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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 07-24-2000 SpecialAdopted Minutes Special City Council Meeting Plymouth City Council July 24, 2000 A Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on July 24, 2000. CITY COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney; Councilmembers Johnson, Bildsoe, Slavik, Brown, Black and Harstad. ABSENT: None. OTHERS PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Public Works Director Moore, and Deputy City Clerk Hoffman. Discussion County Road 101 Expansion Project Mayor Tierney stated that the Councilmembers and the public would receive an update on the Highway 101 Reconstruction Project, but no decisions would be made at this meeting. She then turned meeting the over to Public Works Director Moore for a summary of the project. Public Works Director Moore said that plans have not changed from the February meeting or the April open house with the exception of the placement of different access points on the north end of the project near the intersection with Highway 55. Public Works Director Moore introduced Craig Twinem, Senior Project Manager from Hennepin County and Sue Mason, Project Manager from the engineering firm of Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (S E H), who would be available to answer questions. Public Works Director Moore reported that plans for the project are 95% complete. He said 12 items of concern expressed by the City Council have been addressed. Preliminary plans now include a 4—lane roadway with necessary turn lanes and median to accommodate 20—year projections for traffic volume. He said additional consideration has been given to the number of turn lanes and their length. He reported that some right turn lanes were removed. He said that berms are planned where possible. The three major areas under consideration include the area along the west side of County Road 101 between County Road 24 and Medina Road, the Fischers Pond Addition, and the Heather Run Addition. He said the area between County Road 24 and Medina Road will have gaps in the berms because some property owners did not want berms. An existing berm in Heather Run will be raised four feet, and will extend out into the right—of—way. He said a retaining wall would be installed at the Fischer Ponds berm as well. He illustrated the proposed median and intersection layouts. He asked the Council for additional input on construction and landscaping design alternatives for the median areas at the 34`h Avenue Adopted City Council Minutes Special Meeting of July 24, 2000 Page 2 of 7 intersection, landscaping of the proposed berms, and a flashing amber light near the Medina Road intersection. A traffic signal would be installed with a pedestrian warning sign at the Medina Road intersection, but the County could not justify a flashing amber light. He presented graphic illustrations of various median designs, based on requests to reduce median widths. Councilmember Harstad asked whether speed limits would be increased after the project completion. Public Works Director Moore said that with the proposed placement of medians, speed limits should be kept at 45 m.p.h. He said after the project is completed, road conditions may accommodate 50 m.p.h. speed limits, but the road is really designed for 45 m.p.h. traffic. Councilmember Harstad asked about the placement of park and ride facilities or bus and transit stops. Public Works Director Moore replied currently no location would be generating enough transit use to warrant facilities. He said in the future a bus shelter could be constructed along Highway 101. He added that a site at County Road 6 and Highway 101 could be utilized as a park and ride facility. Public Works Director Moore reviewed the proposed cost for the project, which would be divided between City and County highway funding. He said the original construction would have cost slightly over $5 million. With the proposed right—of—way changes, landscaping and median design changes, he estimated that total costs would be approximately $7 million. Councilmember Slavik asked about the timetable for landscaping. Public Works Director Moore responded that autumn planting would be difficult with the types of trees and plants planned. He said he is hopeful that landscaping would be completed within one construction season. Councilmember Johnson requested that staff review other options rather than closing off 34th Ave. Public Works Director Moore said that between County Road 24 and County Road 6 there are three access points to County Road 24, and two access points to Medina Road. Councilmember Johnson expressed concern with potential speeding and congestion problems if traffic is diverted to Medina Road or County Road 24. Councilmember Johnson asked how reducing the medians and creating winding lanes at medians would differ from planning traffic load diverting. Project Manager Twinem replied that curved medians are subtler, because the intent is to reduce median width. He advised against reducing median widths, because he feels that the affected roadways actually become more constricting. He said studies indicate traffic would actually operate at lower speeds in divided roadway areas. Councilmember Harstad asked about placement of a narrow center median with insurmountable barriers, similar to those used on highways and freeways. Project Manager Twinem replied that option was not considered. He said longer and wider medians allow for turn lanes and more appealing landscape development. Adopted City Council Minutes Special Meeting of July 24, 2000 Page 3 of 7 Councilmember Brown asked whether the proposed median design encouraged a bottleneck for traffic. Public Works Director Moore replied with a turn lane, two lanes of through traffic continues, while the added turn lanes move slowing traffic out of the faster lanes. Mayor Tierney asked if requesting additional landscaping results in more maintenance