Loading...
Minutes 11-05-08RICHFIELD TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 5, 2008 7:00 p.m. | Richfield City Hall | Council Chambers Commission members in attendance: Martin Kirsch (Chair); Peter Easterlund (Vice-Chair); Bob Elliott; Bob Shotwell; Barb Kritzman; Gary Ness; Steve Lindgren; Gerald Charnitz; Pat Sorensen; Sara Nutter; Jay Hermann; Council Member Sue Sandahl; and, Maureen Scaglia. Others in attendance: Mayor Debbie Goettel; Robert Hall, 7309 Oliver Ave.; and, Jack Broz, Howard R. Green Company. City Staff: Tom Foley. Excused absences: None. CALL TO ORDER M. Kirsch called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Agenda was approved in a motion moved by B. Elliott; and seconded by S. Lindgren. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES Motion to approve October 1, 2008 meeting minutes was made by G. Ness, seconded by B. Elliott. Motion carried. OLIVER AVENUE AND 74TH STREET Bob Hall, 7309 Oliver Avenue. spoke to the Commission about a concern with traffic safety at the intersection of 74th Street and Oliver Avenue. Cars park on both sides of the Oliver Avenue during special events, i.e. sports games and other activities held at Richfield Middle School fields and Donaldson Park. Mr. Hall said that cars park too close to the stop signs. They also block the entrance to the ball fields which is dangerous if emergency vehicles need to have access. He was nearly involved in a collision because the other car couldn’t see the stop sign. He wanted No Parking signs 30 feet from the stop signs. Enforcement was discussed as a possible solution. Signage should also be provided by the School or Parks Department indicating where parking is available. The Commission realized several organizations needed to review the situation on Oliver Avenue. Mr. Hall submitted his request in writing. Mr. Hall also mentioned parking on dead end streets by Donaldson Park causes problems for residents. Directive: Refer Mr. Hall’s request to the Richfield Traffic Control Committee. Staff will report back on what action is taken. LYNDALE AVENUE BRIDGE T. Foley reported on the publication of a brochure to share with businesses and residents about detours needed during three stages of construction of the Lyndale Avenue Bridge. The brochure is posted on the City’s web site. Since the last Commission meeting, City staff and the staff of WSB, the design consultant for the bridge, met with businesses affected by bridge construction. T. Foley informed the Commission that Lunda Construction, the bridge contractor, has a good reputation and has made considerable progress already on the project. Lunda plans to have all the retaining walls done on the southeast side of the bridge this fall. This area starts by the railroad bridge and ends at Lyndale Avenue along the south side of I-494. This is more work accomplished this fall than the designers had anticipated. 76TH STREET BRIDGE AND METRO SEWER PROJECT T. Foley informed the Commission that the 76th Street Bridge should reopen on November 8th. The designers of the 76th St. Metro Sewer Project have determined that the schedule for the Sewer Project will be to work north and east of 76th Street at 11th Avenue to Cedar Avenue in 2009. Also, in 2009 the work west of 35W to Xerxes Avenue would be done. In 2010 the Sewer Project on 76th Street from 12th Avenue to 35W would be done. He also reported back to the Commission about the effect of the Metro Sewer construction on 76th Street east of 35W. The designers informed him that the sewer line would need to trench across 76th Street. Based on the Commission’s concern for traffic disruption, the designers will insert special provisions into the construction contract to limit traffic disruption to possibly one-lane of traffic in each direction to be left open during construction or to perform the work over a weekend when the road could be shut down. This was offered in response to the Commission’s insistence. 35W URBAN PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT T. Foley described an improvement on the northbound lanes of 35W at 494. In 2009 Mn/DOT proposes to add a barrier between the ramps to and from the clover leaf ramps and the northbound through lanes. This will improve safety and increase capacity on the mainlines. 70TH STREET AND 12TH AVENUE TRAFFIC SIGNAL S. Lindgren wondered how the possible replacement of the signal at 70th Street and 12th Avenue was to be presented. T. Foley said that he would speak to Richfield Schools officials about it as part of the Safe Routes To School. City staff will propose replacing it with four-way stop signs. METRO COUNCIL TRANSIT STUDY T. Foley informed the Commission of a study by the Metro Council using Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Program funds to study ways to improve connections between walking and biking to transit. The Metro Council selected three locations to study: 66th Street in Richfield; Bass Lake Road in Brooklyn Center; and, West 7th Street in Saint Paul. The list of improvements will be submitted to the affected cities and an application for Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Program funds can be submitted by the cities. SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL UPDATE SRF Consulting Group completed their survey of each school. The consultant prepared a list of possible improvements to meet a November 15, 2008 deadline for grant applications for construction projects. City staff didn’t have sufficient time to submit the proposed improvements to school officials nor was their time to submit the proposal to the City Council for its approval. It is possible that Congressman Oberstar will have the Safe Routes To School Program reauthorized next year so Richfield could apply for construction funds in 2009. Council Member Sandahl asked that the Commission review the proposed improvements. Directive:Submit the list of possible safety improvements for Commission review. 6200 AND 6300 LYNDALE UPDATE T. Foley reported that 6300 Lyndale Ave. Project is nearing completion, while the 6200 block of Lyndale and the area under the new Lyndale Avenue Bridge are taking longer to complete. The 6200 block of Lyndale is part of the 35W/62 Crosstown Project. 66TH STREET AND PORTLAND AVENUE UPDATE T. Foley reported that the roundabout should be opened for traffic by mid-November, but there will still be some things to finish next year. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Topics for upcoming meetings include the Safe Routes To School Study and the Richfield Arterials Study. OTHER BUSINESS T. Foley shared with the Commission an article written by Mike Eastling, Richfield Public Works Director, about creating a Transportation Commission. The article appeared in a Minnesota Public Works Association publication. ADJOURNMENT B. Elliott motioned to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by B. Kritzman. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 8:28 PM. THE NEXT TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING WILL BE HELD ON DECEMBER 3RD AT 7:00 P.M. AT THE RICHFIELD CITY HALL.