Richfield council certifies delinquent waste and utility charges, adopts multiple special assessments after public hearing

The Richfield City Council on Oct. 14 adopted resolutions certifying $180,474.83 in unpaid solid-waste charges and certifying other delinquent utility and nuisance fees to Hennepin County property tax rolls, and approved special assessments for the ILN/70th Street maintenance district, removal of diseased trees and sanitary‑sewer repairs following a public hearing where several residents described large bills and asked for help.

The actions matter because the city uses tax‑roll certification to ensure collection of unpaid municipal charges, and several residents urged staff and council to offer payment options or social‑service referrals before the charges are sent to the county. Council members said staff will contact speakers who raised issues and that some program assessments are collected as five‑year installments through property taxes.

At the hearing, several residents described billing problems or large balances. Latoya Peterson, a Richfield resident, told the council she watched police respond to a juvenile matter and used the open forum to call for de‑escalation training; during the public‑hearing portion, multiple property owners raised utility and waste billing concerns and asked about payment plans and program details. Geraldine Cook, Gloria Ironberg and Linda Minch described bills or past notices they said were addressed incorrectly to prior occupants and requested staff follow‑up. A resident who said a water bill increased to more than $1,100 after a new meter said they had limited income and asked about payment options. Alexa Rosilis spoke on behalf of her father, Marco Luce, asking how a sanitary‑sewer assessment was calculated and why prior annual payment arrangements were not followed.

City staff and council described the procedural limits and the available options. City staff noted the certification deadline is the date the city forwards unpaid charges to the county for inclusion on next year’s tax statement; the council said residents who pay before that county certification deadline avoid placement on the tax roll and any related collection process. Staff told council that the special assessments for diseased‑tree removal and the city’s sanitary‑sewer repair program are structured to be collected over five years via the property tax process. Council and staff confirmed that Hennepin County social‑service programs can sometimes assist with utility payments and that utility billing staff will connect callers to county resources.

Key amounts and program details recorded on the record: - Unpaid garbage/solid‑waste charges certified for collection as of Oct. 2, 2025: $180,474.83 (amount subject to adjustment as assessments are paid prior to county transmittal). - ILN/70th Street project area maintenance assessment for 2024: $130,596.78 (funds maintenance of irrigation, mowing, fertilization, litter removal, noise‑wall maintenance and related items for the noise‑wall area established in 1988). - Special assessments for removal of diseased trees (work orders dated 01/01/2024–12/31/2024): $45,420.15 across 20 properties; program allows property owners to pay via five annual installments if assessed. - Sanitary sewer line repair/replacement assessments (work orders 01/01/2024–08/01/2025): $93,371 charged for 13 properties under the city program that pays initial repair and recoups costs over five years.

Council adopted each resolution after public testimony and brief council discussion. Council members said staff will follow up individually with the residents who testified to confirm the correct program or billing source and to discuss options before transmittal to the county. Councilmember Hayford O'Leary asked staff to confirm whether a property owner who pays property taxes directly can split an assessed installment outside the county's property‑tax payment schedule; staff replied the city relies on the county's collection process and that certified assessments are collected with property taxes.

The council also asked staff to continue connecting residents to Hennepin County assistance for utility payments where eligible, while acknowledging demand for those programs can exceed available funds.

Ending: Staff said they will contact the residents who testified and will update council if there are material changes before the county receives the certification list. The resolutions passed by voice vote with no recorded dissent on Oct. 14, 2025.