HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014/11/17 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session III St. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
NOVEMBER 17, 2014
The meeting convened at 6:50 p m
Councilmembers present: Mayor Pro Tern Steve Hallfin, Tim Brausen, Gregg Lindberg, Anne
Mavity, Susan Sanger, and Jake Spano.
Councilmembers absent: Mayor Jeff Jacobs.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Director of Engineering (Ms. Heiser), Senior
Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Elkin), Senior Engineering Project Manager (Mr Sullivan),
City Clerk (Ms. Stroth), Communications & Marketing Coordinator (Mr. Zwilling) and
Recording Secretary(Ms. Staple).
Guest: Manon Greene (County Commissioner)
1. Discussion with County Commissioner Marion Greene
Mayor Pro Tem Steve Hallfin introduced County Commissioner Marion Greene.
Commissioner Greene stated that the County is currently in the budget season right now, which
is the main focus She stated that there is a draft version of the bike plan and comments are
being received through December 5. She highlighted projects including early childhood,
healthcare, a collaboration between Ramsey and Hennepin counties regarding teen treatment
centers, and Southwest Light Rail.
Councilmember Spano referenced the light rail project, stating that the City is in the information
discovery phase. He stated that one challenge is the changing landscape of funding decisions
and the criteria used to fund decisions, specifically the funds that will, or will not, be available.
He explained that the municipal consent was based on discussions with the Metropolitan (Met)
Council and in the last few months there have been a lot of changes in that area. He stated that
the City has been strategic about purchasing projects along the route for the purpose of
developing and economic development. He stated that the City and County have been in robust
discussions with the public regarding what should be developed along the route and did not
believe that the Met Council has put that into the actual plan. He understood that deals have to
be made and the City must go forward with some trust, but stated that the challenge is about the
aspects being placed into the plan and also about locally requested capital improvements and
how those will, or will not be funded
Councilmember Sanger desired additional information regarding the underpasses and park and
rides specifically, noting that there will be three stations. She referenced the specific station
locations and questioned how those would be accessed, specifically an underpass at Beltline
Boulevard, which will allow the traffic flow to continue; and an underpass east of Wooddale.
Councilmember Spano stated that in regard to local capital improvements the City focus has
been on three areas; economic development, safety, and access.
Councilmember Mavity stated that it appears the Met Council developed the plans seven years
ago and moved forward this year without even looking at the TCAPP plans. She referenced the
Beltline station and compared the plans proposed to those discussed through the public comment
Study Session Minutes -2- November 17, 2014
process. She stated that in the resident dnven planning the City has attempted to develop smaller
scale blocks to allow for better pedestnan access. She believed that the City has been aggressive
and very forward thinking in this process, specifically regarding form based codes to be used
around station areas. She stated that between the City and the County there is a campus around
the Wooddale station, which has great potential for development, noting that the City can help
guide the development with the help of the County. She stated that the City cannot do this on its
own and will need the County.
Commissioner Greene confirmed the concerns regarding funding and that it appears that the
County is not pushing hard enough on its station area plans.
Councilmember Spano stated that he is not seeing the connectivity between the funding agencies
not only to see the same results, but the vision of how that would be reached.
Councilmember Mavity commented that the County has done great leadership efforts but did not
see the plans connecting together.
Commissioner Greene stated that the County is currently digesting the fact that there will not be
contingency funds. She noted that there is also discussion on who will be in the lead position on
this project.
Mr Harmemng stated that there are costs to each aspect of the project and yet there are not
specific plans for the items, above the bare minimum, nor any direction for how those items
would be funded.
Councilmember Spano stated that the project office has now stated that if locally requested
capital improvement projects are to be included in the budget, that must be decided this month,
and the City must commit to fund ten percent of construction costs in January.
Councilmember Sanger stated that if those items are not included, it would be far more
expensive to retrofit those aspects in the future.
Councilmember Brausen stated that honestly this is a 50 to 100 year infrastructure project and
ultimately there will be judgment on whether that is successful. He stated that the City funding
being requested for this project is larger than the City's entire budget.
Councilmember Mavity stated that the infrastructure funds would not be placed in those areas at
this time, such as Beltline, if this project was not moving ahead.
Councilmember Sanger agreed that there would not be priority in those areas if the light rail was
not going in, because there would not be such high traffic counts expected.
Commissioner Greene summanzed the points she heard including the County's imprint on the
plan and the assertion of the County in certain leadership discussions; and talking to SPO
regarding the timing, specifically the request for funds in such a short manner of time and the
comparison of the funds requested compared to municipal budgets.
Councilmember Spano stated that these items will be necessary for people to not only access the
stations safely but also making the stations enticing. He stated that if these things are not done,
people will avoid the stations
Study Session Minutes -3- November 17,2014
Mr. Harmening agreed that if the access is not made available and if traffic cannot flow through
there will be an impact on development as well.
Councilmember Spano stated that the City is also engaged in a discussion regarding Excelsior
Boulevard and the potential future development on its south side. He questioned what the
County's vision was regarding Excelsior, as that will assist in the planning for development in
that area.
Mayor Pro Tern Steve Hallfin stated that it would also be beneficial to have information
regarding France Avenue, explaining that the City is considering purchasing a portion of France
Avenue property from Minneapolis, and that information would be beneficial to know.
Councilmember Sanger advised of an issue regarding the potential closing of treatment centers
because of the reimbursement process developed by the State in response to the Affordable Care
Act.
Mr Harmening referenced Minnetonka Boulevard, specifically the poor condition of the
roadway and sidewalks, and stated that the City would like to discuss that with the County,
noting that there has been much concern from residents. He also referenced CSAH 25 and how
that moves through the community, stating that the City would like to see it converted from a
highway type roadway to a community type roadway in order to make it more pedestrian
friendly and inviting.
Commissioner Greene stated that her office has been pushing to get information from public works
regarding the priority projects and the timing of those projects.
2. Communications (verbal)
None.
The meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m.
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Nancy Stroth(City Clerk Steve Hallfin, Mayor ' . Tern