Summary

Council adopts emergency ordinance restricting immigration enforcement staging, establishes HR department, appoints HRA commissioner

RichfieldJan 27, 20263 min read

At a glance

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The Richfield City Council met January 27, 2026 at the Richfield Municipal Center. Council unanimously (5-0) approved an emergency ordinance limiting use of city-owned off-street property for civil immigration enforcement staging, approved consent items including rezoning and creation of a Human Resources Department, ratified participation in a municipal prosecutors’ amicus brief, appointed Brett Stursa to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), and allocated $50,000 in emergency rental assistance. Seventeen residents spoke during an extended Open Forum (50 minutes).

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City Council

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LaborBudget & TaxPublic SafetyEducationEnvironmentalHousing

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Key decisions

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Adopted Emergency Ordinance No. 2026-03 limiting the use of city-owned off-street property for civil immigration enforcement staging purposes (motion carried 5-0).
Approved consent calendar items including: (a) disbursements/claims, (b) second reading of rezoning and related permits for parcels near 76th Street and Morgan Avenue to facilitate a new learning center for Minnesota Independence College & Community, and (c) second reading and summary publication of Ordinance No. 2026-02 creating a Human Resources Department and Human Resources Director position (motion carried 5-0).
Approved extension of Open Forum from 30 to 50 minutes and granted an ADA accommodation extending an individual’s time limit to four minutes (motion carried 5-0).
Approved Resolution 12407 ratifying the city's participation in a Municipal Prosecutors’ Amicus Curiae Brief (motion carried 5-0).
Approved the Mayor’s appointment of Brett Stursa to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority for a five-year term beginning March 1, 2026 and expiring February 28, 2031 (motion carried 5-0).
City Manager reported actions including posting Council statements condemning ICE actions and allocating $50,000 in emergency rental assistance funding through VEP to support residents facing housing instability.

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Meeting information

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City Council Meeting

Jan 27, 2026, 7:00 PMRichfield Municipal Center, City Council Chambers, 6700 Portland Avenue, Richfield MN 55423completed

Agenda

1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Approval of the Agenda
4. Approval of Minutes
a. Meeting Minutes from (1) City Council Work Session from January 13, 2026 (2) Regular City Council Meeting from January 13, 2026, and (3) Special City Council Meeting from January 15, 2026.
1A. Executive Summary 1B. Historical Context | attachments=3
Decision: Approval of Minutes
5. Open Forum
Participants can share their comments in person, by voicemail, or email, and may also request to participate virtually. For more information on submitting comments, refer to the Council Agenda and Minutes page on richfieldmn.gov/citycouncil
6. Proclamations and Presentations
a. Proclamation to recognize January 26–30 as Winter Salt Week 2026.
1A. Executive Summary 1B. Historical Context | attachments=1
Decision: Proclamations and Presentations
b. Richfield Foundation Presentation of Grants.
1A. Executive Summary 1B. Historical Context | attachments=1
Decision: Proclamations and Presentations
7. Consent Calendar
Consent Calendar contains several separate items, which are acted upon by the City Council in one motion. Once the Consent Calendar has been approved, the individual items and recommended actions have also been approved. No further Council action on these items is necessary. However, any Council Member may request that an item be removed from the Consent Calendar and placed on the regular agenda for Council discussion and action. All items listed on the Consent Calendar are recommended for approval.
a. Approve Disbursements/Claims
1A. Executive Summary 1B. Historical Context
Decision: Consent Calendar
b. Second reading of an ordinance rezoning four parcels at approximately 76th Street and Morgan Avenue from R to MR-2 to facilitate construction of a new learning center for Minnesota Independence College & Community and related conditional use permit, variances, plat, and summary resolution.
1A. Executive Summary 1B. Historical Context | attachments=9 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Calendar
c. Consider approval of the second reading and summary publication of an ordinance amending Section 300 and 310 of the Code of Ordinances to establish a Human Resources Department and create the position of Human Resources Director.
1A. Executive Summary 1B. Historical Context | attachments=3 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Calendar
8. Consideration of Items, if Any Removed From Consent Calendar
9. Public Hearings
10. Proposed Ordinances
a. Adoption of an emergency ordinance limiting the use of city-owned property for civil immigration enforcement staging purposes.
1A. Executive Summary 1B. Historical Context | attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: Proposed Ordinances
11. Resolutions
a. Resolution Ratifying Participation in Municipal Prosecutors’ Amicus Curiae Brief.
1A. Executive Summary 1B. Historical Context | attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: Resolutions
12. Other Business
a. Consider City Council's approval of the Mayor's appointment of a Housing and Redevelopment Authority Commissioner.
1A. Executive Summary 1B. Historical Context | reports=1
Decision: Other Business
13. City Manager’s Report
14. Council Discussion
a. Hats off to Hometown Hits
1A. Executive Summary 1B. Historical Context
Decision: Council Discussion
b. Council Liaison Reports
1A. Executive Summary 1B. Historical Context
Decision: Council Discussion
15. Adjournment