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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014/06/09 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - City Council - Study SessionAGENDA JUNE 9, 2014 6:30 p.m. CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION – Community Room Discussion Items 1. 6:30 p.m. Future Study Session Agenda Planning – June 23, 2014 2. 6:35 p.m. Update on Citizen Response Management System (Public Stuff/My St. Louis Park) 3. 7:05 p.m. Southwest LRT Preliminary Design Plans - Continued Discussion 7:50 p.m. Communications/Meeting Check-In (Verbal) 7:55 p.m. Adjourn Written Reports 4. Blake Road/Aquila Avenue Corridor Study Update Auxiliary aids for individuals with disabilities are available upon request. To make arrangements, please call the Administration Department at 952/924-2525 (TDD 952/924-2518) at least 96 hours in advance of meeting. Meeting: Study Session Meeting Date: June 9, 2014 Discussion Item: 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY TITLE: Future Study Session Agenda Planning – June 23, 2014 RECOMMENDED ACTION: The City Council and the City Manager to set the agenda for the regularly scheduled Study Session on June 23, 2014. POLICY CONSIDERATION: Does the Council agree with the agenda as proposed? SUMMARY: At each study session approximately five minutes are set aside to discuss the next study session agenda. For this purpose, attached please find the proposed discussion items for the regularly scheduled Study Session on June 23, 2014. FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: Not applicable. VISION CONSIDERATION: Not applicable. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: Future Study Session Agenda Planning – June 23, 2014 Prepared by: Debbie Fischer, Office Assistant Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager Study Session Meeting of June 9, 2014 (Item No. 1) Page 2 Title: Future Study Session Agenda Planning – June 23, 2014 Study Session, June 23, 2014 – 6:30 p.m. – Community Room Tentative Discussion Items 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning – Administrative Services (5 minutes) 2. Delinquent Accounts – Administrative Services (30 minutes) Accounting staff will provide information on the delinquent accounts policy and how they are currently handled. 3. 2015 Budget Discussion – Administrative Services (30 minutes) Staff will provide Council with information and recommendations regarding the timeline and guidelines on upcoming 2015 budgeting process. This discussion is to allow Council to provide direction on how to proceed with 2015 budget preparation and to inform staff about other information they may want to have during this process. 4. Southwest LRT Update – Community Development (45 minutes) An update and continued discussion of the City’s proposed response to the Met Council request for Municipal Consent for the SWLRT plans. 5. Solid Waste Update – Operations & Recreation (45 minutes) Update Council on the current status of the solid waste program and action steps being taken to increase multi-family recycling. Discuss what other areas Council would like to focus on i.e. businesses, banning polystyrene, etc. Communications/Meeting Check-In – Administrative Services (5 minutes) Time for communications between staff and Council will be set aside on every study session agenda for the purposes of information sharing. End of Meeting: 9:10 pm Reports 6. 2014 May Financial Report 7. Update on Pilot Program w/ Park Nicollet Healthcare Agreement Meeting: Study Session Meeting Date: June 9, 2014 Discussion Item: 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY TITLE: Update on Citizen Response Management System (Public Stuff/My St. Louis Park) RECOMMENDED ACTION: The purpose of this item is to provide the City Council with an update on one of the items discussed at the February 24 study session, namely, implementation of Public Stuff, the Citizen Response Management (CRM) application. Implementation of CRM was part of the 2014 – 2015 Communications Plan presented to Council on February 24. POLICY CONSIDERATION: Understanding this initiative will be a work-in-progress for some time; does the Council have any questions or wish to suggest any specific policy directions with respect to implementation of Public Stuff and the planned July launch? SUMMARY: The implementation of Public Stuff CRM has been bestowed the moniker, “My St. Louis Park”. It is one of several tools aimed at engaging citizens. Citizen engagement remains an area of continued growth and opportunity for the city. My St. Louis Park, to be the focus of the study session discussion, will allow residents to report problems or service requests (i.e. potholes, long grass, malfunctioning stoplight, etc.) via the website, text messaging, email, a smartphone app, telephone call, and more with ease. The service request becomes a “ticket” in a tracking system that will be directly routed to the appropriate staff person(s), an automatic response will be generated to the requester, and staff will be able to track all progress on the issue and report back to the resident (to complete