HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011/06/06 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session `II St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
JUNE 6, 2011
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Anne Mavity, Julia Ross (arrived at 6:36 p.m.),
Susan Sanger, and Sue Santa.
Councilmembers absent: Phil Finkelstein and Paul Omodt.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Community Development Director (Mr. Locke),
Planning/Zoning Supervisor (Ms. McMonigal), Public Works Director (Mr. Rardin), City
Engineer (Mr. Brink), Director of Parks and Recreation (Ms. Walsh), Senior Planner (Mr.
Walther), and Recording Secretary(Ms. Hughes).
Guest: Dave McKenzie(SEH, Inc.)
1. Review Draft MN&S EAW Comments and Mitigation Measures
Mr. Locke presented the staff report as well as written EAW comments prepared by
Councilmember Sanger.
Councilmember Sanger noted that she may have misinterpreted the EAW's identification of the
temporary reroute on page 14 and asked that this comment be disregarded if her statement
regarding the temporary reroute is incorrect. She stated that it appears the EAW is based on the
2030 Rail Plan and not premised at all on need for the reroute for light rail purposes which she
interprets as a tacit admission to co-locate freight rail and light rail in the Kenilworth corridor.
She added that the EAW does not provide any information regarding how the proposed reroute
fits with the 2030 Rail Plan. She stated the EAW is basing this plan on the current number of
trains that would be rerouted without taking into account any future growth, which she found
problematic because on page 72, the EAW acknowledges the 2030 Rail Plan and future
increased rail traffic, but does not include any estimate of what that increased rail traffic might
be and has not been factored into any calculations. She stated that the TCW owns the Minnesota
Prairie Line outside the metro which is currently being reconstructed to handle more trains that
carry ethanol and hazardous chemicals and it does not seen unreasonable to assume that those
trains will come onto the tracks in the City because they are interconnected and will need to
travel through the metro. She felt that the EAW significantly under-estimates the amount of train
traffic and felt that the calculations regarding noise, vibration, etc. need to be redone. She stated
that the EAW does not pay attention to aesthetics, replanting of land, or maintenance of land and
the railroads have historically done an inadequate job of maintaining its property and right-of-
ways. She asked that the City obtain a commitment regarding replanting and maintenance. She
indicated that the EAW misstates the grade of the new interconnect as .80% rather than .86%
which exceeds TCW's stated maximum incline. She stated that it is not known how the
floodplain will be modified and expressed concern regarding potential impacts to the townhouses
on Alabama and Birchwood. She also expressed concern regarding the proposed closure of the
West 29th Street grade crossing despite statements from residents in the Birchwood and Bronx
neighborhoods that they do not want this closed. She stated that the noise and vibration issues
have not been adequately addressed, such as squealing of brakes in the tight curves or bells on
the crossing arms, and noted that the County admitted there would be more noise and vibration
than exists today, yet the County labeled it minor without providing any explanation and has not
proposed much in the way of mitigation for vibration. She requested that the City add to its
Special Study Session Minutes -2- June 6, 2011
mitigation measures a statement that vibration needs to be addressed if the Burlington Northern
tracks are redone north of Birchwood and south of Blackstone. She stated that there is currently a
significant amount of foot traffic between Roxbury and Keystone Parks and requested that the
City's mitigation measures include a request for a tunnel or bridge between these two parks as a
safety measure. She stated that the EAW does not discuss plans for preventing a derailment
and/or how a derailment would be handled, which has been identified as a major concern for
residents.
Councilmember Mavity stated that the potential relocation of the business in Skunk Hollow has
not been addressed and if the goal is to remove the wye, that business would need to be relocated
and those costs should be included as mitigation. She requested that the strongest language
possible be included in the mitigation measures with respect to disruption to the businesses along
Lake Street,both in terms of partial takings and permanent disruption.
Councilmember Santa stated that the EAW appears to minimize the challenges regarding poor
and contaminated soils and enhances anything that might be considered an advantage, which she
found to be deceptive at best. She indicated that it will be imperative to get a clear picture of
how the contaminated soils will be handled on the Golden Auto site. She expressed concern
regarding statements made in the EAW regarding the Louisiana Avenue and Highway 7 project
and the assumption that this project is fully funded and is going to happen, which is inaccurate.
