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Minutes 02-01-06Richfield Transportation Commission Wednesday, February 1, 2006 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; Randy Matheus; Pat Sorensen; Bob Elliott; Bob Shotwell; Mike Titzer; Maureen Scaglia; Sara Nutter; and Gary Ness. Others in attendance: Larry Wozniczka; and City Staff: Tom Foley and Kristin Asher. B. Kritzman called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Motion to approve the agenda made by B. Elliott, seconded by B. Shotwell. Motion passed unanimously. Motion to approve minutes of January 11, 2006 meetings made by B. Elliott, seconded by B. Kritzman. Motion passed unanimously. Welcome New Members Randy Matheus and Pat Sorensen were welcomed as new members to the Commission. Bob Elliott was also recognized as being reappointed for a second term. S. Sandahl noted that Lezlie Vermillion has resigned from the Commission. Lyndale Avenue Bridge T. Foley reported that MnDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) had provided a written response on their reviews of the new layout proposed by the City of Richfield. The new layout is Option 6 and provides access to and from the south on I-35W at Lyndale Avenue. City staff found the comments discouraging focusing on design shortcomings and benefit-cost ratios. Also, the agencies worried that Richfield wanted to reopen discussion of 35W access from Penn Avenue. Tom O’Keefe of MnDOT has suggested that we meet with FHWA and MnDOT officials to discuss their concerns. City staff believes a public open house would not be appropriate until we know that MnDOT and FHWA are supportive of a layout that local officials support. In the meantime City staff will generate alternatives to be considered by the City Councils of Richfield and Bloomington. City staff is recommending a three-month deadline for a decision on the Lyndale Bridge layout. By May 1, 2006 we should know if Richfield wants to pursue building the bridge at this time. One of the options would be to build the 77th Street Underpass Project instead. Another option would be to build the single-point diamond bridge without agreeing on access to 35W at this time. The FHWA and MnDOT suggested other design options including access to 35W from Nicollet Avenue and another that provided a pair of one-way frontage roads from 82nd Street that carried traffic to and from Lyndale Avenue. S. Sandahl mentioned that citizens and business representatives who attended the last open house on the Lyndale Avenue Bridge wanted access to and from Lyndale Avenue from 35W south. L. Wozniczka wanted to know if access to 35W to the north was still being considered. Yes, one alternative provides access from Lyndale to 35W northbound. K. Asher reminded people that cars coming from the north on 35W would not be able to exit at Lyndale. 66th Street and Portland Avenue Intersection T. Foley reported that the City obtained a one-year extension to spend the Federal Highway funds on the project. This means that the City has until Sept. 30, 2007 to submit the plans for state approval. The project will be built in 2008. B. Elliott wondered if the work on 35W/62 Crosstown could force a further delay in construction at 66th St. and Portland Ave. T. Foley said a further delay in construction would not cause a problem for the City. However, he did note that the Metro Council, the agency that awards the federal funds, explained that we will no longer receive cost adjustments for the time extension. T. Foley then reported on refining the layout. City staff and the design consultant met with three affected businesses yesterday. All three had favorable comments on the proposed design. He explained that the location of bus pullouts was difficult. They are so long that they affect driveways. The City staff has already met with Metro Transit officials. Metro Transit would like the bus stops moved as close as possible to the pedestrian crosswalks. This reduces the time and distance for people who transfer from one bus to another. We hope to have the final layout finished by mid-March. T. Foley suggested an open house to review the proposed final design. After some discussion, the Commission recommended that a public informational meeting be held for the neighborhood and to invite all those people who have attended or commented on the proposal. The date for the informational meeting will be set at the next Commission meeting for a time after the layout is completed. Stop Sign Policy Discussion The City Council requested a discussion on the City’s Stop Sign Policy with the Commission on February 14, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. Barb Kritzman and Bob Elliott agreed to attend for the Commission. Of course, all members are encouraged to attend and speak to the Council on how the Commission arrived at its recommendation. Updates T. Foley gave a report on Edina and Bloomington. Edina is nearing completion of its Land Use and Transportation Study of the Southdale Area. When it is finished, he will provide a report to the Commission on its impact on Richfield. The study can be viewed at this website: http://www.cityofedina.com/Pages/L4-39_SouthdaleStudy.htm Bloomington is proposing 5.3 million square feet of new development in the Mall of America Phase II Project. It includes a Bass PRO Shop, retail, hotel, some office and other uses. McGough also has a major development at the Bloomington Central LRT Station for residential, hotel and park. The city is beginning to study the Airport South Area (MOA) with MnDOT and MAC for I-494 and TH 77 traffic impacts. Another traffic study is proposed for the Normandale Lakes Office area. Developers have proposed large office developments that have been opposed in the past by residents. Bloomington may be awarded federal funds to expand the park and ride lot for 500 cars at the LRT station at 28th Ave., and build a new LRT Station at 34th Ave. and American Blvd. The City also hopes to receive funds for a pedestrian bridge over Killebrew Drive and partial funding for the Long Meadow Pedestrian/Bike Bridge that will cross the Minnesota River to Eagan. S. Sandahl reported that the 494 Corridor Commission and the 35W Solutions Alliance are working to support a proposed constitutional amendment to increase the state gas tax by 5 cents per gallon. Bicycle Resolution T. Foley explained that the Two Wheels To Town group has asked for a resolution in support of bicycle facilities that help commuters use bicycles for longer trips to work. The Mayor of Munster, Germany has been invited to Minneapolis in April 2006 to promote bicycle usage. Richfield and other suburbs are being asked to help build more bike facilities. P. Sorensen said he would ask his brother Jim to come to the March 1 meeting and explain what the group wants to do. Other Business Commission asked T. Foley to write a guest column in the Sun Current on how pedestrian signals work and to prepare a new membership roster of the Commission. Mike Eastling, Richfield Public Works Director, will give the City Council an overview of all agreements the City will have with MnDOT on the 35W/62 Crosstown Project at the Council work session on February 28, 2006. Future Agenda Items The following items will be considered at future Commission meeting: March 2006 agenda: Staging of 35W/62 Crosstown including road closures (Now is the time for businesses to notify customers of road closures) and Jim Sorensen of Penn Cycle and David Gepner on the Bicycle Resolution. March 2006 agenda: Set date for informational meeting on final layout for 66th St. and Portland Avenue intersection. May 2006 agenda: Pedestrian Slide Show and Crosswalk Policy P. Sorensen and Randy Matheus are excused from the March 1, 2006 meeting. Adjournment Motion to adjourn by G. Ness, seconded by B. Kritzman and passed. Meeting was adjourned at 8:37 p.m.