06-22-10 WorksessionJ
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Richfield, Minnesota
Special City Council Worksession
June 22, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 5:33 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Council Members
Present: Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Sue Sandahl; Pat Elliott; Fred Wroge; and Tom
Fitzhenry.
Staff Present: Steven L. Devich, City Manager; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director;
John Stark, Community Development Director; Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation
Services Director; Brad Sveum, Fire Services Director; Barry Fritz, Public
Safety Director; Kristin Asher; City Engineer; Jeff Pearson; Transportation
Engineer; Chris Regis, Finance Manager; Betsy Osborn, Health
Administrator; and Cheryl Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item #1 DISCUSSION REGARDING PORTLAND AVENUE OVERLAY AND THREE-LANE
CONVERSION PILOT PROGRAM (COUNCIL MEMO NO. 88)
Kristin Asher, City Engineer, reviewed the City's history related to the arterial road study,
resulting in the Transportation Commission's recommendation of a four-to-three lane conversion of
all four arterials (Penn, Lyndale, Nicollet and Portland Avenues) in Richfield.
Bob Byers and Eric Drager, Hennepin County representatives, discussed the proposed pilot
striping plan, a summary of benefits of a four-to-three lane conversion, anticipated parking
restrictions along Portland Avenue and the County's experience with similar projects in other
communities.
Council Member Wroge stated his desire for the continuity of daily parking on Portland
Avenue from Minneapolis and that parking in front of homes would result in rental property
returning to single family.
Mr. Byers explained each area has individual differences and that Portland Avenue in
Minneapolis is wider and has limited access spacing. Parking on Portland Avenue in Richfield
does not fit within the context of the three-lane conversion between the curb lines and access
spacing. Hennepin County supports bike lanes but space is needed.
Special Worksession Minutes -2- June 22, 2010
Mayor Goettel expressed concerned regarding eliminating Sunday parking on Portland
Avenue, which is currently permitted.
Council Member Sandahl stated support for the pilot program to try the three-lane
conversion because it improves safety and could make Portland Avenue appear more of a
residential roadway.
The City Council consensus was to proceed with a public open house on June 30 to seek
feedback from the residents along Portland Avenue from 68th to 76th Streets regarding the
proposed Portland Avenue Lane Configuration Pilot Project.
Item #2 DISCUSSION REGARDING PROPERTY EXCELLENCE TASK FORCE FINAL
REPORT (COUNCIL MEMO NO. 90)
Betsy Osborn, Health Administrator and staff liaison, summarized the history of the task
force created to review the City's current property maintenance program for residential, commercial
and City-owned properties and resulting in a final .report. Task Force Chair Patrick Howard was
informed of the Worksession but was unable to attend.
Ms. Osborn, Community Development Director Stark and Public Safety Director Fritz
discussed task force recommendations 1-13 as they related to their areas of responsibilities.
Due to lack of time, review of the remaining recommendations was continued to a July 13
Special City Council Worksession.
Item #3 FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSION REGARDING CITY OF RICHFIELD KEY FINANCIAL
STRATEGIES (TIME PERMITTING)
Due to lack of time, this item was not discussed
.ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimo~
Date Approved: June 22, 2010
Cheryl Krumholz
Recording Secretary
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