10-27-15 Worksession CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
• Richfield, Minnesota
..joistessoomimi Special City Council Worksession
October 27, 2015
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 6:00 p.m. in the Bartholomew Room.
Council Members Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Pat Elliott; Edwina Garcia; Tom Fitzhenry; and
Present: Michael Howard
Staff Present: Steven L. Devich, City Manager; Kristin Asher, Public Works Director; Chris
Link, Operations Superintendent; Mary Tietjen, City Attorney and Cheryl
Krumholz, Executive Coordinator.
Item #1 DISCUSSION REGARDING SERVICE LINE WARRANTY OF AMERICA (COUNCIL
MEMO NO. 94)
Discussion was postponed to a future worksession because a representative from Service
Line Warranty of America was unavailable this evening.
Item #2 DISCUSSION REGARDING THE MEDIAN DESIGN ON THE 66TH STREET
RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT (COUNCIL MEMO NO. 94)
Public Works Director Asher discussed the required Value Engineering study recently
completed by Hennepin County. The study focuses on cost-saving and added value elements and
resulted in multiple recommendations including the closing of up to six medians along the corridor.
Ms. Asher explained the rationale for the recommended closure of medians, including
consistency with Hennepin County policy, added safety, enhanced crossings at transit stop locations
and supported by Guiding Principles.
Ms. Asher reviewed the proposed location of the median closures between Portland and
Nicollet Avenues and Penn Avenue to 35W.
Ms. Asher stated the staff recommendation is to move forward with the median closures in
design and begin the neighborhood outreach to inform them of the future design.
Maury Hooper, Hennepin County, provided background on the Value Engineering study
needed to secure federal funding, the purpose of the study and the main findings.
Council Member Elliott stated the closed medians compound the elimination of connectivity
with the neighborhoods.
Mayor Goettel stated neighborhood input should be obtained before moving forward because
the area is already so highly impacted with the removal of homes along 66th Street.
Council Member Howard agreed and suggested estimated pedestrian measurements be
determined to clarify costs.
Special Worksession Minutes -2- October 27, 2015
Council Member Garcia agreed with obtaining neighborhood input with the staff
recommendation not the City Council's at this point.
Council Member Fitzhenry agreed the neighborhood should weigh-in on the decision.
Ms. Asher provided a project update on the metro sewer pipe lining, 66th Street
Reconstruction, and the West Richfield Storm through Monroe Park.
Item #3 DISCUSSION REGARDING THE LYNDALE/HUB/NICOLLET (LHN) MAINTENANCE
DISTRICT (COUNCIL MEMO NO. 94)
Operations Superintendent Link discussed the origin and history of the maintenance district,
the current state of the district and possible adjustments to the district for consideration. He reviewed
staff recommendations for the remainder of 2015, 2016-2018 (66th Street Reconstruction) and after
reconstruction (entire corridor) and requested City Council guidance on proceeding.
Mr. Link stated that two property owners who have maintenance agreements with the City
submitted a petition to be removed from the district.
Mayor Goettel expressed concern regarding losing the ability to maintain control of
maintenance.
Ms. Asher stated that this type of maintenance district is no longer allowed. Special service
districts are permitted.
City Attorney Tietjen explained the legal issues. She added that elimination of the district
does not mean the City has no other tools available for enforcement.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:58 p.m.
Date Approved: November 10, 2015
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