She insisted that the City require a timeline either as mitigation or as a comment to the EAW so
that residents know who is making decisions and when they can expect decisions to be made.
She added that she would not allow a similar situation to what has occurred with Highway 100 to
occur here, where residents have been forced to put their lives on hold and cannot sell or invest
in their homes because they are waiting for a decision to be made.
Councilmember Sanger requested that the housing buyout program for homes on the west side of
the MN&S tracks remain as a potential mitigation measure. She also requested the addition of a
safe crossing between Roxbury and Keystone Parks to the mitigation measures. She asked that
mitigation be requested for the noise by South Oak Park to minimize the impacts to South Oak
Hill.
Council discussed removal of the switching wye and creation of a new southern interconnect
with appropriate mitigation, including a grade separated crossing at Excelsior Boulevard.
Councilmember Santa requested that paragraph 7 of the draft comments include a reference to
responsibility for maintenance of the landscaping and surrounding grounds.
Mayor Jacobs recessed the Special Study Session at 7:14 p.m. in order to convene the City
Council meeting.
Mayor Jacobs reconvened the Special Study Session at 8:01 p.m.
2. Bicycle & Pedestrian System Planning and Implementation
Mr. Walther presented the staff report and discussed the City's existing system of sidewalks,
trails, and bikeways and past implementation of high priority pedestrian and bicycle
improvements. He noted that the City has been very active in making improvements, spending
approximately $2 million on improvements from 1999 to 2006-2007. He presented a number of
options for implementing the Bicycle and Pedestrian System Plans based on a continuum of
approaches ranging from "mostly opportunistic"to "very proactive."
Special Study Session Minutes -3- June 6, 2011
Mr. Harmening added the City spent significantly more than $2 million dollars. For example,
the CSAH 25 pedestrian bridge cost$1.8 million alone.
Councilmember Santa expressed concern regarding maintenance costs for both sidewalks and
trails and the availability of funds for maintenance. She suggested that the Council have a
discussion regarding the City's public art and how to incorporate more public art as part of the
overall process. She stated that she has heard a lot of comments about the City's public art and
how the public art enhances the walkways, invites people to slow down and possibly even try a
new business. She requested that Council consider what it envisions and hopes to accomplish as
it relates to the overall sidewalk plan and to consider mobility issues as part of that discussion.
Councilmember Ross agreed and suggested that the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan include a
potential frontage road as part of the Highway 100 project.
Councilmember Mavity noted that the recent survey ranked trails as the#1 recreational asset that
residents want and this will provide the City with direction in determining priorities as it relates
to sidewalks and trails. She encouraged Council to be very proactive on the continuum of
approaches. She stated that this also points out the lack of a connection to the West End and this
connection represents an appropriate role for government to invest in that infrastructure. She also
asked that the City actively pursue the Nice Ride Minnesota partnership.
Councilmember Sanger agreed and stated that the City should actively work with Mn/DOT
regarding a potential trail parallel to Highway 100. She stated that the City needs to address the
issue of snow removal on some of the City's sidewalks and the inequity that currently exists
regarding snow removal on sidewalks.
It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to prepare a Bicycle and Pedestrian
System Plan using a very proactive, high priority approach over the next five to ten years,
including staffing requirements.
Councilmember Santa requested that the issue of trails and sidewalks and bikeways be included
as part of the City's review of any future development or redevelopment in the City.
Councilmember Sanger felt that consideration needs to be given to the changing demographics
of the community and differing needs related to sidewalks and trails.
Mr. Harmening stated that staff will also provide Council with the methodology used in early
2000 to identify City versus neighborhood sidewalks as well as information regarding what
would be required to have the City take responsibility for maintaining all sidewalks in the City.
The meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m.
Written Reports provided and documented for recording purposes only:
3. Fuel Costs and Budget 2011
4. Cavalia—The West End d
Nancy Stroth, Ci Clerk Jeff/:cobs, ayo