Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 07-25-1994 Special 2MINUTES SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING JULY 259 1994 A special meeting of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Mayor Tierney at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City Center, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., on July 25, 1994. PRESENT: Mayor Tierney; Councilmembers Anderson, Morrison, Lymangood, Helliwell, Granath, and Edson. ABSENT: None. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Assistant Manager Lueckert, Public Works Director Moore, and City Clerk Ahrens. MOTION was made by Councilmember Anderson, seconded by Councilmember Edson, to amend the agenda to first consider membership of the Subcommittee to review the City Attorney proposals, and then conduct the public hearing on 26th Avenue Improvements. Motion carried, seven ayes. ITEM 3-B MEMBERSHIP OF SUBCOMMITTEE TO REVIEW CITY ATTORNEY PROPOSALS Manager Johnson reported that Councilmember Lymangood has indicated he is unable to serve on the Subcommittee to review the City Attorney proposals due to a potential conflict of interest. Mayor Tierney and Councilmember Anderson stated they would each be willing to serve on the Subcommittee. Councilmember Edson stated he has requested a legal opinion from the City Attorney on whether he has a conflict of interest with respect to this issue. Several of the firms that have submitted proposals do a significant amount of business with his CPA firm. Councilmember Granath stated he would support appointment of Mayor Tierney to the Subcommittee for membership diversity and balance. Otherwise, all three Subcommittee members would be attorneys. Special Council Meeting July 25, 1994 Page 2 MOTION was made by Councilmember Granath, seconded by Councilmember Helliwell, to appoint Mayor Tierney to the Subcommittee to review City Attorney proposals. Motion carried, seven ayes. Manager Johnson listed the full Subcommittee membership: Mayor Tierney, Councilmember Granath, Councilmember Morrison, Manager Johnson, Community Development Director Hurlburt, and Public Safety Director Gerdes. Assistant Manager Lueckert will serve as staff support for the Subcommittee. ITEM 3-A PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT HEARING, 26TH AVENUE FROM KILMER LANE TO MEDICINE RIDGE ROAD, PROJECT 601 Public Works Director Moore introduced the public improvement project for proposed 26th Avenue improvements from Kilmer Lane to Medicine Ridge Road, Project 601. He described the improvement area and stated the proposed project would improve 26th Avenue to a 32 foot width with concrete curb and gutter, and centered on the street right-of-way. An 8 ft. wide trail is proposed adjacent to the curb along the south boulevard. A standard 90 degree intersection would be constructed with an all -way stop at the intersection with Medicine Ridge Road. He stated the special assessments for the project would be in accordance with the City Street Reconstruction Policy. Properties that receive driveway access to 26th Avenue would have an estimated assessment at a rate of $45.64 per foot of frontage along the street. Properties without street access would have an estimated assessment for concrete curb and gutter of $7.76 per front foot. As part of the project, landscape screening is to be installed along the south edge of the trail for the property immediately adjacent to Medicine Ridge Road to mitigate the tree removal for the trail construction. Director Moore recommended that a street with a minimum of 32 width be constructed in order to provide adequate safety for both motorists and pedestrians. A portion of this project is proposed to be funded by state -aid funds, and this width would allow parking on one side of the street under the state aid standards. If a narrower street is approved, he would not recommend allowing on -street parking. He said there is a need for an off-street trail due to the traffic volumes on this street. The project was recently staked, with the roadway centered 4' northerly of the right-of-way centerline. The current recommendation is for a project moving the roadway 4' to the south, which would still be within the total roadway right-of-way of 66 ft. Director Moore stated this street is not a local residential street, but serves as the collector roadway for the residential area east of Medicine Lake and southerly of 36th Avenue. In 1991, traffic volumes on the road were 4,200 vehicles per day. It S' Special Council Meeting July 25, 1994 Page 3 is estimated that over the next 20 years, traffic will increase to about 8,000 vehicles per day. This increase is resulting from the normal 3 percent increase in traffic on roadways that is being experienced in the entire Metropolitan area, and not from any specific additional construction or traffic using this route to by-pass congestion on Highway 169. He explained the assessment procedure and stated the total estimated cost of this