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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 06-16-2003 SpecialAdopted Minutes Special Council Meeting June 16, 2003 Mayor Johnson called a Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers on June 16, 2003. COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Johnson, Councihnembers Slavik, Bildsoe, Neset, Black, and Stein. ABSENT: Councilmember Hewitt. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Community Development Director Hurlburt, Public Works Director Faulkner, City Engineer Quanbeck, Public Services Manager Qvale, and City Clerk Paulson. County Road 73 Area and Possible Transit Grant Public Services Manager Qvale reported on a proposed transit station at Highway 55 and County Road 73. She stated a parking study was conducted that indicated there is a demand for this type of facility as well as additional parking spaces. The existing park and ride facility, at the southeast corner of the intersection of Highway 55 and County Road 73, was reviewed. The facility is located within the Minnesota Department of Transportation right-of-way and has 65 parking spaces. Staff is proposing a multi-level parking structure to accommodate 300 to 500 parking spaces with a cost range from $5 to $8 million. Staff has reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of the current site, and the County Road 73 southwest corner (vacant parcel). Staff believes this project would have no impact on the proposed County Road 73 alignment, but some realignment of the frontage road may be necessary. Based on an initial analysis, staff feels the southwest parcel (vacant parcel) offers the greatest opportunity for a successful park and ride facility due primarily to the potential for future mixed use development which can support and attract transit riders. Alternatively, the existing park and ride site could be significantly improved to meet additional transit demand, but the site may be too small for any ancillary uses. Discussions have started with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to partner in the project. In addition, this project is on the regional team transit project list, which recognizes the project as a regional transit asset. The estimated total multiple year project cost range is $5 to $8 million. The federal funding component could fund up to 80% with a maximum of $5.5 million with a local match. The matching funds could be regional capital transit funding through the Metropolitan Council. Staff has also applied for funding up to $3.5 million through the recently approved 2003 legislative state bond funding for improvements in a trunk highway corridor. The City has received a favorable verbal response from Metropolitan Council for funding this project. Adopted Council Minutes Special Meeting of June 16, 2003 Page 2 of 7 Jim Lasher, from LSA Design, Inc., stated the primary goal is to enhance mobility and congestion in the community. He noted the actual ridership growth is steadily increasing, and there is a shortage of 2,000 to 2,500 stalls at the current facility. He explained that the site on the southwest comer is more favorable and provides an option for development of that area. He stated project strategies and policy decisions include integrating transit with mixed -land uses, highest and best transit use, developing guidelines and incentives, overall project governance, and financial goals and objectives. The site selection is based on site access, visibility, route proximity, demand analysis, and joint -use potential. The implementation process includes goals and governance, market/legal policy, concept planning/financing, and grant application. He illustrated a similar projects in Eagan, Burnsville, Eden Prairie, and Maple Grove. Councilmember Slavik suggested the neighborhood meeting and public hearing be completed prior to programming and site selection. Mr. Lasher stated they could meet with the neighborhood prior to the concept planning. Typically, city councils prefer to review costs and benefits of a site before it's presented to a neighborhood. Councilmember Stein agreed with Councilmember Slavik and asked if staff has approached the property owners regarding the southwest site. Public Services Manager Qvale replied the property owner would be willing to sell the property. Councilmember Stein stated there should be a concept plan on how to incorporate the existing shopping center into the transit station. He asked if the former Dana Spicer property has been considered for the transit station. Public Services Manager Qvale replied staff has reviewed that location. Community Development Director Hurlburt added that site is currently under contract, and in order to submit the grant application, the City would need the cooperation of the property owner. Councilmember Stein stated he could support proceeding with the southwest corner site, and he suggested that an agreement be reached with the existing shopping center for a joint use area. He spoke of the necessity for a neighborhood meeting. Councilmember Bildsoe suggested that before a meeting is held with the neighborhood, that the City have a conceptual plan for the neighborhood to review. Councilmember Black stated that there were previously objections in redeveloping the southwest corner site, but the objections were based on the acquisition of homes on the south and west side of the shopping center property. She stated a transit station would be a different concept, and what is the likelihood that a transit hub development could drive the redevelopment of the shopping center site. Mr. Lasher stated if the transit station would proceed at this location, they would work with the existing