the communications loop). Information Resources staff will be present and available to answer questions. For background information on Public Stuff, visit: http://www.publicstuff.com/tour. Note that we will play the brief demo video at the study session. Other measures we have put in place to enhance communication with our community include: • Constant Contact - an email service that allows residents to sign up for project or activity-specific updates. • Nextdoor.com – Nextdoor is a tool that we’re utilizing to reach our neighborhoods. More than half of the city’s neighborhoods are already using this website. • Ideas in the Park – Ideas in the Park is a “crowdsourcing” initiative that allows people to engage online in more in-depth ways than social media sites. • ParkAlert - The city’s Reverse 9-1-1 system, used frequently for parking bans. FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: The Capital Improvement Program includes annual allocations to fund the use of Public Stuff. It is likely we will also incur some one-time costs to customize some integrations (e.g., with asset management and permits / code compliance systems). VISION CONSIDERATION: St. Louis Park is committed to being a connected and engaged community. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: None Prepared by: Clint Pires, Chief Information Officer Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager Meeting: Study Session Meeting Date: June 9, 2014 Discussion Item: 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY TITLE: Southwest LRT Preliminary Design Plans - Continued Discussion RECOMMENDED ACTION: No formal action at this time. This is a continuation of the discussion of the SWLRT Preliminary Design Plans under consideration for Municipal Consent, priorities, and our strategy moving forward. POLICY CONSIDERATION: Continued discussion on city priorities for municipal consent. SUMMARY: During a number of recent meetings the Council has reviewed and discussed the specifics of the SW LRT Preliminary Design Plans and discussed potential changes to the plans. These discussions are in anticipation of preparing and adopting a resolution regarding municipal consent. At Monday night’s meeting the focus of discussion is proposed to be on the following areas: 1. Municipal Consent process a. Report on meetings with Met Council staff b. Tom Scott will be in attendance to discuss municipal consent 2. Discuss citizen requests to include a statement in municipal consent resolution regarding eliminating any future consideration for rerouting freight rail in St. Louis Park. 3. Further discuss Beltline grade-separation issue. 4. Discuss spreadsheet of unfunded improvements and provide direction to staff on city priorities. 5. Identify additional information needed and next steps for the coming weeks to have a resolution for municipal consent on July 7th agenda, including: • Continue to review base plans (June 16th and/or 23rd) and determine city priorities for municipal consent. • Prepare and discuss a draft Municipal Consent Resolution • Consideration of Municipal Consent Resolution – July 7 th. The Preliminary Design Plans can be found at www.stlouispark.org/webfiles/file/community- dev/swlrt_plans.pdf. VISION CONSIDERATION: St. Louis Park is committed to being a connected and engaged community. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: Summary List of Project Items Detailed List of Project Items Prepared by: Meg J. McMonigal, Planning and Zoning Supervisor Reviewed by: Kevin Locke, Community Development Director Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager Study Session Meeting of June 9, 2014 (Item No. 3) Page 2 Title: Southwest LRT Preliminary Design Plans - Continued Discussion SW LRT Project & Related Unfunded Items (DRAFT!) Potential Additional SWLRT Project Elements (these are items that are not part of the current official Municipal Consent Plans that could be added if a funding source can be found) Cost (m) Trail separations Wooddale $ 3.5 Beltline, if no underpass $ 4.0 Beltline underpass $ 23.0 Xenwood underpass $ 20.0 Louisiana south station location $ 23.0 Lynn extension and backage road $ 1.9 Potential Additional SWLRT Items Subtotal $ 75.4 Other SWLRT Project related Items (these are items that would not be part of the SWLRT project but that have been identified by SLP as necessary for a fully successful SLRT line) South wye removal (necessary if Louisiana station is at Oxford) $ 3.2 Pedestrian/bike street to hospital (necessary if Louisiana station is at Oxford) $2.0 TSAAP improvements – opening day $ 8.9 TSAAP improvements - beyond $ 10.4 Misc. improvements $ .6 Other Related Items Subtotal $ 25.1 TOTAL of SWLRT Additions & Other Related Items $100.5 *Note: cost estimates do not all include contingencies & inflation to year of construction DRAFT Municipal Consent Unfunded TSAAP Identified Improvements TSAAP detail GENERAL COORIDOR Whistle Quiet Zone (city est.)$250,000 LOUISIANA AVENUE South Station Location $23,000,000 South Wye Removal (city est.)