06-15-04 Special-2
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special City Council Meeting
June 15, 2004
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 7:01 p.m.
Members Present:
Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Gertrude Ulrich; and Sue
Sandahl.
Members
Not Present:
John Enger.
Staff Present:
Samantha Orduno, City Manager; Tom Foley, Acting Public Works
Director; Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation Services Director; and Cheryl
Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
M/Sandahl, S/Ulrich to excuse Council Member EnQer from the June 15, 2004 Special City
Council MeetinQ.
Motion carried 4-0.
Item #1
Mayor Kirsch stated all written comments, including tonight's, will be summarized and
provided to the City Council. The comment period is open until July 23, 2004.
Tom O'Keefe, MnDOT Metro West Manager, provided a project summary including the
history of the rebuilding of Crosstown, Project Advisory Committee which Council Member Sandahl
is a member, goals, key elements for municipal consent consideration and elements addressed
outside the municipal consent process.
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June 15, 2004
Rick Brown, Vice-President SRF Consulting Group, Inc., presented a computerized
animation of the project area traffic flow. He added the animation does not show some changes to
the plan, including the closed west bound access to Crosstown at Portland Avenue and the new
access at Lyndale Avenue.
John Griffith, MnDOT Project Manager, made a presentation on the process schedule
including the municipal consent and environmental assessment, stakeholder involvement, Bus
Rapid Transit study, transit service in the Corridor, goals and results of the refined concept. The
meeting tonight was to address the layout.
Council Member Ulrich asked the cost of the new design versus the original.
Mr. O'Keefe said the current estimate is $208 million versus $135 million.
Council Member Ulrich asked about the City's approval process and the ability to appeal
MnDOT's recommendations.
Mr. O'Keefe explained the appeal process and that only MnDOT in the face of plan
disapproval has the option to appeal. MnDOT also has the option to drop the project.
Council Member Ulrich said if the City cannot appeal, their power is greatly reduced.
Michelle Leonardson, Nicole Leonardson and Robert A. Leonardson, 6214 Irving Avenue,
addressed the City Council in support of the Crosstown needing redesign, but expressed concern
regarding the property he owns in relation to the proposed closeness of the frontage road and the
easement. He suggested the U-turn around be eliminated at Girard, Humboldt, Irving and James
Avenues and be made into dead-end streets with a bike path. Additional concerns were the
installation of a noise wall, landscaping, retaining wall for his property, taking of his property and
the frontage road design.
Mr. Griffith responded that a noise wall is proposed for the entire project. He explained the
property notification process and the justification through the environmental assessment required if
a total take is requested.
Mr. O'Keefe stated MnDOT will work with the City regarding landscaping.
Acting Public Works Director Foley explained the easement guidelines based on City
ordinance.
Council Member Sandahl encouraged Mr. Leonardson to drive through the neighborhood to
see the loop roads on the north side of 77th Street. She added snowplowing and access by
emergency vehicles needs to be considered in street design.
Roberta Hackett-Rose, 6315 Knox Avenue, representing the neighbors near Madison Park,
addressed the City Council regarding concerns for a sound barrier, baseballs being hit onto the
highway or hitting people on the circular bike/walking path. She added the neighborhood did not
want access of the bike path at Madison Park due to potential unwanted activity, such as theft and
vandalism.
Council Member Rosenberg said a meeting was held with park neighbors and the bike path
access was clearly addressed. She asked the Community Services Commission to work with the
neighborhood.
M/Ulrich, S/Rosenberg to close the public hearinQ.
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June 15, 2004
Motion carried 4-0.
M/Ulrich, S/Rosenberg to accept the public testimony reqardinq MnDOT's current lavout of
the Crosstown Commons Section of 1-35W.
Motion carried 4-0.
Council Member Ulrich stated no additional public hearings would be held so public
comments now need to be submitted in writing.
Mayor Kirsch thanked the public for their comments. He acknowledged the work of City
staff with MnDOT and that Richfield is just one part of this project.
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:12 p.m.
Date Approved: July 13, 2004
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Cheryl Kr~holz
Recording Secretary