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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Packet 11-28-2017 SpecialCITY OF PLYMOUTH AGENDA SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 28, 2017, 5:30 p.m. MEDICINE LAKE CONFERENCE ROOM 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. TOPICS A. Median/beautification projects B. Set future Study Sessions 3. ADJOURN Special Council Meeting 1 of 1 November 28, 2017 rp City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING November 28, 2017 Agenda 2A Number: To: Dave Callister, City Manager Prepared by: Jim Renneberg, City Engineer Reviewed by: Michael Thompson, Public Works Director Item: Median Beautification The Council has expressed interest in median beautification. There are many factors that would be considered in beautifying a median such as hardscape versus softscape, plant selection, sprinkler system installation, long term maintenance and decorative features such as banner poles, bollards and fencing. Plantings, decorative features, styles and combinations would be refined if the Council proceeds with the beautification project and a preliminary engineering report would be the next step in the process. The cost estimates included in this report, which are very preliminary and would need to be refined depending on the direction from the Council, are based on recent projects in other communities and will vary from project to project. Below are estimated costs per unit. Cost estimate per unit Softscape (sprinkler system, plants, concrete edge, etc.) Hardcape (concrete or brick pavers) Bollards Banner Pole Ornamental Fence Sod or Seed Long Term Maintenance Costs Softscape (weeding, plant replacement, etc.) Hardscape (weeding) Mowing $24.43/square foot (sf) $12/sf $1,200/each $6,500/each $150/linear foot (If) up to $0.75/sf $1.11/sf/year $0.011/sf/yea r $0.055/sf/year On Vicksburg Lane between Highway 55 and Old Rockford Road there are six medians in total, all are currently asphalt medians and different sizes. Attached are five examples of improving the aesthetics in the medians. The below table summarizes cost estimates for one median along Vicksburg Lane between 36th and 37th Avenues. Also attached is a County Road 9 Median Landscape Improvement Report that was prepared in 2012 that discusses findings and recommendations for landscape improvements. Page 1 Option Description Construction Annual Staff Notes (6,149 square feet median) per Median Maintenance 1 Hardscape/Banners/Fence $160,000 $65 Contractor Weed Control Lane closures add $750 per 2 Banners/Bollards/Softscape/ $236,000 $6,800 Labor, Closures, Plant Hardscape Replacement, Weeding, Weed Control Spray 3 Hardscape $83,000 $65 Contractor Weed Control Lane closures add $750 per time 4 Softscape $173,000 $6,800 Labor, Closures, Plant Replacement, Weeding, Weed Control Spray 5 Grass $5,300 $336 Contractor Mowing Lane closures add $750 per time Page 2 Page 3 I Banner Pole I I Fence I Hardscape 1. Construction Cost: $160,000 Annual Maintenance: $65/year Page 4 Page 5 Rockford Road - Hennepin County Road 9 Median Landscape Improvement Report City of Plymouth, Minnesota Parks & Recreation Department A summary of findings and recommendations for landscape improvements to Rockford Road medians and other medians within the City of Plymouth. Table of Contents Introduction ........................................... 1 Project Objectives ................................... 1 rip Standards for Physical Improvements...... 3 Median Planting Design Concept............ 9 Cost Projections .................................... 15 I BRAUER& AssoclATEs, LTD. A Division of wSB & Associates, Inc. August 21, 2012 - 701 Xenia Avenue South, Suite 300 WSB Minneapolis, MN 55416 Tel: (763) 5414800 • Fax: (763) 541-1700 wsbeng.com & Associates, Inc. Page 6 Page 7 Introduction Following a request, on August 10, 2011 by Plymouth city staff, Brauer and Associates, a division of WSB and Associates, Inc., prepared this report summarizing the findings and recommendations for landscape improvements to medians in Rockford Road, Hennepin County Road 9. This study establishes guidelines for landscape improvements in existing turf median islands from State Highway 169 on the east to State