$3,000,000 TSAAP Improvements - Opening Day $2,598,000 - Sidewalk and trails $1,898,000 - Plaza $250,000 - Streetscape incl sidewalks $325,000 - Bike facilities and wayfinding $65,000 - Intersections $60,000 Pedestrian Walk to Hospital from Station TSAAP Improvements - Beyond Opening Day $5,057,000 - Sidewalks and trails $2,942,000 - Oxford reconstruction $1,755,000 - Edgewood Avenue $360,000 WOODDALE AVENUE Pedestrian Trail Underpass $3,500,000 Xenwood Roadway Extension $20,000,000 TSAAP Improvements - Opening Day $1,198,000 - Sidewalks and trails $353,000 - Streets $385,000 - Intersections $30,000 - Public plaza $350,000 - Bike facilities and wayfinding $80,000 TSAAP Improvements - Beyond Opening Day $4,315,000 - Ped bridge over Hwy 100 $4,000,000 - Sidewalks and trails $315,000 36th St/Wooddale Intersection Improvements $350,000 BELTLINE AVENUE Grade Separated Beltline Blvd $23,000,000 Regional Trail Overpass - $4,000,000 Joint Development TSAAP Improvements - Opening Day $6,987,000 - Beltline Blvd reconstruct $3,000,000 - Backage roadway construct and acq.$1,925,000 - Intersections $600,000 - Sidewalks and trails $792,000 - Public plaza $500,000 - Public art $100,000 - Bike facilities and wayfinding $70,000 TSAAP Improvements - Beyond Opening Day $990,000 - Sidewalks and trails $600,000 - New street (Inglewood)$390,000 TOTAL $73,100,000 $21,145,000 Study Session Meeting of June 9, 2014 (Item No. 3) Title: Southwest LRT Preliminary Design Plans - Continued Discussion Page 3 Meeting: Study Session Meeting Date: June 9, 2014 Written Report: 4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY TITLE: Blake Road/Aquila Avenue Corridor Study Update RECOMMENDED ACTION: No action required. The purpose of this item is to provide City Council with background information about the Blake Road/Aquila Avenue Corridor Study prior to a June 25th Public Open House meeting. POLICY CONSIDERATION: None at this time. Please let staff know of any questions or concerns you might have. SUMMARY: The attached memorandum provides updated information regarding the study that is underway for the Blake Road/Aquila Avenue Corridor between Interlachen Boulevard and W. 36th Street in conjunction with other cities and agencies. The purpose of the study is to plan for changing transportation needs due to the construction of SWLRT. City staff last provided a written report to City Council on February 24, 2014, before the study began. As the lead agency, the City of Hopkins hired WSB and Associates to conduct the study. The consultants have met with a technical advisory committee three times and have prepared a set of goals and objectives for the study, a public engagement strategy, and completed their initial analysis of existing conditions. WSB is working to present all this information at the upcoming Open House and to solicit feedback at the meeting. A study session with the St. Louis Park City Council is planned for August to review the information received at the Open House and to present ideas for potential improvements. The existing conditions analysis included roadway and right-of-way widths, adjacent development and accesses, traffic counts, level of service, and safety analysis (i.e. number/severity of crashes). A brief description of the findings is included in the memorandum. A Project Open House will be held Wednesday, June 25 from 6-8 p.m. at Eisenhower Community Center (1001 Highway 7, Room 233) in Hopkins. FINANCIAL OR BUDGET CONSIDERATION: There are several partners involved and contributing to the $150,000 study cost. The City of St. Louis Park’s $10,000 contribution will come from Engineering Department Professional Services funds. VISION CONSIDERATION: St. Louis Park is committed to being a connected and engaged community. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: Memorandum from WSB & Associates Prepared by: Sean Walther, Senior Planner Reviewed by: Michele Schnitker, Housing Supervisor Phil Elkin, Senior Engineering Project Manager Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager Infrastructure  Engineering  Planning  Construction 701 Xenia Avenue South Suite 300 Minneapolis, MN 55416 Tel: 763-541-4800 Fax: 763-541-1700 Memorandum To: St. Louis Park City Council From: Tony Heppelmann, PE WSB & Associates Date: May 15, 2014 Re: Blake Road Corridor Study Open House #1 WSB Project No. 01787-240 The purpose of this memorandum is to provide the City Council with background information about the Blake Road Corridor Study prior to the June 25th Open House meeting. Background The City of Hopkins is leading a corridor study for Blake Road/Aquila Avenue to plan for changing transportation needs due to the construction of the Southwest Light Rail Transit (SWLRT) line. The study area extends from 36th Street in St. Louis Park to Interlachen Boulevard in Edina. The study is being completed in partnership with the Cities of Edina and St. Louis Park, Three Rivers Park District, Hennepin County, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, the Southwest LRT Project Office, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). The study is intended to address infrastructure needs in order to:  Provide better transportation accommodations for pedestrians, bicyclists and bus