tenants and relocate them into a newer building and assume the leases. Adopted Council Minutes Special Meeting of June 16, 2003 Page 3 of 7 Community Development Director Hurlburt added the other property owner who owns Mr. Gas is interested in redeveloping that site. Consultant George Bentley stated there is a very limited amount of time to apply for the federal grant. Therefore, it's imperative that the Council define the scope of the project/location. He noted that the Minnesota Department of Transportation is interested in participating in this project. In addition, there is a $3.5 million dollar bonding project through the Metropolitan Council that the City has applied for, and the City has been placed on the top of the list for receiving those funds. Councilmember Black commented that there could be potential negative impacts to the strip center on the north side of Highway 55 with the success of this project. Councilmember Neset asked if there are water issues with the southwest corner site. Community Development Director Hurlburt replied the south half of the property has water, but that is an issue for the Department of Natural Resources. Public Works Director Faulkner added there have been no soil borings completed on the property. Mr. Lasher stated the goal is to create a minimum of 500 parking spaces on a site. This would be possible with the existing site, but it would consume the entire parcel. However, the southwest corner site would have the potential for approximately 750 parking spaces. Councihnember Neset asked what risk would there be if the process could be delayed for the southwest corner site based on neighborhood meetings. Mr. Lasker replied based on the discussion this evening, the neighborhood meeting should be conducted soon. If the public comments are negative for the southwest corner site, the Council could further consider the southeast corner site with involvement from the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Councilmember Stein asked if the southwest corner site would include the straightening of County Road 73 and constructing the frontage roads. Public Works Director Faulkner replied in order for the frontage road to service the property, that would need to be completed. Mayor Johnson asked if the federal fiords could be used for those improvements. Mr. Lasher replied the federal funds could be used to access the site. Councilmember Stein asked if County Road 73 was straightened, would there be a traffic analysis. Mr. Lasher replied they would include any traffic that would be derived from this development and compare it to the previous traffic analysis to determine the impact. The Council reviewed photographs of Eagan's transit station where the parking deck is essentially hidden by retail development. Adopted Council Minutes Special Meeting of June 16, 2003 Page 4 of 7 Motion was made by Councilmember Neset, and seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe, to proceed with the grant process and working with staff on the options presented. Motion was made by Councilmember Black, and seconded by Councilmember Stein, to amend the main motion to include the southwest corner as the preferred site. Councilmember Stein suggested that a sketch plan be prepared and neighborhood meetings be conducted as soon as possible. Councilmember Bildsoe added that the property owner should be contacted regarding the price of the property to determine if the City is in the same "ballpark." Councilmember Stein asked who would own and operate the transit station. Mr. Lasher replied the City would own the structure and the property. The retail portion of the development would be a ground lease with the City. Mayor Johnson and Councilmember Black stressed that the process utilized to receive input from the adjacent residents is going to be extremely important. There being no further discussion and with all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Bassett Creek Water Management Organization City Engineer Quanbeck stated Bassett Creek Water Management Commission (BCWMC) has been discussing the scheduling and funding of projects in their Capital Improvements Program CIP). They solicited comments from member cities, and the Steering Committee has reviewed those continents. The Steering Committee has recommended that the Commission pay the entire cost of the projects through a watershed -wide ad valorem tax. He stated the Commission hasn't taken any action on the recommendation, but it appears that the majority of the member cities would be inclined to support the ad valorem tax. He stated the issue of governance has also been raised. Plymouth comprises 47% of the watershed, but yet, the City only has one vote on the Commission. He noted that currently the cities of New Hope, Crystal, and Golden Valley are considering a joint water system, and they are reviewing different ways for governance. This item has been briefly discussed by the Commission, but the matter has been tabled. In order to change the governance of the Commission, the joint powers agreement would need to be amended, which would require unanimous approval of all nine member cities. He requested the Council to consider whether they would like the Commission to perform the study perhaps by appointing a subcommittee or whether they would like the Commission to encourage the cities to study the governance issue in which case the cities would take the lead. Councilmember Bildsoe left the meeting (8:25 p.m.). Adopted Council Minutes Special Meeting of June 16, 2003 Page 5 of 7 Mayor Johnson stated she has discussed the issue of governance with some of the other cities. She stated Robbinsdale has already voted against the ad valorem tax. She noted