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Minutes 12-06-06Richfield Transportation Commission Wednesday, December 6, 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; Sara Nutter; Maureen Scaglia; Steve Lindgren; and, Gary Ness. Others in attendance: William Svoboda; Larry Wozniczka; Mayor-elect Debbie Goettel; and, City Staff: Tom Foley. B. Kritzman called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. P. Sorensen and Council member S. Sandahl were excused from attending the meeting. Motion to approve the agenda made by S. Lindgren, seconded by B. Elliott. Motion passed unanimously. Motion to approve minutes of November 1, 2006 meeting, made by S. Lindgren, seconded by B. Shotwell. Motion passed unanimously. Edina’s West 70th Street Study B. Shotwell reported on his attendance at a meeting on West 70th Street in Edina. Residents are concerned about the volume of traffic and high number of trucks passing through a residential neighborhood. The meeting was very well attended. B. Shotwell also mentioned an Edina development proposal that is located next to Richfield. There is 38,500 square feet of retail space, an 4-story, 60-unit elderly housing project and a 14-story, 100-unit apartment building proposed on the northern half of the block between York and Xerxes Avenues and between 69th and 70th Streets. Richfield has been asked to comment on the proposal. The Edina Planning Commission will not act until January on the proposal. Draft Bikeway Plan T. Foley reviewed the staff prepared draft Bikeway Plan. He noted that the Federal Non-Motorized Grant Program does not require adoption of a bikeway plan. Therefore, the City will have more time for public review of the plan. Comments on the draft included: Mention health and active lifestyle as a goal; Verify that rail lines can not be abandoned by federal law if a shipper still uses the line Interest in retaining the 73rd St. ped/bike bridge with ramps; Suggestion of tunnel under 35W at 67th Street; Critique of bike lanes on 66th Street at 35W Bridge and on Lake Shore Drive; Off-street trail connecting to tunnel around Wood Lake Nature Center; and, Suggestion for trail to extend north of Lake Shore Drive onto Rae Drive, then along Richfield Lake, to finally connect back to Lyndale Avenue at Highway 35W/Highway 62. City staff will present the draft plan to the Community Services Commission on December 19th. Staff was asked to check to see if that meeting has been cancelled. T. Foley explained that the Federal Grant Program for pedestrian and bike facilities would give priority to planning for facilities. Therefore, he suggested that the City should apply for a planning grant for the new Richfield Parkway from Highway 62 and as far south as 76th Street where it connects to another trail. Motion by M. Scaglia, second by Bob. E. to submit a planning grant for the design of a ped/bike facility along the new Richfield Parkway. Motion passed unanimously. Lyndale Avenue Bridge T. Foley reported that WSB, the City’s design consultant, has prepared a computer model of traffic operations of the proposed design of the Lyndale Avenue Bridge that would be sent to Mn/DOT for their review. The review would take four weeks. Comprehensive Plan Update Several Commission members attended the November 16th kick-off forum to begin the update of the comprehensive plan. Motion by S. Lindgren, second by B. Shotwell that the Commission Chair serve as the Commission’s representative and the Vice-Chair to serve as alternate to the Comprehensive Plan Task Force. Motion passed unanimously. City staff will provide information to Chair Kritzman that was distributed at the kick-off forum. Roundabout Communications Plan T. Foley reported for Kristin Asher on the Roundabouts Open House. Residents who attended were concerned about pedestrian safety. T. Foley informed the commission that Cable TV was showing the Roundabouts DVD on a regular basis. Commissioners directed staff to post the information on the City’s web sites. S. Lindgren explained that the driving force behind the decision on roundabouts was safety. Other Business S. Lindgren asked that staff invite people who have attended Commission meetings to apply to become members of commissions. Roger Swanson applied but missed the night for interviews and has not been heard from since. We need youth to participate. Check with the two high schools if there are students who may be interested in serving. Also, send letters of invitation to prior applicants. Staff was asked to see if current members need to renew their appointment to the Commission. S. Lindgren suggested that the city notify the schools about the Metro Sanitary Sewer Project. Topics for Next Meeting Bikeway Plan 76th Street Cross Section Richfield Parkway Cross Section Comprehensive Plan Update Adjournment Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. in a motion made by S. Lindgren, and seconded by B. Elliot. Motion passed.