10-28-08 Worksession
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
October 28, 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; Sue Sandahl; and
Bill Kilian.
Staff Present: Steven L. Devich, City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Jim
Topitzhofer, Recreation Services Director; and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording
Secretary.
Item # I DISCUSSION REGARDING RENAMING 77TH STREET IN RICHFIELD (COUNCIL
MEMO NO. 176)
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer stated Council Member Sandahl requested a
discussion regarding the idea to rename Richfield’s portion of 77th Street and part of 76th Street,
Cedar Avenue to Xerxes Avenue, to Centennial Boulevard. He reviewed preliminary data gathered
related to businesses, street signs, and apartment buildings that would be impacted by a change. He
also presented a brief summary of his discussions with Bloomington staff and their experience of
renaming American Boulevard, implemented over two years.
Recreation Services Director Topitzhofer requested direction from the City Council on how to
proceed on this matter.
Council Member Sandahl stated properties on avenues would not be impacted unless they
chose to change or their frontage road access was eliminated.
Steve Lindgren, Richfield Chamber of Commerce President, stated that at the October 22
Chamber board meeting, the board unanimously voted to not support a name change.
Nick Mellum, Richfield Chamber of Commerce Board Chair, discussed the board’s points for
not supporting a change, including no added value to the business community, Google mapping
process, Richfield-Bloomington Honda dealership may need three address changes due to loss of
frontage road, confusion with Edina’s Centennial Lakes, and the costs.
Special Worksession Minutes -2-
October 28,2008
Council Member Sandahl stated the change is amulti-pronged approach and is a way to honor
Richfield's centennial permanently. The change would give a location perspective because the street
connects to Edina and crosses the entire east/west portion of Richfield. She said she recognizes there are
costs associated with the change but it could be done without the businesses suffering.
Council Member Wroge stated he would like to know the financial impacts on businesses as well
as residents. He said he like Richfield's current grid system of streets.
Council Member Kilian said 77th Street is a divided road and is a boulevard.
Mayor Goettel said she likes the ring road concept.
Council Member Rosenberg stated she supported a name change.
The City Council consensus was to direct staff to gather information regarding financial impacts
on the renaming of 77th Street/76th Street.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:33 p.m.
Date Approved
Cheryl l4rumhdlz
Recording Secretary
City Manager