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Richfield approves first reading to allow limited alcohol at select city facilities; pool area remains debated
Summary
The City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance amending Richfield City Code subsection 840.11 to permit alcohol at Wood Lake Nature Center, the Community Center and limited alcohol (below 17% ABV) at the Ice Arena and city events, subject to permits and Recreation Services Director approval. Council discussed whether the pool area should be explicitly barred.
The Richfield City Council voted to approve the first reading of an amendment to subsection 840.11 of the Richfield City Code that would broaden where alcoholic beverages may be permitted on city property and set permitting and approval requirements.
Councilmember Hayford O'Leary introduced the ordinance, saying the draft revision consolidates earlier piecemeal exceptions and offers the city "flexibility in managing alcohol use in the parks." The proposed changes would allow alcoholic beverages at the Wood Lake Nature Center and the Community Center, permit beverages under 17% alcohol by volume at the Richfield Ice Arena and city-sponsored events, and allow community celebration license holders to serve beverages under 17% in designated areas. Any sale or consumption in designated areas would require appropriate city and state permits, written approval from the Recreation Services Director and indemnification where appropriate.
Councilmember Burke raised a specific concern about the pool area, asking whether the ordinance would allow alcohol at the pool and suggesting it might be clearer to explicitly prohibit alcohol there. Staff responded that pools are part of the parks system and that alcohol would require a celebration license or be part of a city-sponsored event, and that staff generally discourages alcohol near pools for safety reasons. Several councilmembers said they preferred to leave discretion with the Recreation Services Director rather than insert a categorical ban in the code.
The motion was approved and the second reading was scheduled for July 14, 2026.
What’s next: The council will review public feedback and take up the second reading on July 14, 2026; if the ordinance is adopted after the second reading, staff will prepare licensing procedures and guidance for permit applicants and event organizers.
