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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006/03/06 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OT. LOUIF S OFFICIAL MINUTES ffir-S ARK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION March 6, 2006 The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m. Councilmembers present: John Basill, C. Paul Carver, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Loran Paprocki, Susan Sanger, and Mayor Jeff Jacobs. Staff present: City Manager(Mr. Harmening); Public Works Director(Mr. Rardin); City Engineer (Mr Bnnk); Engineering Project Engineer(Mr. Olson); and Recording Secretary(Ms. Samson) 1. Trunk Highway 100 Temporary Lane Additional Project—State Project 2734-43 The purpose of this study session is to update Council on the status of the Highway 100 Temporary Lane Additional project. Mayor Jacobs asked what was new since Council and staff first discussed this project in January? Public Works Director Mike Rardin said nothing is new but he would like to make the Council aware that as the construction progresses, there will be closures that will cause long detours, and there will be cut-through and overflow traffic. Mayor Jacobs said the city can have clear signage to let people know where to go and to keep them on the main artenal route to prevent speeding on tiny, narrow streets. Councilmember Sanger asked if the city could set up a one-stop-shop for people to register complaints. Mr. Rardin said a complaint process could be set up on the city's website. Councilmember Finkelstein asked if signage could be put up to warn motonsts that lanes narrow at bridges. Mr. Rardm said staff will make that suggestion to Mn/DOT. Councilmember Carver said the city must be aware of liability issues but he thinks there should not be legal liability for the city due to the Highway 100 temporary project. Councilmember Carver is not happy with the width of the lanes or with the temporary project as opposed to the full project, however, it is the best that the city can do right now. Councilmember Sanger said a decision must be made to approve, deny or not vote at all. She said she will not vote in favor of the project partly because she is concerned it will be delayed or abandoned by Mn/DOT, and felt it may provide some leverage for renegotiation. Councilmember Basill said the 35W and Crosstown (Highway 62) closure is coming To vote "no" and Mn/DOT does nothing, it will cause this city to be gridlocked. Councilmember Basill said although a temporary improvement project is not the best solution; it is getting the project started. He added that Highway 100 will not get done before 35W and Crosstown. Councilmember Finkelstein said to vote to approve the project is the least bad alternative. He said he would like to see a permanent solution now but that won't happen The project must be started. Mayor Jacobs agreed that this is the least bad alternative. Study Session Minutes -2- March 6, 2006 Councilmember Carver said since Highway 100 is designated as an official detour route for when 62 and 35W are under construction, he considered that it might give the city more negotiating power if the Council were to vote not to do anything. However, the city and Mn/DOT are not equal partners and do not have equal bargaining abilities on this particular issue. Councilmember Carver said it is better to do some of this now than to do nothing. For the official vote, he will state that he is relying upon the representations that have been made, and that the full build project is expected to be front loaded. It is expected to be one of the most important ones on the list, and is expected to be started as soon as possible. Councilmember Finkelstein suggested that language be put in the resolution. Councilmember Paprocki said it would not be worth it to wait. Mr. Rardin said an official right-of-way map could be ready in early 2007, and then the City could begin the nght-of-way acquisition process if funds remain available from the Metropolitan Council. Councilmember Sanger would like to know how to handle several blocks of homes during the intenm. Mr. Rardin discussed the Highway 100 detours. Mayor Jacobs said advertise the detours. Councilmember Omodt emphasized follow through with St. Louis Park residents. Councilmember Sanger asked about notice to St. Louis Park residents. In response to Mr. Rardin, she said one or two blocks east and west of Highway 100 is not enough The consensus of the Council is to approve the final layout of the trunk Highway 100 temporary lane addition. This item will appear on the City Council agenda for March 20`h, 2006. The meeting ended at 7:07 p.m. , 1 .21 -691_,. .4 , City Clerk .yor/