HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024/04/15 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session (2)Official minutes
Special city council study session
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
April 15, 2024
The meeting convened at 7:20 p.m.
Council members present: Mayor Nadia Mohamed, Paul Baudhuin, Tim Brausen, Sue Budd,
Yolanda Farris, Lynette Dumalag, and Margaret Rog
Council members absent: none
Staff present: City manager (Ms. Keller), finance director (Ms. Cruver), engineering director (Ms.
Heiser), public works director (Mr. Hall)
Discussion items
1. Infrastructure project development process
Ms. Heiser presented the staff report.
Council Member Rog asked for a comparison of concrete versus pavement. Ms. Heiser stated
concrete roadways can last 60-70 years, but there are challenges with construction. She
explained it can be very costly if sewer, watermain and utilities are not replaced at the same
time as the street is paved in concrete. She noted Texas Avenue, north of 28th Street, is a
concrete road, as well as Louisiana Avenue from the railroad tracks to Highway 7. Some
concrete streets, built in the 1970s, are now overlayed with bituminous.
In the winter, the snow melts better on bituminous roads. Ms. Heiser noted the construction
cost will be more expensive when using concrete as compared to bituminous
Council Member Rog asked how much communication staff has with commercial property
owners and developers. Ms. Heiser stated engineering staff does meet with community
development every other week related to projects in development. She noted they worked
with community development on the Arrive and Thrive gateway planning study and Oxford/
Louisiana stormwater projects to ensure that city projects in the CIP were taken into
consideration.
Council Member Rog asked if the city would repair alleys with concrete. Ms. Heiser stated it is
similar to sidewalks in that if there is a bad panel, it is pulled out and paved with concrete.
Council Member Rog asked about watermain on Minnetonka Boulevard and if the use of
SeeSnake® technology helped to indicate which sections of watermain need to be replaced. Ms.
Heiser stated everything will be replaced on all of Minnetonka Boulevard because it will be
reconstructed as a concrete road, and this is the only opportunity to do these replacements for
60- 70 years. Due to the life cycle of infrastructure, the Cedar Lou project will have pavement
work again in about 30 years, so about half the water main will be replaced with this project
and the other half can be replaced in the future.
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Council Member Budd asked about the success of the SeeSnake® technology used to scope the
watermain system. Ms. Heiser shared that the technology was successful in that some issues
were found because the city shut down the water in order to use the technology. This process
allowed for identifying leaking and closed valves .
Council Member Rog asked whether pavement management in her neighborhood for 2027 is
planned to be discussed, and if there will be a different process at that time for pavement
management. Ms. Heiser stated that it is unclear that this time, since the city council asked staff
to assess what a CIP would look like moving forward using the additional information from the
utility risk assessment. Staff will review costs and processes over the next year, and any
proposed CIP changes will be brought to council for approval in 2025, for implementation in
2026.
Council Member Budd asked if staff intends to show a cost breakdown on every project. Ms.
Heiser confirmed this and presented an example from the 2025 pavement management
project. Using council members’ neighborhoods for reference, she noted various projects that
will be going on in the next three years. Ms. Heiser also highlighted the process used to develop
the CIP.
Council Member Baudhuin asked how the proposed Three Rivers regional trail plans factor into
the timing of the city projects. Ms. Heiser stated Three Rivers has a long-range plan for a north-
south regional trail and that, at this time, it is separate from the city's CIP.
Council Member Baudhuin expressed concerns about Three Rivers doing their project, followed
by the city doing their project on the same street. Ms. Heiser noted the council will need to be
involved in projects the city may want to do, especially when there are funding considerations,
or another entity wants to do something in the city right-of-way. She confirmed the city does
coordinate ongoing projects with other entities and brings that information to council when
there are funding implications.
Council Member Rog asked if and how council adapts to conditions, especially when more than
one decision-making body is involved. Ms. Heiser stated it can be challenging especially when
projects are not expected.
Written Reports
Council Member Brausen thanked staff for the speed limit report, noting he is happy to see
residents following the lower speed limits.
Council Member Rog asked about enforcement with speed limits. Ms. Heiser stated that
originally, there was no intention for increased enforcement after speed limits changed.
Ms. Keller shared that traffic trend information could be brought back to council.
Council Member Dumalag shared that stop sign compliance has been an issue. Ms. Heiser
clarified there is no direct correlation between speed and stop signs.
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2. Speed limit evaluation
3. Basket weave stop signs
Communications/meeting check-in (verbal)
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Nadia Mohamed, mayor
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