HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006/06/05 - ADMIN - Agenda Packets - City Council - Study SessionCity Council Study Session
June 5, 2006
6:30 PM
Council Chambers
6:00 PM Meet the new Finance Director – Bruce DeJong
Discussion Item
1. 6:30 PM Highway 100 Revised Layout and Options
7:20 PM Adjourn
Written Item
2. Junior High Athletic Fields
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City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 060506 - 1 – Hwy 100 Reconstruction (Full Build) Project
Page 1
1. Hwy 100 Reconstruction (Full Build) Project
Public Works
PURPOSE OF DISCUSSION:
To update the City Council on the status of the Highway 100 Reconstruction (Full Build)
Project; to present revisions to the original preliminary geometric layout that was developed in
2002; to present local access / transportation options available to the community in the W26th
Street area; and, finally, to provide a tentative schedule for project development and the
Municipal Consent Approval process as well as answer any questions the Council may have
regarding the project at this time.
BACKGROUND:
On January 28, 2002 Mn/DOT staff formally introduced this proposed project to the Council.
Subjects discussed were project goals, design concepts, cost participation, project schedule, and
public involvement. As a result of that Study Session, Mn/DOT and City staff arranged a Public
Informational Meeting on May 14, 2002 at Benilde-St. Margaret’s High School to inform the
public about this proposed project. The draft preliminary geometric layout, on display on 2nd
floor in City Hall, was presented to the public for review and comment at that meeting.
Mn/DOT had various staff in attendance at the meeting to explain the proposed project and
answer questions.
Prior to the Public Informational Meeting, the City hosted a special meeting in April just for
residents along the west side of Toledo Avenue north of W. 28th Street. They were told that most
of their residences would probably be acquired due to this project. Concern was expressed by
residents over acquisition costs, relocation, necessity to remain in the Fern Hill Neighborhood,
and the project schedule. Mn/DOT staff attended the meeting to provide right of way acquisition
and relocation information as well as to answer any other questions that were asked.
Later in 2002 Mn/DOT determined the project needed to be delayed due to a lack of state
funding. Work on the project was discontinued until 2005 when Mn/DOT staff was directed to
develop an Interim Project aimed at congestion mitigation on this section of Hwy 100. As a part
of the recently approved Interim Project on Hwy 100, Mn/DOT evaluated the operational aspects
of the draft preliminary geometric layout which had been developed during 2002 and determined
it had several fatal flaws that would have to be addressed when the Reconstruction Project was
restarted. Finally, during the development and approval process of the Hwy 100 Interim Project
Mn/DOT designated the Hwy 100 Reconstruction (Full Build) Project as an “advanced design
project” and committed to developing the project so plans are ready for letting in 2009 if
sufficient new funding is available. This project is currently funded for a late 2014 letting (see
attached Project Summary and Project Schedules [2]).
During February of this year Mn/DOT resumed the design process for this project. Their effort
to date has been to revise the preliminary geometric layout to eliminate the fatal flaws discovered
last year. The attached “Line Schematics” (Figure 1 and Figure 2) show in simple form traffic
flow on the original layout and on a revised layout, respectively. Staff will explain at the Study
Session the fatal flaws discovered in the original layout and revisions needed to correct them.
City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 060506 - 1 – Hwy 100 Reconstruction (Full Build) Project
Page 2
Because of necessary changes, options for local access to Hwy 100 and an underpass in the
W26th Street area have now become available. These options are attached and are identified as
Options 1 – 4. A fifth option, not to construct an underpass, is also available for consideration.
DISCUSSION:
Mn/DOT has requested comments on the revised layout (Figure 2) and direction on the
underpass / access options they have developed for the W26th Street area. Once Mn/DOT
receives city comments / direction, they will finalize the preliminary geometric layout. Their
plan at this time is to complete the preliminary geometric layout, hold a public informational
meeting, revise the layout based on public comments (as appropriate), and then begin the
Municipal Consent Approval process early next year.
