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Minutes 09-05-07Richfield Transportation Commission Wednesday, September 5, 2007 7:00 p.m. Richfield City Hall, Council Chambers DRAFT Minutes Commission members in attendance: Bob Elliott(Chair); Bob Shotwell; Gary Ness; Steve Lindgren; Barbara Kritzman; Jackie Heinen; Sara Nutter; Pat Sorensen; Jay Hermann; Maureen Scaglia; and, Martin Kirsch (Vice-Chair). Others in attendance: Mayor Debbie Goettel; Council Members Fred Wroge and Susan Rosenberg; William Svoboda; Robert Foreman; Larry Wozniczka; Betty Gustafson; Chad Wiederholt; John Grabow; and Jen Lux; James Tobaben of Parsons Brinckerhoff; and, City Staff: Michael Eastling, Tom Foley; and Kristin Asher. Excused absence: Council Member Sue Sandahl. B. Elliott called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Agenda was amended to include 76th Street Bridge Project under Updates. Agenda as amended was approved in a motion moved by S. Lindgren; and seconded by J. Hermann. Motion passed unanimously. Motion to approve August 1, 2007 meeting minutes with amendments to show that Jay Hermann was present, and Pat Sorensen and Sara Nutter were absent was made by B. Kritzman, seconded by M. Kirsch. Motion passed unanimously. Traffic Control Requests Robert Foreman spoke on speeding on 75th Street by Morgan Avenue. He provided written comments. Chair Elliott asked staff to look at a possible School Zone on 75th Street. T. Foley explained that four neighborhoods and 68th Street between Portland and 12th Avenues are anxious to install neighborhood stop signs. Neighborhood Stop Sign Demonstration K. Asher shared with the Commission the results of a survey of residents on the stop sign study. People were supportive of stop signs and perceived reduced speeds. The sub-collector concept received substantial support. City staff will recommend stop signs be added on 11th Avenue at 64th Street. Motion by M. Kirsch, second by B. Kritzman and passed that the Commission table any recommendation pending University of Minnesota interest in doing a statistical analysis of the study’s results. S. Lindgren suggested doing a phone survey to find out why people didn’t respond. T. Foley said a 20% response rate is good for a mail survey. Proposed Resident Parking Permit Program T. Foley presented City Attorney and his comments on Saint Paul’s parking permit program. Jen Lux spoke about Aldrich residents experience with the new No Parking 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. signs on the 7600 block of Aldrich. At first people got angry but now they accept the restriction. Residents can’t use the space in front of their homes but safety is better. The Police do enforce the signs. Some service trucks have had problems. Residents want the permit program. Motion by S. Lindgren, second by B. Shotwell requesting that staff draft an ordinance for the Commission to consider. Motion passed unanimously. 66th Street and Portland Avenue James Tobaben of Parsons Brinckerhoff of Kansas City, MO spoke to the Commission on performing a peer review of the 66th Street and Portland Avenue Project. Commission members asked questions and provided comments. Mr. Tobaben will return with his findings at a Special Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. on September 19th. Commission members are invited to attend. Overnight Parking Policy The Council asked staff to survey other cities for their overnight parking ordinances. The results of the survey were shared with the Commission. Many banned overnight parking. Commissioners felt that existing ordinances were adequate for snow emergencies and 48-hours for abandoned vehicles. B. Shotwell suggested incorporating New Hope’s hardship exception for residents with illness who are unable to move their car. P. Sorensen suggested giving incentives to issue tickets to snowplow drivers. M. Scaglia said the focus should be on excessive cars per house. Comprehensive Plan Update T. Foley asked the Commissioners to review the first draft of the Transportation element of the Comprehensive Plan and provide comments to staff at next month’s meeting. A citywide public meeting on the entire Comprehensive Plan will be held on November 15th. Future Agenda Items S. Sandahl asked that the Commission see plans for the 76th Street Bridge over I-35W. This will be covered next month. A public information meeting on this project will be held within a month. Upcoming Meetings A special Council meeting on 66th Street and Portland Avenue will be held on September 19th at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. The next Edina West 70th Street Study meeting will occur on September 27 at 7:00 p.m. in Conference Room A at the Southdale Shopping Center. The next Transportation Commission meeting will be held on October 3rd at 7:00 p.m. at the Richfield City Hall. Adjournment Motion to adjourn by S. Lindgren, seconded by J. Hermann and passed. Meeting was adjourned at 9:17 p.m.