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Council adopts impact‑fee update and code changes, approves playground purchases and accepts fraud‑risk report
Summary
River Heights City Council approved an updated impact fee ordinance, amendments to city code covering dogs, on‑street winter parking and gravity sewer preference, approved two playground equipment purchase orders totaling about $6,295.58, and accepted the 2025 Fraud Risk Assessment (rated low).
At its May 19 meeting the River Heights City Council adopted several routine but substantive items: an updated Impact Fee Analysis (Ordinance 2‑2026), changes to the city code addressing animals, on‑street parking and gravity sewer operations (Ordinance 3‑2026), two purchase orders for playground replacements at Ryan's Place, and the annual fraud‑risk assessment.
Forsgren, the consultant, prepared an Impact Fee Analysis that the mayor summarized and the council adopted after a public hearing with no public comment. The ordinance clarifies that impact fees apply to new development and updates the fee schedule for parks, sewer, water and roads per the attached analysis.
Commissioner Keenan Ryan summarized code amendments the planning commission recommended: a clarified leash definition, a provision stating no animals are allowed in city parks unless the park is posted to allow them, an on‑street winter parking prohibition between Nov. 15 and March 15 during snow accumulation (4:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. noon), and a stated preference for gravity sewer systems where feasible to avoid long‑term lift‑station costs in small service areas.
Public Works Director Clayten Nelson described two playground replacements at Ryan's Place: a custom net climber quoted at $2,285 plus $184 freight (total $2,469) and a single zip slide (GameTime) quoted at $3,077 plus freight for a total of $3,826.58; the council approved both purchase orders. The city noted installation and permitting were not included in the supplier quotes and that the city is responsible for offloading and coordination.
Mayor Wright and Treasurer Michelle Jensen also reported on the annual Fraud Risk Assessment (2025), which rated the city as "low risk." Jensen said forthcoming policies on ethical behavior and credit card controls should further lower risk in future audits.
Council motions to adopt these ordinances and approvals were recorded as passing with Evans, Malmstrom, Mathews, Milbank and Pitcher in favor.