improvement project is $416,631. Of this amount, the estimated special assessments are $96,204. The Council must make a decision on the project within six months of this public hearing, or another public hearing would be required. If the Council orders the project, the next step would be to direct preparation of plans and specifications. If plans are approved, the Council could then direct advertisement for bids. He stated that a resolution to order this project would require 6 votes to pass, in order to comply with the statutory 4/5 vote requirement. Councilmember Granath asked when special assessments would be considered. Director Moore stated an assessment hearing would be scheduled when the project was complete. At the assessment hearing, the Council would set the interest rate and number of years over which payment would be made. Property owners would have 30 days from the date of assessment adoption to pay the assessment without interest. Manager Johnson explained that the roadway can be moved 4' further to the south, and it has been verified with NSP that the power poles would not have to be moved. He stated there were questions at the neighborhood meetings on whether the project could be constructed this year. He stated it is possible, but the construction would go into November. Other questions raised at the meetings were the street width, whether there would be a trail and the trail width, the roadway alignment, and whether there would be parking on the street. Councilmember Helliwell noted that Nathan Lane along the west side of the apartment complex contained in this project was recently reconstructed. She also stated that the proposed street width has changed during consideration of the project. Director Moore stated that Nathan Lane was reconstructed at a 25' width with concrete curb and gutter under the Street Reconstruction Program of 1990. He stated that when the public hearing was held on this project in June, 1993, a street width of 36' was proposed. Following later information meetings, the recommendation was for a 32' width with no parking. The recommendation is now 32' width with parking on one side. Special Council Meeting July 25, 1994 Page 4 Councilmember Helliwell stated that it is possible that someday Hennepin County may build a trail along Medicine Lake Road which would connect to this trail, but it could take many years and this trail would be isolated until it is connected. Director Moore stated the trail would provide an opportunity for pedestrians to walk off the street and not in a traffic lane in accordance with the City's Trail System Plan. He stated the Council has also received comments from residents at Town Meetings requesting an off-road trail. He stated the trail would connect over the bridge into New Hope now, and in the future, to the trail along Medicine Lake Road. Councilmember Helliwell stated that the City should not encourage pedestrians to cross the bridge into New Hope because it is too dangerous crossing the interchange. She noted that the County does not have the Medicine Lake Road trail in its plan for construction. She does not believe that an 8' wide trail would fit with this neighborhood, particularly when it will not connect to other trails. Councilmember Lymangood asked about the trail width since this street is in the state -aid system. Director Moore stated that state -aid funds would pay for a maximum 5' width trail. Councilmember Lymangood stated that the current alignment stakes on the northerly side of the road may affect the power poles and the sight lines for driveway access. He suggested that the alignment would be moved 3' to the south in order to not interfere with the power poles and the southerly stake could remain in the existing staked location if the trail were reduced to a 5' width. Director Moore stated the roadway would need to be moved a minimum of T to the south and the trail would need to be narrowed in order to keep the southerly staking the same. Manager Johnson reported that the City Forester visited the site. There are a number of trees at or behind the power pole line. If the street is moved 3' southerly and the trail width is reduced, then the trees on the south side are likely to survive. If the alignment is moved further to the south, it is increasingly likely that trees will be lost. Councilmember Anderson asked if the state -aid funding for the trail improvements would be lost if the trail is not installed along with the street project. Director Moore responded that state -aid funds for trails can only be done in conjunction with roadway construction. Special Council Meeting July 25, 1994 Page 5 Councilmember Helliwell stated that trails can be added later. The trail was added along Schmidt Lake Road without disruption to the neighborhood. Mayor Tierney noted that this is a major collector street, and she would not support a project that is less than standard. She believes a minimum 32' roadway width and trail is needed for safety reasons. Councilmember