10-20 Special CC Work SessionCITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special City Council Work Session
October 20, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Regan Gonzalez at 5:03 p.m. in the
Bartholomew Room.
Council Members
Present:
Maria Regan Gonzalez, Mayor; Mary Supple; Sean Hayford Oleary; and Ben Whalen
Council Members
Absent:
Simon Trautmann
Staff Present: Katie Rodriguez, City Manager; John Stark, Community Development Director;
Blanca Martinez Gavina, Equity Administrator; Chris Swanson, Management Analyst;
and Kari Sinning, City Clerk
ITEM #1 MNDOT WILL PRESENT AN UPDATE ON THE I-494: AIRPORT TO HIGHWAY 169
PROJECT 1 PROPOSED FINAL LAYOUT AS WELL AS INTRODUCE THE
CONTEXT SENSITIVE SOLUTIONS FRAMEWORK PLAN INITIATIVE THAT WILL
INCLUDE VISUAL QUALITY ELEMENTS ALONG THE ENTIRE CORRIDOR.
STAFF HAS ALSO ASKED MNDOT TO PRESENT THE RESULTS OF THE
TRAFFIC ANALYSIS THAT WAS RECENTLY COMPLETED TO IDENTIFY ANY
MITIGATION THAT MIGHT BE NEEDED ON THE LOCAL SYSTEM DUE TO THE
FRONTAGE ROAD CHANGES BETWEEN 12TH AND PORTLAND AVENUES
Public Works Director Asher introduced MnDOT Project Staff Andrew Lutaya.
MnDOT Project Staff Lutaya gave a presentation on municipal consent regarding the I-494
Project that detailed the plans for I-494 from Highway 100 to the Minnesota River Bridge.
Throughout the presentation there was general discussion of how this project will affect
Richfield residents and the areas of concern that MnDOT is continuing to investigate on before
bringing this to council for vote.
Council Member Hayford Oleary asked MnDOT Project Staff Lutaya to explain why the access
to Nicollet Ave will be closed for a resident that is present at the work session. MnDOT Project Staff
Lutaya stated that the accesses are too close between 12th, Portland, Nicollet, and Lyndale which
causes traffic backups and raises safety concerns and also stated that the Nicollet Bridge across I494
will stay.
Mayor Regan Gonzalez thanked MnDOT Project Staff and city staff for their work on this
project.
Special Council Work Session Minutes -2-October 20, 2021
ADJOURNMENT
The work session was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:21 p.m.
Date Approved: October 26, 2021
Maria Regan Gonzalez
Mayor
Kari Sinning Katie Rodriguez
City Clerk City Manager