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Richfield council approves Hennepin County cooperative agreement for Nicollet Avenue with $2 million payment deferral

Richfield City Council · February 11, 2026

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Summary

Council authorized finalizing and executing a cooperative agreement with Hennepin County for the 2026–27 Nicollet Avenue reconstruction; staff negotiated a payment schedule that defers much of the city's share, with $2,000,000 due June 2026 and the remainder in 2027.

The Richfield City Council voted Feb. 10 to authorize the mayor and city manager to finalize and execute a cooperative agreement with Hennepin County for the Nicollet Avenue reconstruction project scheduled for 2026–27.

Council member Hayford O'Leary introduced the resolution and said Hennepin County planned full reconstruction of Nicollet Avenue in 2026–27. City Engineer Joe Powers said staff and county negotiators agreed on terms including landscaping, maintenance responsibilities and a modified payment schedule that substantially defers the city's costs. "We have been able to negotiate with the county, such that the city will pay $2,000,000 this year in June 2026 and the remainder of our project cost in 2027," Powers said.

Powers told the council the agreement sets a detailed landscaping plan but gives the city discretion over plant selection and requires the city to let a separate contract to install landscaping. He said the city is negotiating whether the county or the city will perform maintenance on certain rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) at roundabouts and intersections and expects to finalize that detail soon.

Council members asked about cost-share levels for boulevard landscaping and about lighting plans and phasing; Powers confirmed the south end of the corridor is scheduled for the first year and the north end for the second. He added that the city will pursue hardwired RRFBs on Nicollet Avenue to avoid reliability issues previously experienced with solar-powered systems and that staff are exploring retrofits for problematic installations elsewhere in town.

The council moved and seconded the resolution and voted by roll call; the motion passed with unanimous 'aye' votes.

Next steps include finalizing the remaining maintenance language with Hennepin County, executing the agreement once that negotiation is complete (staff expected that could happen as soon as the following week) and letting the landscaping contract and construction contracts pursuant to the county’s process.