HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016/09/19 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionfffSt. Louis Park OFFICIAL MINUTES
M I N N E S O T A CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
SEPTEMBER 19, 2016
The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Gregg Lindberg,
Anne Mavity, Thom Miller, and Susan Sanger.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Engineering Director (Ms. Heiser), Senior
Engineering Project Manager (Mr. Shamla), Transportation Engineer (Mr. Iverson), and
Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas).
Guest: Dan Coyle, Kimley Horn
1. Texas Avenue Reconstruction Project
Ms. Heiser introduced Mr. Shamla who gave an update on the project. Mr. Shamla stated that in
2017, Texas Avenue, between Highway 7 and Minnetonka Boulevard, is proposed to be
reconstructed. This street is an important north/south route in the city and is designated as a
Municipal State Aid (MSA) road which makes it eligible for state funding. In order to qualify for
funding, the road needs to be constructed to state aid standards. The city engaged Kimley Horn
to complete the study and design of Texas Avenue. Additionally, Mr. Shamla pointed out that
CenterPoint Energy will be replacing their high pressure gas main on this segment of Texas
Avenue in 2017. Staff recommends that the city pursue a reconstruction project, in conjunction
with the CenterPoint Energy project, in order to achieve a cost savings as well as reduce
inconvenience to the property owners and travelling public.
Mr. Shamla added that the scope of the project includes street reconstruction; bike lanes;
sidewalk reconstruction; streetlight replacement; signal rehabilitation/replacement; and
miscellaneous utility rehabilitation. The schedule for this project begins with the preliminary
layout completed by October 1, and final design presented in October. A third open house will be
held for residents, and then construction will begin in April of 2017. The project will be
completed by November, 2017.
Mr. Shamla reviewed the feedback received from attendees at the first two open houses,
regarding bikeway and parking concerns, along with concerns about backing in and out of their
driveways.
Councilmember Mavity asked what the anticipated growth on this road is for vehicles per day
and if it will change over time. Mr. Shamla stated that the predicted growth is up to 9,011
vehicles per day by the year 2046.
Councilmember Lindberg asked if the sanitary sewers and water mains are in good working
order and if they will last through the duration of the project. Ms. Heiser replied that the utility
division indicated that they are.
Councilmember Sanger stated she is glad to see there are bike lanes included in the project. She
added that the lanes look wider than they need to be and asked if there is any flexibility on this.
Mr. Iverson stated the standard for bike lanes is 5 feet, and that is what is proposed here.
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Councilmember Sanger asked if the electronic speed sign would be permanent at this location.
Ms. Heiser stated it will be permanent.
Councilmember Sanger asked how the bus routes would be handled on Texas Avenue and if
there would be enough room for the buses to turn onto the route. Mr. Shamla stated that the city
would work with Metro Transit to coordinate.
Councilmember Brausen asked how many bus routes are on Texas Avenue. Staff stated they
would check into this and provide that information.
Mayor Spano stated Texas Avenue is a state aid road, so the state has some control. He noted
what had happened on Excelsior Boulevard with speed limits, after a speed study was conducted,
and stated the speed may be increased here, also, if a speed study is conducted.
Ms. Heiser recommended that traffic management be included in this project in order to
influence vehicle speeds. This includes design elements such as making the street narrower
through creating bump -ins. She added there is no stormwater design yet, as the concept will first
need to be decided upon.
Mr. Harmening added staff will need to understand what the council prefers for this project, and
if there should be bike lanes, bump -outs, and speed/traffic calming.
Councilmember Mavity noted that the South Oak Hill residents care about designs of bike lanes
coming off the trail at Highway 7 and connecting to the crossing at Texas Avenue and Highway
7. She added that at the neighborhood meeting, residents noted they don't like what is proposed.
She asked staff to be sure this connection with bike lanes is seamless in this area.
Staff presented the two concepts for Texas Avenue to the council. One concept has parking on
one side of the street, while the other concept proposes parking on both sides of the street.
Councilmember Hallfin asked with either concept, if any land is being taken away; if the
sidewalk is widened; and if there are any issues with right-of-way. Staff noted that at this time
there is no right-of-way acquisition for sidewalk construction.