transit  Provide better connections and access to the planned light rail station at Blake Road and 2nd Street for all modes  Provide better connections and access to adjacent neighborhoods, commercial nodes and recreational facilities  Provide the necessary transportation infrastructure to support redevelopment in and near the corridor that will enhance economic growth, community connectivity, and residential diversity The study is guided by a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) with representatives from each of the partner agencies listed above. Study Session Meeting of June 9, 2014 (Item No. 4) Title: Blake Road/Aquila Avenue Corridor Study Update Page 2 Schedule and Scope The Blake Road Corridor Study began in March 2014 and is anticipated to be completed by February 2015. The scope of the study includes the following: Spring 2014 Data collection: traffic, safety, trails, planned improvements, previous studies, Analyze future traffic conditions Develop corridor goals and objectives Summer 2014 Develop and evaluate alternatives for improvements to the corridor Attend City Council work sessions/meetings • Open House 1: June 25 (collect input on needs, issues, etc.) • Open House 2: August/September (present and collect input on alternatives) Fall 2014 Select a preferred alternative Develop an implementation plan: costs, timing and funding sources Provide update to City Councils • Open House 3: November/December (present preferred alternative) Winter 2014/2015 Finalize implementation plan Prepare final report Goals and Objectives The project team has developed goals and objectives to guide the study. These will be the basis for developing and evaluating potential alternatives. The following goals and objectives have been drafted by the TAC: Goals 1. Facilitate access to future Southwest LRT Blake Road station for residents/workers in Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and Edina 2. Create a corridor that is comfortable, safe, and functional for all modes: pedestrians, bicyclists, motor vehicles, freight, and transit 3. Facilitate redevelopment and support a vibrant corridor 4. Enhance natural resources adjacent to the corridor 5. Improve access to and connectivity across TH 7 6. Improve connections between the corridor and adjacent neighborhoods, parks, and trails Objectives 1. Conduct technical analyses of existing and future corridor issues and needs, including: a. Traffic operations b. Safety for all modes c. Business access locations d. Bicycle facilities e. Sidewalks f. Pedestrian and bicycle crossings Page 2 Study Session Meeting of June 9, 2014 (Item No. 4) Title: Blake Road/Aquila Avenue Corridor Study Update Page 3 g. Connectivity to the future Southwest LRT Blake Road station h. Connectivity to adjacent neighborhoods, parks, and trails 2. Generate and evaluate alternative concepts that address established goals for the corridor 3. Develop an implementation plan that coordinates improvements with other projects 4. Involve stakeholders in the planning process to obtain community and agency agreement and to ensure that study recommendations reflect the needs and desires of residents in the corridor 5. Identify grant programs to support implementation of study recommendations 6. Develop roadway improvement concepts in time to apply for grants Public Involvement Public and agency involvement is an important part of the Blake Road Corridor Study. It is essential to involve stakeholders in the planning process to obtain community and agency agreement on study recommendations. The project team will engage the following key stakeholders using the following techniques: General Public The project team will use several techniques to gather input from the general public, including: • Three public open houses • Project website • Coordination with the Blake Road Corridor Collaborative • News releases Public Agencies A TAC has been formed to help provide direction for the study. Members of the TAC represent public agencies with an interest in improvements to the Blake Road Corridor, including: • City of Hopkins • City of St. Louis Park • City of Edina • Hennepin County Transportation Department • Hennepin County Housing, Community Works & Transit • Three Rivers Park District • Southwest LRT Project Office • Minnehaha Creek Watershed District • Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) City Council The project team will provide materials and present at Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and Edina City Council Work Sessions/Council Meetings to inform the City Council on study progress and agency and public feedback. • June 2014: Memo summarizing corridor study goals and objectives, existing conditions, and direction of the study Page 3 Study Session Meeting of June 9, 2014 (Item No. 4) Title: Blake Road/Aquila Avenue Corridor Study Update Page 4 • August/September 2014: Present at council work sessions and seek feedback on alternatives for corridor improvements, share initial public feedback • October/November 2014: Present and seek feedback on preferred alternative for corridor improvements, share public feedback on