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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 03-05-1997 SpecialMinutes Special Council Meeting March 5, 1997 A special meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at 6:05 p.m., in the Public Safety Training Room, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., on March 5, 1997. COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney; Councilmembers Spigner, Wold, Preus, and Black. ABSENT: Councilmembers Johnson and Bildsoe. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant Manager Lueckert, Community Development Director Hurlburt, Public Works Director Moore, Planning Supervisor Senness, and City Clerk Ahrens. Supervisor Senness explained that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss proposed new directions for the I-494 Corridor Commission. She introduced Lisa Radeunz, staff consultant to the I-494 Corridor Commission, and Ross Thorfinson, Eden Prairie City Council. Supervisor Senness explained that the following communities are members of the I-494 Corridor Commission: Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Plymouth, and Richfield. She said the commission was created as a joint powers organization in the late 1980's. The purpose of the commission was to assist in efforts to improve traffic conditions on I-494 by increasing the capacity of the freeway, to improve transit service, and to implement strategies for travel demand management programs. Since Plymouth joined the commission in 1994, most efforts have been focused on demonstration programs to enlist employers in the corridor to encourage their employees to carpool and use transit services. These efforts have met with limited results, at least in part, because there are not sufficient incentives in place to encourage alternative transportation. Incentives would include convenient, efficient transit service and meter bypass lanes. Ross Thorfinson, Eden Prairie City Council member, presented the proposed revised mission statement for the corridor commission: "To promote the reconstruction of I-494 from the Minnesota River to I-94 in order to increase its people moving capacity and improve mobility for businesses and residents throughout the region." He clarified that this mission statement addresses moving more people along the corridor and not necessarily more vehicles. He presented information on the corridor attributes and average daily traffic volumes by segment. Mr. Thorfinson noted that there are very few ramps with bypass meters for high occupancy vehicles and no high capacity lanes on this segment of I-494. He believes that if the commission is to be effective in improving the corridor, improvements to I-494 are needed. There are very limited funds available for road improvements in the state and Special Council Meeting March 5, 1997 Page 2 lobbying efforts are needed to ensure that some of the moneys are expended to improve the I- 494 corridor. He explained that 21% of all jobs in the seven county metro area exist along the corridor, as well as 19% of the population. This segment of I-494 is third busiest traffic area in the metro area. He showed photographs of rush hour traffic on I-494 and noted the significant backups. He estimated that the speed of traffic during these times is approximately 20 miles per hour. Mr. Thorfinson presented the proposed goals of the I-494 Corridor Commission and requested that the Council consider endorsement of this direction. Goal #1: To position the I-494 corridor at the top of metro area transportation priorities Confirm support from the member communities for the new mission of the I-494 Corridor Commission Demonstrate the need for the corridor improvements to county officials, the Metropolitan Council, Minnesota Department of Transportation, the state legislature and the congressional delegation Document the increasing travel delays and levels of congestion along the corridor Develop a program of information to carry forth the Corridor Commission's goals. Goal #2: To secure adequate funding to achieve the mission Generate support from the business community, residents, and users through increased awareness of issues facing the corridor expand membership of the commission to include business leaders, key city staff, elected officials, and other appropriate agencies Prioritize short- and long-term projects for implementation Pursue funding to build and improvements for buses, ride sharing, and general use Special Council Meeting March 5, 1997 Page 3 Goal #3: To build lanes for buses, ridesharing and general use Demonstrate the need for the corridor improvements to the county officials, the Metropolitan Council, Minnesota Department of Transportation, the state legislature, and the congressional delegation Document the increasing travel delays and levels of congestion along the corridor Pursue funding to build improvements for buses, ride sharing, and general use Goal #4: To increase ride sharing throughout the I-494 Corridor Reaffirm the commitment of the Commission to increasing ride sharing use Complete traffic demand management study currently underway Promote the additional use of car pooling, van pooling, and buses Goal #5: To support and expand economic opportunity in the I-494 Corridor Identify economic impacts and benefits that the I-494 corridor provides to the region and the state generate support from the business community, residents, and users through increased awareness of issues facing the corridor Improve access to jobs in the I-494 corridor by pursuing funding to build improvements for buses, ride sharing, and general use Mr. Thorfinson stated that it is imperative for the commission to advocate for funding for I-494 improvements. Otherwise, the money will be spent elsewhere. He said that 200,000,000 is allocated annually for road construction in the seven county metro area. The Minnesota Department of Transportation estimates that the I-494 project would cost about 1,000,000,000. Nonetheless, the commission should lobby for whatever funds can be attained for I-494 improvements. He is concerned that traffic congestion