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Richfield council hears Civil Service and Planning Commission reports; staff seeks $10M for Nicollet project
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Summary
City staff and commission leaders briefed the Richfield City Council on fire‑department hiring, planning and community programs; the council also approved consent items including a Safe Routes resolution and set a Nov. 25 liquor‑license hearing.
The Richfield City Council on Nov. 12 heard commission reports and routine city updates covering personnel, planning and community programs.
Jeffrey Bruzek, president of the Civil Service Commission for the Richfield Fire Department, summarized the commission’s year: the cancellation and reestablishment of a firefighter eligibility register following a residency-requirement change, use of both internal and external recruitment processes, and succession planning after former Chief Dobish’s June retirement. Bruzek announced that the certified fire‑chief register included two candidates and said the council and staff welcomed Janelle Brooks as the city’s new fire chief.
Eddie Holmfigg Johnson, chair of the Planning Commission, reported a relatively slow year for land‑use applications but highlighted substantive work on zoning‑code updates for MR‑2 and MR‑3 districts, a recommendation regarding the Woodlake Nature Center, reviews of the Penn Station Apartments and multi‑building housing concepts for the Legion site, and ongoing public engagement for Penn Avenue improvements. He noted the commission often reaches consensus and that public comment helps staff direct residents to the correct city office when technical issues arise.
On the consent calendar, City Manager Rodriguez described items approved in a single motion: standard disbursements and claims; a resolution supporting Richfield Public Schools’ Safe Routes to School comprehensive plan; setting a Nov. 25 public hearing on an on‑sale liquor license application for Brim 2 LLC (Brim restaurant) at 2910 66th Street West; and approval to enter an agreement with Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health to embed a social worker with the Richfield Police Department. The council approved the consent calendar by voice vote.
Rodriguez also thanked staff for a smooth school‑board election and reported the city hosted a senate bonding tour focused on the Nicollet reconstruction project; he said the city has requested $10,000,000 in state bonding to cover its cost share on that project. The mayor additionally announced a fall food drive running through Nov. 21 with a 1,000‑pound goal to support VEAP and noted community events including the Penn Avenue open house (Nov. 18) and a free legal‑advice clinic on Nov. 14.
What’s next: Staff will proceed with the Nicollet project bonding advocacy, hold the public hearing on Nov. 25 for the liquor‑license application, and report back at subsequent meetings on outcomes of the consent calendar items and commission work.
