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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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