will get to a point where businesses will locate elsewhere for better traffic access. Mr. Thorfinson presented the proposed draft organization chart for the I-494 Corridor Commission. The chart showed broader involvement through additional members. Councilmember Black asked if citizen involvement is proposed. Special Council Meeting March 5, 1997 Page 4 Lisa Radeunz, consultant to the commission, said that citizens could be included on the executive committee or could serve as a separate citizen advisory committee. Mr. Thorfinson said the City of Plymouth already contributes to the I-494 Corridor Commission, and additional funds are not being requested at this time. Additional funds may be needed in the future for lobbying efforts. If the commission is expanded to include a larger group, funds could be requested from cities, private groups, citizens, etc. He said that the commission also needs engineering staff present at its meetings and asked that the Council consider that request. Supervisor Senness explained that the proposed mission statement, goals, and direction for the I-494 Corridor Commission was developed through the review of successful models such as the group advocating for the Bloomington Ferry Bridge project. Mayor Tierney presented information on the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency ISTEA) program which was supposed to be a major step toward remedying air pollution concerns, as well as the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program CMAQ). She hopes that funding can be kept active for the metropolitan area. She supports continued work with businesses through the travel demand management program. This could include encouraging a greater use of car and van pooling, mass transit, as well as getting businesses to operate during off-peak hours. Councilmember Black asked if the commission proposes to encourage people to travel during off-peak hours. Ms. Radeunz responded that the commission would encourage travel during off-peak hours within the established goal. Manager Johnson noted that the proposed goals include completion of the travel demand management study which is already underway. Councilmember Wold asked staff to comment on the five travel demand management projects currently underway by the I-494 Corridor Commission. Supervisor Senness explained that projects are currently underway with the Minnetonka Corporate Center, Seagate, Eden Prairie Super Valu, Richfield Housing and Transportation, and Prudential in Plymouth. She explained that these groups were initially selected because serious traffic problems impact their business. She said that through working with these businesses, the commission has learned that there are not sufficient incentives to promote significant car and van pooling. Special Council Meeting March 5, 1997 Page 5 Councilmember Wold stated that he is not convinced addition of a high occupancy vehicle lane would significantly improve I-494 traffic. He cited the low use of the similar lane on I- 394. Mr. Thorfinson said an option would be to have a new third lane available for only high occupancy vehicles during peak hours, but available for all vehicles during other hours. Community Development Director Hurlburt asked what process would be used if all cities agree with the new direction of the commission — would a new joint powers agreement be needed? Mr. Thorfinson said that the seven member cities of the commission currently control its direction. He is unsure of the next step should the commission direction or should the executive board be expanded. Councilmember Black expressed concern about the proposed direction of the I-494 Corridor Commission. In the recent Metropolitan Council process, mass transit was strongly desired in this region. She feels that expanding the existing system will enable the current traffic problems to continue, and weaken the possibility of getting adequate and efficient mass transit in the area. She said that individuals will not consider using mass transit until it is extremely inconvenient for them to travel in their vehicle. She clarified that she is referring to all mass transit options including a light rail system. She will not support the proposed direction of the I-494 Corridor Commission. Councilmember Black stated there is legislation which proposes changes in funding for mass transit. She does not view the existing transit system to be successful, and cannot support expansion of highways. Ms. Radeunz said the cost of constructing light rail transit is about $40,000,000 per mile. She does not believe light rail transit is a possibility for this area due to economics. Councilmember Wold suggested that the City Council could support the direction of the I- 494 Corridor Commission conditionally if additional issues relating to mass transit are addressed. Councilmember Black said this is a possibility, but the direction and goals of the commission would need to be much more supportive of a true mass transit system. She does not view the current proposal or directions as being efficient or effective. Councilmember Preus asked how the proposed direction of the commission differs from its existing focus. Supervisor Senness said the commission is looking at shifting toward a lobbying focus to ensure that I-494 is considered for funding allocations for improvements. Special Council Meeting March 5, 1997 Page 6 Mr. Thorfinson said the commission currently only encourages people to rideshare, vanpool, or use the roads during off-peak hours. Without any change in the direction of the commission, that work would continue. He believes it is important for the commission to begin lobbying for funding improvements for I-494. He believes this area should get its fair share of highway improvement funds. If the funds are not used here, they will be used elsewhere. Mayor Tierney announced that this issue will be placed on a future regular city council agenda for consideration and action. Motion was made by Councilmember Wold, seconded by Councilmember Preus, to adjourn the meeting at 6:47 p.m. Motion carried, five ayes. O G Laurie Ahrens, City Clerk