Morrison asked if there would be a purpose for street striping if an off-street trail were approved. Director Moore stated that it is permissive for non -motorized vehicles to use the trails. If the street were striped, bikes would be removed from the trail to the street which could eliminate conflicts with pedestrians. Councilmember Edson stated he has driven the street several times since the proposed alignment was staked. He currently favors a 32' street width and reducing or eliminating the trail. He stated that the current roadway has no curbs so it is easy for vehicles to pull off the roadway area. A 32' street width will be needed to accommodate vehicles when curbs are installed. Manager Johnson stated that last year no parking was proposed on the street because state -aid standards indicated there could not be parking on a 32' wide street. The standards have been changed to permit parking on one side with a 32' street width. Mayor Tierney opened the public improvement hearing on 26th Avenue from Kilmer Lane to Medicine Ridge Road at 7:51 p.m. Bill and Linda Thompson, 9640 26th Avenue North, stated that all residents on 26th Avenue agree that the road is in need of repair and that drainage is a problem. They are concerned about the loss of trees and supported burying the power lines, although it is a significant cost to the residents and the City. They stated that shifting the roadway northerly was a concern and blind spots may result. There also may be increased vandalism and litter, as well as additional insurance premiums and noise. They circulated a petition in the neighborhood that outlined two proposals. The first would be a 26' wide street and a 5' trail on the south side, with the roadway aligned on center. This option was favored by the majority of residents on 26th Avenue. This would also reduce the cost of the project by about 10 per front foot. The second alternative was for a 32' street width on center, with no trail. This option would allow for parking on one side of the road. These options would possibly reduce the construction of retaining walls, as well as save moving power poles and trees, and they are favored by 90 percent of the residents. Special Council Meeting July 25, 1994 Page 6 Mr. and Mrs. Thompson stated they have considered a third proposal since the petition was circulated which would provide for a 32' street width with curb and gutter, positioning the roadway one foot north of the existing center. This would allow for a 5' trail along the curb on the south side and the staked alignment on the south side would not move. They would also like special consideration to tapering the roadway by 1 to 2 feet to the north along the southerly edge of the project to minimize impact to the abutting properties. Ruth Fries, 9900 26th Avenue North, supported a 26' width with a 5' trail. She stated there have been no major accidents on this road. David Lewicki, 9830 26th Avenue North, asked if abutting property values would be increased in an amount equal to the special assessment. He stated the trail would not connect to another trail, and it would be better to have the trail on Kilmer Lane to connect to the future regional trail. He doesn't believe that residents should be assessed for the improvement because traffic will increase. Thomas Zaun, 9700 26th Avenue North, stated that when he bought his home in 1982 this was a quiet residential street. He stated that an increased street width will result in increased traffic, making it difficult for residents to access the street from their driveways. James Horn, 9820 26th Avenue North, stated that a wider street will attract motorists to use 26th Avenue rather than Highway 169. He is not opposed to a trail for safety reasons, but believes it should be moved southerly toward the lake. He stated that the estimated assessments are large amounts, and his estimated assessment would equate to 7 percent of his property value. Ruth Lueck, 9710 26th Avenue North, stated she has lived in this neighborhood for 26 years. She said there may be the need for a path, but not an 8' trail because it goes nowhere. A 4' trail would be adequate. She believes that any loss of trees would devalue property. William J. Kloster, 9925 26th Avenue North, favored the 26' street width with a 5' bike trail. Cray Peterson, 9730 26th Avenue North, stated concerns with increased traffic if the road is widened and vehicles using 26th Avenue as a bypass for Highway 169. The loss of trees is also a concern, and he said that on -street parking is not an issue for the neighborhood. Special Council Meeting July 25, 1994 Page 7 Sue Lewicki, 9830 26th Avenue North, stated her family has lived there for 37 years. She favors a 26' wide road with a 5' trail, and noted that Nathan Lane from 26th Avenue to the lake is also 25' wide. She favored a 4 -way stop at Nathan Lane to slow traffic. Mark Milberger, 11035 36th Place North, encouraged the Council to install the roadway as requested by neighborhood