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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 05-11-1999 SpecialAdopted Minutes Special Council Meeting May 11, 1999 A special meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Public Safety Training Room, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., on May 11, 1999. COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney; Councilmembers Black, Harstad, Johnson, Bildsoe, Slavik, and Spigner. COUNCIL ABSENT: None. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Park and Recreation Director Blank, Public Safety Director Gerdes, Finance Director Hahn, Community Development Director Hurlburt, Public Works Director Moore, Planning Supervisor Senness, and City Clerk Ahrens. City Center Streetscape Planning Supervisor Senness presented information on the proposed City Center Streetscape Plan. She recommended that the Council discuss the plan and direct staff to schedule approval of a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to add the Streetscape Plan to the City Center portion of the plan on the June 1 Council agenda. She presented a list of discussion questions. Councilmembers Johnson and Bildsoe indicated they do not support narrowing the street as proposed in the Streetscape Plan. Councilmember Johnson said a two-lane road would not be conducive to encouraging large events at the amphitheater. Councilmember Bildsoe said the narrower road may calm traffic, but he wants to wait to consider changing the street width until the City Center area is completely built. He is concerned that a narrower street could result in traffic congestion. He favors doing something at 36th Avenue and Plymouth Blvd. to assist pedestrian traffic. Councilmember Black supported the narrower street, noting that the parkway design slows traffic and it works well near the lakes in Minneapolis. She said a narrower street also creates more opportunity for plantings. Discussion was held on whether the City Center is similar to the Minneapolis lakes area in terms of destination and traffic. Councilmember Harstad stated concerns about allowing on -street parking if the road is narrowed, as it could cause an unsafe condition particularly at a curve. He would support narrowing the road or allowing on -street parking, but not both. Councilmember Spigner said that the Council intended that the City Center be pedestrian friendly, and she believes the narrower road would accomplish that. Proposed City Council Minutes May 11, 1999 Page 2 Community Development Director Hurlburt said the proposed street with one -lane in each direction can carry the volumes of traffic projected in the area with full construction. Councilmember Slavik said she does not support narrowing the road at this time. Mayor Tierney said that parking is needed in the City Center and the addition of on -street parking would be a benefit. Motion was made by Councilmember Bildsoe, seconded by Councilmember Spigner, to include the concept of redesigning Plymouth Blvd. as a parkway (narrowing street to two traveled lanes, on -street parking, and pedestrian crossings at "bump -outs"), but not to implement it immediately. Councilmember Bildsoe favored finding solutions that make it easier for pedestrians at the intersections. Councilmember Spigner supported the plan because it adds value and uniqueness to the area. Councilmember Johnson asked if the speeds on Plymouth Blvd. would increase or decrease as traffic volumes are added. Public Works Director Moore responded that the speeds would likely slow somewhat, but much of the available road capacity will not be used. The developer built the four -lane roadway 20 years ago. Planning Supervisor Senness said the City's traffic consultant has reviewed the City Center plan and determined that the proposed plan meets the projected need. Director Hurlburt added that none of the build -out scenarios justify a four -lane roadway. Motion carried: five ayes; Johnson and Slavik nays. Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Spigner, to include the following elements in the Streetscape Plan: street lighting, pedestrian -scale lighting of walkways, signage at primary and secondary gateway focal points, additional landscaping and irrigation, and other pedestrian amenities (benches, planters, trash receptables). Councilmember Slavik expressed concern about designating elements to include in the Plan without discussing the funding sources. Proposed City Council Minutes May 11, 1999 Page 3 Director Hurlburt said that adopting the desired plan as part of the Comprehensive Plan will make it possible to implement and to establish a standard to measure proposals against. Motion carried, five ayes; Johnson and Slavik nays. Motion was made by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Councilmember Black, to eliminate from the plan a traffic circle at 36h Avenue and Plymouth Blvd. In response to a question by Councilmember Bildsoe, Director Moore said the pedestrian crosswalks will be repainted this spring. Councilmember Slavik questioned Councilmember Spigner's role at the meeting since she has been appointed to the Metropolitan Council. Councilmember Spigner responded that she has not resigned her Council seat. City Manager Johnson stated that Councilmember Spigner has not resigned her seat, and the Council has not declared a vacancy. He said that the conflict of the City Council and Metropolitan Council seats is a matter of common law. He noted that any motions or direction taken tonight on the Streetscape Plan will come before