alternatives • February 2015: Presentation of final report and recommendations Southwest Community Works Steering Committee The Southwest Community Works Steering Committee represents public agencies with an interest in the Southwest LRT Corridor. The project team will present to the Steering Committee in August or September 2014 and will seek feedback on alternatives. Businesses within Blake Road Corridor The project team will hold two meetings with representatives from businesses within the project corridor. The first meeting will be held in June 2014 to collect feedback on existing conditions and the direction of the study, particularly around business access. This meeting will be held before the first open house. The second meeting will be held in August 2014 to collect feedback on alternatives. Additionally, the project team will explore opportunities to coordinate the public process with a Blake Road Market Study led by Southwest LRT Community Works. Information about the market study could be distributed at the June open house. There is potential to host a joint open house in August/September. Initial Analysis of Existing Conditions The project team has completed a review of 2011- 2013 crash records in the corridor. Initial crash analysis has identified several intersections with higher than average crash rates, including 36th Street, 37th Street and Trunk Highway (TH) 7. At TH 7, crash severity is higher than expected. Much of the corridor also has higher than average crash rates, including the segments between 36th Street and TH 7, and between Cambridge Street and Excelsior Boulevard. Throughout the entire corridor, there were four crashes involving pedestrians and three crashes involving bicyclists. The project team has also conducted a review of existing traffic conditions at intersections in the corridor. Vehicles at the intersection with TH 7 experience the greatest delays in the corridor. There is also some delay for vehicles at Excelsior Boulevard. In addition, the project team has collected site plans and other information about proposed public infrastructure and private development in the corridor. This information will inform the recommendations of the study and ensure that traffic analysis includes information about planned development. Page 4 Study Session Meeting of June 9, 2014 (Item No. 4) Title: Blake Road/Aquila Avenue Corridor Study Update Page 5 Next Steps A project open house is scheduled for June 25 from 6-8 PM at Eisenhower Community Center (1001 Highway 7, Room 233). The project team is currently developing alternatives for improvements to the Blake Road corridor. Alternatives will include the number of lanes needed, median locations and widths, bicycle facilities, sidewalks, boulevards and landscaping, and other elements. This information is in progress and will not be presented at the June open house meeting. Prior to any alternatives being presented, a work session with each of the cities will be held to receive feedback and input. For your community, this session has been tentatively scheduled for August 26. Following the council meetings, the second open house presenting the alternatives will be held in September. Page 5 Study Session Meeting of June 9, 2014 (Item No. 4) Title: Blake Road/Aquila Avenue Corridor Study Update Page 6 Edina Hoppkins Hopkins s Park HopkinsSSaintLoLouis rrk EDINA !(!(!!(!!(!(?«A@ GbWX KNOLLWOOD MALL AvLake St N E Lake St N E Lake St NELake St NE Hiawatha AveHiawatha Ave BLAKE LOWER SCHOOL - HOPKINS CAMPUS BLAKE LOWER SCHOOL - HOPKINS CAMPUS ST JOHN’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL ST JOHN’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL HOPKINSHOPKINS HOPKINSHOPKINS EDINA ST LOUIS PARKe S Belm Maloney AvenueMaloney Avenue ore Ln Excelsior B l v d St Cedar L a k e R e gi o n al Tr ail Cedar L a k e R e gi o n al Tr ail 2 n d St N eAquil a A v e S Spruce Rd 36th St W Boyce Rd Goodrich St InterlachenBlvd Cambridge StPhillips Pkwy37th St W Waterman Aveekal NdRBl eB k Na dRkal SeB dRBlake Rd S0 300 600150Feet ± ST LOUIS PARK !!(!!(!!(!!(Removal of free right turn lane from Texas Avenue 2016 ! LakLLa ODOODDKNOKOOLLLLLWOOWWOWOOOOLLLL MMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL Knollwood Mall Redevelopment Pedestrian crossing and sidewalk needs !!!!!!!!(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!BBSW LRT Station and Development SSSSttttt NNNENEaAaAHiawathhHiawathhhhahaAaaA 33 S uis Project Study Area Redevelopment Site Signals Proposed Signal Mill and Overlay 2014Bridge Re- Decking Bridge S Reconfiguration of free right turn lane from Aquila Avenue 2016 Oxford Street Redevelopment Street DisconnectionPotential Redevelopment La kkkeL Cottageville Park Improvements Bituminous Path Existing Sidewalks Existing Regional Trail Proposed Trail KEY !!(!(Lake StNeStStNNNENE On Street Bike Lane Municipal Boundary Railroad Met Council Lift Station LOUISLOUISSSTL Cold Storage Redevelopment Site Blake Road Corridor Study: Opportunities and ConstraintsSSSTCF Relocating Replacement Study Session Meeting of June 9, 2014 (Item No. 4) Title: Blake Road/Aquila Avenue Corridor Study Update Page 7