residents. Brent J. Breen, 10015 26th Avenue North, stated he just purchased his home and could lose 3 to 4 trees as the result of the project. He believes there is a need for a trail. One of his concerns is that traffic will come very close to his home, and he believes that a landscape buffer is needed. He favors special consideration to taper roadway on the north side to protect trees on his property. He said the road needs improvement, but a wider road will invite additional traffic. Mayor Tierney questioned the street designation as a major collector and the trail system in the area. She also asked if a 36' width will encourage more traffic than a 32' width. Director Moore stated that 26th Avenue has been designated as a major collector in the City's Transportation Plan since 1989. The typical width for a collector in a residential area is 36'. He stated that the other streets in this area are considered safe as walking paths. Under the City's policy, no off-street trail is needed for other streets in the area because the traffic volumes are less. Director Moore stated that the existing roadway is 22' wide with shoulders. Vehicles can currently pull off the roadway because there are no curbs. The 32' street width would provide for approximately the same open street width with room for vehicles to pass stopped vehicles in the roadway. He stated that this improvement will not have an impact on the 36th Avenue interchange with Highway 169. The purpose of collectors like Zachary Lane and 26th Avenue is to collect traffic to proceed to the highway for longer trips. Mayor Tierney asked staff to explain the berm at the southerly end of the project area. Director Moore stated that the landscaping berm was constructed in the right-of- way by a property owner. He suggested that the City could so some alternative landscaping with the project to replace it. Councilmember Edson stated that the estimated assessments discussed last year were significantly higher than what is currently projected. He asked if the estimated assessments are consistent with other street reconstruction projects. Special Council Meeting July 25, 1994 Page 8 Director Moore stated that last year's proposed assessments were based on the total cost of constructing a 7 -ton roadway. The Council directed staff to draft estimated assessments based on the Street Reconstruction Program and the assessments are based on that policy. He stated the Council is not bound by the estimated assessment. Typically, staff will determine a pending assessment for the project. If the Council changed the street width, staff would amend the pending assessments to attempt to estimate the assessment cost. Linda Thompson asked if residents will have the opportunity to challenge the special assessment. Director Moore explained that an assessment hearing will be conducted at the completion of the project. Property owners will be notified of the hearing and of the proposed final assessment amount. Following the public hearing, the City Council will determine the appropriate assessment, and the state law is specific about the appeal process through district court. Mayor Tierney asked about the procedure for residents to request a 4 -way stop at Nathan Lane and 26th Avenue. Director Moore stated the staff can analyze the need for a 4 -way stop at that intersection. If staff does not recommend installation of a 4 -way stop, the property owners can submit a petition to the City Council for consideration. Bill Thompson stated that 90 percent of the affected property owners favor the 26' width with a 5' trail. The proposed 32' width does not carry the support of the residents. Dave Lewicki stated that 4,000 vehicles per day will have an impact on this roadway. He asked when this street was changed to a collector designation, and stated he supports no wider than a 28' street with a 5' trail. Brent Green requested that the Council install a buffer between the road/trail and his home because he believes additional traffic and the trail will reduce the value of his property. Thomas Zaun opposed any increase in traffic. Mayor Tierney closed the public hearing at 8:50 p.m. Councilmember Helliwell stated this is an existing neighborhood and the street and trail needs to fit with the neighborhood. She is concerned that a wider street will attract more traffic, and that the trail currently would not connect to another trail. she supports a 26' wide street, with a 5' trail if needed. Special Council Meeting July 25, 1994 Page 9 Mayor Tierney stated that 32' is the standard residential street width. Manager Johnson stated that a 26' width makes the street eligible for state -aid funding; however, the engineers are recommending a 32' width due to the amount of traffic. There are over 4,000 vehicles per day, with additional traffic projected in the future. Councilmember Anderson stated that a 32' wide street is needed for safety reasons, and it is the prerogative of the neighbors whether a trail is