Richfield Celebrates Citizen of the Year Amid Discussions on Mental Health and Housing Initiatives

At the recent Richfield City Council meeting, Tena Smith was honored as the Citizen of the Year for her charitable initiative, “Miss Te’s Helping Hand,” which assists individuals experiencing housing instability. Discussions followed with Hennepin County Commissioner Debbie Gautel about enhancing mental health services and affordable housing development. The meeting also addressed community desires for recreational improvements, the impact of the menthol cigarette ban on local businesses, and the introduction of several community grants.

03:50Tena Smith, recognized as the Gan and Mary Jacobson Citizen of the Year, was lauded for her dedication to helping those facing housing instability. Since 2020, her initiative has provided essential support during major holidays, extending beyond Richfield to neighboring areas. During her acceptance speech, Smith emphasized the importance of community support and acknowledged the shared humanity of those experiencing difficulties. She urged the audience to remember that many individuals in need share similar challenges, stating, “I just try to encourage everyone to know that they’re humans. They’re down on their luck.”

16:06Following the award presentation, Hennepin County Commissioner Debbie Gautel addressed the council to discuss several initiatives. She highlighted the county’s decision to live stream community meetings on YouTube with closed captioning, a move prompted by resident feedback. Gautel went on to outline the county’s $3.1 billion budget, emphasizing significant allocations for affordable housing. In 2024, $19.5 million was directed towards developing and preserving rental units and homeownership opportunities, underscoring ongoing efforts to improve housing accessibility and affordability in the region.

20:14The meeting also focused on mental health awareness, with a representative from Hennepin County discussing efforts to enhance mental health support in police interactions through the embedded social worker program. Initiated in 2019, this program has seen positive outcomes, with 124 referrals made by Richfield police in 2024. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to integrate mental health support across various services, including schools, where collaboration has led to a decrease in reported suicide attempts among students.

Another topic was the Child Well-Being Advisory Committee, which aims to guide county staff in improving child safety and well-being outcomes. Emerging from a consent decree due to past performance issues, the committee now focuses on prevention strategies, particularly within Native communities reporting high levels of child protection cases. Despite budget cuts, the committee remains committed to transforming services for children and families.

23:28Community grants played a notable role in the meeting, with a $10,000 allocation to the Richfield Ice Arena for youth recreational equipment announced. This funding is part of a larger effort by Hennepin County to support various community programs, including tree canopy restoration and recreational facility upgrades. The county has set a goal to plant one million trees by 2030, with funding available for cities to participate in the initiative.

25:07Infrastructure projects were also discussed, with a focus on the ongoing I-494 project and its implications for traffic flow and economic stimulation. Council members were encouraged to stay informed about road closures and project timelines to mitigate travel inconveniences. The Pen Avenue project was specifically highlighted, with appreciation expressed for the collaboration between Richfield and Hennepin County in facilitating these developments.

41:08A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the impact of the menthol cigarette ban on local businesses. Residents and business representatives voiced concerns about the ban’s impact on sales and employment. While some argued that the ban is detrimental to businesses, others supported revoking the tobacco license of establishments with past violations. The council was urged to consider stricter enforcement of existing laws rather than an outright ban.

34:04Open forum participants expressed various community concerns, including the need for outdoor basketball hoops in parks. One speaker highlighted the importance of these hoops as a vital recreational resource, calling for reinvestment despite financial constraints. The council also considered an amendment to a cooperative agreement with the Metro Housing and Redevelopment Authority to expand affordable housing options, which was unanimously approved.

Lastly, the council addressed the removal of a specific agenda item concerning a smoke and vape shop on Nicollet Avenue, which was requested to be heard by an independent hearing officer. This decision allowed open forum participants to speak without the matter being addressed during the meeting.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.

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