Highway 55 on the west, (see Figure 5). Low maintenance plant materials will be used in typical planting groups along with groundwork improvements to the median planting conditions. Groundwork improvements, such as irrigation, soil modification, drainage, and decorative pavement are suggested to enable the landscape materials to survive in harsh roadway conditions and minimizing future costly material replacement. This study will also establish estimated costs for these improvements. In addition to establishing specific guidelines and estimates for Rockford Road, typical designs, construction standards and unit costs are established for the cities use in considering future median improvements projects. Project Objectives The following three project objectives for landscape improvements were established with city staff. 1. Improvement of Median Landscape Appearance The turf grass medians that exist today have a rather ragged and uninteresting appearance. The raggedness is a function of poor ground conditions needed to support healthy turf and a maintenance regime that is less than required to maintain the quality of the turf grass. Annual grasses such as Quackgrass and Crabgrass have established themselves and at this time of the year, late summer, begin to become very apparent as they lose green and begin to go to seed. This is especially noticeable at the curbs where little or no trimming is done. Improvement of appearance whether by changing plant material types, improving environmental conditions for turf, and/ or creating conditions whereby current maintenance operations can be more successful should be reviewed. E Existing Rockford Road Medians Page 8 2. Create Community Identity through Landscaping Community identity can mean far more than consistent appearance. In the case of the City of Plymouth, a city with a population of 71,500, and many miles of city, county and state roadways, community identity can be expressed in the care taken to maintain these many miles of roadways. Roadways are, after all, the first impression given to visitors. Community values may also be communicated through the choices made in highway landscapes and can add to the messages that the city portrays to its citizens and visitors alike. Community identity through expressions of values should be explored. Community identity such as art, community pride, natural resources, etc. should be explored. Page 9 3. Minimize On -Going Maintenance Man-made landscapes in harsh urban environments require maintenance. Lessening of maintenance will require careful planning and considerable ground improvements to minimize the impacts of such an environment. Careful selection of plant materials will also impact future maintenance and replacement costs associated with the medians. Materials native to Plymouth, its soils, rainfall and temperature extremes will have a higher survival rate. The design of ground improvements, the selection of plant materials and hardscape improvements with an eye toward lessening repetitive maintenance should also be considered. Using native plant materials with minimal annual maintenance as shown above is crucial to the long-term sustainability of any median planting. Standards for Physical Improvements Along with the obvious environmental limitations of highway planting, agencies responsible for roadways maintain regulations governing landscaping within rights- of-way for the safety of the motoring public. Recommendations for minimum sizing of planting areas, and ground work improvements as well as regulatory requirements are outlined below. 1. Regulatory Requirements Because Rockford Road is a Hennepin County highway the standards for roadway safety are more restrictive regarding highway median landscaping. For reference the Hennepin County Department of Public Works Transportation Division- Recommended Landscape / Streetscape Guidelines, (April 1995), have been attached to this report for reference. See APPENDIX A. Page 10 The County has established 'operational clear zones' for county roads. These operational clear zones will impact the amount of space available for any landscaping improvements, other than pavement or manicured turf, and low growing shrubs within the Rockford Road medians. The size of operational clear zone is dependent on the posted speed of the highway. Since Rockford Road is a 40 to 45 mile per hour roadway, depending on where you are along the study area, the clear zone is 10 feet from the face of the curb to any sign, utility, tree or other fixed objects. Many of the islands within this stretch of roadway are less than 20 feet wide. Overlapping clear zones from east and west bound lane curbs will preclude the planting of trees in many of the islands. Shrub or herbatious plantings within the county clear zones may be allowed, but will require approval by the County's district engineer. 