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Minutes 04-02-08Richfield Transportation Commission Wednesday, April 2, 2008 7:00 p.m. Richfield City Hall, Council Chambers DRAFT Minutes Commission members in attendance: Bob Elliott (Chair); Martin Kirsch (Vice-Chair); Bob Shotwell; Barbara Kritzman; Steve Lindgren; Pat Sorensen Jay Hermann; Sara Nutter; Peter Easterlund; Gerald Charnitz; Gary Ness; and, Council Member Sue Sandahl. Others in attendance: William Svoboda; Gary Sjoquist of Quality Bike Products; and, City Staff: Tom Foley and Kristin Asher. B. Elliott called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Agenda was approved in a motion moved by M. Kirsch; and seconded by S. Lindgren. Motion passed unanimously. Motion to approve the minutes of February 6, 2008 meeting was made by S. Lindgren, seconded by J. Hermann. Motion passed unanimously. Nomination and Election of 2008 Chair and Vice Chair S. Lindgren nominated Martin Kirsch for Chair, seconded by B. Kritzman. Vote was unanimous. B. Shotwell nominated Peter Easterlund for Vice-Chair, seconded by J. Hermann. Vote was unanimous. Change in Voting Status for Liaisons on the Commission S. Sandahl explained that the City Council changed the authority of liaisons to the Transportation Commission, effective January 31, 2009. The liaisons after that date will no longer be able to vote on Commission motions. 75th Street/76th Street Streetscape Design K. Asher reported that the Council approved the Commission’s recommendation on the design of the 75th Street/76th Street Streetscape. She also reported that the Metro Council will cover the costs of the proposed design. No decision has been made on the extension of the road work to 12th Avenue. The cost of this work would be the City’s responsibility. City of Paris Bike Rental Program Gary Sjoquist of Quality Bike Products in Bloomington gave a slide show presentation on a bike rental program operating in Paris, France. Currently, over 20,000 bikes are available citywide at stands spaced 300 meters apart in the center of Paris. Trips of 2 miles or less are commonly taken by people who rent the bikes by day (1 euro,) week (6 euros) or year (29 euros.) A credit card is used to rent the bikes. Additional information is available on-line at www.bikesbelong.com. Mention was made that there should be bike racks available at the Hub and Southdale Square. The 494 Corridor Commission does offer one free bike rack to employers that will work with them to promote commuting. Federal Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Program Tom Foley reviewed two grant proposals for the Commission’s consideration to submit for 100% federal funding. The first was to acquire an easement over one parcel and build a pedestrian/bike trail from Penn Avenue to Newton Avenue along the south side of Highway 62. The second was to build a pedestrian/bike trail on the west side of Richfield Parkway from 65th Street to 62nd Street and Bloomington Avenue. The proposal may include extending a bike path through the west side of Taft Park. Question was raised if this proposal relied on the redevelopment of land west of Richfield Parkway for housing. T. Foley answered that yes, the proposal would require additional land from the parcels located west of the Parkway. According to the City’s Community Development staff, a private developer has indicated an interested in pursuing a housing project soon. S. Sandahl suggested making a joint application with the City of Minneapolis for the Richfield Parkway proposal to include a bike connection to Lake Nokomis and Minneapolis’ Bike System. Motion by J. Hermann, second by B. Elliott to support both the Richfield Parkway and the Highway 62 pedestrian/bike trail proposals. The motion passed unanimously. Suburban Mayors’ Transportation Funding Presentation, “Green Light” Mayor Goettel asked that the Commission see the presentation on transportation funding prepared by the Suburban Mayors’ Association. Tom Foley gave the presentation cautioning those present to understand that the slide show was prepared prior to the State Legislature acting on transportation funding in the current Legislative Session. Updates Stop Sign Policy- Tom Foley reported that a letter has been sent to residents in neighborhoods scheduled to have stop signs installed this year according to the City’s new Stop Sign Policy. City staff has already begun to receive comments from residents on the proposal. Commissioners directed staff to put data on the City’s web site to help explain why the City adopted a new stop sign policy. Lyndale Bridge- T. Foley reported that the City will begin the condemnation process next week. The City will still try to settle all acquisitions through negotiations but will use the condemnation process to keep the project on schedule. Arterials Design Study- T. Foley reported that Howard R. Green has been hired to perform the Arterials Design Study. The study will be similar to the 75th Street/76th Street Streetscape Plan. Safe Routes To School Grant- The City received a $50,000 grant to conduct a Safe Routes To School planning study. S. Sandahl encouraged staff to inform the Council that the City received the two grants totaling $100,000. 66th Street and Portland Avenue Improvement- K. Asher reported that the utility work for the project has already begun. During construction traffic will be able to flow through the intersection on a one-lane roundabout. 76th Street Bridge-T. Foley reported that work will begin in late April on the bridge project. 35W/62 Crosstown- K. Asher distributed a map showing the schedule of ramp closures and detours. The information is subject to change. Check the project web site for the latest information. She noted that the closure of Lyndale Avenue is not shown on the map but will be closed from June to September 2008. At the same time Lyndale Avenue is closed, the City will be working on the 6300 block of Lyndale Avenue. Future Agenda Items Pat Sorensen will give a presentation prepared by John Burke, President of Trek Bicycles at next month’s meeting. Also, the Arterials Study and the Safe Routes To School Plan will be discussed at future meetings. Upcoming Meetings A presentation on “Innovation for Livability” will be made at the Radisson University Hotel at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 7th by Mia Birk of Alta Planning and Design. She will talk about bicycle streets. The City Council will hold a Work Session on April 22nd at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the possibility of a Circulator Bus for Richfield. On May 13th at 7:00 p.m. the Transportation Commission will give its annual report to the City Council. The next Transportation Commission meeting will be held on May 7th at 7:00 p.m. at the Richfield City Hall. Other Business S. Lindgren wondered if the Transportation Commission could receive a presentation on the new City Hall to review its design for transportation concerns. Adjournment Motion to adjourn by S. Lindgren, second by G. Ness, and passed. Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.