HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 03-16-2004 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
March 16, 2004
Mayor Johnson called a special meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 6:30
p.m. in the Public Safety Training Room, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard on March 16, 2004.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Johnson, Council Members Hewitt, Black, Bildsoe (left at
8:42 p.m.) Neset, Stein, Slavik
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Ahrens, Community Development Director Hurlburt,
Public Works Director Faulkner, Park Director Blank, Sewer and Water Supv. Brian
Young and Office Support Representative Langer
Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order and began with an Ice Arena Project Update
from Park Director Blank.
Update on Ice Arena Expansion Proiect
Park and Recreation Director Blank gave an update to the Council on bid results. Bids
came in $970,000 over budget. After hours of meetings with construction managers and
checking interpretations of bid specifications, $600,000-$700,000 worth of items have
been removed from the design. Next Tuesday night all bids will be recommended for
rejection except two bid items that came in under budget (hockey boards and painting).
All other bids will be held for 30 days and at the April 6th meeting, packages will be re-
bid and recommendations will be made at that time. Many factors are affecting the price.
We are losing 25 to 30 days due to current road restrictions that require half loads
resulting in an increase of earth loads. In addition, steel from Japan rose from 18 cents to
45 cents per pound. Anything that has steel or copper that is not absolutely necessary has
been taken out of the building.
Transportation Studies for Vicksburg Lane and Medina Road
Last September, the Council directed that these two studies involving Vicksburg Lane
and Medina Road be prepared. Since that time, SRF worked with staff to collect traffic
data, and update land use and traffic forecasts needed to update the model of the City's
transportation system used for long-range planning, this was last done in 1999. The
results of this effort were used to prepare two separate traffic studies. David Montebello,
PE gave an overview of safety, speed and operational issues for Vicksburg Lane Corridor
between CSAH 6 and TH55, as well as the larger function of this road system.
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Special Meeting of March 16, 2004
Page 2 of 6
Recommendations from SRF are as follows:
Request reclassification of Vicksburg Lane to "A minor arterial"
Transition intersections to five -lane section over time.
Relocate trail crossing to 25th/Shenandoah (construct short piece of trail along east
side of Vicksburg).
Pursue future signal at 25th'Shenandoah Lane
Consider slight horizontal alignment shifts to accommodate turn lanes at
intersections, reduce speeds, and minimize costs.
Mayor Johnson said that everything assumes that there will be 6 lanes on I-494. She
asked when that would occur and in the meantime what was happening?
Mr. Montebello responded that in general he would expect that the volumes would be
even higher on Vicksburg until more lanes are constructed on I-494. He anticipated that
construction could occur between 2010 and 2020. Councilmember Hewitt said it is
currently scheduled for 2011.
Councilmember Black asked if an analysis included consideration of a signal at 25th
Avenue and Shenandoah.
Mr. Montebello responded "no", but it would not significantly affect the analysis because
the problem is with the maximum that you can get through at any signalized
intersections. Councilmember Hewitt added that the gap issue is more significant on the
southern end of that road because of that free right turn from County Road 6.
Mr. Montebello suggested that the free right could be eliminated.
Councilmember Hewitt added that it is difficult for neighborhoods to get onto Vicksburg
Lane because no gaps exist between traffic.
Councilmember Hewitt asked if a stop light at Medina Road and Vicksburg was
considered in the analysis.
Mr. Montebello said it would make a difference on the northern part of Vicksburg, but
wouldn't impact the proposed signal at 25th Avenue or traffic southerly.
Councilmember Hewitt asked if he had a recommendation on timing for the suggested
improvements to Vicksburg Lane.
Adopted Council Minutes
Special Meeting of March 16, 2004
Page 3 of 6
Mr. Montebello responded that traffic will continue to worsen as areas to the west
develop. The trail could be moved to 25th with little expense and an intersection crossing
is safer than mid block. The timing of installing left -turn lanes and making intersection
improvements is a funding issue. He noted that 25th Avenue and 22 ad Avenue at
Vicksburg were the spots with the highest incidents of accidents in the analysis.
