10-08 Work Session
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
City Council Work Session
October 8, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Regan Gonzalez at 5:45 p.m. in the Bartholomew
Room.
Council Members Maria Regan Gonzalez, Mayor; Edwina Garcia; Mary Supple; Simon
Present: Trautmann; and Ben Whalen.
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Kristin Asher, Public Works Director; Neil
Ruhland, Communication and Engagement Manager; Kelly Wynn, Senior Office
Assistant; Blanca Martinez Gavina, Executive Analyst.
Others Present: Amber Blanchard, MnDOT Metro District Project Director;
Andrew Lutaya, MnDOT Metro District West Area Engineer
Item #1 MNDOT’S ANALYSIS OF I-494 FREEWAY/INTERCHANGE ALTERNATIVES –
PHASE 2
Mayor Regan Gonzalez introduced City Manager Rodriguez.
City Manager Rodriguez gave an overview and introduced Amber Blanchard and Andrew
Lutaya from the Minnesota Department of Transportation or MnDOT.
Mr. Lutaya, gave an overview of the overall project timeline for phase 1 screening process,
mainline alternatives and other details within the phase 1 screening process.
Ms. Blanchard, reviewed phase 2 screening process, schedule, timelines, TAC (Technical
Advisory Committee) meetings and PAC (Policy Advisory Committee) meetings. Additionally, she
reviewed the responsibilities and scopes of these meetings and committees.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez wanted clarification as to the process of information within the PAC
and TAC in addition to the scope.
Ms. Blanchard clarified that the scope encompasses the whole vision of the project which
would be from Highway 169 to the river.
Director Asher asked for more clarification on the timeline which relates to the corridors of
commerce and the preliminary design on the vision lay out.
Ms. Blanchard said that after the TAC meeting in November there will not be specific
recommendations as it will be purely informational. Additionally, she reviewed the scoring
methodology, incremental benefits costs, fiscal considerations and other aspects of Phase 2.
City Council Work Session Minutes -2- October 8, 2019
Council Member Trautmann asked about breakdown of regional vs local fiscal or economic
impact within this project.
Ms. Blanchard responded that there is currently only a focus on travel time.
Council Member Whalen clarified the updated information in the presentation.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez asked about income equity and impact.
Ms. Blanchard stated that it will increase on the scoring of the passengers.
Council Member Supple inquired about regional transportation plans/ general purpose lanes,
and whether there were other factors other than Minnpass which had inconsistencies.
Ms. Blanchard responded that reliability and four other factors are part of the criteria. She
then continued to review phase 2 and Portland interchange types, reviewing each of these types.
Mr. Lutaya continued to review and explain the different types of interchanges, criteria, and
fiscal considerations.
Director Asher wanted clarification on the roundabouts and other aspects of the regional
planning process.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez wanted to know whether the City has been reviewing the different
interchange options and provide feedback as to which one makes the most sense for the City.
Director Asher inquired about the different aspects of the interchanges asked questions to
MnDOT representatives.
Council Member Whalen wanted to know if the joint grant with Bloomington would encompass
this project.
City Manager Rodriguez, remarked on sharing information effectively to all affected parties.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez asked for clarification within local cost participation.
Ms. Blanchard clarified that the information on cost participation will be forthcoming.
Council Member Trautmann also wanted clarification about costs participation and understand
what the expectations, timelines and where they will be getting the information.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez asked for clarification about the scope of municipal consent and cost
participation. Additionally, she wanted to know if the previous contributions for cost participation will
be considered.
Ms. Blanchard stated that they are still working on the details.
Council Member Supple inquired about access at Portland interchange, and other significant
changes to 12th and Nicollet.
Ms. Blanchard stated that the entire area will be included in the review.
Council Member Whalen referenced the impacts on the right of way within the construction
area.
City Council Work Session Minutes -3- October 8, 2019
Ms. Blanchard explained the next phase will contain all the details.
Director Asher inquired if the vision layout moves forward and the general purpose lane is the
right way to go, what happened to the corridors of commerce money.
Ms. Blanchard said that they still do not know.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez asked about whether past costs could be considered as cost
participation.
Mr. Lutaya stated that MnDOT does not take into account past participation as it is MNDOT
policy.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez stated that there will be many efforts for the City’s past participation to
be considered.
Council Member Trautmann asked who sets the policy that past participation cannot be used
as cost participation.
Ms. Blanchard stated that the Commissioner sets the policy and that changes to the policy are
done with input from stakeholders like the City of Richfield.
Council Member Trautmann stated that it is devastating that past participation is not
considered as cost participation.
City Manager Rodriguez inquired about the policy on cost participation policy and inquired
whether there was an exception process.
Ms. Blanchard stated that there could be an exception to the cost participation policy.
Ms. Blanchard reviewed the cost estimation and broke down different aspects of the project.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez wanted to know who is expected for to participate within this project
and how the gaps in funding are going to be filled.
Ms. Blanchard mentioned that a phasing will be taking place to manage funding gaps.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez asked who will be within the scope of cost participation.
Ms. Blanchard stated that all cities that are impacted by the construction project will be
expected to be part of cost participation.
Mr. Lutaya clarified that of there any additional asks, like sidewalks, those aspects would have
to be covered by local partners.
Council Member Garcia wanted to know about percentage of federal financial support.
Ms. Blanchard stated that they do not know yet. She also gave a review of the additional
funding options.
Mr. Lutaya reviewed drainage aspects for the project and answered questions from Council
Member Whalen about preliminary drainage options.
City Council Work Session Minutes -4- October 8,2019
Mayor Regan Gonzalez stated that these are preliminary conversations and there will be
future meetings with more details and an opportunity to engage deeper on the project.
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:53 p.m.
•
Date Approved: October 22, 2019 ' `
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Edwina Garcia
Mayor Pro Tempore
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anca Martinez avin Katie Rodriguez
Executive Analyst City Manager