HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010/09/20 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session fffSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
SEPTEMBER 20, 2010
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Phil Finkelstein, Anne Mavity, Julia Ross, Susan
Sanger, and Sue Santa.
Councilmembers absent: Paul Omodt
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Public Works Director (Mr. Rardin), Senior
Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Olson), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Wirth).
1. Highway 7 / Louisiana Avenue Interchange Project Update
Mr. Olson provided an overview of configurations for the Highway 7/Louisiana Avenue interchange.
He explained that a three-day value engineering study was held by Mn/DOT to gain additional
input on how to add value to the project as well as cost saving measures. Based on that input, a new
concept design was suggested for a single point urban interchange with roundabouts that remains
within the existing right-of-way and which uses one roundabout under the bridge overpass. Mr.
Olson advised that the City's consultant examined the viability of this new concept design and made
several refinements to address vehicle and pedestrian movements.
Councilmember Ross asked how this new concept design meets the needs of Republic Avenue
businesses. Mr. Olson advised it no longer has right-of-way or access impacts in that area so
Republic Avenue would remain open and operate as it does today.
Councilmember Santa asked about impact to the apartment complex. Mr. Olson advised it remains
within the existing right-of-way and retaining walls would be along the main line of the road, not
encroaching on the apartment property.
Councilmember Sanger asked about the pedestrian and bicycle access compared to the previous
option. Mr. Olson stated the last option was more pedestrian friendly as this new design adds more
street crossings along Louisiana Ave. The suggested concept has been refined to pull the roundabout
to the north so it is not under the bridge, similar to the Highway 61 roundabout in Cottage Grove
that Council toured last January. He noted this option is not a full roundabout under the bridge
since that is not really needed. However, there are still full roundabouts at both Walker Street and
Lake Street.
Councilmember Mavity stated she found the new concept design to be less pedestrian friendly
because of the number of crossings required for bicyclists and pedestrians. Mr. Olson explained that
traffic entering the roundabout has to yield to traffic already in the roundabout, including
pedestrians and bicyclists, so traffic will be slow at pedestrian crossings. He used an aerial map to
describe the pathway to access trails, noting the crosswalks are set back from the roundabout to allow
the driver to make decisions about pedestrian traffic before entering the roundabout. In addition,
interchanges will be striped for pedestrian crossings to alert drivers of their need to yield.
Special Study Session Minutes -2- September 20, 2010
Councilmember Finkelstein asked about the potential for flooding. Mr. Olson advised that
Louisiana Avenue will be lowered five to seven feet to minimize raising Highway 7, but it will be
designed so as not to be subject to flooding. In addition, Louisiana Avenue north of Walker St
currently floods during significant rain storms. This situation will be corrected with this project
Councilmember Sanger asked if the new concept design affords more or fewer opportunities for
economic development. Mr. Olson stated it will offer more opportunities since there is no taking of
property in the northeast quadrant and creates a larger parcel in the southwest quadrant.
Councilmember Sanger asked, as a practical matter, whether the City has any options since this
design came out of Mn/DOT's mandated process. Mr. Rardin stated the Council can make the
decision on which layout to approve, noting the last option was estimated to cost $22 million.
Councilmember Finkelstein stated that even at $22 million he does not think the City can afford
this project without significant contribution from federal and county entities, noting this project is
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being considered to accommodate light rail.
Mayor Jacobs agreed this project cannot move forward with only City funding. He noted the Met
Council contributed $7 million and advised of other entitles being approached for contribution.
Mayor Jacobs stated he supports the new concept design, being referred to as the "peanut design,"
because it better accommodates emergency vehicle access to Methodist Hospital, is more efficient,
uses less property, and is easier to navigate.
Councilmember Santa concurred that the "peanut design" solves problems that existed in the last
option since it stays within the right-of-way, does not wall in the apartment building, businesses
maintain access, and there is more opportunity for economic development. However, she remained
concerned about ponding and flooding issues.
Councilmember Mavity agreed the new concept design is far superior and challenged staff to look at
pedestrian safety, especially in the south roundabout, to address the number of crossings and create
an easy pedestrian path.
Councilmember Sanger concurred and asked staff to assure that medians at designated bicycle
crossings are wide enough to accommodate a tandem or bicycle pulling a child trailer. She stated the
value engineering study produced positive results and recommended it be replicated for large
infrastructure projects.
Councilmember Finkelstein stated that whatever is done with this interchange, it will still be
difficult for pedestrians and bicyclist. He stated the design may need separate pedestrian/bicycle
bridges and some "do overs" may be needed after the project is designed.
Councilmember Mavity emphasized that it is critical to consider pedestrian and bicycle use as part of
the plan to assure it is safe for children to cross. Mayor Jacobs agreed with the need to assure that
pedestrian and bicycle traffic are correctly addressed at the beginning because people will be using
bicycles, rollerblades, and walking in this area.
Special Study Session Minutes -3- September 20, 2010
It was the consensus of the City Council to support the new "peanut" concept design and staff was
asked to obtain input from the Three Rivers Park District regarding pedestrian access.
2. Bidding and Construction / Project Management
Mr. Harmening introduced the topic, noting that as part of the AMES settlement agreement the
Council indicated it wanted to discuss bidding and construction project management.
Mr. Rardin presented the staff report and referenced attachments and the one-page summary
contained in the meeting packet for the Council's consideration.
Mayor Jacobs asked the Council to indicate the topics they would like staff to address. During
Council discussion, the following topics were identified:
• Provide a "Construction 101" refresher course.
• Information on the contractor's experience, background, ability to come in at cost, and if they
have been sued. How is the lowest responsible bidder vetted by staff?
• 'What is the statutory definition of"lowest and responsible bidder?"
• Inclusion of diversity language for women and minorities.
• What is Mn/DOT's role and responsibility when they act as the project engineer? What is the
role of City staff in terms of monitoring?
• Do we need to use Mn/DOT to oversee projects?
• What is the City role or responsibility on other agency projects?
• How far can the City push a project when it is being managed by another government entity?
• What is the role of a project engineer?
• What rights and responsibilities does the Council have under State law to reject bids, accept a
bid, or rebid the project?
• What is a "change order" and at what level does it become a change order instead of the ordinary
course of doing business?
• What is the approval process for a change order?
• How can the City limit liability for change orders that it does not initiate?
• Can we eliminate, ignore, or refuse change orders we do not like?
• Options for mandatory inclusion of alternate dispute resolution (ADR) to bring parties to the
table.
• Should a problem arise, when and how is the Council notified to assure there is no time lapse?
• When do private utilities have responsibility and what is their role and responsibility?
• When should the City hire a construction manager or use independent reviews to help assess
what should happen and what it should cost?
• Projects should always consider the issues of pedestrian and bicyclist access and safety.
• What tools have been used in the past and what are the benefits of those tools and approaches?
What has worked well and not worked well?
• What is the general process by staff to arrive at the engineer's cost estimate?
• Provide a summary of recent projects in terms of estimated costs, low bid, and final costs.
Special Study Session Minutes -4- September 20, 2010
• Provide a summary of past bids comparing low bid amounts to next higher bid amounts to
understand impact of change orders.
• What questions should be asked when the low bid is substantially lower than competitors?
• Provide information on processes that have worked well in the past.
The Council discussed that its purpose was not to micromanage projects and that the City had an
excellent infrastructure due to the quality of its staff. Staff was asked to assure that all members of
the Council are present when this topic is scheduled for discussion. It was the consensus of the City
Council to direct staff to provide the Council with further information regarding the topics raised
during discussion.
The meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
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Nancy Stroth, Ci Clerk Jeff Jarobs, Ma-or
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