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Minutes 05-07-08Richfield Transportation Commission Wednesday, May 7, 2008 7:00 p.m. Richfield City Hall, Council Chambers DRAFT Minutes Commission members in attendance: Martin Kirsch (Chair); Peter Easterlund (Vice-Chair); Bob Shotwell; Bob Elliott; Barbara Kritzman; Maureen Scaglia; Steve Lindgren; Pat Sorensen; Jay Hermann; Sara Nutter; Gerald Charnitz; and, Gary Ness. Others in attendance: Mayor Debbie Goettel; William Svoboda; Jack Broz of Howard R. Green Company; and, City Staff: Tom Foley. M. Kirsch called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Agenda was approved in a motion moved by B. Elliott; and seconded by B. Kritzman. Motion passed unanimously. Motion to approve the minutes of April 2, 2008 meeting with one correction stating that Peter Easterlund was nominated for Vice-Chair was made by B. Kritzman, seconded by B. Elliott. Motion passed unanimously. Richfield Arterials Design Study Jack Broz of Howard R. Green Company reviewed the schedule and planning process for the Arterials Design Study. He noted that there are differences between this study and the 75th/76th Street Streetscape study that was recently completed. Commission members believed that the public involvement process needed to be presented in greater detail and the schedule should be delayed to the fall 2008 to coincide with the opening of the 76th Street Bridge and the completion of the 66th Street and Portland Avenue Roundabout. The consultant and City staff will report back at next month’s meeting on these two topics. T. Foley will check with the funding agency for the study to see if there are any problems with delaying the study. Trek Bike Presentation Patrick Sorensen of Penn Cycle gave a slide show presentation on a program initiated by John Burke, President of Trek Bicycles to promote biking in the United States. The program is known as One World, Two Wheels. The presentation included good information on the potential for biking to replace short trips currently taken by car. Penn Cycle has become a partner with Trek in this ambitious program. The bicycle industry is contributing its own funds to advance this program. Richfield Transit Service T. Foley reviewed a slide presentation given to the City Council recently on transit service in Richfield. The Council had asked that staff study the need for a circulator bus service to meet the needs of Richfield residents. The presentation reviewed the users of transit and the level of transit service currently available. Several options to explore for improving service were discussed. The needs of the frail elderly and disabled may require additional study. There was interest in sending a letter to the various housing complexes that offer transit service to explore the possibility of combining their programs to produce a higher level service at a reduced cost. Updates Lyndale Avenue Bridge- T. Foley reported that the City is still negotiating with property owners to purchase land needed for the bridge project. The City will still try to settle all acquisitions through negotiations but will only use the condemnation process to keep the project on schedule. 66th Street and Portland Avenue Improvement- T. Foley reported that the utility work for the project is continuing. A one-lane roundabout will be ready after Memorial Day to handle traffic during construction of the new roundabout. 76th Street Bridge-T. Foley reported that work will be completed by November on the bridge project. 35W/62 Crosstown- T. Foley reported that a map showing the schedule of ramp closures and detours is available on Mn/DOT’s web site. The information is subject to change. Check the project web site for the latest information. Future Agenda Items The Arterials Study, the Sidewalk Section of the Comprehensive Plan and the Safe Routes To School Plan will be discussed at future meetings. Data Practices Act Commissioners were asked to review and choose whether or not to sign a release that would allow the City to provide certain information to the public so citizens can contact Commission members to discuss public topics. The Data Practices Act procedures are temporary until the State Legislature acts on this matter. Upcoming Meetings The City Council will hear the Transportation Commission’s 2007 Annual Report on Tuesday, May 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the Council Chambers at Richfield City Hall. On Wednesday, June 18th the Planning Commission will host an Open House on the Draft Comprehensive Plan. The time has not been set but it will be in the evening. On Saturday, June 21st there will be an Open House at the new City Maintenance Garage, 1901 E. 66th Street from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The next Transportation Commission meeting will be held on June 4th at 7:00 p.m. at the Richfield City Hall. Adjournment Motion to adjourn by S. Lindgren, second by G. Ness, and passed. Meeting was adjourned at 8:51 p.m.