04-12-11special=099A CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
a Richfield, Minnesota
Special Worksession
April 12, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Goettel at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Council Members Debbie Goettel, Mayor; Fred Wroge; Sue Sandahl; Pat Elliott; and Tom
Present: Fitzhenry.
Staff Present: Steven L. Devich, City Manager; John Stark, Community Development
Director; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Jim Topitzhofer, Recreation
Services Director; Jeff Pearson, Transportation Engineer; Kristin Asher, City
Engineer; Karen Barton, Community Development Manager; and Cheryl
Krumholz, Recording Secretary.
Item # I DISCUSSION WITH WELLINGTON MANAGEMENT, INC. REGARDING
PRELIMINARY PROPOSAL FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF FORMER KMART
SITE, 66TH STREET AND LYNDALE AVENUE (COUNCIL MEMO NO. 39)
Steve Wellington, Wellington Management, Inc., discussed a Preliminary proposal for the
redevelopment of the former Kmart site at the northeast corner of 66t /Lyndale. The proposal
included three buildings — L.A. Fitness, Goodwill Easter Seal and one yet to be determined, which
City staff has expressed a desire for a restaurant.
Mr. Wellington stated that at this point, no public financing assistance is requested. He hoped
the City Council would support the preliminary proposal to proceed and determine it consistent with
the City's plan.
Goodwill representatives discussed their organization and operations.
Mayor Goettel stated she was under whelmed with the Goodwill proposal and suggested that
the building be considered in another area, including the Cornerstone project at the Lyndale Garden
Center site.
Council Member Wroge expressed support for the proposal, including Goodwill.
Mr. Wellington discussed the factors related to restaurant identity, including impacts of
location, signage and parking.
Community Development Manager Barton stated the value of the site significantly increases
with the Wellington project.
Special Worksession Minutes -2- April 12, 2011
Council Member Fitzhenry expressed concern regarding the nearness of the railroad tracks to
the fitness center.
Council Member Sandahl expressed support for the proposal. She also encouraged
significant landscaping and easy access.
Mayor Goettel encouraged Mr. Wellington to talk with Cornerstone Group regarding the
Lyndale Garden Center site redevelopment.
Mr. Wellington stated the proposal is a single level development.
Community Development Director Stark explained the process if the City Council desired to
proceed.
Mr. Wellington concluded that enhanced amenities may result in considering financial
assistance from the City.
Council Member Elliott expressed his enthusiasm for the project as a good fit for the site with
the best solution in a cost effective manner.
Item # 2 DISCUSSION WITH THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT REGARDING
INTERCITY REGIONAL TRAIL (COUNCIL MEMO NO. 40)
Kelly Grissman, Senior Manager of Planning, discussed the details of the Three Rivers Park
District Intercity Regional Trail, proposed alignment and public involvement process.
Item # 3 DISCUSSION REGARDING PROPOSED MN /DOT PROJECTS RELATED TO 1-
494 (COUNCIL MEMO NO. 40)
Transportation Engineer Pearson presented a synopsis of three projects that Mn /DOT is
proposing for November 2012 letting. The projects are as follows:
• Bituminous mill and overlay of 1 -494 from approximately France Avenue to 34th Avenue
• Construction of an auxiliary lane on westbound 1 -494 starting at 1 -35W and ending with tie into
the existing auxiliary lane at France Avenue
• The replacement of the existing Xerxes Avenue Bridge over 1 -494
Several key issues involved with these projects and how they impact past and future
projects along the corridor were discussed.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 6:52 p.m.
Date Approved: April 26, 2011
Recording Secretary ~--i� City Manager