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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 05-23-1994 SpecialMINUTES COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MAY 23, 1994 A special study session meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at 7:00 p.m. in the Training Room of the Public Safety Building, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., on May 23, 1994. PRESENT: Mayor Tierney; Councilmembers Anderson, Granath, Helliwell, and Lymangood, and Morrison. ABSENT: Councilmember Edson. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant Manager Lueckert, Public Works Director Moore, Public Safety Director Gerdes, Park Director Blank, Finance Director Hahn, City Attorney Barnard, and Kurt Hoffman. SETTLEMENT OF PENDING LITIGATION - PLYMOUTH v W.J. CAVANAUGH The City Council went into closed session at 7:15 p.m. to discuss with the City Attorney settlement of pending litigation in the case of Plymouth v. W.J. Cavanaugh. The Council returned to open session at 8:29 p.m. MOTION was made by Councilmember Lymangood, seconded by Councilmember Granath, to table the settlement of pending litigation, Plymouth v. W.J. Cavanaugh, to June 6. Motion carried, six ayes. WEST MEDICINE LAKE PARK Barry Warner, consultant from Barton Ashman, and Erica Urban, 30 year resident and member of the focus group for development of the plan, were present. Park Director Blank presented information on the layout and development history of the West Medicine Lake area neighborhood. He stated that expense is the primary deterrent from developing the park in this location. He proposed bidding the project for development of the West Medicine Lake Park in December, with groundbreaking in spring. He stated that priorities for development of this park include a clean safe swimming beach, wildlife Study Session Minutes May 23, 1994 Page 2 preserve, less asphalt, less boat traffic, and the greatest public participation of any park development project. Councilmember Lymangood asked the net difference between road alignment options A and B. Mr. Warner explained that the difference relates to the lake perspective. Park Director Blank stated the acquisition of homes is another factor to be considered if 18th Avenue were left as is. Two homes would then be in the park; however, removal of the homes changed that element. Councihnember Anderson asked about the roadway location. Mr. Warner stated that realignment of the road will move the road southerly where the creek is less wide. Mayor Tierney asked if the road would cross wetlands. Mr. Warner said yes, but there would be mitigation of about one acre upstream and closer to the basin. He stated this mitigation will improve conditions of sediment that exist now as well as make it more attractive. Mayor Tierney asked for comparison of this proposal with the Parkers Lake Park. Mr. Warner provided examples of building materials and structures, as well as creek crossings. He stated the building would be the focal point, affording views to lake. The lower level would provide year round access to the lake, while the upper level would have community meeting or social use. He stated the uses would be similar to Parkers Lake but larger and more flexible, as well as reflective of the surroundings. Park Director Blank said the public hearings identified pleasure skating as a high priority for winter and beach use for summer. The upper level could be used for senior citizens and wedding reception functions. No funding is yet provided or identified for the building. City Manager Johnson stated that the Council has never acted on any aspect of this park, but the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission has made recommendations on the development. Study Session Minutes May 23, 1994 Page 3 Park Director Blank stated that acquisition of property for this proposed park dates back to 1980. Councihnember Lymangood stated he supports the plan that retains the most wetlands. He believes that a suburban type of park is being attempted in an area that is not appropriate. This includes placement of a road in the alternate plan. Councihnember Granath asked how many parking places there are. Park Director Blank said that there are 40. Mr. Warner stated the new plan would be about 150 spaces based on demand. He stated this is not currently a natural area; itis cultured rather than natural landscape. Under the plan, the City would take on a management of the area in order to nurture deteriorated areas back to healthy land. The project will also return some of the wetland areas. He described the roadway as having a parkway feel - not a typical residential street. Park Director Blank stated there is sewer and water in place under where the new road will go; an abandoned road bed already exists. Public Works Director Moore said that ice was cut and shipped from that location at one time. Mr. Warner said this roadway alignment if the most logical location. Councilmember Anderson stated concerns about excessive costs when developing roads over marshland areas, and cited I-394 construction as an example. Mr. Warner stated these issues are addressed in the plan. Park Director Blank stated the sanitary sewer and water lines will remain in place. The traffic level will largely be affected by whether a beach is opened at the site. The staff report addresses potential traffic patterns. Councihnember Anderson asked Ms. Urban if she is aware there will be increased traffic if the beach is developed. Ms. Urban stated there were fears that the land could possibly have been purchased for private development, which also would increase traffic. She Study Session Minutes May 23, 1994 Page 4 stated the additional traffic may affect residents further down the road, but until development occurs, traffic is an unknown factor. Park Director Blank said much study has been on traffic and parking. They tried to anticipate future needs. The issue of traffic focuses on the public's request for a beach. Also, a curved road with a median is a good speed deterrent. Public Works Director Moore stated this is a public road serving this quadrant of the City, and traffic is always going to be somewhat of a problem. Mr. Warner said a 4 -way stop sign intersection is another option to deter traffic. Some Minneapolis parkways have seasonal stop signs that are removed in the off-peak seasons. Councilmember Morrison asked where the major crossing areas to the nature areas would be located. Mr. Warner stated a looping trail would be one option, with crossings and neighborhood access in the southern and southwestern areas of the park. The accesses would have standard marking and signage. Councilmember Anderson