the Council at a regular meeting for action. Motion carried, seven ayes. Motion was made by Mayor Tierney, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe, that if the plan as a whole neither commits to nor even refers to public funding of any of the elements, the Council supports the Streetscape Plan as an addition to the Comprehensive Plan. Motion carried, seven ayes. Planning Supervisor Senness asked the Council to consider whether the correct priorities have been recommended for Phase 1 of the improvements. Mayor Tierney suggested that an aesthetic bridge be considered in the place of a culvert. She asked if the street lights can be installed without determining the roadway width. Manager Johnson stated that the street lights could be located to accommodate either street width design. Motion was made by Councilmember Bildsoe, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to direct staff to analyze Phase 1 to include the following elements: street lighting along Plymouth Blvd. from Highway 55 to County Road 9, along 34h Avenue from Plymouth Blvd. to 32nd Avenue, and along 37d' Avenue from Plymouth Blvd. to the end of the ice Proposed City Council Minutes May 11, 1999 Page 4 center driveway, as well as landscaping from 34th Avenue to 37th Avenue, with the deletion of street narrowing, sidewalks, and signage. Councilmember Bildsoe said his assumption is that the abutting property owners would pay for the improvements. A large portion of this area is City property. Councilmember Spigner stated that signage may be what is needed to get developers interested in the area. She suggested that a monument type sign be installed at Highway 55 and Plymouth Blvd. as part of the Phase 1 improvements. Councilmember Black concurred that a monument sign in this location would attract people to the area. She suggested that the businesses in City Center may wish to assist financially with the signage. Councilmember Slavik questioned whether the City should spend tax dollars for signage which will bring customers to private businesses. Councilmember Johnson said that the monument signage would not identify any private businesses -- only the City Center area. Councilmember Black noted that there are many public facilities in this area such as City Hall, the Ice Center, Library, Post Office, and the Activity Center which warrant good signage. She asked if the City could establish a local sales tax in the City Center area to pay for some of the improvements. Director Hurlburt responded that the City could establish a local sales tax; however, it would not generate sufficient funds for capital improvements. It is not easy to establish and should be initiated by the affected landowners. Planning Supervisor Senness said that once the estimated costs are known, a discussion should be held with the affected property owners on the proposed improvements and possible assessments. Public Works Director Moore said that the capital and operating costs of street lighting in Plymouth is paid by the affected property owners. Motion was made by Councilmember Bildsoe, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to call the question. Motion carried, seven ayes. Main motion carried, five ayes; Johnson and Slavik nays. The Council indicated that they are not interested in expanding the street lighting project in Phase 1 to include all of City Center. Discussion will be held on possible allocations from the Capital Improvement Fund to implement Phase 1 after the report is received. Proposed City Council Minutes May 11, 1999 Page 5 Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Spigner, for the plan to consider a monument sign at Highway 55 and Plymouth Blvd. and to determine if the business community is interested in contributing toward funding. Motion carried, seven ayes. Councilmember Harstad said he would like to consider a clock tower in a future phase of improvements. Councilmember Johnson requested that the corner of 34`h Avenue and Plymouth Blvd. be included in the landscape plan. Councilmember Bildsoe suggested that it is time to begin discussions with the post office on their need for increased parking. Convention and Tourism Promotion City Manager Johnson summarized the proposal for public-private cooperation to promote the City. Motion was made by Mayor Tierney, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to direct staff to hold a meeting with businesses on the idea of a voluntary, low cost, cooperative effort between the City and the Plymouth hospitality industry to promote the City. Motion carried, six ayes; Black absent. Packet Content The City Council discussed the content of the Council Information Memorandums. The entire Council does not wish to continue to receive the full attorney billing. Members will notify staff if they wish to review it. Future Study Session Councilmember Harstad suggested that the Council receive a report on criminal prosecution each year in a study session. Councilmember Slavik requested that staff repaint the crosswalk at County Road 24 and Medina Road. Staff was directed to place on the June 1 agenda a request that the Charter Commission study a possible amendment to establish a four -term of office for the Mayor position. The Council established the next special meeting for June 8 with the topics of interviews of the City's lobbying organizations and possible Year 2000 Celebration. Motion was made by Councilmember Spigner, seconded by Councilmember Black, to adjourn the meeting at 9:40 p.m. Proposed City Council Minutes May 11, 1999 Page 6 GGA-t-e, Clerk