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09-24-2024 Work SessionCITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Richfield, Minnesota City Council Work Session September 24, 2024 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Supple called the work session to order at 5:30 p.m. in the Bartholomew Room. Council Members Present: Mary Supple, Mayor; Sharon Christensen; Sean Hayford Oleary; Ben Whalen; Simon Trautmann arrived at 6:05 p.m. Staff Present: Planning Commissioners: Guests: City Manager Katie Rodriguez, Public Works Director Kristin Asher, City Engineer Joe Powers, City Transportation Engineer Matt Hardegger, City Project Engineer Olivia Wycklendt, Public Works Senior Analyst Scott Kulzer, Community Development Director Melissa Poehlman, and City Clerk Michelle Friedrich. Brett Stursa, Cole Hooey, Brendan Kennealy, Stephanie Kowalkowski, Ben Surma, and Matt Taraldsen. David Gebers, Market Plaza Owner; Stephanie Meyer, Local Starbucks Representative. ITEM #1 STAFF WILL PROVIDE AN UPDATE TO COUNCIL ON THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN PROCESS FOR HENNEPIN COUNTY’S NICOLLET AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT—INCLUDING THE PREFERRED CONCEPT RECOMMENDED BY THE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION AND BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS—IN ADVANCE OF COUNCIL CONSIDERATIONS OF THE CONCEPT City Manager Rodriguez provided a summary on the agenda and turned the first item over to Engineer Hardegger. Engineer Hardegger provided a brief overview of the Nicollet Avenue project. He discussed the different engagement phases that they went through in the process. He described the planned design features. The road will have one-way separate bike paths and compact roundabouts. Another feature he highlighted is the raised pedestrian crosswalks. Council Member Christensen asked how the medians will affect driveway access on Nicollet Avenue. Engineer Hardegger noted that the engineers are doing their best to minimize the effects on those homes and the medians will affect nine total driveways. He also noted that emergency services do not see any problems with the design plans. He provided a summary of the budget considerations and listed the City-only costs as well as the costs split between the County and City. He noted that in this case, roundabouts are cheaper than signal installation. City Council Work Session Minutes -2- September 24, 2024 Mayor Supple asked where they are planning on making up the extra $4.1 million. City Manager Rodriguez commented on possible areas of cost savings that could make up that money. Engineer Powers explained that they presented to the Council the budget numbers that they have just received and are asking them for feedback on where they may need to cut numbers. Council Member Hayford Oleary stated that they may want to cut back on the RRFB’s. He explained that they may not be as necessary as other design features. Council Member Christensen asked if there is a timeline for when the project starts and stops. She also asked if there will be cost jumps over the two years of production. Engineer Powers shared that there is a certain order that they will need to follow. They will typically do all underground work first then build the roadway on top. He noted that there is a 25% contingency added to the budget number to account for possible cost increases. Council Member Whalen felt there was no way they will be able to cut the budget down to $10 million without leaving out certain things residents have asked for. He asked where the nine signals were located, noting some places where the signals may not be as necessary. Engineer Hardegger discussed additional items brought up by Council. Council Member Hayford Oleary discussed the need for slip ramps at side street intersections on Nicollet Avenue. Council Member Whalen shared his general support for this item. He asked if it could be designed in a way where cars would not park directly on the path. Engineer Powers asked if Council has a general consensus to look on the utility side for cost savings, or if there were any other roadway items they would like to look for cost savings in. Council Member Hayford Oleary discussed the 7600 block parking item. He noted that though this would be nice to have, he is not sure if it is worth it for an extra $100,000. Council Member Whalen agreed that this item should be let go. City Manager Rodriguez reported that she heard consensus that Council is comfortable with the current preferred concept with the addition of the slip ramp. They will also continue to look for cuts on the utilities. ITEM #2 DISCUSS A PROPOSAL REGARDING A SMALL COFFEE SHOP WITH DRIVE-THRU SERVICE AT MARKET PLAZA Community Development Director Poehlman provided a brief summary of the next agenda item. She turned the discussion over to David Gebers, owner of Market Plaza. Mr. Gebers gave a summary of the different spaces at the Market Plaza. He noted that after speaking to staff regarding this item, they have adjusted the design to better fit the building. He provided a description of the building details and design and displayed photos of the proposed plan and building examples. City Council Work Session Minutes -3-September 24, 2024 Stephanie Meyer gave greater detail regarding the indoor plan of the proposed building. Council Member Trautmann asked if there was a walk-up window or just a drive-thru. Gebers noted that this plan does not have a walk-up window, just an indoor and drive-thru. Council Member Hayford Oleary shared his concern about adding a building with a drive-thru so close to other businesses with a drive-thru. He noted that he would not support this plan with the drive-thru but would like to see a plan proposed without the drive-thru. Mr. Gebers explained that there is no disrespect intended for the City of Richfield, they are just here to obtain feedback from Council. He noted that he has been in discussion with Starbucks to have a building plan with no drive-thru and has been unsuccessful. Commissioner Stursa noted that she is excited about this idea but is not in support of the drive-thru and feels that it would disrespect the area. Commissioner Kennealy asked what it would be like for residents to walk to this location. Mr. Gebers provided a description of how residents would enter and displayed an aerial view of the site. Council Member Christensen shared her concern for the disruption that a drive-thru would cause in this area. She noted that without the drive-thru, this would be a great plan. Commissioner Hollman noted that with the drive-thru, she does not see this getting approved. Council Member Trautmann noted that multi-tenancy may be the only way he sees this being approved. Council Member Hayford Oleary discussed that when they allow one business to have a drive-thru, others try to follow. He noted that he would like to restrict drive-thrus in the downtown area. Mayor Supple shared agreement that a drive-thru is not what is needed in this area. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Supple adjourned the work session at 6:53 pm. Date Approved: October 8, 2024 Mary B. Supple Mayor Michelle Friedrich Katie Rodriguez City Clerk City Manager