Minutes 11-02-05Richfield Transportation Commission
Wednesday, November 2, 2005
7:00 p.m.
Richfield City Hall, Council Chambers
DRAFT Minutes
Commission members in attendance: Steve Lindgren (Chair), Barbara Kritzman (Vice-Chair); Council Member Suzanne Sandahl; Council Member Bill Kilian; Bob Elliott; Bob Shotwell; Don Anderson;
Lezlie Vermillion; Sarah Nutter; and, Gary Ness.
Others in attendance: Council Member Fred Wroge; John Suek; William C. Svoboda; Larry Wozniczka; City Staff: Kristin Asher, and Tom Foley.
S. Lindgren called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Agenda was amended to include a report on wheelchairs/non-traditional vehicles on streets. Motion to approve amended agenda made by R. Shotwell, second by B. Kritzman. Motion passed
unanimously.
Motion to approve minutes of October 5, 2005 meetings made by B. Elliott, seconded by B. Shotwell. Motion passed unanimously.
Proposed Stop Sign Policy
S. Lindgren reviewed the staff memo outlining five alternative policies under consideration. He cautioned that the options were not a policy, rather an approach where the city could
develop a policy. One possible approach previously discussed was a test area in one or two neighborhoods. Staff explained that it had been discussed but not adopted.
Motion by B. Kritzman, seconded by G. Ness to adopt Alternative 3, by starting with two-test neighborhoods in the NE part of the City and creating a set of sub-collectors with two-way
stop signs. Monitoring of traffic and speeds would be taken with implementation of the new policy. B Kilian wanted the northeast corner of the city selected as a trial area with the
new Cedar Point development coming in. Other comments: this is a proactive policy, post 2-way or four-way signs under the stop signs to let drivers know if cross traffic stops. Opposed
to speeding on east-west sub-collectors. Mr. Floyd Roman had testified that the city had already focused on the most dangerous intersections. If no new stop sign policy, the city
should enforce the 50-foot sight triangle ordinance.
John Suek spoke and agreed that 68th Street would be a racetrack with the proposed policy. Larry Wozniczka spoke that we should face reality with streets like 68th Street by adding
sidewalks and improving sightlines like at 67th St. and Nicollet Ave. where a signal controller obstructs the view. Councilmember Fred Wroge spoke that we should add more areas for
a test of the new policy.
Motion failed on 4-4 tie vote.
Motion by B. Shotwell to adopt Alternative 1, motion failed for lack of second.
Motion to reaffirm existing policy by L. Vermillion, seconded by B. Elliott, and passed 7-1 with B. Kritzman opposed.
Wheelchairs and Non-Traditional Vehicles
T. Foley submitted a memo on the treatment of motorized wheelchairs and similar vehicles on public roadways and access to private property. City staff will include this topic in an update
to the Comprehensive Plan and include access to private property as part of a checklist of staff review topics for the review of private developments.
Updates
S. Sandahl report on a presentation on Context Sensitive Design at the 494 Corridor Commission. She thought that Mn/DOT should make a similar presentation to the Transportation Commission.
City staff was asked to notify via e-mail Commissioners of the Commuter Choice Awards luncheon on November 15.
Chair S. Lindgren thanked members of the Commission who attended the October 25, 2005 Council meeting for their contributions.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by B. Elliott, seconded by G. Ness and passed. Meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m.