DRAFT Minutes 12-02-09RICHFIELD TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
DRAFT MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 2, 2009
7:00 p.m. | Richfield City Hall | Council Chambers
Commission members in attendance: Martin Kirsch (Chair); Sara Nutter; Gail Lund; Barb Kritzman; Bob Shotwell; Steve Lindgren; Peter Easterlund; Gary Ness; Gerald Charnitz; Maureen Scaglia;
and Council Member Sue Sandahl.
Others in attendance: David Gepner
City Staff: Jeff Pearson and Kristin Asher Osberg.
Excused absence: Pat Sorensen
CALL TO ORDER
M. Kirsch called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion to approve the agenda by Easterlund, s/Kritzman. Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
Motion by Easterlund to approve November 4, 2009 meeting minutes, s/Lund. Motion carried.
YEAR-END REPORTS
The commission reviewed the year-end documents. On the 2008-9 Topics Summary a motion was made by Lindgren to reword the Lyndale Avenue Bridge item to read “Monitored the early completion
of the new bridge” and “Enjoyed the ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 30, 2009” s/Kritzman, motion carried.
73RD ST. & NICOLLET AVE. TRAFFIC SIGNAL REQUEST
The commission received the documentation requested at the November meeting and continued discussion on the topic. Discussion revolved around the role that the commission should play
in this and other traffic control request issues. Items such as jurisdiction, funding, future arterial plans, and whether this was an ADA or traffic problem were all discussed. It
was decided that the commission will address a letter to City Manager Devich that presents the thoughts and position of the commission on this issue.
ACTION ITEMS
CONSIDERATION OF A BICYCLE MASTER PLAN TASK FORCE
Pearson presented the idea for a Bike Master Plan that could be used to address key issues previously identified in the Richfield Comprehensive Plan. Discussion centered on the best
form for the Task Force to take and the role of the Commission. It was also noted that the community wants more bicycle options. Motion was made by Kritzman to set up a Task Force
with representation from both the Transportation Commission and the Community Services Commission and to solicit outside representation from the community in order to gather well-rounded
input. s/Nutter. It was asked who would lead the effort. It was determined that staff would initiate the application process but that once selected and assembled by the commission,
the task force would determine leadership internally. Motion carried.
OLD CEDAR AVENUE BRIDGE LETTER
Mr. Gepner spoke about the Old Cedar Avenue Bridge and efforts to restore or rebuild it in the future. He withdrew his request for the commission to support and sign the letter that
was earlier presented.
UPDATES
73RD STREET AND PORTLAND AVENUE BUS SHELTER SITE LINE ISSUE
Pearson summarized the issue of obstructed site lines due in part to the large bus shelter on the southeast corner of 73rd Street and Portland Avenue. There have been many complaints
and safety concerns since the frosted glass was installed by Metro Transit. Metro Transit has agreed to replace the shelter with a narrower profile version when one becomes available.
There may be outside funding sources available to speed up this process.
CONSULTANT SELECTION FOR NTPP GRANT PROJECTS
Pearson recapped the grants RFP process and noted that the city received six proposals from consultants. H.R. Green was selected and staff is currently working to adjust the scope of
the consultant work to fit within the available budget.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
TRAFFIC CALMING STRATEGIES PRESENTATION
Pearson will be putting together a presentation on the variety of traffic calming methods that are typically used in problem areas and the positives and negatives of these methods.
ARTERIALS PARKING POLICY
Pearson noted that this policy was being developed by Tom Foley and was never finalized. Staff will update the policy based on County input for the commission to review and discuss.
ADJOURNMENT
M/Kritzman to adjourn the meeting, s/Easterlund. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 8:58 P.M.
THE NEXT TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 6, 2010 AT 7:00 P.M. AT THE RICHFIELD CITY HALL.