--- ## author: Kari Sinning date: D:20260714154350-05'00' --- ## CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES ## Richfield, Minnesota ## City Council Work Session May 26, 2026 ## ITEM #1 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Supple called the work session to order on May 26, 2026, at 5:45 p.m., in Bartholomew Conference Room. ## Council Present: ## Excused: ## Mary Supple, Mayor; Walter Burk, Sean Hayford Oleary, and Sharon Christensen. Rori A. Coleman-Woods. Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Chris Link, Assistant Public Works Director; Joe Powers, City Engineer; and Michelle Friedrich, City Clerk. ## ITEM #2 ## ITEM DISCUSSION ## a.Sidewalk and Tree Planting Discussion City Engineer Powers introduced the sidewalk and tree policy and Assistant Public Works Director Link led a discussion on the future of the City’s sidewalk policy, including residential street design, tree placement, sidewalk construction, maintenance responsibilities, and long-term planning considerations. Council generally supported planting boulevard trees 7–10 feet from the curb with consistent placement by block to preserve tree health and maintain flexibility for future sidewalk installation. Council and staff favored a context-sensitive approach to residential sidewalks, prioritizing collector streets, school routes, and other high-use pedestrian corridors, while considering sidewalk installation during future street reconstruction projects. Further discussion included balancing pedestrian connectivity, urban tree canopy, parking, roadway space, ADA accessibility, construction and maintenance costs, snow removal responsibilities, stormwater impacts, and long- term funding options. Council expressed interest in exploring a potential petition process for neighborhood-requested sidewalks, including possible assessments, and generally supported sidewalks on both sides of collector streets while maintaining flexibility based on roadway conditions. Council also emphasized the importance of public engagement through the Comprehensive Plan process, requested opportunities to review high-level engagement questions, and supported using multiple outreach methods to gather community feedback. Staff concluded necessary information to proceed was received and noted Council direction to continue developing policy options, engagement strategies, and recommendations for future Council consideration. ## ITEM #3 ADJOURNMENT ## City Council Work Session Minutes -2-May 12, 2026 Mayor Supple adjourned the work session at 6:52 p.m. ## Date Approved: June 8, 2026 ## Mary B. Supple ## Mayor ## Michelle Friedrich Katie Rodriguez ## City Clerk City Manager