01-08-02 Worksession
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
January 8, 2002
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 5:30 p.m.
Members Present: Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Gertrude Ulrich; John Enger; Susan Rosenberg;
and Sue Sandahl (arrived 5:34 p.m.).
Staff Present: Samantha Orduno, City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works
Director; Bruce Palmborg, Community Development Director; Randy
Hughes, Operations Coordinator; Mark Hall, Street Maintenance
Supervisor; and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item # I
Public Works Director Eastling stated tonight's discussion regarding sidewalk plowing
and snow hauling was at the Council's request.
Operations Coordinator Hughes and Street Maintenance Supervisor Hall narrated a
video that showed the City's sidewalk snow plowing and hauling along certain streets.
Public Works Director Eastling reviewed the historical costs, plowing policies and
conflicts/cooperation with Hennepin County crews.
Council Member Enger asked if Hennepin County cleaned the sidewalks along the
County roads.
Public Works Director Eastling said Hennepin County cleans their roads, but they do
not consider the sidewalks as theirs.
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January 8, 2002
Mr. Eastling reviewed sidewalk plowing options and the map indicating where the
plowed sidewalks are located. He said it is difficult to ask residents to shovel the sidewalk I
along a County road, because the snow is so heavy and ice-filled. He said equipment has
improved over the years so the sidewalks are getting scraped closer to the sidewalk, leaving
much less snow on them so they're safer for walking. He said the City could haul the snow
away sooner on the County roads, but time spent on this could conflict with tree trimming.
Council Me~ber Enger said he would like to use Hennepin County crews as much as
possible at their e'xpense, especially along County roads. He said his previous comments
regarding sidewalk plowing were related to safety issues because so much snow was left on
the sidewalks, but equipment is better now. He said he did not want to delay tree trimming
and supported that effort more than snow removal.
Council Member Rosenberg said ttlere should be equal maintenance services.
City Manager Orduno said staff will continue to explore better ways to provide
services, remain cost effective and utilize Hennepin County crews as much as possible.
Item # II
Public Works Director Eastling said that in response to a Council request, City staff I
asked the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for information on the design
speed of the existing and proposed 35W/62 Crosstown for the westbound 62 Crosstown
ramp to go northbound onto 1-35W.
Mr. Eastling explained the existing ramp has a curve radius of 500 feet. He said the
proposed curve will have the same curve radius as the existing curve. He said MnDOT staff
explained that the curve radius could not be increased, because to do so would result in a
significant increase in right of way acquisition in Minneapolis.
Council Member Enger said he accepted today's radius, but had seen a drawing of
the area that showed a sharper curve. He suggested a sign at the Portland Avenue/I-35W
south ramp stating no entrance to Crosstown westbound.
Public Works Director Eastling said MnDOT may restrict access, but then there would
be no westbound Crosstown route off Portland Avenue.
Council Member Enger said the Portland Avenue entrance should be redesigned for
the eastbound Crosstown crossover.
City Manager Orduno said the redesign would make the crossover easier because I
there would be two lanes for merging.
Public Works Director Eastling said MnDOT did not determine this access to be
unacceptable.
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January 8, 2002
Council Member Sandahl said it was important not to lose the entrance and exit on
Portland Avenue to Crosstown.
Council Member Rosenberg said a resident at 62nd Street/Logan Avenue expressed
concern about his home being taken for the Crosstown reconstruction.
Public Works Director Eastling said there was a Crosstown/l-35W meeting scheduled
for January 9, 2002.
Item # '"
Public Works Director Eastling stated that at the December 10, 2001 Council
Worksession, a request was made to review the layout of the 1-494 Reconstruction Project.
Mr. Eastling reviewed maps showing both the layout and its need for additional right of
way. He said the westbound 1-494 ramp to northbound 1-35W will have a curve radius of 654
feet that translates to a design speed of 45 miles per hour. This is slightly better than the
design speed of 43 miles per hour for the existing ramp. According to MnDOT staff, the
ramp's curve radius can not be increased without seriously impacting adjacent commercial
property in Richfield.
Council Member Sandahl asked if the three properties west of Century Court shown
as total acquisition was new.
Public Works Director Eastling said he believed that these properties were included in
the original environmental impact statement.
Mayor Kirsch said MnDOT needed to prepare clearer maps to indicate the most
accurate property takings. He said MnDOT is willing to work with Richfield to reduce
acquisition.
Council Member Enger asked about the radius change for westbound 1-494 to
northbound 1-35W.
Public Works Director Eastling said the radius is generous compared to the Crosstown
area.
Council Member Enger discussed the 76th Street/I-35W north entrance ramp. He said
the neighborhood has prepared an option which would not include taking homes.
Public Works Director Eastling explained the single point diamond entrance, but said it
has not yet been reviewed by MnDOT staff.
Council Member Rosenberg asked when MnDOT would begin the design phase for
the area.
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January 8, 2002
Public Works Director Eastling said it depended on funding, but said it could be a long
time away.
Mr. Eastling showed pictures of the demolition of the Penn Avenue bridge over 1-494,
which occurred this past weekend.
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:23 p.m.
Date Approved: January 22, 2002
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Martin J. Kirsch'-""" '
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City Manager
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Cheryl KrumHolz
Recording Secretary
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