Richfield council approves sewer lining, mill-overlay contracts and updated climate action plan

The Richfield City Council on April 14 approved its consent calendar, authorizing multiple public works contracts and adopting an updated climate action plan.

City Manager Rodriguez summarized the consent items, saying the council would consider disbursements and claims; a stormwater construction and maintenance agreement with Woodlawn Terrace Cooperative at 7421 Lindale Avenue South; authorization for Busy Sewer to perform a 2026 sanitary sewer lining cured‑in‑place pipe project for $790,929.60 with the city manager authorized to approve contract changes up to $175,000; a contract with GMH Asphalt Corporation for the 2026 mill‑and‑overlay project; a resolution prohibiting on‑street parking on County State Highway 52/Nicollet Avenue from 77th Street to 66th Street; and an updated climate action plan brought forward for council approval.

"On tonight's consent calendar, item c ... authorize the mayor and city manager to execute a contract with Busy Sewer for the 2026 sanitary sewer lining cured in place pipe project in the amount of $790,929.60 and authorize the city manager to approve contract changes up to $175,000," City Manager Rodriguez said while listing the items for council consideration.

Mayor Mary Supple clarified timing for the parking prohibition on Nicollet Avenue, saying, "That that's going to go into effect when the signs are changed after construction. And so, the first year of construction is from 77th Street to 70th. And so that'll go into effect after that construction, and the other changes will go into effect the following year after the second part's constructed." The council then approved the consent calendar by voice vote.

Why it matters: the sewer lining contract and mill‑and‑overlay work are capital public‑works projects that address aging infrastructure and upcoming street construction; the parking resolution ties directly to phased construction on Nicollet Avenue and will affect residents and businesses on that corridor when signage changes are posted. The updated climate action plan — referenced in the Earth Day proclamation and listed on the consent calendar — signals the city's continued policy attention to climate adaptation and mitigation.

What the consent items include: the record lists the Busy Sewer contract amount ($790,929.60) and that the city manager may approve up to $175,000 in contract changes without returning to council. The consent calendar also contains a stormwater construction and maintenance agreement for Woodlawn Terrace Cooperative (7421 Lindale Avenue South) and a contract authorization for GMH Asphalt Corporation for the 2026 Mill & Overlay Project. The parking prohibition resolution covers Nicollet Avenue between 77th and 66th streets and will become effective in phases tied to construction and signage changes.

The council did not call any of the consent items for separate consideration and approved the consent calendar as presented. The updated climate action plan was listed on the consent calendar for approval that evening.