Councilmember Black asked if the area from Shenandoah Lane south to County Road 6
would be helped.
Mr. Montebello added that it would create some additional gaps — not a significant
amount.
Councilmember Hewitt asked about the downsides of changing to an "A minor arterial",
which is one of the recommendations in the report.
Mr. Montebello responded that he didn't see a downside. There are a lot of "A -minor
arterials". There is no guarantee for funding, but the revised designation would make the
roadway eligible for federal funding.
Councilmember Hewitt asked if it would make it easier if the City traded Vicksburg Lane
for County Road 47 with Hennepin County.
Mr. Montebello suggested it may make it easier since it would add a higher level of
function.
A resident commented that she had 54 acres on County Road 47. She didn't favor
switching the roads, but wants to develop her property.
Motion was made by Councilmember Hewitt to request that the Metropolitan Council
reclassify Vicksburg Lane to an "A" minor arterial from CSAH 6 to the City's northern
limits. Councilmember Black seconded the motion. All were in favor and the
recommendation passed unanimously.
Councilmember Black asked whether right -turn lanes could be considered.
Mr. Montebello stated that there could be problems with space and design, but it could be
considered. There is sufficient right-of-way to consider several alternatives.
Motion was made by Councilmember Hewitt to include in a future update of the Capital
Improvement Program to develop Vicksburg to a five -lane section over time. Motion
was seconded by Councilmember Black. This would require some cross-sectional
changes at the public road intersections. These changes would provide increased safety
Adopted Council Minutes
Special Meeting of March 16, 2004
Page 4 of 6
for left -turns, and they would result in less delay to side street traffic. Right -turn lanes
should also be given consideration. All voted in favor and the motion passed.
to the intersection of 25"' Avenue/Shenandoah Lane. A small section of trail would need
to be constructed along the east side of Vicksburg from the current trail to Shenandoah
Lane. Mayor Johnson seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.
Motion was made by Councilmember Black that a signal be considered for the 25`h
Avenue/Shenandoah Lane intersection to facilitate pedestrian crossings and provide Raps
in the mainline flow for local intersections. Councilmember Hewitt seconded the
recommendation. All were in favor and the motion passed.
Public Works Director Faulkner stated the County has suggested a possible jurisdictional
change of Peony Lane, adding that the County just upgraded County Road 101.
Community Director Hurlburt said that discussion could be initiated about the County
taking over jurisdiction of Vicksburg. She stated that Vicksburg Lane is an important
road and the City may want to continue to have influence over it. For example, it is
unknown what priority the County would place on a separated grade railroad crossing,
and there is still a lot of development on the northern part of Vicksburg Lane.
The Council took no further action regarding jurisdiction of the roadway.
Community Development Director Hurlburt suggested that when the CSM application
comes to the planning commission, staff could present an overview of the new
information. This would include residents all along Vicksburg Lane.
Councilmember Hewitt stated she believed the entire corridor needs to be informed and
requested the information be placed on the Web site.
Mr. Montebello presented SRF's report examining the potential impacts of removing the
un -built segment of Medina Road between Vicksburg and Dunkirk from the roadway
system. The volumes on Highway 55 are estimated to grow from 39,000 to over 60,000
vehicles in the future. He suggested that if the neighborhood issues build to the point
they can't be relieved, Medina Road would be a way to solve some of those cut through
trips. He recommended that the City retain the Medina Road connection in the City's
Comprehensive Plan in order to preserve greater transportation system flexibility,
improve safety, improve local east -west mobility, and reduce cut -through traffic on local
streets.
Councilmember Stein asked if Medina Road could be taken off of the comprehensive
plan, but added again in the future.