10' Min. - Clear Zone (Figure 7. - 20+' Median Width 10' Min. 10' Min. Clear Zone Clear Zone (Figure 2. - Typical Rockford Road Median Width Space for fixed objects (Minimum of X -S' required for trees) - 10' Min. Clear Zone Overlap of clear zones leaves no space for installation V of fixed objects 0 m a Sight lines for intersections and turning movements must also be observed and remain unobstructed. For a four lane divided highway intersecting a two lane road the required sight line distance needs to be reviewed and assessed on a case by case basis. At all intersections no visual interference from landscape improvements will be allowed. That means that crossing traffic should be capable of viewing oncoming cross traffic without obstructions. Page 11 9 Plantings, woody shrubs and herbaceous plants shall not exceed three (3) feet in height anywhere within the median. The height is to be measured from the adjacent gutter line of the roadway. This overall height restriction includes the height of the ground at the plant base and any man made structure that would elevate the planting. Deviations of this requirement can be allowed by the County's district engineer. Mature Plant Heinht Figure 3. - Median Plant Height Restrictions Prior approval of landscaping proposed for the medians will need to be gained from Hennepin County. The County will require the city's traffic engineer to first approve of the landscaping and assume responsibility for the public safety as related to the landscape improvements. The City of Plymouth will also be required to maintain the landscape. The County will not be responsible for damage done to the landscape due to public use of the roadway or maintenance of the road. 2. Recommended Spatial Requirements For the Rockford Road medians with the posted speed of 40 to 45 miles per hour we are suggesting that the minimum size by area for group plantings of shrubs and herbatious materials be 800 square feet. The length and breadth of the planting beds will be shaped by the physical size of the island and the regulatory requirements affecting this project. This minimum size will not only have impact on the driving public but will also reduce potential maintenance and development cost by aggregating plants into larger and less frequent groups. Figure 4. - Typical Plan Graphic Diagram (Minimum Area Requirement for Successful Visual Impact) Page 12 3x. ht - �J1. .� ysF � � � F= �?•7 '%4 rY uraf� - r 4. o �*v��+y+�'',r ryl A • S A s, r.. � � _ B . i • i+i . � 494 ' - 1 . -a-� r ,l1 �.Y p o .Y - <r;• x e !. MwIl 1 <, � �, �i t r ��. • '}` •--%SheeT3• Y =V •' - � �. Sheet4 ' i kll t ort i 1 a i rd 41 ¢ �r Sfieei2# She=' n ! 9 F�S Nth, 55 i Tp.. Y Jtf•� t 1l� °er s° r J; •r:s 'Y Median width of _. ,Y allowing for fixe `p jects such as trees, sculptures, signs, etc. to be installed between the clear c A,-�-,. zones. _ �� 3. Recommended Ground Work Improvements Although irrigation is an expensive development item, made even more so if a water source and electrical power is not readily available, it is one that in the harsh roadway environment will be a requirement for success of the plantings and thereby reduced plant replacement cost. For environmental, maintenance and regulatory reasons the system should be a low or no spray for planting beds and turf alike. The Hennepin County guidelines for landscaping require that there be no flow or spray onto traveled roadway or on to County owned structures. The system installed should be consistent with the City's standards for materials and control of the system. As with an irrigation system, a storm water collection system will also