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RICHFIELD TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING
BARTHOLOMEW ROOM, CITY HALL
Wednesday, February 4th, 2025, 7:00 PM
Attachment
Commissioners in Attendance: Brinnon Kubista, Adam Knosalla, Eli Straub, Louis
Dzierzak, David Gepner, Stella Yang, Eli Straub, Josh Kloehn, Jacob Olsen
Commissioners Absent: McKenzie Burke, Jaz Warren
City Staff: Joe Powers and Olivia Wycklendt
Liasons: Sean Hayford Oleary (City Council), Tim Brackett (RPS), Jan Matheus (Bike/Walk)
1. Call meeting to order
City Engineer Joe Powers called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM.
2. Election of Officers for 2026-2027 Term
• Chair - Commissioner Dzierzak was the sole nominee for Chair, nominated by
Commissioner Knosalla. Commissioner Kubista moved to accept nomination of
Commissioner Dzierzak as Chair. Seconded by Commissioner Gepner. Motion
carried. Louis Dzierzak was elected Chairperson for the City of Richfield –
Transportation Commission for the 2026-2027 term.
• Vice-Chair - Commissioner Knosalla was sole nominee for Vice-Chair,
nominated by Chair Dzierzak. Commissioner Yang moved to accept nomination
of Commissioner Knosalla as vice-chair. Seconded by Commissioner Kubista.
Motion carried. Adam Knosalla was elected to be the Vice-Chairperson for the
City of Richfield – Transportation Commission for the 2026-2027 term.
3. Review & approve agenda
Commissioner Gepner moved to approve the agenda. Second by Vice-Chair Knosalla.
Motion Carried.
4. Review & approve minutes for December 3rd, 2024 meeting
Commissioner Gepner moved to approve the agenda. Second by Vice-Chair Knosalla.
Motion Carried.
5. Review and Approval of Commission By-Laws
Commission members discussed the by-law amendment to have an elected
commission secretary that would be in charge of taking attendance and minutes.
Commissioners discussed how they appreciate city staff’s role in taking minutes and
attendance. Commissioner Kubista motioned to approve the By-Laws without the
change of adding an elected secretary. Second by Vice-Chair Knosalla. Motion carried.
Commission requested that staff clarifies if it’s within Commission’s purview to
discuss and make recommendations regarding fiber-optic build-out and installation
projects that have occurred in recent years throughout the City.
6. Transportation Commission Overview
Presenter: Joe Powers, City Engineer

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City Engineer Joe Powers presented an overview of the Transportation Commission.
This presentation included expectations and restrictions that come with being a
commissioner for the City, as well as a history of projects the Commission has worked
on.
Powers highlighted that new commissioners and chairs will need to attend training
upcoming. New Commissioner training Wednesday March 11th from 6:00PM-7:00PM.
Chair and Vice-Chair training Wednesday March 18th from 6:00PM-7:00PM.
Councilmember Hayford Oleary clarified that the commission needs to hold a quorum
to vote and approve any agenda items, and to respect the chairperson during active
discussion. Quorum is simple majority of 5 commissioners.
Commission requested that staff send reminders as these dates get closer. City Staff
agreed with the request.
7. Consider Recommendation to City Council on Temporary Suspension of
Vehicle Impoundment
Commissioner Yang led the discussion on the city ordinance regarding impoundment
for cars abandoned or left on City streets for an extended period of time.
Commissioner Yang suggested to make a recommendation to City Council to edit the
existing City ordinance to assist residents who have been impacted by Operation
Metro Surge and/or have been forced to leave their vehicles behind.
Commissioners discussed their opinions on how the city should or should not
temporarily change the ticketing and towing of vehicles in the city of Richfield.
Powers clarified that city staff and the city attorney would work out the fine details of
the recommendation. Powers estimated that the recommendation would be ready for
council in approximately a month for either March or April council meetings.
Directly in response to Operation Metro Surge, the Transportation Commission
recommended to City Council to cease the impoundment of abandoned vehicles,
excluding instances where the vehicle poses a threat to public safety, and that the
City does not issue associated City fines for the impoundment of the vehicle. If fees
must be assigned, the Commission recommends the opportunity for fees to be
retroactively waived should proof of detainment resulting in the abandonment of the
vehicle be provided.
Commissioner Yang motioned the above recommendation be brought to the City
Council. Second by Commissioner Kubista. Commissioner Gepner abstained. Motion
carried.
8. Penn Avenue Planning & Land Use Presenter: Sam Crosby, City Planner
City Planner Sam Crosby presented on Penn Avenue from a city planning perspective,
highlighting current use of the corridor, current zoning along Penn Avenue, as well as
ongoing and future redevelopment projects.
Commissioners discussed differing lot sizes on the west side, which tend to be larger,
versus the east side lot sizes, which tend to be smaller, off Penn Ave North of 66th
Street. Chair Dzierzak mentioned the disconnect between what is being built in the
public right-of-way in contrast to what has been proposed in previous comprehensive

