07-10-12 Worksession CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
geehitee Special City Council Worksession
July 10, 2012
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 6:15 p.m. in the Bartholomew
Conference Room.
ROLL CALL
Council Members Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Tom Fitzhenry; Pat Elliott; Fred Wroge; and Sue
Present: Sandahl
Staff Present: Steven L. Devich, City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Jim
Topitzhofer, Recreation Services Director; Jeff Pearson, Transportation
Engineer; and Cheryl Krumholz, Executive Coordinator
Item #1 DISCUSSION REGARDING RENAMING OF 76TH/77TH STREET (COUNCIL
MEMO NO. 79)
Transportation Engineer Pearson discussed the information collected in 2009, possible
resolutions to previously identified issues, and policy direction to staff on how to proceed.
Transportation Engineer Pearson presented the options of keeping the official street name
and add a "nickname", "nicknames" at only major intersections, and alternate street name because
"Centennial" is too connected with Edina. He also reviewed some issues with the "nickname" option.
The City Council was not supportive of the "nickname" option.
Council Member Sandahl expressed strong support for renaming with an airport associated
link, not Edina because it may encourage the underpass. She added that her discussions with Tim
Carter, Richfield-Bloomington Honda, indicate support because the area is a regional draw.
At the invitation of Council Member Sandahl, Larry Couture, ECOsmarte, 1600 East 78th
Street, presented his views on the renaming of 77th Street, east of Portland Avenue, including support
for consideration of Airport Parkway or MSP Airport Plaza.
Mayor Goettel expressed support of renaming because it may help businesses.
Council Member Fitzhenry suggested citizen-input on renaming the street. He said the
renaming will give a clearer name for travel destinations.
Special Worksession Minutes -2- July 10, 2012
Council Member Wroge stated he did not support an Airport Parkway through Richfield. He
also did not support the renaming because there is already a street grid system and there is enough
traffic getting off 1-494 to cut through Richfield.
Council Member Elliott said he agreed with renaming but no further west than Nicollet to
develop a commercial district identity. He did not endorse renaming all the way across the City.
The City Council consensus was to not use the nickname option but rather an alternate street
name and direct staff to develop a process to obtain citizen input and marketing impacts and return to
the City Council with alternatives to gather options.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:50 p.m.
Date Approved: July 24, 2012
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Executive Coordinator City Manager