Options 1 – 4 with the proposed underpass were developed by Mn/DOT to address city staff
concerns over limited local access and expected future transportation needs. Without enhanced
access and an improved street system in this area, staff is concerned future local transportation
needs will not be met and long-term redevelopment will be limited. The Options 1 – 4 come
with added participation costs incurred by the city. Future improvements to Hwy 100 for access
or redevelopment purposes will be at city cost and would, frankly, be cost prohibitive. It appears
the decisions made in the near future and the plans that will be approved will set the direction for
a large area of the community for a long time into the future. The issues and concerns in
deciding this will need to be carefully evaluated and discussed.
Attachments: MnDOT Metro District Project Summary
TH100 Reconstruction (Full Build) Project Schedule
TH100 Reconstruction Graphed Schedule (Supplement)
TH100 Reconstruction from 36th to 25th ½ Street Fig 1 (Supplement)
TH100 Reconstruction from 36th to 25th ½ Street Fig. 2 (Supplement)
Option 1 (Supplement)
Option 2 (Supplement)
Option 3 (Supplement)
Option 4 (Supplement)
Prepared By: Michael P. Rardin, P.E., Public Works Director
Approved By: Tom Harmening, City Manager
City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 060506 - 1 – Hwy 100 Reconstruction (Full Build) Project
Page 3
Mn/DOT METRO DISTRICT PROJECT SUMMARY
Major Reconstruction - June 2006
ROADWAY: TH 100 from 36th Street West to Cedar Lake Road (2.1 miles)
CITIES/COUNTIES: City of St. Louis Park/Hennepin County
BACKGROUND:
The segment is the last sub-standard section on TH 100 south of I-394 and is one of the most
congested freeways in the Metro area. Originally built in the mid-1930’s, it is part of the first
beltway around the Twin Cities. Minimal improvements have occurred on this section over the
last 60 years.
The 2004 traffic volume on this segment is 105,000+ AADT. The volume to capacity ratio is 1.3
and it operates at a Level of Service F. This roadway was over capacity in 2004 and will only
get worse; the 2031 traffic projection is 127,300 AADT.
The project purpose is to increase capacity by reconstructing the roadway to a standard 6-lane
freeway and replace existing bridges. The project needs include congestion relief, geometric
deficiency corrections, replacement of aging infrastructure, and correction of roadway flooding.
With the completion of the 6-lane freeway north of I-394 in 2005, only this sub-standard section
between I-494 and County Road 81 currently remains.
The proposed build alternative will reconstruct this segment of TH 100 to 6-lane freeway
standards. The complete reconstruction will add an additional lane in each direction, reconstruct
the interchanges at TH 7 and at Minnetonka Boulevard (CSAH 5), correct the vertically deficient
bridge clearances, improve drainage, address the flooding problems under the CP Railroad
bridge, add water quality and retention ponds, add noise mitigation walls, and correct other
existing geometric deficiencies.
TYPE OF PROJECT: Construction of 6-lane freeway on existing alignment.
ESTIMATED PROJECT COSTS: Construction and Right of Way: $140 Million estimated
(2014)
PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE: November 2014 Letting.
Calendar Year 2015/16/17 Construction.
PROJECT DOCUMENTS & APPROVALS SCHEDULE:
Work on Environmental Assessment Document started.
Preferred concept being developed to preliminary geometric layout standards.
(For a schedule of Public Meetings, contact the Project Manager).
Primary Contact: Secondary Contact: Area Manager:
Wayne Norris, P.E. Terry Johnson, P.E. Tom O’Keefe, P.E.
