2025-07-22 WS City Council Agenda
Richfield City Council Agenda
July 22, 2025 -- 5:30 PM
Richfield Municipal Center
Council Chambers
6700 Portland Avenue South
1. Call to Order
2. Item Discussion
a. I-494 Phase 2 Discussion
b. Pool Project Update
3. Adjournment
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Clerk at 612-861-9739.
Includes Materials - Materials relating to these agenda items can be found in the Council Chambers Agenda Packet book located by the
entrance. The complete Council Agenda Packet is available electronically on the City of Richfield website.
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City Council Meeting 7/22/2025
Agenda Section: Item Discussion
Agenda Item: 2.a.
Report Prepared By: Matt Hardegger, Transportation Engineer, Kristin Asher, Public Works
Director
Item for Consideration:
I-494 Phase 2 Discussion
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT
1A. Executive Summary
MnDOT representatives will be presenting information on Phase 2 of the I-494 Corridor
Vision project, as a follow-up to the May 27th Work Session with the City Council.
Expected topics include:
Follow-ups on action items identified at the May work session
• 2nd Avenue Pedestrian Bridge
• 73rd Street Pedestrian Bridge
• Local System Traffic Impacts
• Noise Update
• Air Quality Update
Public Engagement for Phase 2
• Summary of Project 1 engagement
• Phase 2 Plan
Scope Changes
• 24th Avenue
Framework Progress
• Air Quality Analysis
• Benefit Cost Analysis
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• Greenhouse Gas Emissions Analysis
• Continued Discussion on Project Items between Council and MnDOT staff
1B. Historical Context
The Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) approved I-494 Corridor Vision and identified 9
project elements to construct on I-494 between Highway 77 and Highway 169.
Phase 1 of the project constructed/is constructing:
• The 35W Interchange Flyover
• E-ZPass lanes between Hwy 100 and I-35W
• Reconstruction of the Nicollet, Portland, and 12th Avenue Bridges plus
construction of the Chicago Avenue Pedestrian Bridge
Phase 2 proposes to complete the remaining project elements:
• E-ZPass Lanes from Hwy 169 to Hwy 100
• E-ZPass Lanes from I-35W to Hwy 77
• Reconstruction of the Pleasant Avenue railroad bridge over I-494
• 82nd Street interchange and grade raise on I-35W
MnDOT staff and their consultants are still completing the environmental documentation
work for Phase 2. The Hybrid Environmental Assessment document from Phase 1 will be
revised and updated for Phase 2. This is expected to include an analysis of air quality and
greenhouse gas emissions as a result of the E-ZPass expansion.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Discuss Council perspective on municipal consent and provide feedback to MnDOT on
items related to the upcoming Phase 2 of the I-494 construction project.
EQUITABLE OR STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS OR IMPACTS
Equitable Considerations: Council should consider whether they find the proposed public
engagement activities for Phase 2 to be equitable. Other impacts are expected to be
analyzed by staff once traffic, greenhouse gas, and air quality impacts are estimated.
Strategic Considerations: Council should consider how this project affects the city's
sustainable infrastructure targets of 1) city infrastructure that meets service needs and 2)
Page 3 of 6
climate resilience as a prioirity.
POLICIES (RESOLUTIONS, ORDINANCES, REGULATIONS, STATUTES, ETC.)
Richfield's Regional Project Evaluation Framework will be used to evaluate the I-494
Corridor Vision once the full environmental document has been completed, since the
framework includes analysis of greenhouse gas and air quality impacts.
CRITICAL TIMING ISSUES
MnDOT is currently in the process of revising their Hybrid Environmental Assessment for
the project corridor in 2025 and will be writing the Design-Build contract prior to summer
2026. Letting for the Design-Build contract is currently scheduled for Fall 2026.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Unknown at this time. MnDOT has preliminarily indicated the city will not have a cost-share
for the base project, but the city would be responsible for any items requested outside the
scope of that base project.
