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Minutes 05-03-06Richfield Transportation Commission Wednesday, May 3, 2006 7:00 p.m. Richfield City Hall, Council Chambers DRAFT Minutes Commission members in attendance: Barbara Kritzman (Chair); Bob Elliott (Vice-Chair); Bob Shotwell; Randy Matheus; Sara Nutter; Steve Lindgren; Maureen Scaglia; and, Gary Ness. Others in attendance: Larry Wozniczka; William Svoboda; Kent and Karen Fairbairn; Sandy Clay and City Staff: Tom Foley and Kristin Asher. Pat Sorensen and S. Sandahl were excused from the May 3, 2006 meeting. B. Kritzman called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Motion to approve the agenda made by S. Lindgren, seconded by R. Matheus. Motion passed unanimously. Motion to approve minutes of April 5, 2006 meetings, made by S. Lindgren, seconded by B. Elliott. Motion passed unanimously. Annual Advisory Commission Meeting with City Council The Commission will give its report to the Council on May 9, 2006. B. Elliott asked staff for a list of future issues facing the Commission. All Commissioners are invited to attend. Pedestrian Safety Tom Foley gave a slide show presentation on pedestrian safety based on new concepts to improve safety, such as: safety of mid-block crossings; three-lane roads; refuge islands; hot button pedestrian signals, narrow corners (tight radius corners) reduce the speed of turning vehicles and room for bike lanes. Discussion followed. Karen Fairbairn spoke re: curb ramps are needed at 71st St. and Nicolllet Ave. to cross to Augsburg Library; there is a narrow sidewalk at 70th St. and Nicollet Ave.; favors three-lane roads (as opposed to four-lane undivided roads); and, wants pedestrian signals at crosswalks to make vehicles stop for pedestrians. Kent Fairbairn spoke re: City is unfriendly to families, elderly and pedestrians with no setbacks of sidewalks behind curbs, dumping snow on sidewalks prevents their use, and he opposes the proposed Stop Sign Pattern proposed for a neighborhood north of 66th St. on the east side of the city, it does not make for a fair representation of proposed policy. Crosswalk Policy Tom Foley explained that the proposed policy would guide Street Maintenance crews to apply pavement markings. The task takes all the construction season to complete. S. Lindgren asked about the School District involvement. K. Asher assured him that the schools would determine the safe routes to school. He also wanted to clarify that most of what the policy dictates is already being done and that the policy is intended to formalize the process for staff. The Traffic Contol Committee and City maintenance staffs have reviewed the proposed policy. Motion made by S. Lindgren and seconded by B. Elliott to approve the proposed Crosswalk Policy with one change, using “special” circumstances for the use of mid-block crossings. Motion passed unanimously. Lyndale Avenue Bridge T. Foley reported that Mn/DOT has commented on the revised Layout 6B. Mn/DOT said they did not want access for southbound 35W traffic that goes east on 494 to have access to Lyndale Ave. exit. This traffic would create a weave conflict with the northbound 35W traffic that wants to go north on Lyndale Ave. into Richfield. City staff has asked for a meeting to clarify Mn/DOT’s comments, especially as they relate to right of way impacts. S. Lindgren asked for a construction schedule for the bridge. T. Foley said work would start in 2008, the old bridge would be removed in early 2009 and a new bridge opened in late 2009. S. Lindgren inquired about how staff was communicating to the residents and businesses regarding the Lyndale Bridge project. T. Foley replied that there is project information available on the website, otherwise only those that have contacted him have been updated. Stop Sign Test Area T. Foley showed a map of the proposed test area north of 66th Street and east of 11th Avenue for adding two-way stop signs on north-south avenues. A public information meeting will be held for the neighborhood but no date has been set yet. Updates T. Foley reported progress on a County roads study based on looking at different road sections like three-lane road sections that improve the arterials including Lyndale Avenue, which is not a County road. B. Shotwell suggested that the Xerxes Ave. Bridge over 494, that was recently damaged, be replaced now with a new one that accommodates the new 494. City staff agreed to relay this message to Bloomington, Edina and Mn/DOT. Adjournment Motion to adjourn by S. Lindgren, seconded by B. Shotwell and passed unanimously. Meeting was adjourned at 8:38 p.m.