2019-06-05 TC Minutes
Richfield Transportation Commission Attachment #1
June 5th, 2019 - Meeting Minutes
7:00 p.m. | Richfield Municipal Center – Bartholomew Room
Commission members: Wes Dunser (chair), Ted Weidenbach, Ken Severson, Gerry Charnitz,
Jack Wold, Dan Edgerton, Husniyah Bradley, Jeffrey Walz, Paul Chillman,
Commission members not in attendance: Marco Lanz, Francine Legba
Liaisons: Mary Supple, Sean Hayford Oleary
Liaisons not in attendance: Sarah Musgrave, Art Felgate
City Staff Liaison: Jack Broz
Other City Staff: Logan Vlasaty
I. Call meeting to Order
Commissioner Dunser called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm.
II. Approval of Agenda
Motion by Commissioner Severson to approve the agenda, s/Bradley. Motion carried.
III. Review & Approve minutes for May 1, 2019 meeting
Motion made by Commissioner Walz to approve the May 1, 2019 meeting minutes,
s/Chillman. Motion carried.
IV. Public Engagement Process
Broz presented on the history of the engineering process in designing roadways and other
public infrastructure like roundabouts. Broz described balancing the City’s guiding
principles and technical analysis with engineering judgment and public engagement. Broz
also gave an overview of the City of Richfield’s public engagement process and how it
relates to the City’s unique transportation commission.
V. 65th St
Broz reviewed input from the first two 65th Street – Phase 1 - open houses and what tools
and resources were available to address the input thus far.
Vlasaty informed the commission of the recent discussions with the railroad which
included the desire to reduce lanes and add full access to Pillsbury to reduce eastbound
65th left turns to northbound Pleasant Ave. east of the tracks.
Broz gave an overview of the layout that is being brought to open house #3 on June 6.
The layout includes 2 and 3 lane sections as well as full access at Pillsbury with the option
for a roundabout at Nicollet Ave and 65th St.
VI. I-494 Discussion
Broz gave an overview of MnDOT’s work session with the City Council on 5/28 which
included discussion of lane configuration options, stormwater issues, the business impact
study (not complete yet), access reconfiguration/elimination, and the importance of
completing the 77 underpass project prior to 494.
VII. Updates
Bike to work day was a success and very well attended. Bike advocates are happy with the
66th St. cycle track. The Planning Commission recommended for approval the queen and
66th apartments and the 1st/Stevens and 66th St mixed-use project.
Liaison Supple informed the commission of the Council’s look at the City’s budgeting and
bonding capacity and what it is spent on going forward.
Vlasaty updated the Commission on 66th St. project which is undergoing final paving and
landscaping and the project will potentially have grand reopening later this summer.
Vlasaty also gave an update on the Lyndale Project, noting that underground utilities are
largely installed from 76th to 72nd and project progress is on pace and it is going
smoothly.
VIII. Work Plan Review/Next Steps
▪ Penn Avenue Study-Crosstown to 68th St
▪ Safe Routes to School Grant
IX. Upcoming events/meetings(s)
Staff and commission didn’t feel there was enough substance to justify a meeting for the
month of July so the next meeting will be August 7, 2019.
Motion by Commissioner Chillman to cancel July meeting, s/Severson. Motion carried.
X. Adjournment
Motion made by Commissioner Wold to adjourn meeting, s/Walz. Motion carried.
Adjourned at 9:02 pm.