Loading...
2022-04-06 TC Minutes Richfield Transportation Commission Attachment #1 April 6th, 2022 - Meeting Minutes 7:00 p.m. | Bartholomew Room, City Hall Commission members: Husniyah Bradley (Chair), David Gepner, Jim Mahoney, Jeffrey Walz, Louis Dzierzak, Mollie O’Howard, Kyle Schmidt, Dan Edgerton Commission members not in attendance: Wes Dunser Liaisons: Councilmember Sean Hayford Oleary, Jan Matheus, Cole Hooey, Michael Devane City Staff Liaison/Staff: Ben Manibog, Joe Powers, Olivia Wycklendt I. Call meeting to order Chair Bradley called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. II. Approval of Agenda Motion by Commissioner Walz to approve the agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Dzierzak. Motion carried. III. Review & Approve Minutes for February 2nd, 2022 Meeting Motion by Commissioner Schmidt to approve the February 2nd, 2022 meeting minutes. Seconded by Commissioner O’Howard. Motion carried. IV. Metropolitan Council Regional Solicitation Applications Transportation Engineer Ben Manibog presented three regional solicitation applications to the commission. These applications are for Metropolitan Council’s Regional Solicitation, where every two years the Met. Council receives federal funds and grants it to county, tribal and local communities in the Twin Cities region for their transportation projects. Richfield was seeking the Commission’s recommendation for submittal of the following three applications to City Council:  73rd St (Centennial Elementary School)  This project would improve the connection to the regional trail and Bloomington Avenue by adding a trail on the North side of 73rd St from Bloomington Avenue to Cedar Avenue, in addition to crossing improvements at 16th avenue, and pedestrian improvements on the south side of 73rd St.  Motion by Commissioner Schmidt to vote to submit the application for 73rd St (Centennial Elementary School) to City Council. Seconded by Commissioner O’Howard. Unanimous vote, motion passes.  73rd St (Trail and Bridge)  This project would construct a new off-street trail from Humboldt Avenue on the West side of I-35W along 73rd St, all the way to Lyndale Avenue. Additionally, the pedestrian bridge which spans I-35W at 73rd St would be rehabilitated with the addition of new ADA compliant.  Motion by Commissioner Dzierzak to vote to submit the application for 73rd St (Trail and Bridge) to City Council. Seconded by Commissioner Edgerton. Unanimous vote, motion passes.  W 76th St Modernization  This project would convert 76th St from a 4-lane to 3-lane road between Xerxes Avenue and Sheridan Avenue, and include the burial of existing overhead utilities. This project would also help prepare for a future bike route on Dupont Avenue.  Motion by Commissioner Edgerton to vote to submit the application for W 76th St Modernization to City Council. Seconded by Commissioner Schmidt. Unanimous vote, motion passes. V. Safe Routes to School Manibog shared that the City has been working on the Safe Routes to School program through MnDOT’s demonstration tech assistance, which involves MnDOT-led engagement and designs for short-term solutions. Additionally, this tech assistance helps gather data for long-term solutions. Two applications had been submitted, with one already approved for the area surrounding the Richfield Dual Language School and STEM Elementary. This application will provide bollard protected pedestrian safety enhancements surrounding the two schools properties. The second application was for the 73rd St (Centennial Elementary School), with results on that application status coming soon. VI. Project Updates • 77th St/Lyndale Signal. Manibog updated that the City is still in the preliminary design stage to replace the traffic signals at the 77th St and Lyndale Ave intersection later this year. The consultant is working with the City to determine which changes are necessary at this intersection. • 77th St Underpass. Civil Engineer Olivia Wycklendt briefly updated the Commission on the project, stating that a majority of the work occurring on the site involves grading for Washington Park and the abutments, stems, and eventually the decks for the two easternmost bridges that will cross over the underpass. The City expects the completion of Washington Park to remain on schedule for a complete date of August 1st. • 65th St Reconstruction. Wycklendt stated that the project was currently out to bid, and that the contract had not yet been awarded. She mentioned that the phasing plan for the project would be subject to change depending on any delay of supplies for the project. The delays are not expected to change the project completion time of Fall 2023. • Trunk Highway 77 Resurfacing. Manibog reminded the Commission that MnDOT will be resurfacing TH 77 along the entire length of Richfield. The City is anticipating some ramp closures at 66th St and Diagonal Blvd for both on and off ramps for TH 77. • I-494: Airport to 169 Update. Manibog stated that MnDOT and the City have been doing some public outreach regarding public art that are a part of the future project. Additionally, the environmental site assessment for the project is currently being conducted and will be reviewed by the City in early-May, followed by an Open House shortly thereafter. • Hennepin County Regional Solicitation Manibog shared that Hennepin County applied to Metropolitan Council’s Regional Solicitation as well, specifically for the reconstruction of Penn Ave from 62nd to 75th St. • Other Commissions/Bike Advocates. Councilmember Hayford Oleary said that Council is working on their strategic planning. Liaison Jan Matheus shared that they’re working on Safe Routes to School, in addition to work with the Parks Department to get “Bike Parks” installed in Richfield. VII. Upcoming events/meeting(s) The next regularly scheduled Transportation Commission meeting is scheduled for May 4th, 2022. VIII. Adjournment Commissioner Bradley adjourned the meeting at 8:37 pm.