04-08-03 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
April 8, 2003
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 5:30 p.m.
Members Present:
Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Gertrude Ulrich; John Enger; and
Sue Sandahl.
Staff Present:
Samantha Orduno, City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director;
Bruce Palmborg, Community Development Director; Bruce Nordquist,
Housing and Redevelopment Manager; and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording
Secretary.
Item #1
City Manager Orduno stated that residents of Gramercy Park Cooperative submitted a petition
asking the City Council to reconsider providing on-street parking on lake Shore Drive. She said
three Gramercy representatives requested to address the City Council on this issue.
Vern luettinger, 6711 lake Shore Drive, expressed concern regarding the practicality of the
proposed bicycle path. He added that parking on the north side of lake Shore Drive was needed for
Gramercy visitors because the Wood lake Nature Center spaces were very little due to the distance
from the entrance.
Cliff Niesen, 6711 lake Shore Drive, expressed concern regarding increased traffic on lake
Shore Drive since construction was completed and supported making lake Shore Drive two lanes
with on-street parking for Gramercy visitors and handicapped. He stated no support for the bike
paths. He added that Gramercy has no outside handicapped parking because the parking is
exclusive to the VFW.
Virginia Holst, Gramercy Co-op President, expressed concern regarding safety related to the
current location of Gramercy parking in the Wood lake Nature Center parking lot and requested the
City Council make those spaces closer to the nature center. She questioned the need for the bike
path because trucks may use the space to unload/load and bikers would be difficult to see for
vehicles leaving the underground parking lot. She asked the City Council to consider on-street
parking on the north side of lake Shore Drive for closer access to Gramercy's front entrance.
David Gepner, Planning Commission Chair, spoke in support of the bike path as a way to
allow bicyclists an alternative route off 66th Street to get across Richfield.
Gramercy residents expressed concerns related to:
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April 8, 2003
. Bike path use by racers or families
. Excessive bike path width
. Absolute need for on-street parking for visitors and handicapped
. Crossing Lake Shore Drive i~ hazardous
. Current parking inadequate
. Bicyclists already use sidewalk along Wood Lake Nature Center
Housing and Redevelopment Manager Nordquist reviewed the current parking spaces at
Gramercy and the proposed additional spaces related to the City Bella project. He also explained the
lease agreement with the VFW which provides 40 parking spaces, but does not designate their
location. He stated the parking permits were approved with a shared parking concept.
Mr. Nordquist reviewed the GramercyNFW average visitor parking counts which suggests
plenty of opportunity for shared parking regardless of the lease agreement. He stated Gramercy
could designate as many handicapped stalls in their lot as they want, but it would limit the availability
of stalls to others.
The Gramercy Park Administrator stated impaired residents cannot navigate the incline from
the VFW to Gramercy. She added that the number of parking spaces is not the issue, but rather their
location.
Housing and Redevelopment Manager Nordquist stated it appears the underground parking is
not fully utilized.
The Treasurer of Gramercy stated that all spaces are paid for and occupied.
Mr. Luettinger stated the VFW lease agreement is with the Gramercy Corporation not
Gramercy residents and requested the assistance of the City and Corporation to resolve the conflict.
Mr. Nordquist stated that two handicapped parking spaces in front of the Gramercy building
along the curb line is supported by the City Council. He added that handicapped spaces along the
proposed Villa could be used by Gramercy residents.
Council Member Sandahl said Gramercy might wish to consider replacing the landscaped
area in front of the building with two additional parking spaces.
Mr. Nordquist said the landscaping is owned by Gramercy and the conditional use aspect
related to this space may need to be reviewed.
Mayor Kirsch asked the timeframe for street changes.
Mr. Nordquist stated changes are tied to the City Bella project, which has an estimated 18-
month completion deadline. He added temporary pavement markings, stripes could be considered
prior to the permanent street improvements as part of City Bella.
Council Member Rosenberg asked if the proposed light at the crosswalk is activated by
pedestrians crossing Lake Shore Drive.
Mr. Nordquist said the proposed light is yellow flashing and not pedestrian activated.
Public Works Director Eastling stated the yellow flashing light was approved by the City
Council and is an indication to vehicles that it is a pedestrian crossing.
Council Member Sandahl asked what role the City plays in having the VFW remove the VFW
designated stalls.
Mr. Nordquist stated the VFW parking stalls meet City requirements, but the current signage is
in violation of the lease agreement.
Council Member Ulrich stated she thought the VFW clearly understood that the signage
needed to be removed.
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April 8, 2003
Mr. Nordquist stated the VFW said they would be willing to try a change to the parking stalls,
but the signs had not yet been removed. He added the reminder to the VFW of this issue was
deferred until after tonight's Worksession.
Council Member Sandahl said she was interested in the outcome of the VFW signage removal
and the landscaping removal.
The City Council consensus was to revisit all the issues presented tonight at a future
Worksession. They requested staff to notify Mr. Luettinger when this issue comes back to the City
Council.
Item #2
Council Member Rosenberg deferred to a future Worksession.
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:30 p.m.
Date Approved: April 22, 2003
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Recording Secretary