The project is largely funded by a Federal INFRA grant that was awarded in 2024, as well as
a state Corridors of Commerce grant.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATION(S)
ATTACHMENTS
MNDOT Presentation
Page 4 of 6
I-494 Corridor Vision
City of Richfield Council Work Session
Amber Blanchard| Metro District Major Projects Manager
Ryan Wilson| Metro District West Area Manager
City of Richfield Council Workshop
July 22, 2025 mndot.gov
Agenda
•Review Action Items – May 27, 2025 Council Workshop
•Public Engagement
•Scope Changes
•Regional Framework - Revisited
mndot.gov
Review Action Items - May 27, 2025 Council Workshop
7/22/2025 mndot.gov 3
Follow-up action items:
•2nd Avenue Pedestrian Bridge
o Remaining service life of 20+ years, light use
o Partners recommended to keep bridge
o Evaluate need and funding for potential future replacement in future
•73rd Ave Pedestrian Bridge
o Outside vision area but recognize importance
o Will continue to advocate for funding
o Funding possible in FY 2030
Review Action Items - May 27, 2025 Council Workshop
7/22/2025 mndot.gov 4
Follow-up action items:
•Local system traffic impacts:
o Nicollet Ave (CR 52) 66th St to 77th St reconstruction – 2026
o Nicollet Ave (CR 52) American Blvd to 89th St reconstruction – 2027
o Penn Ave (CR 32) 75th St to Hwy 62 – 2028
o City projects
o 77th Joint Repair (35W to 77) - 2027
o 76th Street (Xerxes to Sheridan) - 2028
o 76th/Knox Intersection - 2029
o 76th/77th Signal Replacements – 2027-2032 (1 per year, order not determined)
Review Action Items - May 27, 2025 Council Workshop
7/22/2025 mndot.gov 5
Follow-up action items:
•MnDOT projects
o Hwy 77 bridges in Bloomington 2026-2027
o Hwy 62 pavement in Minneapolis 2027
o Hwy 13 in Savage and Burnsville 2027-2029
•Tentative I494 Phase 2 work in 2027:
o Design completion
o Railroad bridge at 494
o 82nd Ave over I35W
Review Action Items - May 27, 2025 Council Workshop
7/22/2025 mndot.gov 6
Follow-up action items:
•Noise update
o Noise analysis has just started
o Updating to 2050 traffic volumes for entire vision, not revisiting work in Project 1
o Mitigation implementation will be per typical process:
Evaluate feasibility and cost effectiveness
Property owners/residents who experience 5-decibel reduction can vote
Review Action Items - May 27, 2025 Council Workshop
7/22/2025 mndot.gov 7
Follow-up action items:
•Air quality update
o Green House Gas analysis just started
o Will provide more information prior to Municipal Consent request
Corridor Vision Public Engagement
•What did we hear?
•Comments during Purpose and Need development aligned with needs supported by
FHWA and MnDOT
•Engagement, discussions, and analysis led to the need for a crossing east of Portland
(Chicago ped/bike bridge)
•Businesses mostly focused on construction impacts
•Overall support for the corridor vision
•Comments incorporated into Purpose and Need, design, and aesthetics
7/22/2025 mndot.gov 8
Project 1 Public Engagement
•24 in-person events held between 2018-2023
•Virtual meetings 2020-2022 due to COVID19
•Engagement included project website updates, virtual open house,
listening sessions, in-person open houses, pop-up workshops, online
surveys, online interactive mapping activity, virtual meetings, and
informational flyers
•4500 on email list and 9800 individuals visited virtual open house website
•Meetings developed and then explained corridor vision and Project 1
7/22/2025 mndot.gov 9
Phase 2 Public Engagement
•Focus is informational, restating vision, connecting to Project 1
•Open House in person at Richfield HS on July 30 4:30-6:30
•Business outreach started July 21
•Pop-ups completed: Bloomington Pride
•Pop-ups scheduled: Centennial Lakes Park (Edina), Night to Unite (Richfield), Little Mermaid (Bloomington), Unity in the Community (Richfield),
•Pop-ups pursuing: Richfield Chamber, Richfield Farmer’s Market
•Municipal Consent phase begins in August or September
•Construction engagement like Project 1
7/22/2025 mndot.gov 10
Scope Changes
•Removing 24th Ave signal and bridge work
•Not in grant application
•Remains in environmental document for clearance
•Will include in separate project (TBD)
7/22/2025 mndot.gov 11
Regional Framework - Revisited
7/22/2025 mndot.gov 12
Regional Framework - Revisited
Consideration Factor Description Vision Outcomes
Air Quality Improvements Improved for residents in close proximity •Analysis in process
Cost-effective (low cost/high
benefit)
Cost-effective solution providing safety,
congestion, mobility benefits
•Benefit/cost analysis in process
•Found cost effective in federal
INFRA grants
Fills a Gap or Need As documented in (1) local and (2)
regional planning documents
•Local: ped access, trail gaps and
lighting
•Regional: reconstruct assets,
improve travel time reliability,
expand E-ZPass
Funding Aligns with known opportunities and
adjusts as need
•Project 1: INFRA $60M, COC
$215M
•Project 2: INFRA $138M, COC
$114M
7/22/2025 mndot.gov 13
Regional Framework - Revisited
Consideration Factor Description Vision Outcomes
