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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009/11/23 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session f/fSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA NOVEMBER 23, 2009 The meeting convened at 6:35 p.m. Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, John Basil!, Phil Finkelstein, Paul Omodt, Loran Paprocki and Susan Sanger. Councilmembers absent: C. Paul Carver Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Public Works Director (Mr. Rardin), City Engineer (Mr. Brink), Human Resources Director (Ms. Gohman), Parks & Recreation Director (Ms. Walsh), Recreation Superintendent (Mr. Birno), Finance Manager (Mr. Swanson), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Hughes). Guests: Peggy Leppik (Met Council), Wayne Norris (Mn/DOT), John Griffith (Mn/DOT), Senator Ron Latz. 1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning— December 14, 2009 Mr. Harmening presented the proposed study session agenda for December 14, 2009. 2. Highway 100 Reconstruction (Full Build) Project Update Mr. Rardin presented the staff report and introduced Wayne Norris and John Griffith, the Mn/DOT project team. Mr. Harmening introduced Peggy Leppik from Met Council. Mr. Griffith stated that Mn/DOT has been promising the Highway 100 reconstruction for a long time and while the temporary fix is working well, it does not deliver some of the mitigation that would come with additional capacity. He explained that the Highway 7 and Minnetonka Boulevard bridges depicted in the project area are part of the Chapter 152 legislation that dedicates bonding money to replace fracture critical or structurally deficient bridges by 2018. He indicated that Mn/DOT identified funding to replace those bridges in fiscal year 2016/calendar year 2015, which lines up with the Mn/DOT commitment to provide noise walls in this area by 2015. He further indicated the project as previously conceived eliminates all weaves and takes care of the merging and non-merging movements. He stated that Mn/DOT is committed to meeting the City's expectations in terms of access, but is looking 'at down-scoping the project in terms of how Mn/DOT meets project goals. As part of that effort, Mn/DOT needs to review the project in terms of design and cost to determine if there are components that Mn/DOT can reduce or eliminate in order to reduce the total project cost. He added that total funding needed to deliver the project as previously conceived has not been identified. Study Session Minutes -2- November 23, 2009 Mr. Norris stated that Mn/DOT staff is interested in working with City staff over the next six months to identify opportunities for reducing any redundancies in design. He added Mn/DOT would still like to address as many of the benefits inherent in this design with a rescoped design. He stated with a late 2015 letting, Mn/DOT also needs to work on identification and acquisition of right-of-way properties, as well as environmental documentation which has not been started because Mn/DOT does not yet have a concept that to move ahead with. He indicated that Mn/DOT is primarily hoping to scale back the work identified north of 251/2 Street, essentially utilizing the existing roadway configuration. He stated if Mn/DOT proceeded with the design contained in the Council's agenda materials, it would require Mn/DOT to reconstruct the retaining walls in that area which are expensive, as well as stage the project to maintain traffic. One primary issue is if Mn/DOT cannot maintain some level of traffic during construction, then congestion will overflow onto city streets and Mn/DOT wants to minimize that impact with any future project. He added Mn/DOT hopes to eliminate the braided ramps on each side of Minnetonka Boulevard He indicated that eliminating the bridge from Highway 7 westbound exit ramp from Highway 100 southbound would save costs. This movement would occur, but a possible design would allow this traffic come together and then separate to their appropriate destinations. With the current design, vehicles are allowed to travel on separate roadways; in a redesign they would share the same roadway He explained that Mn/DOT proposes to undertake a similar process to the 169/494 project, and noted that Mn/DOT simply cannot afford to correct all the deficiencies in the area to the highest standards possible. Mr. Griffith stated the project in 2008 dollars is estimated at $120 million and Mn/DOT currently has $60 million available for the project, which includes funds identified as part of the bridge bond program. He added Mn/DOT does not want to create an unsafe situation, and Mn/DOT's intent is to reconstruct the roadway, replace the bridges, and make sure the result is safer and better than what exists today. He stated if Mn/DOT cannot rescope the project it will need to come up with $120 million and figure out where the money will come from to pay for the project. He indicated that Mn/DOT does not currently have a budget that it is working with. He reiterated that the paramount goal is to come up with a design that resolves all traffic problems, reasonably meets standards, and meets traffic