HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 04-03-2001 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
April 3, 2001
A Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at 7:00
p.m. in the Police Training Room, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on April 3, 2001.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney, Councilmembers Hewitt, Harstad, Black, Slavik, and
Stein.
ABSENT: Councilmember Johnson.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Finance Director Hahn, Community Development
Director Hurlburt, Public Works Director Moore, Park and Recreation Director Blank, and City
Clerk Paulson.
City Center Streetseape Improvements (Including Parking Bays on Plymouth Boulevard)
Community Development Director Hurlburt provided the history on the development of the City
Center area. She noted that at the March 20 Council meeting, the Council approved the
feasibility study for Plymouth Boulevard parking bay and overlay improvements and scheduled a
public hearing on April 24. She stated this project would reduce to two lanes the section of
Plymouth Boulevard between the intersection of 34th Avenue and the north City Hall parking lot
entrance to 37th Avenue and create parking bays accommodating parking spaces. An additional
22 parking spaces would be created in parking bays to be installed as part of the Carlson Real
Estate project on the west side of one block, concurrent with the City project. She also noted
ornamental street lighting for Plymouth Boulevard has been approved, and staff is currently in
the process of soliciting bids.
The Council voiced a number of concerns relating to the City Center and Plymouth Boulevard
area, i.e. making the roadways and area more pedestrian friendly which could include more
marked pedestrian crossings, and lack of parking at the Mann Theatre and LifeTime Fitness/Ice
Center.
Mayor Tierney stated she has noticed that there are no marked parking spaces on 34`h and 35th
Avenues. Public Works Director Moore stated 34th Avenue isn't marked due to the driveway
locations not being certain and/or marked. However, 35th Avenue is marked. Mayor Tierney
requested these on -street parking spaces be marked.
Councilmember Black suggested that the area by Cub and the Carlson Real Estate development
be marked for a pedestrian crossing.
Adopted Council Minutes
Special Meeting of April 3, 2001
Page 2 of 4
Councilmember Hewitt stated that in the future, the Council might want to consider a pedestrian
walkway over Highway 55 to the City Center area.
Councilmember Stein added that pedestrian walkways should be lit and landscaped for
pedestrian use. Councilmember Slavik stated that in order to encourage pedestrian traffic, there
needs to be additional businesses such as coffee shops in the City Center area.
Community Development Director Hurlburt stated the development of the City Center area is
increasing, and residents within the area would be able to walk to the City Center. There are
mixed-use developments in the area. She stated there would be pedestrian crosswalks marked on
Vicksburg Lane, and there would be on -street parking on 36th Avenue.
Councilmember Slavik asked if there could be raised crosswalks on Plymouth Boulevard to
encourage pedestrian traffic. Community Development Director Hurlburt stated the bump outs
from the parking bays provide a more safe method for pedestrians to cross Plymouth Boulevard.
Public Works Director Moore added drainage would need to be provided for the upper portion of
the raised crosswalk.
Mayor Tierney asked about constructing brick crosswalks
Community Development Director Hurlburt stated decorated crosswalks add costs to the project.
However, the crosswalks could be redesigned rather inexpensively if they weren't feasible. She
stated the goal is to design the roadway for lower speed of traffic.
A representative from the Carlson Real Estate Company, stated their development directly
behind Cub Foods is specifically an office development. By creating a mixed-use development,
it creates the atmosphere the Council is seeking. He stated there would be approximately 100
parking spaces in their parking lot which could be utilized after 5:00 p.m. He supports
narrowing Plymouth Boulevard to a two lane roadway with parking bays in order to decrease the
speed of traffic and discourage individuals from using it as a "shortcut" from Highway 55 to
County Road 9. He stated since their building is required to be so close to the street, the on -
street parking is very crucial.
Councilmember Harstad mentioned the $155,000 cost to construct the parking bays, and he
questioned how the Council could undo this in the future when 100% of the cost is being
assessed. He suggested that a stoplight be installed at 36th and 37th Avenues due to the traffic
leaving the Ice Center after large events. He added that he doesn't want to artificially create
congestion to slow the traffic. He stated when people are crossing the roadway and walking
between the cars, there is not a good sight distance to exit the parking spaces.
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Special Meeting of April 3, 2001
Page 3 of 4
Councilmember Black stated there would always be a traffic risk in a high traffic area. The
proposed plan doesn't make it more or less risky.
Councilmember Slavik stated the concern about assessments really isn't an issue in her opinion.
Mayor Tierney spoke of the possibility of ramping a portion of the City Hall parking lot to assist
the parking efforts at LifeTime Fitness and the Ice Center.
Councilmember Harstad stated he would support construction of a parking ramp. However, he is
concerned that there is no limit on the membership at LifeTime Fitness, which is 10,000,
according to the agreement. He stated the actual membership number is market driven as people
who have memberships at other LifeTime Fitness facilities can utilize the City's facility.
Regarding the proposed parking bays, he doesn't feel they are appropriate and within five to ten
years they would be removed.
Community Development Director Hurlburt disagreed and stated people would be utilizing those
spaces for the new bank, the medical building, and Carlson's development.
Mayor Tierney stated the additional parking spaces would assist with the new Hilde Performance
Center area. Councilmember Stein added that the proposed improvements to Plymouth
Boulevard which include the parking bays would encourage motorists to utilize Vicksburg Lane,
it would slow the traffic, and Plymouth Boulevard would be more pedestrian friendly.
Future Studv Session Tonic and Meetings
The Council scheduled a Study Session immediately after the Board of Review meeting on April
17 to discuss the Hollydale Golf Course.
The discussion of the disposition of houses along County Road 101 would be discussed late this
summer or early fall. Councilmember Harstad commented he would like to review a quote on
moving the Vicary house and placing it on a new foundation. The cost would be recouped in the
sale price.
Councilmember Black stated she would like to discuss the upgrading of County Road 47. City
Manager Johnson stated this project would be discussed as part of the Capital Improvement Plan
process. Public Works Director Moore added according to the County's adopted plan, they
would like to convey ownership of this roadway to the City.
The Council scheduled a Study Session on April 24 at 5:30 p.m. before the Regular Council
meeting on the draft of the Bassett Creek Joint Powers Agreement.
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Special Meeting of April 3, 2001
Page 4 of 4
The Council requested that either at the May 8 or the May 22 Council meeting, staff provide a
report on this year's snowplowing.
Staff notified Council that the budget hearings are proposed for August 21 and August 29.
Adjournment
Motion was made by Councilmember
the meeting at 8:35 n.m. With all mer
Sandra R. Paulson, City Clerk