Local Congestion/Mobility
Improvements
Provides congestion relief to local system •I-494 imprvts. attract vehicles
from local system and improve
freight mobility
•New and improved ped/bike
infrastructure including bridge,
sidewalk, and trails
•Three signal reconstructions and
one removal in Richfield
Local Safety Benefits Mitigates safety issues and conflicts
between users on local system
•New and improved ped/bike
infrastructure including bridge,
sidewalk, and trails
•Reduce local system crash rates
•Improved drainage to reduce
risk of local flooding
•Improved safety on Nicollet and
12 via access consolidation
•Portland redesigned 7/22/2025 mndot.gov 14
Regional Framework - Revisited
Consideration Factor Description Vision Outcomes
Ownership and Major
Maintenance
City will not take on for regional
infrastructure components
•MnDOT to own
Project Support Received community support (e.g.,
Municipal Consent) and/or approval
from relevant agencies
•PAC Support for corridor vision
from Edina, Bloomington,
Richfield, Hennepin County, Met
Council, FHWA
Promotes Multimodal
Transportation Options
Enhances multimodal transportation
options
•E-ZPass provides carpool and
future transit advantage
•New and improved bike and ped
facilities
•Accommodates D-line and adds
new/reconstructed bus shelters
7/22/2025 mndot.gov 15
Regional Framework - Revisited
Consideration Factor Description Vision Outcomes
Reduces Inequities Improves quality of life for
underrepresented populations
•New and improved access in
areas of low income
•Reduce in hours of congestion
on highway and local streets
•Noise mitigation with proposed
noise walls
•Potential air quality impvts. with
reduced corridor congestion
Reduction Greenhouse Gas
Emissions
Provides net decrease •Analysis in process
Property Impacts Use flexible design to eliminate (ideally)
or minimize, including public parks
•Project 1: acquisitions along
Portland Ave
•Project 2: temporary easements
7/22/2025 mndot.gov 16
Next Steps
•Feedback or action items from this meeting
•Discuss remaining regional framework items
•Air Quality, Benefit-Cost Analysis, Greenhouse Gas Emissions
•Municipal consent timeframe to begin in August/September
7/22/2025 mndot.gov 17
Thank you again!
Amber Blanchard, P.E.
Amber.Blanchard@state.mn.us
651-234-7770
7/22/2025 mndot.gov 18
City Council Meeting 7/22/2025
Agenda Section: Item Discussion
Agenda Item: 2.b.
Report Prepared By: Karl Huemiller, Recreation Director
Item for Consideration:
Pool Project Update
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT
1A. Executive Summary
The Pool project team has been working with JLG architects to develop the scope and
schedule for the Richfield Outdoor Pool improvements. The architectural and engineering
team completed a comprehensive assessment of the facility and reviewed the findings
with City staff to refine the project scope.
1B. Historical Context
The Richfield Outdoor Pool was originally constructed in 1961. In 2002 improvements were
made to pool plumbing and the zero depth pool was added to the facility. In 2006 the
bathhouse was rebuilt. Since these improvements staff have completed annual
maintenance to keep the facility running. This year a free public splash pad was added to
the space. The rest of the facility now needs major updating to keep the facility running
another 20 -30 years, especially the pool liner which is original to the facility.
Local Option Sales Tax
During 2022 budget discussions, staff and City Council noted the need for additional long-
term funding for future large-scale public parks projects. The use of a Local Option Sales
Tax (LOST) was identified as a potential funding method.
The City of Richfield was granted the authority by the Minnesota Legislature in 2023 to bring
a Local Option Sales Tax of 0.5% (one-half percent) lasting up to 20 years to Richfield
voters for three projects. These projects are the Wood Lake Nature Center Building ($11M),
the Richfield Community Center ($45M), and Veterans Park Improvements ($9M).
In November 2024 voters approved a LOST to place a tax on certain product sales or
services within the municipality. All goods or services that are otherwise exempt from
taxation are exempt from LOST.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Staff is seeking input on the scope and the priority of potential add-ons for the project.
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EQUITABLE OR STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS OR IMPACTS
Equity: This project improves a facility that is a low cost option for residents during the summer.
The pool is an important amenity for families to stay cool in the summer and is a place where
residents of all income levels can develop community.
Strategic Plan: This project best aligns with the strategic plan priority of Sustainable
Infrastructure addressing all sub-initiatives of asset management, comprehensive funding, and
sustainability efforts.
POLICIES (RESOLUTIONS, ORDINANCES, REGULATIONS, STATUTES, ETC.)