vastly improve the success of the median plantings. This system will include drainage tile and granular bedding to collect excess water from the planting areas. With typical tight clay soils, such as those found throughout Plymouth under drainage is required to prevent plant failure due to water saturation within the planting area. A pivotal factor in the cost of these systems is the distances required to outlet or connect the system to a storm drain. During construction landscaped areas along roadways are the recipients of soils and other materials that are not conducive to plant survival. Again, with the clay soils native to Plymouth, we are suggesting the special planting soils be installed. Along with an irrigation and drainage system plant materials within these medians will have the basic environmental requirements for success. Placing a concrete maintenance band along the highway curb should be considered. This will widen the curb top and allow larger commercial mowers the stability necessary to mow completely to the edge of turf areas. This same banding should be placed in conjunction with planting beds to further reduce hand mowing and the requirement for trimming. In addition to the practical use of the bands, they also can project a sense of continuity and identity through the use of color and texture. Transitions between planting beds and turf should be designed to allow smooth operation of large commercial mowers and limit the need for had mowing and/or trimming. Page 15 Construction do 4" THIC PAVING e TYPE II EXISTING CONCRETE CL AND STREE- 4" COMPACTED DEPTH OF MnDOT 5 (100% CRUSHED) OR 4" OF CLASS 7 AGGREGATE BASE CON 100% STANDARD PROCTOR DE; 12" (NUN.) TYPE "B" 6" TYPE "L ...., Figure 6. - Section Graphic of a Typical Planting Bed 1LL BE DF SHREDDED CH SHALL BE IS/TRUNKS WITHIN PLANTING 3CTIONAL SPRAY )S WITHIN TURF YP. TRIP OF GEOTEXTILE LENGTH OF TREAD :TILE SOCK TRENCH ANI LAY s' -u" k3P'.LVw IUF VP UUFJ3 - 8AUKPILL WITH 4" PEA GRAVEL Median Planting Design Concept 1. Overstory Trees Planting of overstory trees in the Rockford Road medians will be limited by County safety regulations to the areas shown in Figure 5. Use of coniferous trees within Hennepin County road medians is discouraged by the county. This is for obvious sightline safety reasons. Given their inability to withstand the rigors of winter salt and snow removal on major highways, we are not recommending the city consider them for use. Deciduous trees native to Minnesota and relatively tolerant of highway planting conditions are listed below for possible use in the Rockford Road medians. Minimum spacing of overstory trees depends largely on the tree type and its growth habit. For the purpose of this study we will use an on center spacing of 35 feet. Page 16 LEGEND H = Height S = Spread Sh = Shape F = Foliage color FF = Fall Foliage color E = Exposure Z = Zone 11 © I Ginkgo - Ginkgo biloba H: 50' S: 30' Sh: Upright broad conical F: Green FF: Yellow E: Full sun Z: 4-8 Japanese Tree Lilac - Syringa reticulata H: 25' S: 25' Sh: Spreading F: Deep Green FF: Insignificant E: Full sun Z: 3-7 Shademaster® Honeylocust - Gleditsia triacanothos var. inermis 'Shademaster' H: 50' - 60' S: 30-35' Sh: Symmetrical F: Dark Green FF: Yellow -Green E: Full sun Z: 4-7 Page 17 LEGENW H = Height S = Spread Sh = Shape F = Foliage color FF = Fall Foliage color E = Exposure rp) 2. Understory Plants Understory planting will be subject to County height restrictions, 3 feet maximum height above the adjacent road gutter grade. Since deviation from this requirement is subject to approval by the City traffic engineer and the Hennepin County district traffic engineer, and that there are examples of other communities that have successfully received height approval, we are listing both those that meet this standard and those that don't meet it. Understory plants native to Minnesota and relatively tolerant of highway planting conditions are listed below for possible use in the Rockford Road medians. a. Deciduous Shrubs Gro -Low Fragrant Sumac - Rhus aromatica 'Gro -Low' H: 2.5' S: b-8' Sh: Wide spreading, low F: Medium Green FF: Scarlet to Orange E: Full sun Z: 3-8 Z = Zone Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle - Diervilla lonicera