for the City. Public Works Director Moore said that the landscaping improvements along Zachary Lane contain low maintenance or self -maintenance plantings. Project Manager Mason added that there would always be weeding, but it could be minimized through plant selection. Councilmember Slavik asked about potential traffic congestion south of the County Road 24 intersection. Project Manager Twinem reported that enhancements to that intersection are in the 2004 Capital Improvements Program. He said traffic flow to the north along Highway 101 would improve after that intersection is improved. Councilmember Johnson asked if there could be future modifications to the project. Project Manager Twinem replied the only other option he could recommend would be an 18—foot median with a left turn lane at the Medina Road intersection. Patrick Busch, of Len Busch Roses, 18500 Medina Road, said he was satisfied with the project after meeting with Public Works Director Moore and hoped the City would continue to work toward development of a frontage road past his property. Patrick Etzel, 4125 Highway 101, spoke representing his parents Len & Phemie Etzel, who reside south of the Highway 101 and State Highway 55 intersection. He expressed concern that a frontage road would be developed too close to his parents' house. He said his parents are also concerned about the possibility of condemnation action that could be taken against their property as part of the frontage road development, and he asked for some guarantee that they would not be forced to leave their home if a frontage road is placed there. Public Works Director Moore said the City is interested in working with landowners to avoid condemnation actions. Currently, the City is only studying where frontage roads could be placed in cooperation with future development. Larry Marczak, 3345 Olive Lane, requested closing off a bike path which creates a 60—foot gap in the existing Heather Run berm. He said closure would effectively force all trail access to County Road 24 or Medina Road. Mike Melnychuk, 17915 34`h Avenue, spoke against the project. He said he believes traffic is busier south of County Road 24. He questioned the use of a chain link fence at the top of a proposed retaining wall as it would detract from the neighborhood's appearance. He requested that landscaping would be completed on a schedule with the project's completion. He said he was unhappy with the increased project costs. He said that issues regarding intersection of Highway 55 and 101 have not been resolved to his satisfaction. Adopted City Council Minutes Special Meeting of July 24, 2000 Page 4 of 7 Project Manager Twinem explained any increase in traffic along the highway would be gradual after project completion, and that traffic flow south of the intersection with County Road 24 should be improved with the project completion. Public Works Director Moore added that landscaping of retaining walls could involve placement of split rail fencing rather than the chain link fence. He said it is difficult to present final landscape plans, but staff would seek input of the neighborhoods. Mayor Tierney noted that the City tries to complete major projects during one season, but detail elements often extend projects over two year periods. Public Works Director Moore stated that the city would be working with property owners. He said there would be a detailed cost sharing report, which would need to be approved by the City Council, based on the best estimates, and on the contractor bid market at the time of the bidding. Councilmember Johnson asked how costs for this project compare with other similar projects? Public Works Director Moore replied that the project should cost slightly less per foot than the County Road 9 improvement project several years ago, and that considering inflation and construction cost increases, the two are very close in comparison. He noted that there would be lower right—of--way costs on this project because of careful planning and negotiation with residents. Public Works Director Moore responded to questions regarding the chain link fence at the top of the retaining wall. He said it is not meant as a specific barrier, but an alert to slow down children and animals that might get too close to the edge of the wall. He said a retaining wall higher than four feet is considered a nuisance. Project Manager Twinem added that the retaining wall is not constructed on private property. Councilmember Johnson requested that staff consider materials that could be more attractive. Public Works Director Moore said it was possible to remove part of the berm and bypass the need for retaining wall. Tamara Peasha, 3320 Queensland spoke in opposition to the project. She said she is concerned about medians at the 34`" Avenue intersection. She is opposed to eliminating residential access to Highway 101. She said she could support shorter medians and believes this would soften the appearance of the road. She supported median designs, which offer curves to slow traffic. She said she is opposed to placement of retaining wall and chain link fence along the highway as it would create an appearance of a major highway. She noted that her homeowner association covenants prohibit placement of chain link fences. She believes the cost of the project seems excessive for such a short length of highway. Public Works Director Moore stated the only way to further reduce costs would be to eliminate landscaping. David Swenson, 18135 39`h Avenue, supports the project. He said he has lived in the neighborhood nearly 25 years. He supports the medians and signals at the Medina Road intersection as proposed. He said property values would improve after completion of the project. Adopted City Council Minutes Special Meeting of July 24, 2000 Page 5 of 7 He asked the Council to consider a path along the south side of Medina Road west of the Highway 101 intersection. Harold Winterhalter, 3880 Troy Lane, also supports the project. He