Minutes 12-08-04Richfield Transportation Committee
Richfield City Hall, Council Chambers
DRAFT Minutes
December 8, 2004
Committee members in attendance: Steve Lindgren (Co-Chair); Barbara Kritzman (Co-Chair); Gary Ness; Maureen Scaglia; Bob Elliott; Council Member Suzanne Sandahl; Don Anderson; Todd Nollenberger;
William Kilian; and Robert Shotwell.
Others in attendance: Larry Wozniczka; John Welbes; Judy Sarff; John Suek; Chris Howes. SEH Staff: Mike Kotila and Ross Harris. City Staff: Tom Foley and Bruce Nordquist.
S. Lindgren served as Chair for the meeting and called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Motion to approve amended agenda with an item on 35W Solutions Alliance made by T. Nollenberger seconded by B. Kilian and passed unanimously.
B. Kilian moved to approve November 10, 2004 minutes amended to show that B. Kilian had moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by T. Nollenberger, motion passed unanimously.
Stop Sign Comments at 76th Street and 3rd Avenue
S. Lindgren asked to review neighborhood feedback on removing the signs.
Discussion followed: B. Shotwell wanted clarification on sign obstruction “law”.
T. Foley discussed the visibility zone requirements.
Resident Chris Howes, 7600 Clinton Avenue (S. Lindgren read message) wanted to confirm that his e-mail was received and expressed concern for speed, proximity to ball fields, walkers,
and the perception of speeding opportunity.
Resident John Welbes, 7527 2nd Avenue (S. Lindgren read message) expressed concern to keep the sign to control speed.
S. Lindgren asked resident Howes to further clarify how he accesses the park and describe the activities and uses he sees.
S. Lindgren reviewed a list of comments from neighbors that recommended removing the sign.
B. Elliot moved that action be tabled to May, 2005. T. Nollenberger seconded. There was a request for staff to review what can be done to make the sign more visible. Motion passed
unanimously.
The Intersection at 66th Street and Portland Avenue
T. Foley introduced Michael Kotila and Ross Harris of SEH as consultants who would assist in the project planning.
S. Lindgren went through the “Issues and Opportunities” summary distributed by T. Foley, point by point and members told individual stories. SEH staff recorded new issues suggested
by Committee members and others in attendance. B. Shotwell
questioned what is the projected traffic due to Cedar Point and other redevelopment on the East Side?
Resident Larry Wozniczka suggested the ice arena and playground area parking areas be attached by an internal road and later mentioned that the Comprehensive Plan proposes a Fire Station
at the northeast corner of 66th Street and Portland Avenue.
T. Foley said staff could work on drafting goals and objectives for next month’s meeting. The committee concurred.
Stop Sign Policies
T. Foley distributed crash data at controlled and uncontrolled intersections and reviewed the report.
T. Foley then summarized the policy memo. Members (T. Nollenberger, G. Ness) discussed various aspects of the “basket weave” street/stop sign arrangements in neighborhoods. T. Foley
clarified examples shared.
B. Kilian expressed concern about the reactive approach, i.e. reacting after accidents occurred. B. Kilian moved a proactive stop sign policy with public comment sought, seconded and
amended by B. Shotwell to include a pilot program.
Discussion followed to clarify what and how this would be presented to the public for review and comment.
S. Lindgren read a letter form Lezlie Vermillion who could not attend the meeting.
B. Kilian withdrew his motion, seconded by T. Nollenberger.
S. Sandahl moved that the topic be tabled to the next meeting, seconded by T. Nollenberger. Motion passed unanimously with request for additional information.
T. Foley provided brief reports about other transportation projects and members provided clarifying comments:
35W Bridge/Lyndale Avenue with bike lanes
494/Lyndale Avenue bridge
35-W/Crosstown 62
S. Lindgren adjourned the meeting at 9:20 p.m. by unanimous consent.