03-09 Work Session
CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
City Council Work Session
March 09, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Regan Gonzalez at 5:45 p.m. virtually via WebEx.
Council Members Maria Regan Gonzalez, Mayor; Ben Whalen; Mary Supple; Simon
Present: Trautmann; and Sean Hayford Oleary
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; Kristin Asher, Public Works Director; Joe
Powers, City Engineer; Blanca Martinez Gavina, Executive Analyst; and Kelly
Wynn, Senior Office Assistant.
Item #1 UPDATE ON THE I-494 VISION PLANNING AND RECENT SELECTION OF THE
FIRST I-494 PROJECT BY THE I-494 POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (PAC).
Director Asher gave a brief background of the I-494 project from MSP Airport to Hwy 169. She
then gave a presentation that included:
Implementation Plan Evaluation Criteria;
Development Process;
Development Outcomes;
TAC Recommendations; and
Implementation Plan.
nd
Council Member Hayford Oleary inquired about the 2 Ave bridge.
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Engineer Powers stated, at this time, the 2Ave bridge does not need to be expanded but
does have accessibility issues and needs further discussion.
Council Member Hayford Oleary said he would like the bridge to stay and be improved.
Council Member Supple asked about potential additional upgrades to the 35W flyover bridges.
Director Asher stated this is only Phase 1 and not the complete project vision.
Council Member Asher expressed gratitude for the Chicago Ave bridge being included.
Director Asher stated Project 1 of the project has been approved by the PAC.
Council Member Whalen asked what the funding looks like for the project.
Director Asher stated the current funding is identified as close the $250million which is shy of
the total cost for Project 1 and cost participation discussions will be coming.
Council Work Session Minutes -2-March 09, 2021
Council Member Trautmann expressed appreciation for the coalition to bring safety and equity
to the forefront of this project.
Director Asher stated the frontage roads are also included and community outreach isfull
steam ahead.
Engineer Powers spoke of the preliminary design for stormwater storage locations. The
MnDOT design currently has holding areas around the 35W interchange and along I-494 to Hwy 77.
There will be more information in the next few months regarding stormwater.
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:12 p.m.
Date Approved: March 23, 2021
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kelly Wynn Katie Rodriguez
Senior Office Assistant City Manager