02-12-08 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
February 12, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Susan Rosenberg; Fred Wroge and Bill Kilian.
Members Absent: Sue Sandahl.
Staff Present: Steven Devich, City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Jim
Topitzhofer, Recreation Services Director; Kristin Asher, Assistant City
Engineer; and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item # I DISCUSSION REGARDNG FACILITY AND AMENITY DEDICATION POLICY
(COUNCIL MEMO NO. 30)
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer explained that in response to recent requests to
rename recreational facilities to honor the contributions of two individuals, the Community Services
Commission developed a facility and amenity dedication policy to handle such requests. The
Community Services Commission has requested an initial response from the City Council regarding
the policy before finalizing their recommendation.
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer continued that the Community Services Commission
position is not to rename facilities or amenities but rather granting the installation of a dedication
plaque on site based upon certain criteria and guidelines. He stated the reason for this approach
was to avoid an inundation of requests.
Mayor Goettel agreed that the dedication was a good way to handle this matter.
Council Member Kilian stated he was hesitant to rename a facility or amenity but expressed
support for a dedication plaque. He suggested there should be a “test of time” included in the
process.
Council Member Rosenberg expressed support for the dedication plaque because renaming
could start a new trend. She asked if there have been other renaming requests in past years.
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer explained that there is a group strongly supportive
of renaming the Upper Donaldson Field and are against the proposed dedication policy.
Special Worksession Minutes -2- February 12, 2008
Council Member Wroge said he supported the dedication policy and that a minimum time limit
should be included. He also suggested the memorializing should be limited to a plaque.
The City Council consensus was to support the proposed dedication policy, including a time
limit.
Council Member Kilian suggested a dedication wall in a common area in the proposed new
City Hall be considered.
Item # 2 REVIEW OF STORM WATER PROJECTS (COUNCIL MEMO NO. 31)
Assistant City Engineer Asher made a PowerPoint presentation (City Clerk’s File No. 435)
with the results of the 73rd Street and First Avenue Storm Sewer Improvement Feasibility Report and
the alley paving policy for the 64th Street and Girard Alley Storm Sewer Improvement Project.
These projects were identified as a high priority during the City’s Surface Water Comprehensive
Plan process.
73rd Street and First Avenue
Mayor Goettel asked about the timeline for the storm sewer project.
Assistant City Engineer Asher replied approximately from July through mid-October.
Council Member Wroge asked about going over the tennis court.
Assistant City Engineer Asher replied the tennis court part of the project is continuing to be
reviewed because there are two big stormwater pipes in that area.
Public Works Director Eastling stated the project starts at the low end so some flooding relief
is provided during the project.
Council Member Wroge said that this project is long overdue and the neighborhood deserves
some quality of life improvement.
The City Council consensus was to proceed with the recommended alternative to construct a
system to carry storm water to Augsburg Pond.
64th Street and Girard Alley
Public Works Director Eastling explained that the alley paving is a separate issue from the
stormwater project but it may be the best time to consider doing it. There are five unpaved alleys in
Richfield.
Council Member Wroge suggested paving now so only water, not sand/gravel, goes into the
system. He added that he has heard that bids are coming in lower so now is the time to move
forward.
The City Council consensus was to move forward with the 64th Street and Girard Alley
project.
Special Worksession Minutes -3- February 12, 2008
Item #3 DISCUSSION REGARDNG 75TH/76TH STREETSCAPE DESIGN (COUNCIL MEMO
NO. 32)
Assistant City Engineer Asher discussed the process used to determine the streetscape
alternatives recommended for portions of 75th Street, 76th Street, 11th Avenue, 72nd Street, and
Diagonal Boulevard impacted by the Metropolitan Council’s sanitary sewer project.
Assistant City Engineer Asher stated the values that were identified and balanced as parts of
the streetscape design development are:
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Scale the streets to fit the current and future traffic needs
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Add green space
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Improve pedestrian and bicycle access along corridor
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Improve safety for all modes of transportation
Staff and the City’s consultant have worked with, and received input from, the community as
well as the Community Services and Transportation Commissions and the Three Rivers Park District
to develop the project goals and the proposed streetscape design alternatives.
Jack Broz, Howard R. Green and Company, reviewed the changes to the streetscape,
including along Diagonal Boulevard, 75th Street/Sheridan Avenue to Humboldt Avenue, and 75th
Street/Xerxes Avenue to Sheridan Avenue.
Council Member Wroge questioned the sidewalk snow storage being on the south side not
on the north side so it can melt.
Mr. Broz explained that the north side is a multi-use trail. He also reviewed the street
narrowing, need for on-street parking, and bike trail changes along the project.
Council Member Rosenberg discussed the neighborhood concerns regarding traffic near
75tth Street/Donaldson Park and asked about traffic calming measures, including speed bumps and
signage.
Mr. Broz stated that the narrowing of the street should help with traffic.
Council Member Rosenberg asked about the flexibility of change.
Assistant City Engineer Asher stated that this is a concept and the final decision changes will
be reviewed closely.
Mayor Goettel asked about Sunday parking.
Mr. Broz stated that parking is not compatible with bike lanes.
Public Works Director Eastling stated that the Transportation Commission and Community
Services Commission have indicated parking was identified as a value but could not be met in most
areas. There will be some specific areas where parking will be provided, i.e. Donaldson Park.
Council Member Rosenberg asked about neighborhood meetings.
Mayor Goettel replied that there have been open houses.
Special Worksession Minutes
I ADJOURNMENT
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February 12,2008
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:54 p.m.
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Date Approved: February 26, 2008
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Recording Secretary