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plans for private property along the corridor. Commissioner Gepner asked the County
and planning staff if it’s feasible to acquire property along the corridor to relieve some
of the parking constraints.
Councilmember Hayford Oleary clarified to the commission that it is ultimately up to
the landowner to decide how they want to develop their property (with some
exceptions and approval processes from the city). While the plan for Penn Ave from
2008 is unlikely to come to fruition, any plans going forward for the corridor are
feasible but do rely on landowners on how and if they choose to redevelop their
property.
Hayford Oleary also wanted to remind the commission that the City has more relaxed
parking requirements than they have had historically, and with redevelopment of any
property there is potential for parking needs to increase to support those businesses,
which may result in more cars parking on streets adjacent to Penn Ave than current
conditions. He emphasized that these impacts should also be taken into consideration
when it comes to the design for the reconstruction of Penn Ave.
9. Penn Avenue Phase 2 Engagement Results
Presenter: Matt Huggins, Hennepin County Senior Professional Engineer
Hennepin County Senior Professional Engineer presented the results from Penn
Avenue’s Phase 2 Engagement. He emphasized that the actions he is looking for from
the Transportation Commission are any comments on the preliminary
recommendations resulting from the Phase 2 engagement results.
Major themes from the engagement were requests for controlling vehicle speeds and
improving multi-model crossings at Highway 62, as well as general support for
walkability and pedestrian infrastructure.
Councilmember Hayford Oleary asked for clarification about street/pedestrian lighting
discussion and engagement. Huggins answered that the comments were mostly that
people want better visibility at crossings. Hayford Oleary also asked if MNDOT plans
on changing any access to Penn Ave. Powers and Huggins answered that they do not
believe there is a change in access from France Ave or Xerxes Ave in the foreseeable
future. Huggins to follow up.
City Engineer Joe Powers mentioned that Hennepin County is doing a comprehensive
review of the county’s cost participation and maintenance with cities in Hennepin
County. City staff will be advocating for the city’s best interest during this review.
Commissioner Gepner asked if there was data showing the number of Richfield
residents using Penn Ave and how many people were using Penn Ave as a
thoroughfare through Richfield. Huggins answered that Hennepin County has that
data, but not with him. Commission would like to see that data.
Joint Work Session with Hennepin County project staff (Penn Ave) and Richfield City
Council on March 10th. Huggins mentioned that project staff would like to be back for
the May Transportation Commission Meeting to kick off Phase 3 engagement, which is
how the project will meet the goals established in Phase 2 and provide input on the
options chosen by project staff.
Huggins presented on the low demand from the community events for on-street bike
lane facilities and on-street parking in residential areas (south of 68th Street).

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The preliminary recommendations to the Transportation Commission were:
• Not proceed with buffered on-street bike lane alternative
• Not proceed with on-street parking alternatives south of 68th Street
Councilmember Hayford Oleary and Commissioner Gepner asked for clarification on
what on-street bike facility was not being considered. Huggins answered on-street
bike lanes delineated by striping.
Commissioner Gepner disagreed with not proceeding with the buffered on-street bike
lane alternative.
The Commission informally agreed to discuss proceeding with buffered on-street bike
lane alternative at the upcoming work session, and agreed with not proceeding with
on-street parking alternatives south of 68th St.
Commissioner Olson asked about the safety of having on-street bike facilities and if
they are recommended in this area. Huggins answered that based on MNDOT’s
guidance and the number of vehicles on Penn Ave (ADT), it is not recommended to
have on-street bike lane.
Chair Dzierzak moved to approve with not proceeding with buffered on-street bike
lane alternative for Penn Avenue Reconstruction. Second by Commissioner Knosalla.
Commissioner Gepner Opposed. Majority rule motion carried.
Commissioner Yang moved to approve not proceeding with on-street parking south of
68th Street. Second by Commissioner Olson. Motion carried.
10. Updates
a) City Staff – Project Updates
o Powers made note of several ramp and roadway closures along the 494
corridor. Nicollet Ave ramps are permanently closing February 23rd,
Nicollet Ave Bridge will close March 13th at 10PM until August. 12th Ave
Pedestrian Bridge closes March 9th until August 12th Ave bridge closes
March 20th for 150 days, with 2 full weekend closures for demolition of
the bridges.
o 2026 sidewalk projects are anticipated to go out to bid in early spring,
with construction starting in late spring of this year. 2026 Sheridan Hill
SRTS Project to be completed by end of summer before school starts.
Sidewalk projects (non-SRTS) will likely finish in Fall 2026
o Metro Transit is recommending the Nicollet Ave corridor for the K-Line
BRT Route. Metro Transit will be at the March Transportation Commission
meeting
b) Liaisons
o City Council
Councilmember Hayford-Oleary updated the commission on the current
ICE operations within Richfield. He highlighted that the city passed an
ordinance stating that ICE agents are not able to use City owned parking
lots for staging operations. Mayor Supple has joined the Coalition of
Suburban Mayors to talk about the impact Operation Metro Surge in
suburbs, smaller cities, and surrounding areas.
11. Other Business

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This happened after meeting was adjourned – request from Commission to have
visiting presenters present earlier in the Commission meeting.
12. Upcoming events/meeting(s)
a) Wed, March 4th, 7:00pm: Transportation Commission Meeting
b) Tue, March 10th, 5:15pm-7:00pm: Joint Work Session with City Council – Penn
Avenue
c) Wed, March 11th, 6:00pm-7:00PM: commissioner Training
d) Wed, March 18th, 6:00pm-7:00pm: Commission Chair Training
13. Adjournment
Commissioner Knosolla moved to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Kubista.
Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM