09-12-2023 WS City Council Agenda W O R K S E S S IO N
R IC H F IE L D MU N IC IPAL C E N TE R, B AR TH O LO ME W R O O M
S E P TEMB E R 12, 2023
5:45 P M
C all to order
1.D iscuss progress made by P ublic Works in updating Richfield's A D A Transition P lan for the public right-of-way
and discuss next steps.
2.S taff will review the successes and challenges of the S now E mergency P arking P ilot P rogram and make
recommendations regarding the future of the program.
A djournment
Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. Requests must be made at least 96
hours in advance to the City Clerk at 612-861-9739.
AGENDA SECTION:Work Session Items
AGENDA ITEM #1.
WORK S E S S ION STAFF RE P ORT NO. 31
WORK SESSION
9/12/2023
RE P O RT P RE PA RE D B Y: Matt Hardegger, Transportation E ngineer
D E PA RTME NT D IRE C TO R RE V IE W: K ristin A sher, P ublic Works D irector
9/5/2023
O THE R D E PA RTM E NT RE V IE W:
C ITY MA NA G E R RE V IE W: K atie Rodriguez, C ity Manager
9/6/2023
I T E M F O R WO RK S E S S IO N:
Discuss progress made by Public W orks in updating Richfield's AD A Transition Plan for the public
right-of-way and discuss next steps.
E X E C UT IV E S UM M ARY:
Public W orks performed a self-evaluation of A D A facilities in the public right-of-way in the summer of 2023,
with the intent of updating the A D A Transition Plan from 2014.
D IRE C T I O N NE E D E D:
Input on project prioritization criteria, next steps, and future update schedule to the AD A Transition
Plan.
B AC K G RO UND INF O RM AT I O N:
A.H IS TOR IC AL C ON T E X T
Richfield's current A D A Transition Plan was adopted in 2014. The document is intended to be updated
regularly with a new self-evaluation performed on the compliance of Richfield's A D A facilities in the
public right-of-way. Due to potential new FHW A rules regarding receipt of federal funding, Public W orks
has performed a new self-evaluation in the summer of 2023, and is currently updating the body of the
document.
B.P OL IC IE S (resolutions, ordinances, regulations, statutes, etc):
An A D A Transition Plan is required by Title I I of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Strategic Outcome Considerations: Updating Richfield's A D A Transition Plan will ensure "C ity
infrastructure supports service needs" and external federal funding sources can continue to be
accessed to ensure "sustainable infrastructure financing".
C.C R IT IC AL T IMIN G IS S U E S:
Staff is actively working on updating the A D A Transition Plan so a review of the current progress with
City Council is appropriate at this time.
D.F IN AN C IAL IMPAC T:
Facilities identified as non-compliant will need to be modified or replaced at the City's expense. An
implementation plan will be included in the plan document.
E.L E GAL C ON S ID E R AT ION:
None
ALTE R N AT IV E(S):
None
P R IN C IPAL PAR TIE S E X P E C TE D AT ME E TIN G:
None
AGENDA SECTION:Work Session Items
AGENDA ITEM #2.
STAFF RE P ORT NO. 32
WORK SESSION
9/12/2023
RE P O RT P RE PA RE D B Y: C hris L ink, D eputy P ublic Works D irector
D E PA RTME NT D IRE C TO R RE V IE W: K ristin A sher, P ublic Works D irector
9/5/2023
O THE R D E PA RTM E NT RE V IE W:
C ITY MA NA G E R RE V IE W: K atie Rodriguez, C ity Manager
9/6/2023
I T E M F O R WO RK S E S S IO N:
Staff will review the successes and challenges of the Snow Emergency Parking Pilot Program and
make recommendations regarding the future of the program.
E X E C UT IV E S UM M ARY:
City Staff has evaluated findings of the Snow Emergency Parking Pilot Program through the last two snow
seasons. The current Snow Emergency Parking Pilot Program is attached to this report for reference. The
Program included:
Snow emergency in effect after 4" of snow rather than 2"; and
I ntroduction of snow emergency parking refuge areas.
Staff will be making a recommendation regarding the future of the program and is seeking City Council's
feedback and guidance. Staff is recommending:
Maintaining the existing snow emergency threshold at 4"; and
Eliminating the snow emergency parking refuge areas.
D IRE C T I O N NE E D E D:
Staff will be seeking City Council direction on whether to continue the program as-is, modify the
program, or discontinue the program.
B AC K G RO UND INF O RM AT I O N:
A.H IS TOR IC AL C ON T E X T
The Snow Emergency Parking Pilot Program was discussed at the August 10, 2021 City Council
W ork Session and staff was given direction to implement the program for the 2021/2022 snow
season.
The program was extended through the 2022/2023 snow season due to a lack of data/snow
emergencies in the 2021/2022 snow season.
B.P OL IC IE S (resolutions, ordinances, regulations, statutes, etc):
Ordinance:
Any changes to the current snow emergency threshold (4") would requiring amending the current
ordinance.
Strategic Outcome Consideration: The Snow Emergency Parking Pilot Program was created in-part
in an effort to "reduce racial inequities and barriers for traditionally excluded groups".
C.C R IT IC AL T IMIN G IS S U E S:
Direction given at this meeting will allow staff to notify the public of any changes before the upcoming
snow season.
D.F IN AN C IAL IMPAC T:
None
E.L E GAL C ON S ID E R AT ION:
None
ALTE R N AT IV E(S):
Open for discussion.
P R IN C IPAL PAR TIE S E X P E C TE D AT ME E TIN G:
J ay Henthorne, Public Safety Director Mike Dobesh, Fire Chief Brittany Bartlett, Equity Coordinator
AT TAC H ME N T S:
D escription Type
S now E mergency P arking P ilot P rogram B ackup Material
November 2022
Snow Emergency Parking Pilot Program
CITY OF RICHFIELD
DATE: November 14, 2022
SUBJECT: Snow Emergency Parking Pilot Program
Introduction
The department has come to understand that its existing snow emergency policies may
cause hardship for residents who do not have access to off-street parking. The purpose of
this pilot program is to limit/reduce ticketing and towing of vechicles which burden
residents that do not have access to off -street parking; and test and understand the
usefulness of temporary 24-hour designated snow emergency parking areas in Richfield.
With the implementation of this pilot program, the department strives to provide temporary
parking options for those residents who do not have adequate off-street parking while
also ensuring that our snow removal efforts continue to best serve Richfield as a whole.
Definitions
“Snow emergency” means that period of time in which on-street parking is restricted
following a snowfall of four (4) inches or more and/or upon the declaration of a snow
emergency by the City Manager as detailed in section 1305.13 of the Richfield Municpal
Code (Attachment #1).
“Snow emergency parking area” means those areas which are exempt from standard
snow emergency parking restrictions for 24 hours following the declaration of a snow
emergency. Snow emergency parking areas are designated by the City Manager or
designee.
“Snow emergency parking area sign” means specially designed and installed signs that
indicate a street is within a snow emergency parking area and is exempt from the
standard snow emergency parking restrictions for 24 hours. An example of a snow
emergency parking sign is attached to this pilot program (Attachment #2).
Pilot Program
For the 2022-2023 winter season, the City of Richfield eill continue use of designated
snow emergency parking areas. Residents can utilize these snow emergency parking
areas for 24 hours following the declaration of a snow emergency. Snow emergency
parking area signs will mark those areas where parking is allowed.
Snow emergency parking areas will be available for a total of 24 hours after a snow
emergency is declared. The City of Richfield’s website will indicate the specific time at
which a snow emergency was declared, or residents can call the Richfield Snow
Information Hotline at 612-861-9178. After the 24 hour snow emergency parking area
period has expired, the city will begin clearing snow in these areas and any cars that
remain are subject to a ticket and tow, per normal procedure. For these parking areas to
November 2022
work correctly, it is important that residents promptly retrieve their vehicles after their
street or parking lot has been cleared.
Snow Emergency Parking Areas
For the 2022-2023 winter season, the City Manager has designated the following
stretches of roadway as snow emergency parking areas:
• Cedar Avenue—East side, from 66th Street to Diagonal Boulevard;
• Cedar Avenue—Both sides, from 67th Street to 75th Street; and
• 78th Street—North side, from 12th Avenue to Portland Avenue.
These snow emergency parking areas are clearly marked with a snow emergency
parking area sign. A map of these snow emergency parking areas is attached to this pilot
program (Attachment #3).