said he lives at the intersection of Medina Road and Troy Lane. He said he has seen traffic increase 100% over the past seven years. He supports beginning the project at the earliest date, because if scrapped or delayed, it would be a more expensive project. Scott Alexander, 17815 32nd Place North, representing residents in the Heather Run Association, requested that the Council consider installing flashing beacons to alert drivers to red lights at intersections. He believes these would be most important at the Medina Road intersection, near Greenwood Elementary School. He said this sort of flashing light is most effective when the semaphore is going to turn red. Public Works Director Moore responded that use of this technique is more effective on higher speed roadways where speed limit is 55-65 m.p.h. Mr. Alexander requested that medians be restricted as much as possible, or removed in some cases, for safety reasons. He cited plans to place a median near a portion of the highway close to a bike path. He requested consideration for placement of a right turn lane on northbound 101 to eastbound Medina Road. Public Works Director Moore stated that staff would have to review traffic volumes to ascertain if there is a need for a right turn lane. Lisa McClelland, 3315 Olive Lane, asked whether a pond to be created in her back yard would be the size of existing wetlands in the area or larger. She said a recent storm brought flooding to most of her backyard. Public Works Director Moore stated that water levels in those ponds would rise following storms. Project Manager Mason added that a model was planned to reflect maintenance of the 100 -year flood elevation. He said the ponds in the project are a little more than two feet above the flood plane. He anticipates the ponds would need to be deepened. He said that these are water quality ponds not holding ponds. Bob Guerin, 17515 39h Place North, representing the Orchards of Plymouth residents, thanked the council for quick response on suggested changes to the project. He said a berm placed along his property line would actually reduce his back yard. Public Works Director Moore stated that a retaining wall could be considered if the property owner would be willing to pay the costs, but it would be more expensive than a berm. He said a two -foot wall would reduce the size of a berm by 12 feet. Project Manager Mason added that a six—foot berm could be constructed in the back yard a little over three feet, and would not be as invasive. Public Works Director Moore said the issue would have to be a homeowner association decision. He said a retaining wall would be on the property line, with responsibility for future maintenance falling on the homeowners. He said a three—foot berm with a six—foot fence and landscaping could be an acceptable combination. The Council took a brief recess and resumed the meeting at 9:37 p.m. Mayor Tierney expressed appreciation for the comments from citizens and invited the Council to provide direction to staff. Adopted City Council Minutes Special Meeting of July 24, 2000 Page 6 of 7 Councilmember Brown requested removal of the chain link fence on top of the retaining wall as it seems to be an unattractive option Public Works Director Moore said a split—rail fence is typically used in residential areas, but requires more maintenance. He said the fence would not be used as a safety feature, but as a warning. Councilmember Brown observed that flashing amber beacons utilized along high speed roads, if continuously flashing, can be confusing, and may not achieve what is needed along Highway 101. Councilmember Black said she could support a school crossing advisory light. Councilmember Slavik stated that she would not support flashing lights as alerts for stop lights, but would support such devices for school crossing alerts. Public Works Director Moore stated that if placed near the intersection, it should be called a pedestrian warning, not a school crossing warning. He noted that by school policy, students should not be crossing at that intersection. Councilmember Bildsoe requested that placement of warning lights be included in the staff report for discussion. Councilmember Brown requested that discussion of options for berms are offered. Public Works Director Moore stated that landscaping plans would be presented to homeowners with proposed modifications and determinations on whom would be responsible for development and maintenance costs. Councilmember Bildsoe asked staff to review the question of the trail entrance. Councilmember Black said she would prefer an alternative to chain link fencing such as a plastic lumber material with a 10—year warrantee. Mayor Tierney said she believes access to 30 Avenue should be maintained. She said she supports landscaping plans, but the traffic speeds need to be lowered. She said she would support staff and County recommendations. Councilmember Black said she continues to support the use of medians and trails on both sides of County Road 101. Councilmember Johnson thanked City and County staff for providing a variety of options in the plan. Mayor Tierney requested a report that would outline the total costs of the landscaping. Adopted City Council Minutes Special Meeting of July 24, 2000 Page 7 of 7 Councilmember Johnson said that while she understands concerns about maintenance of landscaping on street, landscaping plans should be reviewed not only for County Road 101 but for major roadways with the city as well. Councilmember Black agreed, and said that if the City fails to take advantage of available state funds for such projects, they may not be available at a later date. Councilmember Bildsoe requested that the project approval be placed on the August 22 Regular Council Meeting agenda. Adjournment Motion was made by Councilmember Bildsoe, and seconded by Councilmember Black, to adjourn the meeting at 10:15 p.m. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Kurt H. Ho V61 Deputy City Clerk