HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012/07/16 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session J1/ St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK,MINNESOTA
JULY 16, 2012
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jeff Jacobs, Steve Hallfin, Anne Mavity, Julia Ross, Susan
Sanger, Sue Santa, and Jake Spano (arrived at 6:39 p.m.).
Councilmembers absent: None.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Director of Public Works (Mr. Rardin), City
Engineer(Mr. Brink), Senior Planner(Mr. Walther), and Recording Secretary(Ms. Hughes).
1. Pedestrian and Bicycle System Implementation Plan and Policy Review
Mr. Rardin presented the staff report and several exhibits associated with the proposed
Pedestrian and Bicycle System Implementation Plan. He advised that the plan highlights those
streets where parking would need to be restricted in order to install Bike Lanes and staff suggests
leaving these in the plan to allow the public to comment on possible parking restrictions. He
stated that General Obligation bonds are proposed to finance the plan and noted that the City
may wish to pay for the proposed Neighborhood sidewalks instead of assessing residents for this
cost. He discussed the exhibit regarding expected issues and concerns as well as the Guiding
Principles and Communications Plan. He indicated the City would like to see sidewalks six feet
wide with at least a one-foot clearance on each side to make it easier to maintain the sidewalks;
and, to reduce as much as possible the amount of swerving around trees. He noted that the
Communications Plan was developed using a three-phase approach with the tagline "Connect the
Park." He added meeting dates have not yet been set but are anticipated to be held in September
or October.
Councilmember Mavity expressed support for the Pedestrian and Bicycle System
Implementation Plan. She requested that the City publish the entire timeline for this project so
residents know when they can provide input. She stated it was not entirely clear how the City
will gather information and input from residents and requested that the City make sure the
process for gathering resident input is completed in a fair, structured, and transparent way. She
suggested using the City's website for this purpose.
Mr. Rardin indicated that Mr. Brink will be facilitating the process for input and stated the City
will maintain detailed comments from residents.
Councilmember Sanger expressed support for the Pedestrian and Bicycle System Implementation
Plan and agreed with Councilmember Mavity's comments regarding the process for gathering
resident input. She stated the plan outlines five roads where parking may be restricted and felt
the City should not be making decisions regarding these roads based solely on this plan, e.g.,
Ottawa Avenue between Minnetonka Boulevard and CSAH 25. She stated that Council has
discussed the issues with Ottawa Avenue and indicated she would prefer to look at that segment
in conjunction with all the other issues of traffic congestion and access and not simply whether to
impose parking restrictions in this area. She requested that the list of expected issues and
concerns include the issue of residents with underground sprinklers who may be impacted by
construction.
Special Study Session Minutes -2- July 16, 2012
Councilmember Ross requested the City make sure the proposed sidewalks are ADA compliant.
She asked if there was room along Cedar Lake Road to construct sidewalks further toward the
street or narrow the street to install the walks in order to reduce the amount of impact to
properties along Cedar Lake Road.
Mr. Rardin stated that Cedar Lake Road is an MSA street and the City has to comply with certain
State standards.
Councilmember Mavity requested that the Communications Plan include information about the
proper location for planting trees on boulevards.
Councilmember Sanger requested that the City also remind residents they should not plant trees
under power lines.
Councilmember Spano requested further information regarding the proposed financing plan.
Mr. Harmening advised the City would not issue General Obligation bonds for the project on a
yearly basis but would issue the bonds in large amounts, e.g., every three years. He added the
City could also piggyback onto another bond issue to save costs. He indicated once the public
process and timeline are complete, the City will outline the financing plan in greater detail.
Councilmember Ross asked if the County will reimburse the City for any of its costs associated
with improvements to county roads.
Mr. Rardin stated the City can ask the County to reimburse some of its costs and noted the
County has a complete streets philosophy.
It was the consensus of the City Council to not change the proposed Bike Lanes to Bikeways at
this time and to allow for that possibility to occur during the public input process.
It was also the consensus of the City Council to support the recommended financing plan.
It was also the consensus of the City Council to have the City pay for construction of the
Neighborhood sidewalks proposed in the plan and not require adjacent residents to pay for the
construction of these Neighborhood sidewalks.
It was also the consensus of the City Council to approve the Communications Plan noting the
comments provided by Council in its discussion this evening.
The meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
NancyStro�y Clerk Jeff Jac lay r