Richfield City Council — Agenda
Monday, June 22, 2026
Essential Services Study Update
Votes (1)
Essential Services Study Update
Craig Rapp of Rapp Consulting Group presented an update on the Essential Services Study, initiated as part of the City’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan. The study aims to provide a consistent framework for classifying City services into seven categories (CAT-1 to CAT-5C) based on legal requirements, community expectations, funding structure, and operational necessity. Key distinctions were highlighted, such as 'Regulation Does Not Equal Mandate' and 'Legally required is not the same as essential.' The presentation included an overview of the methodology, results showing 43% of services as discretionary (CAT-3), and a 'What Happens If the City Stops Doing This?' test for classification. The purpose was to provide information and gather Council feedback, with a final report and deeper review of financial implications scheduled for September 22, 2026.
Notable Quotes (4)
The classifications describe each service's nature — not its importance.
How much flexibility does the City have regarding whether and how the service is provided?
A service can be essential to the community without being legally required—and the two answer different questions.
The classifications are more accurate, and more defensible, because of it.
Ordinances & Resolutions (22)
The agenda for the June 23, 2026 meeting.
Advance materials provided for the Essential Services Study work session.
Document explaining how services were evaluated and classified within the Essential Services Study.
A one-page overview of the seven classification categories for City services.
A detailed spreadsheet cataloging all 152 City services with classifications and resources.
Presentation slides for the City Council work session.
City's strategic plan that initiated the Essential Services Study through Strategic Initiative 1d.
A specific initiative within the City's Strategic Plan calling for an essential service delivery plan by 2026.
Minnesota Statutes cited for City Clerk services.
Minnesota Statute cited for Public Records management.
Minnesota Statutes and U.S. Code cited for Election Administration.
Minnesota Statutes cited for Governance and Policy Support and Executive Leadership.
Minnesota Statutes cited for Finance, Accounting, Treasury, Budget, Payroll, and Reporting.
Minnesota Statute cited for Planning and Zoning.
Minnesota Statute cited for Building Inspections.
Minnesota Statute cited for Organized Hauling (Solid Waste Management).
Federal and Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices cited for Street/Warning Sign/Traffic Signal Repair and Pavement Marking Painting.
Minnesota and EPA regulations cited for Water Utility Division operations and Water Sampling/Reporting.
Federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and Minnesota stormwater permit cited for Storm Utility Division operations and related services.
Minnesota Statute cited for Administering the Richfield-Bloomington Watershed Management Organization.
Federal grant-funded rental housing assistance program.
State-level rental assistance program.