expectations in terms of eliminating weaving movements. Senator Latz stated the current design was the expectation this Council agreed to at the time of the temporary fix, and now it appears that this Council is being told that Mn/DOT cannot afford the design that it previously provided the City. He stated that Mn/DOT has a credibility problem as to its representations to the City at the time the City gave consent to the temporary fix in return for the full build. Mr. Griffith stated that Mn/DOT firmly believes it can downscope the project to something that meets the City's expectations. Councilmember Sanger asked if Mn/DOT has an anticipated budget for the project. Mr. Griffith replied no. He stated Mn/DOT currently has $60 million and as this project moves forward, if that number grows, part of Mn/DOT's other programs will have to fund the difference. Study Session Minutes -3- November 23, 2009 Councilmember Sanger stated if any ramps are eliminated vehicles will be required to go through neighborhoods, and one of the goals of this project was to cut back on traffic through neighborhoods. She asked about Mn/DOT's plan for neighborhood input with respect to the rescoping design. Mr. Griffith stated Mn/DOT will come up with a concept and a process to solicit community input; Mn/DOT is very open to that. Councilmember Sanger stated the plan provided a frontage road on the east and west sides of Highway 100 and questioned if that had been eliminated and whether the houses on Toledo Avenue would be taken. Mr. Griffith replied that Mn/DOT does not yet know. He reiterated that Mn/DOT needs to develop a concept in concert with the City and the public. He added that Mn/DOT is strapped for funding and does not currently have the money available to complete this level of a project and unfortunately some expectations are not going to be met. Councilmember Sanger requested that Mn/DOT release the 20 homeowners who have been unable to sell or otherwise upgrade their property because of the possibility of being taken by Mn/DOT Councilmember Basill stated the City was promised a temporary fix contingent upon the previously approved full build being moved forward. He expressed concern that if the project is downsized it will affect the overall community because capacity is going to go somewhere else. He urged the Council and the City to take a strong position on the project and to require Mn/DOT to build the project as previously agreed. Councilmember Finkelstein agreed and stated this project is not something that can be done fast or inexpensively, and the community must live with the results for the next 50 years. Mayor Jacobs stated the layout as presented by Mr. Rardin this evening represents the design that was agreed to by the City when it gave Mn/DOT the go-ahead for the temporary project As such, that is what the residents and the City relied upon when Mn/DOT said it would do the temporary project in exchange for Mn/DOT's commitment to the 2015 reconstruction. Ms. Leppik asked if the City is required to approve Mn/DOT's plans. Mr. Griffith briefly explained the formal process outlined in legislation to be undertaken by Mn/DOT for Municipal Consent. Councilmember Omodt left the meeting'at 7:17 p.m. Study Session Minutes -4- November 23, 2009 Councilmember Sanger stated Mn/DOT appears to be saying that it can redesign the project so it reduces congestion and is a safe design, but that is cheaper than previously designed. She indicated that would imply that what Mn/DOT previously designed had extra frills in it. She added she has a very hard time believing that Mn/DOT will be able to accomplish a redesign that meets the City's expectations, and also expressed concern that Mn/DOT does not have a budget for this project. Councilmember Basill concurred and stated the City should continue to work with Mn/DOT and to come up with the necessary funding to complete the project as previously agreed to by Mn/DOT. Councilmember Finkelstein suggested the City look at what its other legal rights may be with respect to the project. Mr. Harmening requested input from the Council with respect to proposed improvements to Utica Avenue. He pointed out that staff has held off on doing anything with Utica Avenue because of impacts with the Highway 100 project. Councilmember Sanger stated she does not disagree with staff about not wanting to put significant money into a project that might have to be redone at a later date, but it appears that Mn/DOT wants to take less right-of-way versus more which would suggest that the roadway for Utica might not need to be moved at all. Mr. Rardin explained that Mn/DOT had never proposed moving Utica or doing anything on Utica because Mn/DOT can live within their right-of-way. He stated the question is the local north/south street connection and how the commercial area north of 26th Street is accessed; Utica Ave may be used for that purpose. The reconstruction of Utica should (exact location, width, and structural design) be based on its intended future use. Councilmember Sanger asked if the minimal resurfacing will hold up for a significant amount of time if the drainage improvements are not done. Mr. Rardin stated the drainage issues relate to an inadequate street and drainage system design and ponding will still occur. He stated option #3 will only result in a smoother pavement; it will be better than what exists today but drainage and ponding problems will remain the same. It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to do minimal surface smoothing with no drainage improvements on Utica Avenue during 2010 unless Hwy 100 discussions dictate otherwise. 