Minutes 05-02-07Richfield Transportation Commission
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
7:00 p.m.
Richfield City Hall, Council Chambers
DRAFT Minutes
Commission members in attendance: Bob Elliott(Chair); Bob Shotwell; Barbara Kritzman; Council Member Sue Sandahl; Maureen Scaglia; Pat Sorensen; Jay Hermann; Jackie Heinen; Martin Kirsch
(Vice-Chair); and, Sara Nutter. Others in attendance: Mayor Debbie Goettel; William Svoboda; Michael Udofot; Roger Schmidt; Tom Perkins; Shirley Perkins; Phoebe McCartan; Carol McCartan;
Renae Schreyer; Ross Selden; Megan Meuli; Floyd Roman; Ryan & Melissa Heindl; Mike Johnson; Ruby Olson; Jacob Gulden; Karen & Rick McNamara; Rick Hauser of WSB; and, City Staff: Tom
Foley; Aaron Holmbeck; and, Kristin Asher.
Gary Ness had an excused absence.
B. Elliott called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Agenda was approved in a motion moved by S. Lindgren; and seconded by J. Hermann
Motion to approve March 7, 2007 meeting minutes was made by M. Kirsch, seconded by B. Kritzman. Motion passed unanimously.
Stop Sign Policy
Roger Schmidt, 7504 Aldrich, spoke on his concern for safety in residential neighborhoods. His comments were submitted for the record. Chair B. Elliott indicated his comments would be
taken into account when the Commission reviewed the results of the Stop Sign demonstration area in July or August. Floyd Roman reiterated his concern that stop signs not be placed in
residential areas. Megan Meuli, 7401 Dupont, spoke in support of doing something, for instance yield signs. Society has changed leading to reckless behavior. Residents were encouraged
to sign the attendance sheet so that they could be invited to a future meeting when the stop sign policy is discussed.
Biking in Munster, Germany
P. Sorensen showed slides of bicycling in Munster, Germany.
Lyndale Avenue 6300 Block
K. Asher reviewed two design alternatives that were modified by adding a 4-foot wide median. The options were identified as B1 and D1. Both were rejected for loss of space behind the
curb and failure to produce significant benefits.
Discussion continued on options B and D. Option D had the most green space, but after much discussion it was rejected because of the long-term cost of maintenance and the difficulty
of trying to grow grass in the boulevard with salt spray from the road. Width of the bike lanes appeared excessive to some but it meets state design standards. For safety trees would
be placed behind the sidewalk and other streetscape features could be added for aesthetics. The east side driveways could be moved to side streets to improve safety on Lyndale. Moving
the driveways should precede work on Lyndale. Staff was asked to provide a status report on obtaining an easement on the Lyndale Garden Center property.
Motion by B. Kritzman, second by S. Nutter and passed to:
Recommend Option D (with no median) for the 6300 Block of Lyndale Avenue including
Possible 2-foot sidewalk easement to allow for 9-foot or 10-foot wide sidewalks
Two 6-foot wide bike lanes
Pedestrian refuge island at 63rd Street; and,
Removal of two driveways on the east side of the 6300 block.
Roundabouts
Commissioners asked staff to continue with a public communications plan on roundabouts. The focus will shift to construction updates and how to drive in a roundabout.
Upcoming Meetings
Field trip to Monticello roundabout. Meet at Richfield City Hall at 1:15 p.m. to carpool to site.
Edina’s West 70th Street Study, May 17, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at Christ Presbyterian Church, 70th St. & Highway 100.
Mn/DOT Information meeting on 35W/62 Crosstown Project, May 24 from 4:30 pm. To 8:00 p.m. at Richfield Lutheran Church, 60th St. & Nicollet Ave. in Mpls.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by B. Kritzman, second by J. Heinen, and passed.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:09 p.m.