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Minutes 1-12-05Richfield Transportation Committee Richfield City Hall, Council Chambers Minutes January 12, 2005 Committee members in attendance: Steve Lindgren (Co-Chair); Barbara Kritzman (Co-Chair); Gary Ness; Maureen Scaglia; Lezlie Vermillion; Don Anderson; Bob Elliott; and Todd Nollenberger. Others in attendance: William Svoboda, Larry Wozniczka, Terri Drimel, Diane Peterson, Ida Frazer, Warsame Ayanle, Tim Teachout, Morris Nilsen, Gary Olson, Cal Duncan for Francis Jorgenson, Sharon Claflin, Bill Claflin, Heidi Lindenfelser, James Brown, Ken Severson, John Moon; SEH, Inc. Staff: Mike Kotila and Ross Harris; City Staff: Kristin Asher, Bruce Nordquist and Tom Foley. B. Kritzman served as Chair for the meeting. At 7:03 p.m. B. Kritzman called the meeting to order. Motion to approve agenda made by S. Lindgren, second by T. Nollenberger and passed. S. Lindgren motioned to approve December 8, 2004 minutes, second by D. Anderson, motion passed unanimously. Liquidated Damages and Incentives on Road Construction Projects Kristin Asher discussed a handout summarizing the purpose of incentives and disincentives on construction projects. Short discussion followed, no action was taken. 66th Street/Portland Avenue Work Session B. Kritzman invited the residents to share comments before the work session began. The comments are to be summarized and included in the Neighborhood Concerns portion of the projects Goals and Objectives. (Comments received are attached). T. Foley clarified that in 1990 the project was initiated by Hennepin County. Now, the City is taking the lead and the County is looking for direction from Richfield and willing to help financially. Bruce Nordquist explained that prior to next Committee meeting on February 9 there will be an open house discussing land use issues. Mike Kotila (consultant SEH, Inc.) reviewed the Draft Goals and Objectives with the Committee. The Goals and Objectives were defined at the December 8, 2004 Committee meeting. Modifications were suggested, M. Kotila will make the changes and have them ready for the next meeting. The Committee was asked to generate possible design alternatives for the 66th Street/Portland Avenue intersection. Possible alternatives generated were: 4 – shifted alignments with protected left-turn lanes 5 lane section without a raised median Changes in signal timing- split phasing or left turn arrow on all four legs grade separation with compact single point intersection roundabout 3-lane section on south and east legs of intersection Motion to adjourn was made by T. Nollenberger. Second by B. Elliott. Meeting was adjourned at 9:12 p.m. 66th Street and Portland Avenue Discussion Comments received from residents January 12, 2005 Resident Suggestion/Comment/Concern  Ken Severson 7316 Lyndale Try making the intersection a 4-way stop or implement LT arrows on all four legs, maybe even just during the rush hour. (Tom Foley informed the Committee that Hennepin County considered LT arrows at all legs and they did not work, that is how they ended up with LT’s at the major legs like we see today.) (Mike Kotila of SEH,Inc.- A car wanting to make a left turn is held up by a car that wants to pass through the intersection.)  Vicki Kent Speeding is a big issue, try installing “speed laws are strictly enforced” signs on Portland Avenue. This is an inexpensive way to help reduce crashes. Cars blow through the red light. Limit left-turns at the intersection.  Terri Drimel 6617 Portland Speeds need to be reduced/enforced more to result in fewer crashes. Maybe use camera technology to help. It’s difficult for residents to access Portland. I turn my car around so it is easier for me to get out onto Portland.  William Svoboda 6620 Portland Traffic increase is a result of Crosstown backups. Buses just sit in the NB lane on Portland causing confusion.  Sharon Claflin 6600 Park This is a residential area, lets focus on bringing it back to a residential roadway.  Tim Teachout 601 E. 66th Street How would restricting left turns during the rush hours affect crashes/injuries? (Mike Kotila of SEH, Inc. – “that would create cut-through traffic on the residential streets surrounding the intersection”) What is the master plan? Is this project simply to fix the left turn crashes or is this a first step to a larger redevelopment plan? (Bruce Nordquist – “prior to next Committee meeting there will be an open house discussing land use”  James Brown 6633 Portland Are you concerned for the safety of the kids and residents that live along Portland or just those that drive on Portland? Where would the kids play if front yards are taken?  Heidi Lendenfelser 6633 Portland I understand things need to be done, but what does that mean for the residents? What would your plan look like if there were no residents and businesses to consider?  Gary Olson 6633 Columbus 1990 plan was stopped by neighborhood opposition because nobody could answer what would happen to the land. Why was the signal timing changed at 70th/Portland? Now traffic at 66th Street backs up a lot more. (City staff will check with County on signal timing at 70th/Portland.)  Jay Townsend To deter people from using corner gas stations as a cut through you could install “against the law to cut through” signs and at the intersection “no Left Turns during rush hour”.