Resident Notification
The City has worked diligently to raise awareness of this pilot program. All Richfield
commercial and residential addresses were mailed a letter in October 2021 and
November 2022 notifying them of the changes to Richfield’s snow emergency policy and
the snow emergency parking pilot program. Addresses in high-density multifamily
buildings near the designated snow emergency parking areas were mailed an additional
postcard regarding the changes too. At the same time, the City of Richfield’s webpages
regarding snow removal operations was revamped to include information about the new
initiative. The Richfield/Bloomington Sun Current ran a front page story on the snow
emergency parking pilot program in October 2021 as well. A notice about the program ran
in the Q4 RAMA Reporter which is a quarterly e-newsletter sent to rental property
managers and owners in Richfield by the Community Development Department.
Pilot Program Feedback and Review
Throughout the pilot program, the city is interested in receiving feedback from residents.
Interested residents who have questions, comments or concerns about the program
should contact Deputy Public Works Director Chris Link by calling 612-861-9174 or
emailing clink@richfieldmn.gov.
The City will review, update or modify this pilot program as needed and at a minimum
annually.
Created: 2021-08-19 11:05:23 [EST]
(Supp. No. 30)
Page 1 of 1
1305.13. Snow removal.
Subdivision 1.Snow emergency parking restrictions. After a snowfall of two (2) inches or more and/or upon
the declaration of a snow emergency by the City manager or a designee, no person shall stop, stand, park or leave
any vehicle or permit it to stand upon any street or highway. Lawful parking may be resumed on such streets or
highways only after the snow has been removed or plowed curb to curb. (Amended, Bill No. 1996-20)
Subd. 2.Emergencies: further restrictions. If the City manager finds it necessary for purposes of the safety
and welfare of the City or to facilitate any construction, maintenance, or repair of a street or highway in the City
the manager may initiate and enforce necessary emergency procedures to further restrict parking of vehicles on
streets or highways in the City.
Subd. 3.Vehicle removal. The removal and disposal of vehicles under this subsection shall be in accordance
with this code.
Attachment #1
Attachment #2
Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS,FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan,METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GISUser Community
78th St - North Side Of The RoadFrom Portland Ave To 12th Ave.
Ceder Ave - West Side Of The RoadFrom 67th St To 75th St.Cedar Ave - East Side Of The RoadFrom 66th St To Diagonal Blvd. Snow Emergency Parking Allowed Snow Emergency Parking Allowed
Snow Emergency Parking Allowed
SNOW EMERGENCY PARKING
±
Attachment #3
6 7 0 0 P O R T L A N D A V E N U E , R I C H F I E L D , MI N N E S O T A 5 5 4 2 3 6 1 2 . 8 6 1 . 9 7 0 0 FA X: 6 1 2 . 8 6 1 . 9 7 1 5
w w w . r i c h f i e l d m n . g o v A N E Q U A L O P P O R T U N IT Y E MP L O Y E R
MAYOR
MARIA REGAN GONZALEZ
CITY COUNCIL
SEAN HAYFORD OLEARY
MARY SUPPLE
SIMON TRAUTMANN
BEN WHALEN
CITY MANAGER
KATIE RODRIGUEZ
November 16, 2022
Richfield resident,
The Public Works Department is proud to offer one of the best snow removal operations in the Twin Cities. If it is
snowing, we are out there making sure the roads and sidewalks are clear and safe to travel on, as quickly as
possible. We intend for that to remain the case for the upcoming winter weather season, and beyond.
At the same time, we are concerned that some of the city’s snow emergency practices, which have been in place
for decades, may not be serving all of our residents equitably or in the same way. We want everyone to have
access to the same services, so we will be continuing the snow emergency pilot program for the 2022-2023
winter weather season.
In September 2021, the city council approved a change to the ordinance, increasing the snow emergency
threshold from two to four inches. The pilot program aims to make snow emergencies less burdensome for
residents that utilize on-street parking. Data will again be collected throughout the pilot program, which will
continue through the 2022-2023 winter season, and the findings will be presented to the council to determine if
the snow emergency threshold should be changed permanently. The ordinance change and pilot program went
into effect on October 28, 2021.
As part of this program, the city created parking refuge areas that will be designated for parking during snow
emergencies. A total of 392 parking spaces are available for 24 hours following a declared snow emergency.
These spaces are designated with signage along Cedar Avenue and 78th Street East. A map of these areas is
included with this letter.
The city council and staff will be seeking feedback regarding the pilot program as winter progresses. Residents
are encouraged to contact their council member or Deputy Public Works Director Chris Link by calling
612-861-9174 or emailing clink@richfieldmn.gov.
For more information about the snow emergency pilot program, visit: www.richfieldmn.gov/WinterParking
Sincerely,
Chris Link
Operations Superintendent
Public Works Department
Attachment #4