11-28 Work Session CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
, Richfield, Minnesota
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`� Special City Council Work Session
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November 28, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
The work session was called to order by Mayor Elliott at 6:21 p.m. in the Bartholomew Room.
Council Members Pat Elliott, Mayor; Edwina Garcia; Michael Howard; Maria Regan Gonzalez;
Present: and Simon Trautmann
Staff Present: Steven L. Devich, City Manager; Kristen Asher, Public Works Director; Jack
Broz, Transportation Engineer; and, Jared Voto, Executive Aide/Analyst.
Item#1 UPDATE TO THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
AND DISCUSSION OF THE CROSSWALK POLICY.
Transportation Engineer Broz presented information on the project including project
background, crosswalk safety education that was provided during the project, and results of a online
survey. He also provided results of a Hennepin County crossing study. He stated that the
Transportation Commission is reviewing;the crosswalk policy and it an updated policy will come
before the Council at a future date.
Members of the City Council commented on their appreciation of incorporating more
comprehensive measures considering a crosswalk policy and the City's transportation planning in
general; and concerns about contributing to a false sense of security for pedestrians.
Item #2 DISCUSSION REGARDING A PUBLIC ART POLICY.
Public Works Director Asher presented public art in the city of Richfield, including why public
art matters, gave a background on the visual quality guidelines, and provided an outline of previous
public art projects — sidewalk poetry on Portland Ave and utility box wrap. She also discussed
potential funding sources as there is no current dedicated funding, and provided a draft policy for
public art in the right-of-way.
Councilmember Trautmann discussed wrapping utility boxes at major intersections, such as
Penn Ave and 66th Street. Ms. Asher responded the difficulty comes in who owns the box, as Xcel
has not allowed their boxes to be wrapped.
Councilmember Regan Gonzalez commented on the draft policy and thought art is a way to
make a community more inclusive. She discussed that is was not merely about beautifying space, but
thinking of the human element and engagement with the space.
Special Council Work Session Minutes -2- November 28,2017
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:52 p.m.
Date Approved: December 12, 2017
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ed Vot - - -n L. Devich
Executive Aide/Analyst City Manager