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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. Adopted Council Minutes 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. Adopted Council Minutes 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