installed. Councilmember Edson stated that Zachary Lane plan was recently reduced from a 4 -lane to a 2 -lane, and the Council is making efforts to reduce traffic in this area. He is concerned that a 26' width would not allow a vehicle to pass due to the curbs. The existing gravel shoulders currently allow vehicles to pull off the road when necessary. He believes that speed should be addressed as a separate issue. Councilmember Morrison stated that the street width needs to be able to serve the existing and future traffic. There are currently 4,000 vehicles per day, with an estimated 8,000 vehicles per day in 20 years. She supports the 32' street width, and agreed with Councilmember Anderson that whether a trail is installed is the option of the neighborhood. MOTION was made by Mayor Tierney to order the improvement as proposed by staff. Motion failed for lack of a second. Councilmember Lymangood asked about the width of Medicine Ridge Road north of 26th Avenue. Director Moore stated that the street is 44' wide. It was improved in the early 1970's and was envisioned as a 4 -lane road. MOTION was made by Councilmember Helliwell, seconded by Councilmember Granath, to order the project with a 26' street width and 5' trail on the south side. Councilmember Granath said that the street needs to be improved, but should fit with the existing neighborhood. He believes that a 26' street width will preserve mature trees and reduce the assessments, and that a trail is needed for safety reasons. Special Council Meeting July 25, 1994 Page 10 Manager Johnson stated that if the alternatives were between a 26' street width with a trail or a 32' street width with no trail, staff would recommend the 32' width in order to accommodate the traffic. Staff would recommend not proceeding with the project if the 26' width is selected. Motion failed: Helliwell and Granath ayes; Lymangood, Edson, Anderson, Morrison, and Tierney nays. Councilmember Lymangood stated the recommendation for a 32' wide street is based on the existing 4,000 vehicles per day. He asked if other reconstruction projects in the area with narrower streets had similar traffic volumes. He also asked if a width between 26' and 32' would be considered, and if parking could be allowed in the future with a 32' width. Director Moore stated that some of the other roadways had volumes of 200 vehicles per day or less and were not collectors. He stated that the cost will be affected by selecting a width between 26' and 32; however, there would be no added safety. He stated that parking would not be allowed with less than 32' width unless the state standards were amended. Councilmember Helliwell stated that the narrower the street is made, the less traffic that will be attracted. Mayor Tierney stated this is a residential area, but 26th Avenue is a major collector street. The City is responsible for determining how to safely handle the traffic. MOTION was made by Councilmember Edson, seconded by Councilmember Anderson, to adopt RESOLUTION 94-402 ORDERING IMPROVEMENT AND PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR 26TH AVENUE STREET IMPROVEMENT, CITY PROJECT NO. 601, with a 32' wide street, striped bike lane, no trail, and no parking. MOTION was made by Councilmember Granath, seconded by Councilmember Helliwell, to move the previous question. Motion failed: Granath aye; Lymangood, Helliwell, Edson, Anderson, Morrison, and Tierney nays. MOTION to amend was made by Councilmember Anderson, seconded by Councilmember Edson, to amend Condition 1 of the resolution: "1) The street shall be 32 feet wide face to face of curb with the centerline P north of the centerline of the right-of-way, with a northerly bend at the westerly end of the project, if feasible from an engineering perspective; 2) Option 3 shall be used for Special Council Meeting July 25, 1994 Page 11 the intersection of Medicine Ridge road (90 degree intersection); 3) That pending assessments be established $45.64/ft. for properties with driveway access and 7.76/ft. for properties with no driveway access, subject to future consideration following the assessment hearing; 4) That landscaping be provided for the property adjacent to Medicine Ridge Road as mitigation for tree removal within the street right-of-way; 5) that there shall be no parking on the street and bike lanes of Yin width on both sides of the street shall be striped; 6) That an "all way" stop at Nathan Lane will be evaluated upon completion of the project. Councilmember Helliwell expressed concern about striped bike lanes for safety reasons. She would prefer an off-street trail. Councilmember Morrison stated she would also have preferred a trail, but residents don't support it with the 32' street width. Motion to amend carried; six ayes; Helliwell nay. Main motion as once amended carried, six ayes; Helliwell nay. MOTION was made by Councilmember Lymangood, seconded by Councilmember Granath, to adjourn the meeting at 9:42 p.m. Motion carried, seven ayes. Lze C ' i lLv Cify Clerk