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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 11-15-1993 SpecialMINUTES STUDY SESSION NOVEMBER 15, 1993 A special meeting study session of the Plymouth City Council was called to order by Deputy Mayor Edson at 5:40 p.m. in the Council Conference Room of the City Center, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., on November 15, 1993. PRESENT: Councilmembers Edson, Helliwell, and Tierney. Mayor Bergman arrived at 6:40 p.m. ABSENT: Councilmember Vasiliou STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Public Works Director Moore, and City Clerk Rauenhorst PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROJECT - 26TH AVENUE STREET AND TRAIL 0 PROVEMENTS, PROJECT 601 Manager Johnson explained that the purpose of this study session is to discuss the proposed improvement project on 26th Avenue. He noted that approximately 13 residents were present at the meeting. Public Works Director Moore provided a copy of a letter sent to property owners in the area which answers questions raised at the September 20 Council meeting. He stated that some of the questions cannot be answered unless the Council authorizes proceeding with the project so that detailed design can be done. He stated that it is staffs recommendation that the project proceed in accordance with the reconstruction program. Director Moore stated that a 32 foot wide street with concrete curb and gutter is proposed. There would be no parking on either side of the street in order to meet state aid standards. He stated that assessments would be in accordance with the City's Street Reconstruction Program, and are estimated at $45.64 per front foot for properties with access on 26th Avenue, and a curb and gutter assessment rate of $7.76 for properties with no access on 26th Avenue. He stated an 8 foot sidewalk/trail is proposed along the south side of the roadway. Director Moore reviewed the letter sent to property owners. He stated that because of the traffic volumes on the street, the plan indicates the need for a trail off the traveled roadway to provide the necessary safety for pedestrians along the street. He noted that in surveys taken of citizens throughout the community over numerous years, the need for additional sidewalk/trails has been one of the highest priorities indicated in the survey. He stated that the City received some state aid funds for Council Study Session November 15, 1993 Page 2 construction of the trail improvements if it's done at the same time as the street improvements. Director Moore explained the funding for the roadway, as well as the Municipal State Aid funding. He stated that the recommended roadway with the 32 feet is the width of a typical residential street throughout the City and provides for one lane of traffic in each direction with room for a vehicle to be parked along the roadway under emergency conditions. He stated that if the City Council authorizes proceeding with the project, soil samples would be taken as part of the detailed design of the improvements. The proposed improvement would provide curbing on the roadway to provide for the necessary drainage and eliminate the ditches. In order for the roadway to match existing driveways and properties, but add a curbing along the street, it would be lowered from its existing elevation. For this reason much of the existing road base would need to be removed. Director Moore stated there are no proposed four-way stops as part of the road improvement project, and excessive speeding should be addressed, if needed, through a selective enforcement program. He noted that residents had requested a sign indicating no" or "limited access" to the lake should be posted at Kilmer and 26th Avenue. He stated that 26th Avenue does intersect with Medicine Lake Boulevard along the lake, as well as with numerous other residential streets in the area. There are no signs along Highway 169 indicating there is access to any facilities on Medicine Lake by using 26th Avenue. He believes that this type of sign would not serve a useful purpose and would only clutter the street-scape. He noted that it is likely the bus shelter would need to be moved southerly for the road improvement project. He stated the interest rate and length of assessment is established by the City Council after a public hearing on the assessments once the improvement is completed. He stated that in the past on this type of improvement, the length of time has been over a 15 year period. For projects constructed in 1993, the interest rate was established at 7 percent. He stated that the project is proposed to be constructed to best fit within the existing conditions, taking into account driveways, power poles, and trees on both the north and south side of the roadway. Until the City Council authorizes proceeding with the project and detailed design is underway, the City will not have answers to these types of questions. Councilmember Helliwell questioned the need for the trail since it currently does not connect to the trail system. She does not believe the trail is needed unless the City has information as to when it may connect. Director Moore stated that the trail currently connects to the New Hope sidewalk to the east. He stated the trail would connect to the west at such time as the Regional Park District builds the trail system. He noted that this trail is currently