staff emphasized efforts to align
final plans with City standards while minimizing costs and ensuring long-term maintenance.
RESOLUTION NO. 12408
AUTHORIZING MAYOR AND CITY MANAGER TO FINALIZE AND EXECUTE COUNTY
AGREEMENT NO. PW 22-19-25 FOR CONSTRUCTION ON HENNPIN COUNTY STATE
AID HIGHWAY 52 (NICOLLETT AVENUE) IN RICHFIELD
MOTION: made by Council Member Hayford Oleary, seconded by Council Member Burk to
approve a resolution authorizing mayor and city manager to finalize and execute Hennepin County
Cooperative Agreement number PW22-19-25 for the 2026-27 Nicollet Avenue reconstruction
project.
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 #9 PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
ITEM #10 PROPOSED ORDINANCES
None.
ITEM #11 RESOLUTIONS
None.

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City Council Meeting Minutes -5- February 10, 2026
ITEM #12 OTHER BUSINESS
None.
ITEM #13 CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Rodriguez noted City Attorney Tietjen would provide Council with an update on the
amicus brief that the city joined and the ongoing lawsuit.
City Attorney Tietjen updated Council regarding the ongoing lawsuit filed by the State of Minnesota
and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul (plaintiffs) against the federal government’s Operation
Metro Surge. City Attorney Tietjen reviewed the lawsuit, initiated on January 12, 2026, alleging
constitutional violations of the 10th and 1st amendments, with the plaintiffs seeking several forms of
relief including a preliminary injunction, which the court denied on January 30, 2026. City Attorney
Tietjen explained the denial is not a ruling on the merits of the case, which remains active and is
proceeding through discovery. Additionally, the City of Richfield, and several other suburban cities,
joined an amicus (“friend of the court”) brief presenting policy arguments on how Operation Metro
Surge impacts municipal prosecution operations. City Attorney Tietjen noted the brief is available
for public review and will be considered by the court as the case progresses.
City Manager Rodriguez provided updates and clarified the emergency ordinance prohibits the use
of city property as a staging area for civil immigration activities on city-owned property and added
the ordinance does not prohibit federal vehicles from being on the property, but rather from using it
to stage operations. City Manager Rodriguez noted residents should continue to call 911 if they
witness federal immigration staging activity on city property. City Manager Rodriguez added the city
website is continually updated regarding resources for residents and businesses affected by
immigration enforcement. She noted staff are exploring rental assistance and potential pre-eviction
protections, while collaborating with a multi-city coalition on policy and advocacy.
ITEM #14 COUNCIL DISCUSSION
a. Hats off to Hometown Hits.
Council Member Burk addressed resident concerns regarding ALPR cameras, and added
anecdotal reports and videos are less persuasive than formal research, such as studies from the
University of Washington. Council Member Burk also noted access to camera data is often linked
to user decisions on sharing, and added Richfield carefully limits which law enforcement agencies
receive information. Council Member Burk referenced state law governance over data sharing.
Council Member Burk emphasized that restricting access to local agencies reduces broader
dissemination and encouraged residents to review the applicable state law for clarity.
Council Member Hayford Oleary, noted the Transportation Commission reported interest in
exploring a more flexible approach to towing and tagging vehicles left behind when someone is
taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, aiming to reduce additional stress on residents.
Staff are reviewing the commission’s recommendations.

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City Council Meeting Minutes -6- February 10, 2026
Mayor Supple thanked community members for advocating for justice and supporting neighbors
during the ongoing crisis. She highlighted efforts to provide food, transportation, and rental or
mortgage assistance, while emphasizing the importance of stabilizing local small businesses to
preserve jobs. Residents were encouraged to sign up for the city’s business bulletin to access
resources and grant programs. Mayor Supple also noted the need to address community trauma,
particularly among children, as a long-term effect of Operation Metro Surge, and encouraged
continued public input and ideas.
b. Council Liaison Reports
Council Member Hayford Oleary shared a report from the Transportation Commission during the
Hats off to Hometown Hits, under item 14a.
ITEM #15 ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: made by Council Member Burk, seconded by Council Member Coleman-Woods to
adjourn the meeting at 7:51 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: February 24, 2026
Mary Supple
Mayor
Michelle Friedrich Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager