[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6125152,"mediaKeyId","2677467-024231842c842d44dee4d5d2922265ca","parentId",2677467,"title","Votes at a glance: Richfield council approves minutes, consent items and claims/payroll on March 11","audioSeconds",220,"startMs",946000,"endMs",1166000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677467-024231842c842d44dee4d5d2922265ca&start=946&end=1166","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677467-024231842c842d44dee4d5d2922265ca/thumbnail_946000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6125152/Richfield-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Votes-at-a-glance-Richfield-council-approves-minutes-consent-items-and-claimspayroll-on-March-11","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125152-2f65836e90abd3469e01d5e35f67cf88/orig.mp4?Expires=1776178951&Signature=mv0lZEkiE9RurPRqTF4J47zb2Ys1bbZ2TNDbm8~rXCXZbmnQY128w9H5QGW5XxccZuKwALNfwrITRrkr5TyshykCP6UisxpMoQFFtc-JM2cvKFv44IuY79NF3WryH35UoH44fndRPww0cD7pXjC0K4RN~B8UkPA9IKBGN-AW0T~lujAbkhPK~8lSt25ucoooE8wdWwmZ8bMQW~hQJnpNwP8ecKthlBmiE06FDG3e9BMlmxRU74g-uBF9jWTfr7XcXsV344RQIXpTu3nQFSGQMdl-SRvfa8Aqo4Lvf6MTo4bJuMyJbr0uBc~gRSnbpe2px6iWZ2rYHsGnMBVlhC7DWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Richfield, MN","date","2025-03-12T14:54:02Z","article","At its March 11 meeting the Richfield City Council approved routine procedural and consent items by voice vote.

Key outcomes

- Approval of minutes: Council moved and seconded approval of both sets of minutes; the motion passed by voice vote.

- Consent calendar: The council approved the consent calendar including: (a) approval of Part 1 of the West Metro multi‑community wellhead protection plan and adoption of a resolution authorizing participation in Part 2 (community wellhead protection plan); (b) approval of a temporary on‑sale intoxicating liquor license for the Richfield Foundation’s “A Toast to Richfield” event on May 1, 2025 at 601 Lindale Ave. S.; and (c) authorization for the Richfield Department of Public Safety to accept grant monies from the U.S. Department of Justice, Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. The consent calendar passed by voice vote.

- Claims and payroll: The council approved claims and payroll by voice vote.

The meeting record reflects voice votes; specific roll‑call tallies were not provided in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - March 11th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved procedural and consent items by voice vote, including minutes, a wellhead protection planning resolution, a temporary liquor license for a May 1 event, acceptance of a DOJ Byrne JAG grant, and claims and payroll.","taxTitle","Richfield City, Hennepin County, Minnesota","taxId",55411,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6125157,"Short‑term rental hosts urge council not to impose broad restrictions; cite local benefits",481,136000,617000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677467-024231842c842d44dee4d5d2922265ca&start=136&end=617","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677467-024231842c842d44dee4d5d2922265ca/thumbnail_136000.jpg","/articles/6125157/Richfield-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Shortterm-rental-hosts-urge-council-not-to-impose-broad-restrictions-cite-local-benefits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125157-1189412e55327f6be01a1066c070e79a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776178951&Signature=n3PfcEdVOOS-4fkfy-V8wNV8UF9w~PNiYmaqrQUgJTZ~iGmX-rx92JKgBBJQR6WX-s-HWixcP5SmKjUuhEvKL67xvdFNOb0SvY5BbHK7B4gRAE5QKlRa548zgTysGLetuE2PtLHS8VMliwUyK6YWEyTqsaail9bVevBy~W7klHpBuxhCzj2i9kjrZB6RgpDWqIDdUftzGmVjlis4qjrlu2IUz3U2wEpaLMIbCJtBN9EJB3d~EO5jkUy-VKFh4eFecP7I9WRs7F~DIf1ApnSA~5-3uM2BKjt8NeZ7gB-r0mCt70Ki5VoPnX-0pNVjON0oZflbdZWhsFi0wGK7Z0ukgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two Richfield residents who operate short‑term rentals spoke during the council’s open forum on March 11, asking the council to avoid broad restrictions and to consider the local benefits of platforms such as Airbnb.

Lou Asmaru said he has lived in Richfield for more than four years and operates long‑term rentals here and an Airbnb elsewhere. “Airbnbs are essentially a net positive for the communities that they are in,” Asmaru told the council, while acknowledging that problems associated with short‑term rentals should be addressed.

Asmaru gave examples of benefits, including neighbors hosting family for events and church groups and traveling professionals using short‑term rentals for work during staffing shortages. He said penalties should follow a record of repeat violations rather than broad rules that affect all hosts.

Sarah Maris, who said she bought her first home in Richfield and owns a short‑term rental in the city, described property management practices she uses to limit nuisance risks: “We maintain a high standard of cleanliness, property maintenance, and management of strict management of our properties,” Maris said. She said hosts screen guests, require a minimum three‑night stay and explicitly prohibit events or parties.

Maris said self‑reported data show about 72 short‑term rentals in the city, representing roughly 0.7% of housing stock, and urged the council to consider grandfathering or a percentage cap rather than a week‑or‑longer minimum stay that would effectively eliminate short‑term rental operations.

The mayor thanked both speakers; the council did not take action on short‑term rental policy at the meeting but has the topic on its agenda for future consideration.","Two Richfield hosts spoke during open forum on March 11, arguing short‑term rentals provide community benefits and warning against blanket rules that would disadvantage hosts; they acknowledged nuisances exist but urged targeted enforcement.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6125162,"Council debates proposed state bill to allow multifamily housing in commercial zones; seeks tailored exemption for cities with low commercial base",774,2393000,3167000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677467-024231842c842d44dee4d5d2922265ca&start=2393&end=3167","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677467-024231842c842d44dee4d5d2922265ca/thumbnail_2393000.jpg","/articles/6125162/Richfield-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Council-debates-proposed-state-bill-to-allow-multifamily-housing-in-commercial-zones-seeks-tailored-exemption-for-cities-with-low-commercial-base","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125162-6f0dfe22ae024172a3a3cb1def73f4cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1776178951&Signature=MYcQMWhhJClf6RlLZtyyO58tWvRnZ6X9xwXb2uEu7aFGZVJBpckLyrGaX7oFmCVzCQIyHUNauurRRGQB4GYwPqOfFODtnjKVqYXywc1Qi2DrkQnSdmSt-lO2uLyT1DJuJQKrKD3029Ikdra1H0OhxgSn-FWpHguUXRS5O5Nf50fkv~zV8hu3xo7x-fKbIZ90DqoPr7aWl0nyaDhmQmHAVE0pDeLu5CGtndPC1-BQiLSGYcn7dpLSOffM-JzdYwJDiyRTCUt6-m~1097EKpqUW7hXWL-OBB0jPae9HH-WmakI5jWnOM2zgT4nrBY21ctoQovJcdSDmjGwRL7kt18iOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and council members discussed a pending state bill that would allow multifamily housing in any commercial district, and examined possible impacts on Richfield’s commercial tax base and environmental justice concerns.

Community Development Director Melissa Pailman summarized staff concerns, saying the provision would reduce local flexibility and could undercut the council’s strategy to diversify the tax base. “We feel like a bill like this ties our hands,” Pailman said.

Why it matters: allowing housing in high‑value commercial corridors could reduce the city’s ability to preserve commercial land important to the tax base. Staff flagged the Interstate 494 corridor as Richfield’s most valuable commercial land and said housing there raises questions about long‑term health impacts from freeway proximity.

Council members debated options. Several members said they support the state’s goal of creating more housing but suggested a narrow exemption for cities with a low percentage of land devoted to commercial uses — for example, exempting communities where commercial comprises less than 20% of the tax base. Council member Hayford O'Leary said that approach would allow Richfield to “support more housing in Minnesota” while protecting local commercial objectives.

City Manager Andrew Rodriguez told the council that Richfield is viewed positively for supporting affordable housing and that the city could be an effective voice in legislative discussions. Council members agreed staff should pursue clarity and report back; one member said they planned to discuss the city’s position with state representatives and would describe the council discussion.","Council members discussed a state bill that would allow multifamily housing in commercial districts statewide. Staff warned it could limit local flexibility, particularly along Richfield’s Interstate 494 corridor; council discussed seeking an exemption for cities with low commercial tax base.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6125167,"Richfield council holds public hearing, ratifies floodplain management ordinance amendments",307,1050000,1357000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677467-024231842c842d44dee4d5d2922265ca&start=1050&end=1357","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677467-024231842c842d44dee4d5d2922265ca/thumbnail_1050000.jpg","/articles/6125167/Richfield-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Richfield-council-holds-public-hearing-ratifies-floodplain-management-ordinance-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125167-f87b4161091814cd5072677ce5b0ce55/orig.mp4?Expires=1776178951&Signature=MOdf~8ZOly4sno-aqJgfKZRtD-GxCpBuLeTV589rQLDlUifjm5aLMFnEIwPHl8zfS2Q-CsqADMkbuKnBpatqAIIfX2Xv76H8KM79HP4E7WCY18Nh7hQ4AeN-jicvpKexnSfqTpmsA6gRsBRcZ2Zwg8gccxp3zzoX~5OEunrIvpoOEMY~B4i2UWH1WYZVpZWNymUPLZytgsApQvM3mePXdkTtTvJMR2jDbJwKybI4V8PyOVe-Dn9XkQwpBfYj9tcwuGLEpbv4rdK8iykaV2bT33ZN2guxl~2uHKoxuTGrRjNXCUVBHI8NCdEYn5XDc4XhIrXcCv0E3N9vd41leCHbQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richfield City Council on March 11 held a public hearing and ratified previously approved amendments to City Code Section 5.50 governing floodplain management, following guidance from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Why it matters: the amendments align Richfield’s ordinance with the new district requirements adopted in April 2024 while preserving established FEMA‑designated floodplain protections and clarifying administration by designating the water resources engineer as the official responsible for administering the ordinance.

Council member Hayford O'Leary opened the staff presentation and explained that after consulting with the city attorney staff recommended a public hearing be held before final adoption because the DNR requested it. No members of the public spoke at the hearing.

After hearing no public comments, the council closed the hearing and voted to ratify the amendments previously adopted on Jan. 14, 2025. The motion to ratify was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote. The council also retained the administrative clarification naming the water resources engineer as the ordinance administrator.

The council noted the option to not ratify and send staff back to further revise the ordinance if substantive objections had been raised during the hearing, but none were received.","The council held a public hearing required by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and ratified previously approved amendments to City Code Section 5.50 aligning local floodplain rules with updated district requirements.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6125171,"Richfield Council approves revised fowl ordinance with three-year permit cycle, asks staff to clarify reapplication after revocation",1124,1278000,2402000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677467-024231842c842d44dee4d5d2922265ca&start=1278&end=2402","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677467-024231842c842d44dee4d5d2922265ca/thumbnail_1278000.jpg","/articles/6125171/Richfield-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Richfield-Council-approves-revised-fowl-ordinance-with-three-year-permit-cycle-asks-staff-to-clarify-reapplication-after-revocation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125171-a7c62698fb2040a0719c5665fcf7e275/orig.mp4?Expires=1776178951&Signature=DkLXT9O~xxE-nLk-XTikwUgvOAiX0d5wVq3mDgn6B0TDr8jXSRCUzWHxdnOwFU6CkPbwtjFoE2dqiMVKE0wVebn3klhONe-BaMvk6EEuJFkjreTjfPOmzbPO2X23LgvTqGBaeHcgleSgOecLlmDZps5bLBa~yj8wSPUBWFqpzKjUQa3Mp~6iMwdstuPHbyBiCw4HvZ2LTbpcOu4QNBxpU0JRfU6~55AmLkSH7IGU3~D6FxIfRxYHvXXB4y8ZnAlvG1urTjy9Nlh4FV1Dz5KcLqe4AIaU6zaE83Z-WwDharlnsQ0bfFo6wQSlCK6-t-PgDeznUwuF4ayoLCUyHxRdVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richfield City Council on March 11 approved changes to city code Section 905.37 governing the keeping of fowl, establishing permit requirements, coop standards and a phased three‑year permitting approach meant to balance public‑health oversight and affordability.

Council member Christiansen introduced the measure and staff summarized changes brought since the first reading, including a move away from a one‑time, indefinite permit toward a three‑year staged permitting period. Community comment submitted in writing raised concerns about rodent increases associated with yard coops.

Why it matters: the ordinance updates set new standards for coop size, setbacks and education for owners, while creating a process intended to give new owners time to learn best practices and give the city a way to track flock locations for public‑health reasons such as avian flu monitoring.

City staff said the three‑year cycle was chosen as a compromise so the city can “monitor where flocks are, especially for cases of avian flu and other reasons,” and to align cumulative permit costs with comparable cities. Jennifer Anderson, a city staff member involved in permitting, told the council, “Three years was landed on as the compromise for that.”

The council also received a written public comment from Kathy B., who described local pest concerns: “Keeping chickens has caused the number of mice to increase to the point that pest control companies are seeing in our area like never before,” the submitted comment read. The comment named multiple addresses where neighbors reported high numbers of birds and called for licensing and regulation of home coops.

Council members asked how revocation would be handled after the three‑year period. The council voted to amend Subdivision 5G to direct staff and the city attorney to add language clarifying the steps a resident must take to obtain a permit again if a permit is revoked. That amendment passed by voice vote and was adopted into the main motion.

The council then approved the ordinance as amended. The final motion adopted the ordinance updates, added the permit application fee to the fee schedule, and authorized summary publication via resolution. The ordinance will be implemented with outreach through city channels and community groups to identify current flock locations and inform owners about the new permit requirement.

Staff said roosters would remain subject to existing nuisance and noise provisions; if roosters create a nuisance, they can be addressed under the city’s public‑health nuisance code. Staff also said the permit application materials will note procedures and consequences, including how revocations are handled.

The council approved the measure as amended; the motion was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote. The ordinance number and effective dates were not specified in the meeting record.","The Richfield City Council approved updates to City Code Section 905.37 on March 11, adding permit requirements, education, coop standards and a three-year phased permitting approach; council adopted an amendment directing staff to clarify procedures if a permit is revoked.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Richfield council approves minutes, consent items and claims/payroll on March 11

Short‑term rental hosts urge council not to impose broad restrictions; cite local benefits

Council debates proposed state bill to allow multifamily housing in commercial zones; seeks tailored exemption for cities with low commercial base

Richfield council holds public hearing, ratifies floodplain management ordinance amendments

Richfield Council approves revised fowl ordinance with three-year permit cycle, asks staff to clarify reapplication after revocation