expressed concern about the increased traffic projections. Public Works Director Moore responded that the increase would be less than 1,000 vehicles per day. He stated that as additional land is developed, traffic will increase. Even with no park development, the traffic would increase from 3,300 to 6,370 vehicles per day. Councilmember Helliwell believes that the new road alignment will be safer than the present layout. She asked if the proposed waterfalls are created or natural. Mr. Warner said that some dredging would be done to achieve the past condition that has deteriorated from illegal dumping and use. Also, storm water would be treated before it goes into the lake. The waterfall would occur at a point where creek narrows, and it is contingent on receipt of a permit from the DNR and other agencies. Mayor Tierney asked the purpose of the waterfall. Mr. Warner stated it would be primarily aesthetic. Study Session Minutes May 23, 1994 Page 5 Public Works Director Moore added that it would also help alleviate the potential of upstream flooding. In response to a question by Councilmember Morrison, Director Blank explained that the Council will be requested to adopt the master plan, followed by direction to move forward with design and permitting procedures. Councilmember Morrison asked how firm the master plan approval would be. Park Director Blank said the purpose of the master plan is to develop a consistent plan for the area. If, for example, the DNR denied the permit for the beach construction, staff would return to the Council and proposed elimination of the beach in the design. Councilmember Helliwell expressed concerns about the beach. She does not like to see the lake carved out, and expressed concern about water quality. Mayor Tierney stated people use the area for a beach now. Park Director Blank stated that beach was closed because the City couldn't afford a lifeguard at the beach during certain hours for risk management reasons. Mr. Warner said the DNR's primary concern is that the lake profile not be changed in this area because it is seen as a primary shelf for fish spawning. Development of the beach would not change the grading of the shelf area, and there would be only shallow excavation. This will not be a large excavation project since the beach goes back about 500 feet, but only drops 30 inches. Councilmember Morrison asked if the Council should be approving the master plan now because additional facts and public input may lead to a different design conclusion. City Manager Johnson stated it is the Council's decision whether to proceed. Park Director Blank stated the Council would be stating goals and guidelines for development of the park. The project could be discontinued if so desired by the Council. Councilmember Helliwell expressed concerns about the costs of dredging. Mr. Warner explained this is not a major element of the project. Study Session Minutes May 23, 1994 Page 6 Park Director Blank stated neighborhoods and commissions could be notified of the progress on the project and could provide comment at public hearings. MOTION was made by Councilmember Anderson, seconded by Councilmember Granath, to establish a public hearing on the West Medicine Lake Park Master Plan for June 20 to allow adequate time for public notice of the project. Motion carried, six ayes. Mr. Warner stated that if the Council authorizes proceeding with the project in June, the detailed design and environmental permits would take 3 to 4 months. Councilmember Lymangood stated he wants this park to open without a tax increase to fund the annual operating expense. City Manager Johnson stated the City has done similar projects without a tax increase. EMPLOYEE SURVEY Councilmember Helliwell suggested that an employee survey be tabled until fall. She feels that none of the survey proposals offer a clear idea of what to do. Assistant Manager Lueckert stated a survey would only work if the Council has a clear idea of what is wanted, and needs to be done on a regular basis to gauge progress. Councilmember Helliwell stated that the meeting with the City Manager last week was positive, and she would like to table the survey. MOTION was made by Councilmember Helliwell, seconded by Councilmember Lymangood, to table the employee survey. Councilmember Morrison expressed an interest in seeing the results of the earlier survey conducted about four years ago. Assistant Manager Lueckert stated that unrealistic expectations resulted from the earlier survey. Motion to table carried, six ayes. Study Session Minutes May 23, 1994 Page 7 SUMMER STUDY SESSION SCHEDULE Councilmember Helliwell suggested canceling the study session scheduled for June 25 to discuss the wetlands ordinance. City Manager Johnson stated that with the temporary ordinance in place, staff may not have much more information by that time to present or discuss with the Council. Mayor Tierney suggested using that date for inviting an outside speaker from another community, or visiting another community on the wetland ordinance topic. Councilmember Helliwell asked the time frame for the ordinance City Manager Johnson said it will be completed by September. Councilmember Anderson supported tabling the study session on the wetlands ordinance. Mayor Tierney stated she would like information on what other communities with wetland ordinances have experienced. MOTION was made by Councilmember Anderson, seconded by Councilmember Helliwell, to cancel the study session scheduled for June 27. Councilmember Helliwell stated she would like to consider specific wetland ordinance proposals at a future study session, rather than reviewing general information. Motion carried, six ayes. City Manager Johnson suggested that budget study sessions and the City Manager review session be done during August. MOTION was made by Councilmember Lymangood, seconded by Councilmember Anderson, to schedule three study sessions in August: August 8, 22, and 29 for consideration of the 1995 budget. Motion carried, six ayes. Study Session Minutes May 23, 1994 Page 8 MOTION was made by Councilmember Anderson, seconded by Councilmember Morrison, to add to the June 13 study session the discussion of a process for City Manager evaluation to be conducted in August. Motion carried, six ayes. A brief discussion was held on the requests for proposals for City Attorney services. Councilmember Lymangood stated that Manager Johnson believes the City Council should decide whether to have criminal and civil counsel separate or provided by the same firm. MOTION was made by Councilmember Anderson, seconded by Councilmember Granath, to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 p.m. Motion carried, six ayes.