HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009/12/14 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session ifSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
DECEMBER 14, 2009
The meeting convened at 8:00 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, John Basill, 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
(Scott Brink) and Senior Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Olson).
Guests: Council Elect Anne Mavity, Julia Ross and Sue Santa, SEH, Inc. Representatives (Mark
Dierling and Tom Sohrweide).
1. Future Study Session Agenda Planning— December 14, 2009
No specific discussion occurred on this topic.
2. Highway 7 / Louisiana Avenue Project— Public and Stakeholder Involvement Process
Mr. Olson presented the staff report and introduced attending consultant staff from SEH, Inc.
Mr. Dierling presented the proposed public involvement plan/process along with a tentative
schedule and requested input from Council. Council suggested large community entities (such as
Park Nicollet and Sam's Club) be contacted for input possibly in the one-on-one meetings. Mr.
Dierling provided Council with a brief review of the two concepts under consideration for preferred
alternatives. Council expressed concern over emergency vehicle use of roundabouts. 'While traffic
signals allow for emergency vehicle preemption, roundabouts do not. Mr. Dierling presented a
video produced by the Minnesota Local Road Research Board (LRRB) and Mn/DOT explaining the
benefits of roundabouts. Councilmember Paprocki expressed concern regarding the use of two-lane
roundabouts on Louisiana Avenue and suggested giving consideration to the use of a hybrid of the
two presented solutions. He stated the hybrid solution would have roundabouts on the ramps and
conventional signals on Louisiana Avenue. Council directed staff to arrange a roundabout tour in
January so Council could learn more about them.
3. Communications (Verbal)
Mr. Harmening reminded Council and Council Elect of the Council Workshop scheduled for
February 19 and 20 and indicated that the 2010 Council will receive a questionnaire requesting their
input on topic areas for the workshop.
Study Session Minutes -2- December 14, 2009
Mr. Harmening reported that the Met Council was requesting the adoption of a resolution by all
cities along the Southwest Transit Corridor indicating their support for the locally preferred
alternative selected. He indicated the resolutions were requested to be if effect by Late January.
Mr. Harmening stated that the City has met with Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman
and County staff regarding the Freight Rail Study and will report back to Council.
Mr. Harmening informed Council that the Human Rights Commission will be recommending that
Council pass a resolution condemning genocide.
The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Nancy StrothCityClerk Jeff J. -oes, Mayor