None
CRITICAL TIMING ISSUES
None
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total Project Budget - $4.25 million
•Architectural, engineering and pre-construction fees - $300,000
•Construction and soft costs - $3,760,000
•Owner Contingency 5% - $190,000
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
None
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATION(S)
None
ATTACHMENTS
Pool Presentation
Page 6 of 6
Schematic Design | July,2025
RICHFIELDAQUATICS IMPROVEMENT
July 22, 2025 | City Council Project Update
PROJECT TEAM
Design Team
Construction Management Team
Will Forbord, CPE, VPDrew Illetschko, Estimator
PROJECT GOAL
To make vital updates that invest in the long- term health, safety, and enjoyment of one of
Richfield’s most cherished community assets, including:
•Pool finish renovation
•Mechanical systems replacement
•Slide/Play feature restoration
•User experience upgrades to the bathhouse
•Code compliance improvements in concessions
SCHEDULE
TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET $ 4,250,000
BUDGET
CONSTRUCTION COSTS $ 3,760,000
SOFT (INDIRECT) COSTS $ 490,000
•Includes:
•Contractor, Architecture & Engineering Fees
•Legal & Accounting Expenses
•Financing Costs
•Permits & Special Inspections
•Insurance
•5% Construction Contingency
•Includes:
•Direct labor & material costs
TOTAL $ 2,615,606
INDIRECT COSTS $ 712,692
POOL BASE SCOPE
•General Requirements
•Swimming Pool Scope Adjacent
•Site Lighting
•Fences & Gates
•Design & Construction Contingencies
•Contractor Fee
•Soft Costs
DIRECT COSTS $ 1,902,914
TOTAL $ 1,184,654
INDIRECT COSTS $ 270,506
DIRECT COSTS $ 914,148
BATHHOUSE BASE SCOPE
•General Requirements
•Bathhouse Scope Adjacent
•Electrical Upgrades
•LED Lighting
•NEMA rated equipment & panels
•Mechanical Upgrades
•A/C in staff areas & concessions
•Water Heaters
•Exhaust fans in mech spaces
•Design & Construction Contingencies
•Contractor Fee
•Soft Costs
TOTAL $ 1,511,601
POOL & BATHHOUSE ALTERNATES
(REFER TO SCOPES HIGHLIGHTED IN GREEN ON PREVIOUS DIAGRAMS)
•Zero depth pool play structure
•Restoration or Replacement
•Zero Depth Pool Above Ground Features
•Replace Walk Bridge with Prefab Aluminum Bridge
•Replaster Zero Depth Pool
•8’ OMEGA 80 Perimeter Fence
•4’ Ornamental Aluminum Picket Fence
•Additional Umbrella Shade Structures
•Landscape Enhancements
•New changing room partitions
POOL ALTS $ 1,457,632 BATHHOUSE ALTS $ 53,969
POOL ALTERNATE EXAMPLES
•Replace Walk Bridge with Prefab Aluminum Bridge
•Additional Umbrella Shade Structures
•8’ OMEGA 80 Perimeter Fence
•4’ Ornamental Aluminum Picket Fence
MAINTENANCE (NOT PRICED)
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
•Pool Equipment Replacement
•Lap Pool (Scopes F. 1-12)
•Kiddie Pool (Scopes G. 1-11)
•Design Team suggests tackling these items
independently of the project as needed/desired.
•Working directly with service companies to
replace/restore equipment will avoid contractor
markups associated with project.
•Typical approach for community pools
FOR CONSIDERATION (NOT PRICED)
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
•Expand pool deck
•Open fence to bring landscaped area into
pool deck boundary
•Provide shaded alcoves off pool deck separated
by landscaping islands
•Provide larger permanent reservable shade
structure
•Ideal for birthday parties
•Concessions Shade Pergola
TOTAL WITH ALTERNATES $ 5,311,861
TOTAL PROJECT ESTIMATE
TOTAL BASE SCOPE $ 3,800,260
ALTERNATES $ 1,511,601
•Includes Construction & Soft Costs:
•Pool Base Scope Direct Costs $ 1,902,914
•Bathhouse Base Scope Direct Costs $ 914,148
•Total Indirect Costs $ 983,198
•10% Design Contingency
•5% Construction Contingency
•Contractor Fee
•A&E Fee
•Zero depth pool play structure
•Restoration or Replacement
•Zero Depth Pool Above Ground Features
•Replace Walk Bridge with Prefab Aluminum Bridge
•New changing room partitions
•Replaster Zero Depth Pool
•8’ OMEGA 80 Perimeter Fence
•4’ Ornamental Aluminum Picket Fence
•Additional Umbrella Shade Structures
•Landscape Enhancements