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Minutes 7-06-05Richfield Transportation Commission Wednesday, July 6, 2005 7:00 p.m. Richfield City Hall, Council Chambers DRAFT Minutes Commission members in attendance: Steve Lindgren (Chair), Barbara Kritzman (Vice-Chair); Council Members Suzanne Sandahl and Bill Kilian; Bob Elliott; Robert Shotwell; Lezlie Vermillion; Todd Nollenberger; Don Anderson; Maureen Scaglia; Sara Nutter; and, Mike Titzer. Others in attendance: William C. Svoboda; Larry Wozniczka; Tim Teachout; Morris Nilsen; Terri Drimel; Jack Mooney of BP Amoco; Morris Nilsen; Larry Feldsien of Sinclair Oil; Maureen Bird, John Dillery from Metro Transit, Andrew Gillett of Hennepin County. Landform Staff: Carolyn Krull and Faith Cable, WSB Staff: Tony Heppelmann, City Staff: Kristin Asher, Tom Foley and Bruce Nordquist. S. Lindgren called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. S. Lindgren welcomed the two new Commission members Sara Nutter and Michael Titzer to the Commission. Motion to approve agenda made by T. Nollenberger, seconded by B. Kritzman. Motion passed unanimously. Motion to approve minutes of June 1, 2005 meeting made by L. Vermillion, second by B. Shotwell. Motion passed unanimously. Public participation Process T. Foley presented a public participation process for both the 66th Street and Portland Avenue Project and the 66th Street and 17th Avenue Project based on City Council direction. The plan involves additional open houses and public hearings to inform Richfield residents of project purposes and receive their comments. T. Foley cautioned that the dates might change as the process proceeds. B. Kilian stressed the importance of moving ahead with 66th Street and 17th Avenue project along with the 66th Street and Portland Avenue project to streamline the processes. 66th Street/Portland Avenue Intersection Study. Bruce Nordquist reviewed the effects of intersection alignment shifts on land use in the area. His discussion focused on quadrant strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. Carolyn Krull of Landform then gave a report on land use options for each quadrant of the intersection based on HRA workshop and open houses. C. Krull mentioned that the next step would be to do an economic analysis of the land use alternatives. Storage tanks at BP station would have to be moved if road shifted to east. C. Krull noted right-turn lanes are not popular with pedestrians and retail is not attracted to roundabouts. Tony Heppelmann of WSB provided a handout on a sensitivity analysis of traffic operations at 66th Street/Portland Avenue to address questions and concerns the Commission displayed regarding the 2030 traffic forecasts. Four design alternatives with several sub- alternatives were analyzed; 1-single left turn lanes, 2-dual left turn lanes on 66th Street, 3-dual left turn lanes on all approaches, 4-roundabout. It was decided that the type of intersection would be determined prior to the preferred alignment shift. Stop Signs on 76th St. at 3rd Ave. The Commission reconsidered the removal of stop signs on 76th Street at 3rd Avenue. B. Elliott requested to table the action at the December 8, 2004 meeting until Commission members observed 76th Street during summer baseball games at Roosevelt Park. Staff initially recommended the removal of the stop control due to the reduction in traffic volumes on both 76th Street and 3rd Avenue, stopping at 3rd Avenue is inconsistent with other collector roadways in the City (70th, 73rd), low compliance is a safety concern, and staff received no overwhelming opposition to the removal of the signs. B. Elliot moved to remove the stop signs on 76th Street at 3rd Avenue, seconded by T. Nollenberger. Discussion: B. Elliott has observed the area a couple times and reported low traffic volumes on 76th Street and few children crossing 76th Street. Parents take children to games in cars, dropping them off at 77th Street entrance to the park at 4th Avenue or on 76th Street at 4th Avenue. T. Nollenberger noted that traffic has significantly reduced since 77th Street was upgraded. The motion passed unanimously. 76th St. Traffic and Transit Operations T. Foley gave a report on 76th St. traffic and transit operations, followed by a discussion from John Dillery of Metro Transit responding to issues raised by Bob Hall, a resident. Metro Transit is proposing revised operations in September 2005 that will reduce the frequency of buses stopping on 76th Street and close the park-n-ride lot at Wood Lake Lutheran Church. Lyndale Avenue Bridge T. Heppelmann explained that Mn/DOT has offered a new alternative that the City is reviewing. He and city staff will report back to the Commission in August. Future Agenda Items Future agenda items for next month were identified: Lyndale Avenue Bridge A review of each alternative for 66th and Portland relative to each criterion Bicycle paths within the City 66th Street and 17th Avenue . Other Business T. Foley reported that the City would submit two TEA-21 federal grant applications. One is for a ped/bike bridge as part of the new 76th Street bridge over I-35W. The other is for a skyway over the 6600 block of Lyndale Avenue connecting City Bella and Wood Lake Center. Adjournment Moved by B. Kritzman, seconded by B. Elliott. The motion passed and the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 PM.