02-24-15 Worksession CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
g4C/4641 .eed Special City Council Worksession
February 24, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 5:45 p.m. in the Bartholomew Room.
Council Members Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Michael Howard; Pat Elliott; Edwina Garcia; and Tom
Present: Fitzhenry.
Staff Present: Steven L. Devich, City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Jay
Henthorne, Public Safety Director; Kristin Asher, Assistant Public Works
Director; Jeff Pearson, Transportation Engineer; and Cheryl Krumholz,
Executive Coordinator.
Item # 1 DISCUSSION REGARDING 66TH STREET INTERSECTIONS (COUNCIL MEMO NO.
16)
Public Works Director Eastling, Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer Asher and
Transportation Engineer Pearson discussed the performance of roundabouts along 66th Street at
Lyndale Avenue, Nicollet Avenue and I-35W interchange with pedestrian activated warning devices at
crosswalks. Discussion included the roundabout performance in Carmel, IN specifically related to
pedestrians and bicyclists, update on responses from property owners in the 66th Street and Lyndale
and Nicollet Avenue impacted intersections, and a letter of support for roundabouts along 66th Street
at Lyndale and Nicollet Avenues from the Richfield Chamber of Commerce was received.
Mr. Pearson stated that the Transportation Commission unanimously supported the
recommendation of roundabouts along 66th Street at Nicollet Avenue, Lyndale Avenue and I-35W
interchange with the addition of a public education element.
Mayor Goettel discussed roundabouts, including concerns that the design criteria was not as
tried, trusted and long-term as in Europe, lack of adequate information brought to the Transportation
Commission, the innovation of all-red signalization for pedestrian crossing, the Urban Land Institute's
belief that the law of the road is pedestrian-friendly first; the configuration of the I-35W interchange
ramps; and that bus stops are not being moved.
Mayor Goettel stated that her belief is pedestrian/bike/transit/vehicle as the order for
transportation modes. She said she is not against roundabouts but that she is unable to find
examples that make her feel comfortable with where they are proposed along 66th Street.
Council Member Fitzhenry stated that traffic does yield to the pedestrian at the 66th
Street/Portland Avenue roundabout and that he has witnessed pedestrians crossing against the light
and mid-block at signalized intersections.
Public Works Director Eastling stated that staff believes roundabouts provide a superior
pedestrian safety environment with the rapid flashing crossing lights.
Mayor Goettel discussed having a full visual field of the roundabout instead of a landscaped
center to block the view.
Transportation Engineer Pearson explained the U.S. design standard supports landscaping in
the center of a roundabout to improve safety.
Special Worksession Minutes -2- February 24, 2015
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:25 p.m.
Date Approved: March 10, 2015
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