Councilmember Hallfin asked if there are any rules related to the boulevard and if they have to
be grass, plantings, or cement. Ms. Heiser stated the majority of boulevards are grass, but the city
will work with residents who prefer wood chips, or topsoil, or vegetation. However, most want
sod on the boulevard.
Councilmember Lindberg asked if there are any height limitations for vegetation. Ms. Heiser
answered that the limit is 24 inches.
Councilmember Mavity asked if there are efficiency issues in terms of traffic flow. Staff noted
that bump -outs will likely slow traffic and with shorter distances for crosswalks, there are better
pedestrian connections. Additionally, bike lanes can also slow traffic.
Councilmember Mavity asked which concept plan staff recommends. Mr. Shamla stated staff
recommends concept 2, with parking on both sides of the street. He added that they learned from
resident feedback that the parking lanes assist residents who back out of their driveways.
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Councilmember Sanger stated she supports bike lanes and is in favor of concept 2 because of
this.
Councilmember Lindberg noted staff summarized this project well and stated his job as
councilmember is to be a champion for Ward 3 and solicit comments from residents about this
project. He stated he has spoken to a number of people; however, there is no one who says that
bikeways are appropriate on Texas Avenue. He noted residents have support for bike lanes in
general, but not on Texas Avenue. So at this point, he does not support concept 1 or 2, and has to
follow the lead of the residents in his ward. Councilmember Lindberg added that many are
concerned about how close the infrastructure comes to their homes. They are also concerned
about the addition of bikes on an already busy street. He stated he has to be responsible for what
residents are saying and try to balance that with what he is hearing from the folks who live on
Texas Avenue.
Councilmember Brausen stated he respects and accepts this but also believes that the city has to
continue to build out a multi -use transportation system. It seems clear that the street can handle it
based on traffic flow. He added he supports concept 2, noting it seems like there is adequate
parking, while he is also sensitive to those losing some near their driveway.
Councilmember Mavity stated it is important to add bike lanes, although she understands the
comments from residents in Ward 3. She noted this is important as it follows what is being done
across the city. She stated this project may feel more dramatic; however, the city will try to work
with residents to address concerns. She stated she is supportive and wants to continue
conversations about the intersection at Highway 7.
Councilmember Miller stated he generally supports bike lanes through the city but he does
question if Texas Avenue is the best place to put bike lanes. He stated when he bikes, he uses a
trail and does not use Texas Avenue, adding that at the last meeting related to the Texas Avenue
project, no one attended from the Bike and Walk the Park group, which seems to mean that bike
lanes are not a priority on Texas Avenue, and it is not as important a thoroughfare for biking. He
noted he would totally support bike lanes on Louisiana and Dakota Avenues, but added he
doesn't really understand the need for it on Texas Avenue and will not support the project.
Councilmember Sanger stated she has biked Texas Avenue going to Knollwood Mall, adding
that there will need to be traffic lights in this vicinity. Ms. Heiser noted the traffic light on 33rd
will remain.
Councilmember Hallfin stated he believes concept 2 would be fine, but noted in conversations
with Councilmember Lindberg and residents of Ward 3, there may be some options the council
has not thought through as yet.
Mayor Spano stated that he prefers concept 2 and agrees with keeping parking on both sides of
the street. However, he is not hearing a consensus, although most councilmembers are leaning
towards concept 2. He added there are still questions; however, the city has made a commitment
to increase bike and pedestrian access. Because there are not that many north -south connections
in the city, it is challenging.
Councilmember Lindberg stated in hearing the general direction of council, he will have more
questions and need more answers for residents. He asked staff what the bike counts are on Texas
Special Study Session Minutes 4- September 19, 2016
Avenue today and what the city expects them to be in the future. Ms. Heiser stated staff will
provide this information at a future discussion.
Staff was also asked for a tree count, how the project may impact homeowners' trees; and impact
information for residents where there will be planned bump -outs. Additionally, it was noted that
council should direct any other questions on the project to Ms. Heiser.
Mr. Shamla added if bike lanes are not added to Texas Avenue now and are done later, it will be
very costly.
The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
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Melissa Kennedy, City Clerk