3. 2010 Budget and Levy Mr. Harmening presented the staff report and 'stated staff has implemented additional staffing changes and undertook some of those staffing changes today through layoffs. He noted there are costs associated with unemployment insurance, etc., and staff is suggesting that those items be looked at as one time costs using fund balance monies to pay for those non-recurring costs He added that staff has been meeting with other cities to determine if there are ways to collaborate on sharing costs, and one area that has been identified is sharing of environmental services staff. Study Session Minutes -5- November 23, 2009 Mayor Jacobs complimented staff on coming up with a plan that gives the City a balanced budget. It was the consensus of the City Council to proceed with the proposed plan, which provides for a balanced budget, for the Truth-in-Taxation Hearing on December 7. 4. Possible City/School Partnership - Turf Ms. Walsh presented the staff report. Councilmember Sanger stated she felt the City ought to plan for a community center first. She felt it appears the turf issue is being driven by the School District and is something they want. She stated it was her understanding that the School District polled residents to see if they would pay for the turf and were told "no." She added from her perspective she would be embarrassed if she was a member of the School Board to spend money on this when they are cutting teachers and increasing class sizes, and in addition she has heard no demand for this. Councilmember Basill stated he felt this provides an opportunity for the City to provide more open space, consistent with the vision statement. He indicated the property is in a prime location that can and should be used much more. He added this would involve taking a school asset and turning it into a community asset, and it warrants further exploration. Councilmember Paprocki stated this appears primarily to be a School District need and did not feel it was a responsible use of money by the City. Councilmember Finkelstein stated he would be in favor of studying the issue further to determine if a partnership would benefit the entire city. Mayor Jacobs stated that Councilmembers Omodt and Carver have expressed their desire to study the issue further. Mr. Harmening stated if the Council wants a good picture of the feasibility for doing this, staff should study several things, including capital costs, repairs needed on the site, cost sharing, usage projections, and long term maintenance needs. Councilmember Sanger stated she felt if the School District wants to pursue this, the District should spend the time and effort in studying it further and come up with a plan and cost estimate. She also suggested that if the School District is willing to install the turf, the City could rent it from the District. Mayor Jacobs stated the primary users would be the schools, but the City would also get a fair amount of use from the various youth sports associations. He stated he would like to know what sort of demand exists for the turf and how much use it would get. Study Session Minutes -6- November 23, 2009 Councilmember Basill stated at the joint meeting with the School District there was some discussion about granting the property to the City. He indicated the City has a duty to study the issue on the merits. Mayor Jacobs stated he would prefer to have staff study the artificial turf issue before a study of an overall community center project. He indicated he would like to have a more substantive conversation with the School District on how the City might partner with them on this. He also agreed that some informal polling should be done to make sure the City is not doing something that residents are strongly opposed to. It was the consensus of the majority of the City Council to direct staff to work with the School District on a feasibility analysis with respect to a possible City/School partnership, including preparation of a scope of work. 5. Communications (Verbal) Mr. Harmening stated that the Excelsior Boulevard project, west of Dakota Avenue by Methodist Hospital to Louisiana Avenue, included shutting down the bridge. Staff has learned that the bridge may not be shut down and traffic may be allowed to travel one way in each direction. Mr. Harmening stated that some residents have expressed an interest in looking at the airport noise issue in the City. He reported that staff will work with MAC and FAA officials to schedule a meeting that would be open to all residents. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only: 6. October, 2009 Monthly Financial Statements 7. Recycling Contract— Eureka Recycling 8. MSC Renovation Project Update IP , ,Ylc4 ,, Nancy Stroth, ity Clerk Je' / ob., Mayor