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A Message from City Manager Rodriguez
It seems like summer just ended and next week we kick off the holidays. Time flies.
Kate Niederer [Human Resources Director] is on leave, and it is possible we will not have updates for a few weeks until we know more. I understand that HR has experienced a lot of disruption in the past few years, and that is has caused some stress and uncertainty. We are doing everything we can to maintain services to all of you during this time.
Even before this latest setback, Sack [Thongvanh, Assistant City Manager] and I had been exploring ways to improve service and alleviate some of the workload on existing HR staff. We are grateful to have Jocelyn Kennealy [Recruiting and Onboarding Support] helping us part-time with organizing employee files and other catch-up work. We also just welcomed Sherrie Le [Human Resources Consultant] to help lead some of the more-involved HR projects. Sherrie has more than 30 years HR experience at all levels and will help to fill gaps as we navigate the next few weeks while Kate is on leave.
Finally, please join me in thanking HR Generalists, Amy Zenanko and Maya Lissick, for continuing to deliver excellent services despite challenges. Please continue to work with your department’s generalist on any needs. I will provide future updates as we know more.
Kudos and thank you to City Clerk Michelle Friedrich and her team [Nancy McGrath, Elections Specialist and Mark McKinley, Administrative Assistant] for all their efforts to ensure a smooth school board election earlier this month. Elections have gotten more complicated and time intensive, and our staff make it look easy!
A shout out to our Employee Engagement Committee and the CAREs Team for partnering quickly to organize a food drive for VEAP in response to the federal cuts to the SNAP program. Communications Manager Kate Aitchison and Equity Coordinator Brittany Bartlett led the effort, with some expertise from Recreation Coordinator Bonnie Muellerleile. We collected approximately 1,650 pounds of food!
I invite you to join me and take some time to thank and compliment those colleagues that are doing great work or just brighten your day. The research is clear, expressing appreciation at work results in better team cohesion, higher productivity and less stress. And, it works for the person giving out the thanks and compliments too. So spread the gratitude at work this holiday season:
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Tell someone thank you in-person;
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Write a short e-mail complimenting good work;
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Submit a thank you for the next City Manager’s Report;
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Share a colleague’s success during a meeting; or
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Deliver a hand-written note-nothing better!
Putting my long list together now 😊
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Thank You Thursdays!
Messages from staff:
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As many of you know, Tim Mahoney, Code Compliance Officer, is leaving the city in early December to pursue a new opportunity. Tim has almost 18 years of service with Richfield and if you’ve had the pleasure of working with him, you know he’s been a tremendous asset and leader in Support Services. Please make sure to wish him well in his new position – he will be missed!
Jennifer Anderson, Support Services Manager
- My family recently attended a few events led by Josh [Benesh, Recreation Supervisor] from Recreation Services at the Community Center, including Family Bingo and the Family Puzzle Challenge. Both events were packed with people of all ages—young children, teens, adults, and older residents. The energy and sense of community were exactly what you hope to see in a “third place” like the Community Center. Kudos to Josh for creating such welcoming and fun experiences!
Brianna Darling, Communications Specialist
Messages from the community:
- Yesterday we had a car leave Lyndale Avenue, drive over the sidewalk and end up along side our building, City Bella Plaza. I want to commend the Fire Department staff for their work to manage and clean up all the debris from the car and the things it hit. I was watching from my 11th floor window and, other than the damage from the car, the area was returned to its original state. Great work!
Richfield Community Member
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Bonding tour stop in Richfield
 City
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Human Resources
The city is currently hiring for the following positions:
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Richfield Fix-it Hub
The City and Hennepin County are excited to announce the launch of the Richfield Fix-it Hub, a new FREE resource for Richfield and the surrounding area! Held at the Richfield Municipal Center every second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 4pm - 7pm, the Hub aims to teach participants how to fix their broken household items. Volunteer fixers are on hand to work alongside attendees and show how to fix carry-in-sized items, including lamps, vacuums, small appliances, clothing, stuffed animals, electronics, and other household items. Drop-ins are encouraged, no pre-registration required.
The Hub also relies on volunteers to assist with repairs and sewing. Interested in volunteering? Email nancy.lo@hennepin.us or call 612-348-9195. Any other questions, contact Zach McCarty.
Richfield Winter Farmers Market – behind the scenes, FAQ’s
The Richfield Winter Farmers Market has moved back to the Richfield Community Center after 3 years at Veterans Park. It first opened in winter of 2017 at the community center as a weekday market. In 2022, we decided to try holding it on Saturdays at Veterans Park for the place and name recognition aspect. We were able to grow the market from 100-200 shoppers up to 500+ per market date.
Huge thank you to Kris Weiby [Facilities Manager] and his team at the Ice Arena for their support of both the summer and winter markets! Now that the winter market has a good following, we are moving it back to the Community Center, for a few reasons.
We have outgrown the mini-golf building space, and the community center offers more space for vendors and customers. This season we have 36 available vendor booths, with about 50 rotating vendors participating. It also allows for more dedicated parking and more nearby street parking for participants.
We open on Saturday Nov 22 for the season, and will be open every Saturday through Dec 20, 11am-3pm.
Attend the Richfield Winter Market for a checkmark on your THRIVE scorecard for Q4.
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Little Spartans Program Donation
 The Little Spartans program received a $10,000 check through the Minnesota Wild/Excel Energy Power Play Grant. The check was presented to the program at the Minnesota Wild game vs the San Jose Sharks on October 30th, 2025. This grant money will go towards the ice costs and equipment needed for the program. The Little Spartans program starts on December 6th, 2025 and is meant for athletes ages 4-11. There’s still time to register and join our great organization! https://www.richfieldhockey.com/
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Chip Chip Hooray! Chip-and-Dip-Off a delicious success!
On Wednesday, more than 30 staff joined in for the 2025 Chip-and-Dip Off, held this year at the Community Center. With 10 delightful dips in the running, votes were tallied for three categories: Dessert/Sweet Dip, Savory Vegetarian Dip, and Savory (non-vegetarian) Dip. Thanks to all who participated and came out to vote!
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Dessert Winner: Cheesecake Dip, Bonnie Muellerleile
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Savory Winner: Spicy Cajun Chikkin Dippin, Jacey Mismash
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Sherrie Le
Human Resources Consultant
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Dates, times, and topics are subject to change.
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November 25, 2025
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Work Session
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5:15 p.m.
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Nicollet Avenue Cost Participation
Truth in Taxation Public Hearing (Chambers @ 6:30)
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Regular Meeting
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7:00 p.m.
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December 9, 2025
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Work Session
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5:45 p.m.
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Public Works Storage Site
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Regular Meeting
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7:00 p.m.
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City offices and buildings will be closed Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Regular hours resume Monday, December 2.
As many of us take time to rest and gather with loved ones, we extend our gratitude to the dedicated individuals who continue serving the community through the holiday—our police officers, firefighters, water plant operators, liquor store staff and other essential employees working behind the scenes. Thank you for your commitment, every day of the year.
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Employee Wellness
If you ever need assistance or resources regarding forms, benefits or seeking someone to talk to; visit the Employee Portal and check out the Human Resources and Wellness tabs. You are able to access things like:
- THRIVE scorecard
- EAP resources
- REEP resources
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