06-24-03 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
June 24, 2003
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 5:33 p.m.
Members Present:
Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Gertrude Ulrich; John Enger
(arrived at 5:35 p.m.); and Sue Sandahl (arrived at 5:40 p.m.).
Samantha Orduno, City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director;
Bruce Palmborg, Community Development Director; Dan Scott, Public Safety
Director; Bruce Nordquist, Housing and Redevelopment Manager; Tom
Foley, Transportation Engineer; and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Staff Present:
Item #1
Housing and Redevelopment Manager Bruce Nordquist stated the discussion tonight is in
response to a Gramercy Park Cooperative petition, April City Council Worksession concerns and
mediation between Gramercy Park and the VFW.
Public Works Director Mike Eastling reviewed conceptual improvement sketches for Lake
Shore Drive pedestrian crossing improvements center median with and without parking.
Mr. Nordquist reviewed the current on-site parking and proposed four spaces as new parking.
He said Gramercy has proposed three additional spaces in the landscaped area but wishes to use
this option only if they determine the spaces to be necessary.
Mr. Nordquist stated that the Gramercy and VFW mediation session has resulted in an
agreement regarding handicapped parking spaces with Gramercy trying to honor the VFW spaces.
He said this signage will come before the City Council for their approval in the near future.
Bob Yanda, 6711 Lake Shore Drive #216, asked for clarification of the 35 parking spaces in
the rear of the VFW.
Mr. Nordquist said that many spaces will be available when the City Bella project is
completed.
City Manager Orduno stated the Gramercy and VFW mediation participants will receive a
report on the meeting from the mediator; it will not be provided by the City since they were not a
participant.
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June 24, 2003
Art Bourgeault, 6711 Lake Shore Drive, stated the mediation points were read at the
Gramercy board meeting. He said Gramercy agreed to shared parking with the VFW.
Council Member Enger asked about the steep incline to Gramercy when the VFW
handicapped parking is used.
Mr. Bourgeault stated Gramercy agreed to the front signage for VFW handicapped parking
and additional visitor parking in the rear.
Council Member Sandahl said the incline was one step and Gramercy could decide to pave it
if they so desired.
Council Member Enger said he supported using the Gramercy landscaped area for
handicapped parking instead of the street because of safety concerns for those using a wheelchair
who exit a vehicle into a traffic lane.
Council Member Sandahl said Gramercy should decide the best use of their property.
Mr. Eastling said there are other areas in Richfield with handicapped parking on the street and
agreed the safety concern was a legitimate point.
Mr. Bourgeault stated Gramercy residents were asked about wheelchair-bound individuals
and the decision was for wheelchair-bound drivers to pull up to the front entrance, exit the vehicle and
then the Gramercy resident will park the vehicle.
Clifford Niesen, 6711 Lake Shore Drive #415, stated there are assigned handicapped parking
spaces for tenants underground.
Vern Luettinger, 6711 Lake Shore Drive #815, stated that everyone is interested in reaching a
conclusion. He suggested the Transportation Committee be asked to review this issue.
Mr. Nordquist stated the signage and parking will go through the City zoning application
process and be presented to the City Council for consideration.
Mayor Kirsch asked about the construction timeframe if the Transportation Committee reviews
these issues.
Mr. Nordquist answered the City Bella developer has stated work could begin this construction
season.
Mr. Eastling stated a review by the Transportation Committee may not be the best process.
Council Member Ulrich expressed concern about a delay in resolving these long-time issues if
the Transportation Committee becomes involved.
Council Member Sandahl said the Transportation Committee's plate is full with the Humboldt
Avenue review as their top priority. She said construction would be delayed if a Transportation
Committee review is conducted. She encouraged the zoning application process to move forward
and supported Gramercy's permission for the additional three spaces in the landscaped area if they
deem the spaces necessary.
Ms. Orduno said staff is seeking City Council direction on how to proceed - if the Gramercy
and VFW agreement is satisfactory to the Council, if the sign and parking application process should
proceed, and if the previous City Council decision regarding parking and the crosswalk should
continue or if the Transportation Committee should review the issues.
Council Member Ulrich invited people to speak about the proposed bike lanes.
Dick Weber, 7069 Oak Grove Boulevard, spoke in support of space for bikes on Lake Shore
Drive. He expressed concerns regarding safety for bikers with cars parked on the street and opening
doors into traffic.
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June 24, 2003
Mr. Eastling reviewed the proposed bike lanes.
David Gepner, 7503-18th Avenue, spoke in support of the bike lanes and thanked the City
Council for considering those benefits to the community.
Jim Lundquist, 6711 Lake Shore Drive, expressed concern regarding the number of driveways
crossing the bike lane on Lake Shore Drive.
Mr. Bourgeault voiced safety concerns regarding the ten-foot bike lanes and traffic using that
space when vehicles stack up at the intersections.
Council Member Enger asked about bike path markings and signage.
Mr. Eastling explained the edge of the roadway will be identified and signage will be erected
which is more effective and noticeable than street markings.
Council Member Enger stated disagreement with the effectiveness of signage and believed
pavement markings more effective. He said police enforcement will be needed for vehicles using the
bike lanes. He added that signage is also a problem for snowplowing.
The City Council consensus was to continue in accordance with the mediation agreement and
return this item to the City Council in July or later.
Council Member Rosenberg said the lack of the blinking yellow light and the median island
crosswalk is more of a hazard than the bike lanes.
Mr. Nordquist said the median and light will be included in the entire Lake Shore Drive on-
street parking project.
The City Council stated greenery should be placed in the center median.
Mr. Nordquist said the developer is reviewing what can be planted in that space.
Item #2
City Manager Orduno stated the City's liquor ordinance, for the most part, adopts the State
laws on hours of operation which will be extended to 2 a.m. effective July 1, 2003. She reported that
establishments that choose to stay open longer will pay for troopers with license fees ranging from
$200 to $600 per year, payable to the State; the City receives no license fees.
Council Member Enger asked about increased costs to the City for staying open the extra
hour.
Ms. Orduno said no great increase in costs is anticipated.
Council Member Enger asked Steve Lindgren, Richfield Chamber of Commerce President, if
he had talked with businesses and if he could comment on those discussions he mayor may not
have had.
Ms. Orduno said Houlihan's contacted the City and has asked for the flexibility in staying
open. She added that if Minneapolis establishments are open, Richfield's are at a disadvantage.
Public Safety Director Dan Scott reviewed the conflicts within the City's liquor ordinance
regarding those regulated by State law and City ordinance. He requested the ordinance be revised
so there is a consistency in regulations. He added that several Richfield establishments have asked
about extended hours.
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June 24, 2003
Steve Lindgren, Richfield Chamber of Commerce President, reported on an informal survey
he conducted with findings that establishments want flexibility and their hours depend on the
competitions' hours.
The City Council consensuS was to revise the ordinance to establish consistency in regulating
liquor sales, follow the State law extending hours to 2 a.m. and provide flexibility to the
establishments so they remain competitive.
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:28 p.m.
~~
/ L' L.~
Cheryl rum Iz ~
Recording Secretary
Date Approved: July 8 _ 100"l