Loading...
Minutes 08-05-09RICHFIELD TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 5, 2009 7:00 p.m. | Richfield City Hall | Council Chambers Commission members in attendance: Martin Kirsch (Chair); Sara Nutter; Gail Lund; Pat Sorensen; Bob Shotwell; Steve Lindgren; Barb Kritzman; Peter Easterlund; Gerald Charnitz; Maureen Scaglia; and Council Member Sue Sandahl. Others in attendance: John Levin of Metro Transit City Staff: Jeff Pearson and Kristin Asher Osberg. Excused absence: Gary Ness CALL TO ORDER M. Kirsch called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Request to add the item Discussion of Arterials Study Three-Lane Selection under Updates item. Motion to approve the agenda as amended by Lindgren, s/Lund. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES Motion by Lindgren to approve June 3, 2009 meeting minutes, s/Shotwell. Motion carried. INTRODUCTION OF NEW TRANSPORTATION ENGINEER Asher introduced Jeff Pearson as the new Transportation Engineer. J. Pearson takes over the role previously held by Tom Foley. I-35W BUS RAPID TRANSIT UPDATE John Levin of Metro Transit updated the commission on the current and future BRT plans for the 35W Corridor. Levin also provided an update on the local and express bus routes within Richfield and proposed changes to Route 14, currently serving Cedar Point Commons, due to low ridership. UPDATES RICHFIELD PARKWAY DESIGN STUDY UPDATE Asher reported that at the City Council Worksession Cedar Avenue was identified as a possible route for the future Richfield Parkway and so the design study will be expanded to include that as an alternative. CONFLICT OF INTEREST Asher directed the commission to the staff memorandum and League of Minnesota Cities Informational Memo regarding Official Conflict of Interest. There was discussion of developing a Commission specific policy in the future. CEDAR POINT WEST NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CONTROL Asher summarized the traffic issues and complaint history of the neighborhood and reported that with approval from the City Council, concrete barriers will be placed on 64th and 65th Streets at Richfield Parkway. Placement will occur in mid-August. LYNDALE BRIDGE OVER I-494 PROJECT Asher reported that Lunda Construction is on schedule with the bridge project and that concrete work on the bridge deck should be starting soon. METRO SEWER PROJECT Asher reported that a letter was delivered to residents with concrete driveways along the Three Rivers Park Regional Trail route to clarify that the path is intended to be continuous asphalt so they will have a asphalt path crossing their driveway. PORTLAND AVE/66TH STREET ROUNDABOUT SIGNAGE/STRIPING REVISIONS Asher reported that based on meetings with the roundabout consultant, signage and striping at and approaching the roundabout will be revised. This action is meant to reduce confusion and diminish the minor accidents currently being reported. Coordination with Hennepin County needs to occur before the changes will be made. NON-MOTORIZED GRANT PROJECTS Pearson reported that a Request For Proposal (RFP) for the Hwy 62/I-35W Path and the Richfield Parkway Phase II Path has been submitted to MN/DOT for approval. The grants were secured by T. Foley and are required to be used for projects constructed by the end of 2010. DISCUSSION OF ARTERIAL STUDY THREE-LANE SELECTION Lund expressed concern that the three-lane section of 50th Street in Edina doesn’t function well and she is worried about Portland Avenue performing poorly as well. The Commission discussed differences between the Edina section and the proposed Portland Avenue section. UPCOMING EVENTS / MEETINGS PENN FEST Kirsch briefed the commission on the Penn Fest event and asked for volunteers to work the transportation information booth. FUTURE COMMISSION MEETINGS Asher suggested that the September meeting be cancelled. It was suggested that the commission members contact Asher or Pearson with desired topics for future meetings. ADJOURNMENT M/Kritzman to adjourn the meeting, s/Shotwell. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 8:23 P.M. THE NEXT TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 7, 2009 AT 7:00 P.M. AT THE RICHFIELD CITY HALL.