Adopted Council Minutes
Special Meeting of March 16, 2004
Page 5 of 6
Community Development Director Hurlburt said that the City could retain the right-of-
way. If in 20 or 30 years there was significant cut -through traffic, the road could be
considered to be put back in the plan.
Councilmember Neset questioned who had the final say to remove a road from the
comprehensive plan. Community Development Director Hurlburt stated the City makes
the decision.
Councilmember Black asked if it were possible to build this road without affecting the
wetland? Community Development Director stated no.
Motion was made by Councilmember Slavik to direct the Planning Commission to hold a
public hearing on a proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment to remove the un -built
segment of Medina Road from the transportation system plan. Seconded by
Councilmember Hewitt.
Discussion was held on the notification area. The Council expanded the notification area,
and Mayor Johnson stated she wants residents to clearly understand that there are no
plans to build a road. She also wants both the traffic studies and CSM development
proposal to be discussed at the same meeting.
Mayor Johnson stated she wants the traffic information for Medina Road to be based on
land use that will be built. It is currently modeled for industrial, but commercial is
planned for the former Dana -Spicer site.
The vote was taken on the motion, with all members voting in favor.
Water Treatment Plants Renovation and Expansion
Public Works Director Faulkner introduced Steve Nelson and Sue Mason of Short, Elliot
Hendrickson, and Brian Young, Sewer and Viater Supervisor.
Public Works Director Faulkner stated that a prequalification of bidders is suggested for
the Central and Zachary Water Treatment Plant projects.
Project Manager Nelson explained a 3 -step plan for assessing how chlorination practices
and distribution system conditions could be modified to reduce taste and odor problems
at the tap of each Plymouth resident. Based on results of the chlorine jar testing, the
Plymouth/SEH team agreed that a taste test is not relevant for Plymouth's water because
chlorine is not the primary complaint and therefore should be canceled. Chlorine was at a
constant level, with no increase or decrease of chlorine related complaints. Project
Manager Nelson believes the problem occurs during the water distribution. Additional
data came from tracking complaints from about 70 residents around the city throughout
the year. Most complaints occurred during high demand time and Project Manager
Adopted Council Minutes
Special Meeting of March 16, 2004
Page 6 of 6
Nelson believes that increased flushing will help. The schedule for completion is to have
an adequate supply of treated water by next summer — with everything done by 2006.
Project Manager Nelson explained both the Central and Zachary Plant projects. The
design of the plants incorporate components identified as essential to safe, cost effective
water treatment plant operations and the consistent delivery of safe, high quality drinking
water to the residents of Plymouth.
The Central Plant is set back from the street to line up with the adjacent Public Works
Building. Design issues included truck access, the adjacent Skate Park, security, and
entrance to maintenance facility, while connecting into the distribution system network.
Project Manager Nelson explained that the Zachary Water Treatment Plant project will
result in an increase in capacity of water production. He stated that a variance application
would be coming to the Council for consideration due to a loading dock abutting
residential properties. The preliminary project cost estimate is $20,380,000, which is
down slightly from the $20.5 million estimate presented at the October 14, 2003 council
meeting. He provided an updated schedule for the project.
Councilmember Black asked if the intent was to bid the projects together or separately,
and whether the high cost of structural steel may come down in the future. Project
Manager Nelson was unsure about the steel markets, but said there is a long lead-time on
ordering some of the products involved in the facilities, such as 6 -months for green sand.
Brief discussion was held about ways of bidding the project to get the best steel price.
Public Works Director Faulkner said there had been discussion regarding rehabbing
vessels used at the Central plant, rather than purchasing them new. However, it would
take an in-depth analysis to determine if that would be a net cost benefit, and it could take
a year longer to get the project completed with the additional work.
Councilrnember Black expressed her concern about impervious surfaces as it relates to
the project.
City Manager Update
The Council held a quarterly update with the City Manager.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
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Sheila L ger, Offi, e Sup ort R cli