Area Engineer Project Manager Metro District
(651) 582-1295 (651) 582-1334 (651) 582-1296
City Council Study Session
Discussion Item: 060506 - 1 – Hwy 100 Reconstruction (Full Build) Project
Page 4
TH 100 Reconstruction (Full Build) Project Schedule
St. Louis Park City Council – June 5, 2006
Project Development / Implementation Schedule:
EA – December 2006
Mn/DOT Staff Approved Layout – January 2007
Final Geometric Layout Approval – June 2007
RALF R/W Acquisition – late 2007
Final Construction Plans – May 2009
Advertise / Open Bids – November 2009
Construction Start – April 2010
Construction Completion – late 2012
Municipal Consent Approval Process Schedule:
• Access changes
• Capacity increases or decreases
• Acquisition of permanent rights-of-way
City Council Work Session – June 5, 2006
Public Informational Meeting – July 2006
Municipal Consent Package to City – January 2007
City Schedules Public Hearing – January 2007
Mn/DOT Open House – February 2007
Public Hearing – February or March 2007
City Council Work Session – April 2007
City Council Approval/Disapproval of Final Geometric Layout – May 2007 (deadline of 90 days
after public hearing)
Note: Schedule assumes an advanced construction let date November 2009. Current let date is
November 2014.
City Council Study Session
Written Report: 060506 - 2 - Junior High Athletic Fields, Study Session
Page 1
2. Junior High Athletic Fields Parks and Recreation Department
PURPOSE OF REPORT:
To update Council on proposed athletic field improvements at the Junior High School.
BACKGROUND:
The 2006-2010 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) reflects money in two years (2007 and 2009) for
planning and retrofitting the fields at the Junior High/Lamplighter Park. The St. Louis Park
School District staff notified us mid-May that they have money to spend in 2006 on some field
improvements. They are asking the city to contribute money towards the improvements. The
field improvements would be completed in three phases with the first phase starting this year.
Why would the City contribution financially towards the fields?
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission and staff have discussed the poor condition of
these fields for several years. Although the outside grounds at the Junior High are used by the
students during the day, the community uses the fields on evenings and weekends. The Parks and
Recreation Department is responsible for scheduling the fields after the school day. Mainly youth
athletic associations (i.e. soccer, football, softball, baseball) utilize the fields that the city
schedules.
Because the fields are used heavily by the community, the city has participated in cost sharing of
improvements on the site in the past. Lamplighter Park, which is city property, is located north of
the Junior High site. The city and school district have a history of jointly sharing the site in an
attempt to make good use of the space.
Proposed changes in the CIP to accommodate the Improvements
Our 5-year CIP reflects a total of $120,000 to be spent for improvements at the Junior High site.
Staff has been unsure of which year the improvements would be made, so the money in the CIP
reflects an estimate of when the district might have money available to spend on their outside
fields.
The school district has asked the city to partner on improvements that would affect
approximately 1/3 of the site in 2006. The area affected would be the northeast part of their
property (near Pennsylvania Avenue). The plan is to construct a trail from the school to
Pennsylvania Avenue, create two ball fields by removing and replacing six inches of dirt, and
adding drain tile to the area. This construction would start in July if they can secure funding. The
area would be used for baseball and softball in the spring and summer and soccer and football in
the fall.
The construction cost for this first phase is estimated to be $215,000. The city is asked to
contribute $40,000 towards phase one. The soccer association has authorized $50,000 to be spent
on this improvement with the remaining $125,000 to be funded by the school district.
City Council Study Session
Written Report: 060506 - 2 - Junior High Athletic Fields, Study Session
Page 2
RECOMMENDATION:
This request came to staff prior to the May Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting.
The commission voted to recommend to Staff and the Council that the CIP schedule be adjusted
to accommodate this request. Staff is also recommending that we contribute $40,000 in 2007
towards this joint project. At this time, staff is not recommending that we spend more than the
total of $120,000 previously budgeted over 5 years for this project. The school district staff are
working on a plan to address the remaining 2/3 of the property. At that time, it is anticipated they
would ask the city to contribute to those improvements. Contributing $40,000 now would leave
$80,000 for future years if the Council would like to continue partnering with the school district
on field improvements.
Staff will ask the school district to hold public meetings with the neighborhood regarding this
proposal. Due to the fact that the community need and demand for this outdoor space at the
Junior High school is high, staff believes this to be a good investment.
Prepared by: Stacy Voelker, Administrative Secretary
Reviewed by: Cynthia S. Walsh, Director of Parks and Recreation
Approved by: Tom Harmening, City Manager