HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 06-04-1997 SpecialMinutes
Special Council Meeting
June 4, 1997
A special meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at
5:30 p.m. in the Public Safety Training Room, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., on June 4, 1997.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney; Councilmembers Bildsoe, Wold, Johnson, Preus,
and Spigner. Councilmember Black arrived at 6:00 p.m.
ABSENT: None.
HENNEPIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS: Penny Steele, Mary Tambornino, Mark
Stenglein
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant Manager Lueckert, Community
Development Director Hurlburt, Public Works Director Moore, Public Safety Director
Gerdes, Finance Director Hahn, Park Director Blank, and City Clerk Ahrens.
Mayor Tierney announced that the purpose of the meeting is to discuss issues of interest with
the Hennepin County Commissioners representing Plymouth.
County Road 101 Improvements and Schedule
Public Works Director Moore said that the new Wayzata Senior High School will open this
fall on Peony Lane which is an extension of County Road 101. The City is currently
constructing a bridge over the CP Railroad, and this section of County Road 101 still needs
improvement. He said that 32 percent of the traffic to the new high school is anticipated to
come from the south on County Road 101. The school plans to open with 2,300 to 2,500
students the first year, with a capacity for 3,200 students. He said that the morning peak hour
traffic on County Road 101 from the south includes 214 vehicles traveling to the school, with
a total peak hour traffic of 439 vehicles. The average daily traffic is 6,200 vehicles, and this
is projected to increase to 7,200 when the school opens. Traffic is estimated to increase to
18,000 vehicles per day by the year 2015.
Director Moore said that the County Road 101 improvements are proposed in the Hennepin
County Capital Improvement Plan for the year 2000. This is a project critical to serving the
needs of the new high school and this entire area of Plymouth.
Councilmember Bildsoe expressed concerns about two specific portions of County Road 101
south of Highway 55 near Greenwood Elementary School and at the intersection of Medina
Road. He said the City improved the playground at Greenwood School last year and many
children cross County Road 101 at this location. This entire area is developing, and the
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June 4, 1997
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speed limit on County Road 101 north of County Road 24 is 50 mph. This is an excessive
speed limit abutting an elementary school. He urged the Commissioners to move this project
up in priority if possible. He said that the intersection of County Road 101 and County Road
24 is currently a four-way stop, and traffic delays are significant. He believes that a signal is
needed in this location.
Commissioner Tambornino suggested that perhaps a temporary signal could be installed until
the major work is done in 2000.
Director Moore said that a full signal would cost about $120,000, while a temporary signal
could cost as much as $90,000.
Councilmember Black arrived at 6:00 p.m.
Director Moore explained that the Greenwood Elementary School Principal will be providing
the City with a walking plan for the area so the issues can be studied. He said the speed limit
abutting a school can be established at 20 mph lower than the posted speed limit during
school hours.
Mayor Tierney asked if the County Road 101 project will likely move ahead in 2000. Safety
concerns are increasing in the area.
Director Moore said that the portion of County Road 101 from County Road 24 to 55 is
proposed, but the portion of County Road 101 south of County Road 24 is provisional in the
County's Program.
County Road 9 Bridge over I-494 - Pedestrian/Bike Path
Park Director Blank explained that the construction of County Road 9 west of I-494 is near
completion. There are trails along County Road 9 and throughout the area. Pedestrians and
bikers would like to cross I-494 on County Road 9, but there are no bike lanes on the bridge.
The situation is difficult because six or seven lanes on County Road 9 funnel to four lanes
across the bridge. It appears that with the increasing traffic on County Road 9, the bridge
will need to be widened at some time. There is the option of constructing a separate bikeway
now or adding the trail along with the bridge expansion. The City has applied for a grant to
assist in this construction cost.
Commissioner Stenglein offered to check with county staff on the bike lane issue.
County Road 61 (Northwest Blvd.) Intersection with West Medicine Lake Drive
Councilmember Johnson said that the Northwest Blvd./West Medicine Lake Drive
neighborhood has been requesting a traffic signal for about two years. Additional
development is underway along Northwest Blvd. near Highway 55, and the Northwest Blvd.
and West Medicine Lake Drive intersection is hazardous. The traffic counts warrant a signal,
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June 4, 1997
Page 3
but it is not high enough on the County priority list for funding. The completion of West
Medicine Lake Park this fall will increase traffic on West Medicine Lake Drive. A problem
with traffic stacking on West Medicine has also resulted in traffic cutting through the
residential neighborhood.
Commissioner Steele asked if the City would propose to pay all or a portion of the signal
cost.
Director Moore said the City budgets for traffic signals in the Capital Improvement Program.
All traffic signal funds are committed for 1997; however, there may be funds available
beyond that time. He noted that this project would involve a signal installation and turn lanes
on Northwest Blvd.
Commissioner Stenglein said that county staff has indicated that a turn lane would definitely
be installed as part of the project.
Update on sale of Elwell Property in Northwest Plymouth
Director Hurlburt said the City has been informed that the County has decided to sell the
Elwell property which includes 80 acres in northwest Plymouth and a larger portion in
Medina. She said that the Plymouth portion is outside of the urban service area. The Elm
Creek Interceptor is scheduled to come near the Elwell site. She requested that the City be
kept abreast of plans for the property. She explained that the City's Comprehensive Plan will
be updated over the next 1'/2 years and this will determine whether the area may come into
the urban service area. This would impact the value of the land.
Councilmember Wold encouraged the County to consider the financial impacts of this
information when considering when to sell this property.
Update on Driving Range at Hennepin County Correctional Facility
Commissioner Tambornino reported that the work on the Hennepin County nursery and
driving range is about 40 percent completed. The maintenance will be done by inmates at the
correctional facility. The nursery is scheduled to open in the spring of 1998 and will not
compete with commercial nurseries.
Community Development Director Hurlburt explained that the project was approved with the
condition that the nursery stock is not to be sold to the general public, but only used by
Hennepin County and possibly the City.
Councilmember Bildsoe noted that improvements are to be made to the Luce Line crossing
on Vicksburg Lane in conjunction with this project. The timing and nature of the desired
crossing was ambiguous, but it can be considered in 1998 when the nursery and driving range
project is completed.
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June 4, 1997
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It was noted that a street light will be installed at the trail crossing.
Other Items
Public Works Director Moore said that Hennepin County will soon be receiving information
from various cities relating to the Minnehaha Creek Watershed.
Commissioner Steele requested that the City consider providing Dial -a -Ride service to the
Golden Valley and Wayzata libraries. She said that one resource collection is now housed
only at the Golden Valley library. City staff will study.
Commissioner Stenglein asked about the status of the Minneapolis -owned property at
Vicksburg Lane and 22°a Avenue.
Community Development Director Hurlburt explained the history of the site. The Planning
Commission recently voted to schedule a public hearing to consider a rezoning of the
property to make it consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan. The hearing is scheduled
for June 24. No development application has been received.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
IJrie Ahrens
City Clerk