02-17-15 Worksession CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
ge641lieed Special City Council Worksession
February 17, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro Tempore Fitzhenry at 7:31 p.m. in the
Bartholomew Room.
Council Members Tom Fitzhenry, Mayor Pro Tempore; Michael Howard; and Pat Elliott.
Present:
Council Members Debbie Goettel, Mayor; and Edwina Garcia.
Absent:
Staff Present: Steven L. Devich, City Manager; Kristin Asher, Assistant Public Works
Director; Jay Henthorne, Public Safety Director; John Stark, Community
Development Director; Pam Dmytrenko, Assistant City Manager; Jeff
Pearson, Transportation Engineer; and Theresa Schyma, Deputy City Clerk.
Item # 1 DISCUSSION REGARDING 66TH STREET INTERSECTIONS (COUNCIL MEMO NO.
13)
Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer Asher and Transportation Engineer Pearson
discussed intersection options along 66th Street at Lyndale Avenue, Nicollet Avenue and I-35W
interchange with roundabouts and pedestrian activated warning devices at crosswalks. Discussion
included the roundabout performance in Norway, Australia, San Diego CA and Carmel, IN specifically
related to pedestrians and bicyclists and an update was given regarding responses from property
owners, community groups, public agencies and various Richfield advisory commissions.
Council Member Elliott believes that classifying 66th Street as a "reliever" is incorrect because
many cars travel this 3 mile road simply to avoid using Highway 62/Crosstown because it does not
work.
Maury Hooper, Hennepin County, stated that 66th Street is a County road that is classified as
a "reliever" because it does serve the greater Hennepin County area and that is why federal funding
is received.
Council Member Fitzhenry stated the concern regarding the potential roundabout at the I-35W
intersection is losing left-turn access to Emerson Avenue when going east on 66th street. Cars will
now have to do a full U-turn and that creates a safety issue.
Council Member Fitzhenry inquired as to whether or not there would be a delay in the project if
the Council decided against roundabouts.
Mr. Hooper stated that the only thing that would delay the project would be a delay in the
decision by Council.
Council Member Elliott inquired as to if the choice is all or nothing - all roundabouts or all
signaled intersections.
Mr. Hooper responded that a decision for each intersection is separate.
Special Worksession Minutes -2- February 17, 2015
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:32 p.m.
Date Approved: March 10, 2015
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Theresa Schyma St: -en L. Dedill
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