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08-14-07 Worksession-2 ....... CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Richfield, Minnesota Special Worksession August 14, 2007 I CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 10:12 p.m. I ROLL CALL Members Present: Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Sue Sandahl; Bill Kilian; Fred Wroge; and Susan Rosenberg. Staff Present: Steven Devich, City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Tom Foley, Transportation Engineer; Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary; and Corrine Thomson, City Attorney: Item#1 DISCUSSION REGARDING 66TH STREET AND PORTLAND AVENUE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (COUNCIL MEMO NO. 144) Public Works Director Eastling stated at the July 18, 2007 City Council meeting, the City Council directed staff to: 1. Solicit Hennepin County reaction to the idea of investigating traffic signal alternatives to the proposed roundabout, and 2. Review the safety and operating characteristics of various intersection improvement projects by soliciting an outside expert. Public Works Director Eastling discussed the alternative process for reviewing safety and operating characteristics of the various alternative designs, including using James Tobaben from Parsons Brinckerhoff as the outside expert to make recommendations and conclusions on the intersection. Public Works Director Eastling said pedestrian and traffic counts as requested by the City Council are underway. He also talked about right-of-way impacts, including partial and total takings of property. City Manager Devich discussed Hennepin County's reaction. Staff from Hennepin County Commissioner Randy Johnson's office reported to City staff that the roundabout design is a very important element of the $4 million agreement with Hennepin County. The County staff reminded City staff that all of the agreements for the intersection improvement specifically reference the roundabout design. Special Worksession Minutes -2- August 14,2007 The final $500,000 amendment to the agreement will not be executed pending the City's decision to move the project to construction. The action that the County Board took on August 7, 2007 was to send Richfield's request for $500,000 (the final portion of the $4 million of Hennepin County funding for the 66th Street and Portland Avenue Roundabout Project) back to County staff until such time Richfield receives their federal funding for the project. If the City of Richfield decides not to pursue the roundabout intersection, which the County believes is the best alternative for the 66th Street and Portland Avenue intersection based upon the research, study and staff recommendation, Commissioner Randy Johnson's position is that he will not support the release of the County funding for the project if it is not a roundabout. The funding will then be put back into the County's capital budget and used for another project outside of Richfield. City Manager Devich continued that it appeared clear from the discussion with the County, that if the roundabout is not pursued, the county funding may be in serious jeopardy, however, no formal County Board action has been taken. Council Member Wroge stated the intersection improvements to two county roads are being built by both the City and County. He found it unbelievable that one County Commissioner could decide on how it's built and if the City is paid. Then the Richfield taxpayers are responsible. Mayor Goettel said she has not had a conversation with Commissioner Randy Johnson but she does have a call into him. City Manager Devich stated this is the best information he has gathered. Staff is moving ahead with the September 30 deadline for federal funding. Public Works Director Eastling said that, on the face of it, the federal funding plan is not specific to a roundabout but rather an intersection improvement. The sunset for the funding was set by the Met Council. A revised plan will need to be reviewed and accepted. The bulk of the intersection funding is with Hennepin County. Council Member Rosenberg asked how much funding has been held hostage by the County. City Manager Devich explained it was $500,000 for certain but may be more because the City has paid $1.9 million that is to be submitted for reimbursement. Public Works Director Eastling stated the Hennepin County Community Works funding ($200,000) is to change the character of the intersection and has more flexibility. City Manager Devich said every County Commissioner is championing the use of the county funds for use in their own district so it's uncertain what will happen. Public Works Director Eastling stated Mr. Tobaben is to consult with Jim Grube, Hennepin County Engineer and Director of the Transportation Department, to assure the findings are not inconsistent with County policy. Council Member Sandahl commented that it appears that some City Council Members are not concerned with driving the roundabout. Vehicle transportation evidence suggests roundabouts move safely. It appears people are concerned with pedestrian and bicycle safety in a double roundabout. Council Member Sandahl said, personally, she believes the roundabout is safe for pedestrians but everyone on the City Council needs to be comfortable with the findings. She continued that bicycles could have issues but she believed that would also be safe. . Council Member Sandahl said the roundabout should go forward because no one wants to lose funding. Pedestrian and bicycle safety will be ensured. If necessary, another consultant could review the intersection again. Special Worksession Minutes -3- August 14, 2007 Mayor Goettel said she agreed to move forward to meet the September 30 deadline for the federal funding, but still look at alternative designs. She expressed concern for pedestrians, bicyclists and the bus stops not being able to be made safe. Council Member Wroge said he's not concerned that he can't drive the roundabout but he wasn't sure everyone else can. He expressed concern about the roundabout comparisons to Europe. The 66th Street/Portland Avenue roundabout has been reduced in size and is in the middle of the City. He said he wants to make sure the City is building the right thing in this intersection. Mayor Goettel asked what the County would say if the expert determines the roundabout is not the best option. Public Works Director Eastling responded that the Senior County official would be part of the meeting with the expert. Council Member Wroge stated Commissioner Johnson should guarantee the fix to the intersection so the federal funding is not lost. Council Member Rosenberg said she was not interested in spending more money for another expert but there is a disconnect in the City with what the Transportation Commission is saying and what residents are understanding. Council Member Rosenberg continued that people do not want the roundabout. Stress on the quality of neighborhoods and lack of property maintenance are more important issues than a roundabout. Council Member Rosenberg stated Commissioner Johnson is holding the City hostage. City Manager Devich said Commissioner Johnson is the best person to address regarding the Hennepin County funding. Council Member Kilian agreed the roundabout is controversial but a process was followed to make a determination. If the roundabout is not the best option because of a wrong process, he said he could accept that reasoning. The City convinced Hennepin County that the roundabout was the best alternative and now the City may be changing their mind. He said the swimming pool failed on referendum, but it was built anyway. Council Member Kilian stated if there are concerns with pedestrians crossing the Richfield Parkway/66th Street roundabout when Cedar Point opens, crosswalk signals could be added. Council Member Kilian said he has not received calls regarding the roundabout. He added that he would go along with another expert's review. He expressed concern that decisions were already made on something not yet tested when there is a chance to know. If another intersection design is selected, more property will be taken. Council Member Sandahl stated she had not received a lot of calls opposed to the roundabout. She said if people feel more comfortable, then another expert should conduct a review. Council Member Wroge said he's received calls from all the City Council wards. The project should move forward because the funding is needed. Council Member Wroge questioned how many meetings the Hennepin County Commissioner had attended when this issue was discussed. Council Member Wroge also discussed the process and the comments he made at a Transportation Commission meeting that were disregarded. He said an equal comparison can not be made between a single and double roundabout. Special Worksession Minutes -4- August 14, 2007 Council Member Sandahl said Hennepin County should not be given a bad reputation. In 1990, Hennepin County tried to improve the intersection, but that Richfield City Council did not support it. In the meantime, nothing has been done. Council Member Wroge stated the people on that watch should have dealt with it. Mayor Goettel said everyone wants to move forward to make a safer intersection. Council Member Kilian stated the roundabout has been made af") issue. Pedestrian safety was the same issue in 1990 with the same arguments. Council Member Rosenberg stated the roundabout was an issue during the last election. She said she has the right to change her mind and she is now in the muddy middle. Council Member Wroge said by making Portland Avenue like a freeway, the neighborhoods have changed into rental properties that are not well maintained. He discussed the difference along Portland Avenue in Minneapolis between the Parkway and Crosstown and in Bloomington. The City Council consensus was to proceed with the expert's review and listen to his findings. I ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent ~t 11 :04 p.m. Date Approved: September 11, 2007