that she has had discussions with County Commissioner Steele who is very supportive of the City's informal position. City Engineer Quanbeck mentioned that currently the City has two water quality ponds proposed for the southeast shore of Medicine Lake, and these ponds are in the Commission's CIP. In order to be eligible for funding by the BCWMC, the watershed must conduct a public hearing for the project. If the City would proceed and construct the projects prior to the public hearing, they would not be eligible for BCWMC funding according to the joint powers agreement. Elizabeth Thornton, City's citizen representative who serves on the BCWMC, stated the Steering Committee has voted and approved the amendment and the ad valorem tax. She stated she was under the impression that this needed to be reviewed by the Board of Water and Soil Resources as soon as possible. Councilmember Black stated the cities are in control of the j oint powers agreement. Governance and funding of projects in the CIP are two issues that need to be discussed. She stated even though the Steering Committee approved the ad valorem tax, the Commission still needs to take action. If the tax would be approved, it would be forwarded to Hennepin County to consider it in their tax structure for 2004. City Engineer Quanbeck explained these are two separate timelines. One is for the minor plan amendment and the other is for the overall BCWMC CIP. The minor plan amendment with the funding source was approved by the Commission and has been submitted to the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR). No public hearing has been held on this project. Hennepin County has not yet considered the request, but a meeting was held with County Staff to discuss it. Fred Moore, 1820 Ives Lane North, stated the Commission is amending the plan for funding the City's projects to allow construction and reimbursement sooner then would be possible if it stayed with the rest of the CIP. If the plan is amended, there would be a public hearing for all cities to comment. City Engineer Quanbeck stated the City could fund their projects now and get refunded by BCWMC later, but a public hearing needs to be conducted first and BCWMC would need to agree to the arrangement. Councilmember Stein asked how the Commission decided to undertake water capital improvements. City Engineer Quanbeck replied that after completion of major flood control projects, the BCWMC prepared water quality management plans for the various water bodies, and discussed whether 100% of the costs would be funded by the cities as well as other options. Terrie Christian, 9910 South Shore Drive, stated she has attended the Commission's meetings as a representative from AMLAC. She stated the Commission was formed 20 years ago for the purpose of reviewing flood control, and now they are concentrating on water quality. She noted Adopted Council Minutes Special Meeting of June 16, 2003 Page 6 of 7 in reviewing the funding, the City pays approximately 50% of all the projects that have been completed downstream, and Golden Valley pays 25%. She noted the studies that have been completed by Barr Engineering that the Commission has paid for. However, none of those projects were ever implemented. All of the funds were being used for flood control projects. She stated the City has implemented the surface water management fee to be used for water quality improvements. She stated the City is requesting funding for two projects, and there is disagreement. She stressed that all the cities downstream have benefited from the funding that has come from the City the past 20 years. She stated she disagrees with the proposed tax as Plymouth residents are already paying for water quality improvements through the surface water management fee. She commented that she was happy to hear that the City of Robbinsdale voted against the tax. She believes that the governance issue also needs to be addressed. She believes that the cities in the watershed district should be able to complete their own projects. Motion was made by Councilmember Black, and seconded by Councilmember Stein, to oppose the ad volarem tax, support minor plan amendment (prefer to negotiate how the proiects would be paid for and to not use the ad volarem tax), and request BCWMC to encourage the cities to discuss governance issues. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Mayor Johnson asked if Barr Engineering is the only firm that is qualified for this type of work. City Engineer Quanbeck replied that the Commission advertises for proposals every two years. Barr Engineering has been selected every time. Mayor Johnson suggested that the Commission discuss the selection of the engineering firm when they discuss the issue of governance, as there needs to be more accountability. Future Study Session Topics Councilmembers Bildsoe, Black, and Mayor Johnson added administrative fines to the pending Study Session list. The Council removed speed tubes from the pending Study Session list as this expenditure could be accomplished in the current budget. Councilmember Black removed the discussion of the recycling program from the other requests list. Mayor Johnson reported the League of Minnesota Cities Board retreat would be held July 17 - July 18 at the Plymouth Creek Center. Councilmember Black requested that the Environmental Quality Commission's meeting on July 9 be removed from the Official Calendar as there would be no meeting that evening. Adopted Council Minutes Special Meeting of June 16, 2003 Page 7 of 7 Update with City Manager The Council conducted an update with the City Manager. Adiournment Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 10:20 p.m. Sa4ra R. Paulson, City Clerk