a high priority for them. A resident in the audience expressed concern that all trees on the north side of 26th Avenue would be lost due to the moving of the electrical poles. Council Study Session November 15, 1993 Page 3 A 26th Avenue resident stated that if Hennepin County ever extends the trail westerly, it would be very difficult to do. The trail could come within a few feet of the homes on some of the properties. Councilmember Tierney asked if there was a distance between a street and trail. Director Moore responded that the trail would immediately abut the street. A resident stated that there currently is no trail to the bridge except a narrow sidewalk over the bridge to New Hope. Since individuals are not allowed to ride bicycles on the sidewalks in New Hope, this trail is of little value to residents. Chuck Lymangood stated that it is unlikely that Plymouth pedestrians would walk over the Highway 169 bridge to the east. He believes the key to the trail construction is the eventual connection with the Medicine Lake Trail. He stated that it should be determined how many trees would be lost with or without the trail improvement. Manager Johnson stated that the roadway improvements are intended to have a 20 year life. If the City does not leave space for a trail now, the possibility of doing so may be foreclosed for at least the next 20 years. A resident stated that if the trail went along Lancaster Lane, it would direct people into the park. Councilmember Helliwell questioned whether the trail could not be installed at a later time. She noted that a trail was installed along Schmidt Lake Road subsequent to the street construction and this did not cause a disruption in the neighborhoods. The Council discussed the proposed assessment rates for the project. Director Moore noted that the rates are in accordance with the City's Street Reconstruction Policy. Manager Johnson stated the rates are irrespective of the classification of the street as a major collector. A resident stated that they would support a 26 foot street width. This would meet the Municipal State Aid requirements, and would be wider than what currently exists. It may result in fewer lost trees. Director Moore stated the current street width varies between 22 and 24 feet. He stated the traffic volumes will continue to increase in this area. He stated that 8 feet is the minimum width for a pedestrian trail due to safety. Council Study Session November 15, 1993 Page 4 A resident noted that the road should meet the needs and look of the neighborhood. The residents do not currently believe that the width is unsafe, and they would like the same width reconstructed. Councilmember Edson noted that the ditches would be filled in, making the 26 foot width narrower than currently exists. Director Moore stated that the Council has received many resident requests at previous town meetings for the trail construction on 26th Avenue. Manager Johnson stated that if the City proceeds with the project, the next step would be to order the preliminary design work. The design would come before the Council for approval, and specifications for the project would be ordered. If the Council approves the specifications, bids would be requested. The Council would then make the decision of whether to award the bid. Mr. Lymangood stated that the public hearing for this project was held on June 21, and no residents asked for a trail at that time. He would like to know the number of trees that would be lost with or without the trail construction so that the Council can make an informed decision. A resident in the audience stated that they understand that the project can legally be stopped by the City Council at various points in the approval process; however, he questioned how often this actually occurs. Manager Johnson noted as an example the City Center expansion project which the Council deferred on the night at which bids were reviewed. Discussion was held on speeding that occurs on 26th Avenue. Mayor Bergman arrived at 6:40 p.m. Residents explained that many individuals drive down 26th Avenue with boats looking for lake access. They would like to see a sign indicating there is no public access posted. Director Moore stated that there is no public access on the east side of Medicine Lake. Hardy's boat rental provides private access. Councilmember Edson suggested that a sign could be installed at Kilmer Lane and 26th Avenue directing individuals to the east beach in the park. Councilmember Edson stated that he believes the difference between constructing a 26 foot and a 32 foot wide roadway is not related to traffic volumes, but to safety. Council Study Session November 15, 1993 Page 5 Manager Johnson stated that the impact of the various widths on trees and utility poles can be evaluated to determine if a narrower width could suffice. Councilmember Edson stated he would like to see the roadway staked with a trail and at 26 foot and 32 foot street widths. He would also like to consider the possibility of burying the power lines. Director Moore stated that the City would bear the significant cost of burying the power lines if this was done. Councilmember Edson stated that affected residents will be notified when this issue comes before the City Council. The residents thanked the City Council for including them in this process. The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m. i Cit Clerk