H: 4' S: 3-4' Sh: Mounded, spreading F: Bronze Green FF: Red E: Full sun Z: 3-7 Page 18 LEGEND H = Height S = Spread Sh = Shape F = Foliage color E = Exposure Z = Zone b. Evergreen Shrubs 3 Andorra Compact Juniper - Juniperus horizontalis 'Compacta' H: 18" S: 3-5' Sh: Mounded, spreading F: Light Green E: Full sun Z: 3-8 Prince of Wales Juniper - Juniperus horizontalis 'Prince of Wales' H: 6" S: 3-5' Sh: Mounded, spreading F: Medium Green E: Full sun Z: 3-8 Wilton Blue Rug Juniper - Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltoni' H: 4-6" S: 3-5' Sh: Mounded, spreading F: Blue -Green E: Full sun Z: 3-8 Arcadia Juniper - Juniperus sabina'Arcadia' H: 12-18" S: 3-5' Sh: Mounded, spreading F: Medium Green E: Full sun Z: 3-7 Page 19 LEGEND H = Height S = Spread E = Exposure Z = Zone c. Perennial grasses Little Bluestem Grass - Schizachyrium scoparium H: 2.5' S: 2-4' E: Full sun Z: 4-10 Shenandoah Switch Grass - Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' H: 3-4' S: 18-24' E: Full sun Z: 4-9 Feather Reed Grass - Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Forester' H: 4-5' S: 3-5' E: Full sun Z: 4-9 Prairie Dropseed - Sporoboulus heterolepis H: 2-3' S: 2-3' E: Full sun Z: 3-9 Page 20 33 rpi d. Perennial flowers LEGEND H = Height S = Spread F: Foliage color E = Exposure Z = Zone Purple Coneflower - Echinacea purpurea H: 24-30" S: 18-24" F: Green w/ purple flowers (many color options) E: Full sun Z: 3-8 Black Eyed Susan - Rudbeckia fulgida'Goldstrum' H: 24-30" S: 24-30" F: Green w/ Yellow flowers E: Full sun Z: 3-9 Page 21 14 3 Cost Projections Typical Turf Improvement Cost The cost of typical turf improvement for the medians includes the removal of existing grasses, placement of new turf grass sod, installation of turf low spray irrigation, and a two foot wide concrete maintenance band on two sides of the 100 sq. ft. unit. (Assuming the area is square). 100 square feet of improved turf area = $520.00 Typical Shrub and Herbatious Plant Bed Improvement Cost The cost for placing new planting beds within the median islands would include removal of existing grasses, removal of existing soils, installation of under drainage, installation of special planting soils drip or soaker type irrigation, plantings and a two foot wide concrete maintenance band on two sides of the 100 sq. ft. unit. (Assuming the area is square). 100 square feet of new planting bed area = $1,172.00 Typical Overstory Tree Planting Cost The cost for installing new overstory tree plantings in the median islands anticipates installation of a two and one half inch caliper tree, removal of existing grasses, removal of existing soils, installation of under drainage, installation of special planting soils and drip or soaker type irrigation. Per Tree Planting Cost = $1,522.00 Overall Estimate of Landscape Improvement Cost for Rockford Road For this study we are estimating that the individual islands in Rockford Road will contain the following percentages: 60 percent improved turf 40 percent new planting beds Tree plantings where allowable will be added to each median Island cost estimate. Page 22 0 0 0 0 are rounaect to the ne Median Island A: $36,109 Total Sq. Feet = 3,650 Sq. Feet of improved turf 2,190 $11,388 Sq. Feet of new planting bed 1,460 $17,111 Number of new tree plantings 5 $7,610 Median Island B: $167,872 Total Sq. Feet = 21,500 Sq. Feet of improved turf 12,900 $67,080 Sq. Feet of new planting bed 8,600 $100,792 Number of new tree plantings 0 Median Island C: $50,361 Total Sq. Feet = 6,450 Sq. Feet of improved turf 3,870 $20,124 Sq. Feet of new planting bed 2,580 $30,237 Number of new tree plantings 0 Median Island D: $70,272 Total Sq. Feet = 9,000 Sq. Feet of improved turf 5,400 $28,080 Sq. Feet of new planting bed 3,600 $42,192 Number of new tree plantings 0 Median Island E: $66,368 Total Sq. Feet = 8,500 Sq. Feet of improved turf 5,100 $26,520 Sq. Feet of new planting bed 3,400 $39,848 Number of new tree plantings 0 Median Island F: $320,128 Total Sq. Feet = 41,000 Sq. Feet of improved turf 24,600 $127,920 Sq. Feet of new planting bed 16,400 $192,208 Number of new tree plantings 0 Median Island G: $281,088 Total Sq. Feet = 36,000 Sq. Feet of improved turf 21,600 $112,320 Sq. Feet of new planting bed 14,400 $168,768 Number of new tree plantings 0 Total Estimate Cost of Landscape Improvements = $992,198 *Add 25% ($248,050) for surveying, design, permitting, construction contingency, etc. = $1,240,248.00 total budget Page 23 M7 rp)c;ry of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life To: SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING Prepared by: November 28, 2017 Reviewed by: Agenda 2B Number: Mayor and Council Dave Callister, City Manager Item: Set Future Study Sessions Pending Study Session Topics (at least three Council members have approved the following study items on the list): None at this time. Other Council requests for Study Session Topics: None at this time. Staff's requests for Study Sessions: • Board and Commission Recognition Social (February 27 at 5:30 p.m.) • State of the streets in Plymouth (April or May) Page 1 r� City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life December 2017 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 6:00 PM 7:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL PLANNING 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM MEETING COMMISSION Old Fashioned Board Et Commission MEETING Christmas Interviews Council Chambers Plymouth Creek Park Medicine Lake Room 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 7:00 PM 5:00 PM ENVIRONMENTAL 7:00 PM SPECIAL COUNCIL QUALITY PARK 8 REC MEETING COMMITTEE (EQC) Hotel Licensing MEETING ADVISORY Medicine Lake Room Council Chambers COMMISSION (PRAC) MEETING 7:00 PM 7:00 PM Council Chambers REGULAR COUNCIL CHARTER COMMISSION MEETING MEETING Council Chambers Medicine Lake Room 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 7:00 PM PLANNING CHRISTMAS EVE COMMISSION Observed MEETING Council Chambers CITY OFFICES CLOSED AT NOON 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 CHRISTMAS DAY 7:00 PM HOUSING AND CITY OFFICES REDEVELOPMENT CLOSED AUTHORITY (HRA) MEETING Medicine Lake Room 31 Page 2 rCity of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life January 2018 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 NEW YEAR'S DAY 7:00 PM PLANNING CITY OFFICES COMMISSION CLOSED MEETING Council Chambers 7 8 9 5:30 PM 10 11 12 13 SPECIAL COUNCIL 7:00 PM 7:00 PM MEETING ENVIRONMENTAL PARK £t REC Goals/Legislative QUALITY ADVISORY Priorities Medicine Lake Room COMMITTEE COMMISSION 7:00 PM MEETING MEETING REGULAR COUNCIL Medicine Lake Room Council Chambers MEETING Council Chambers 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 MARTIN LUTHER 7:00 PM KING JR. PLANNING BIRTHDAY COMMISSION MEETING CITY OFFICES Council Chambers CLOSED 21 22 23 5:30 PM 24 25 26 27 SPECIAL COUNCIL 7:00 PM MEETING HOUSING AND Highway 169 Mobility REDEVELOPMENT Study Medicine Lake Room AUTHORITY 7:00 PM MEETING REGULAR COUNCIL Medicine Lake MEETING Room Council Chambers 30 28 29 31 Page 3 rCity of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life February 2018 Page 4 1 2 3 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM Fire £t Ice Festival Parkers Lake Park 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7:00 PM 7:00 PM PLANNING PARK 8 REC COMMISSION ADVISORY MEETING COMMISSION Council Chambers MEETING Council Chambers 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 7:00 PM 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL ENVIRONMENTAL MEETING QUALITY Council Chambers COMMITTEE MEETING Medicine Lake Room 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 7:00 PM 7:00 PM PLANNING HOUSING AND COMMISSION REDEVELOPMENT PRESIDENTS MEETING AUTHORITY DAY Council Chambers MEETING Medicine Lake Room CITY OFFICES CLOSED 25 26 27 28 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers Page 4 r� City of Plymouth Adding Quality to Life March 2018 Page 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM PLANNING PARK £t REC Healthy Living Fair COMMISSION ADVISORY Plymouth Creek MEETING COMMISSION Center Council Chambers MEETING Council Chambers 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 7:00 PM 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL ENVIRONMENTAL MEETING QUALITY Council Chambers COMMITTEE MEETING Medicine Lake Room 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 7:00 PM 7:00 PM PLANNING HOUSING AND COMMISSION REDEVELOPMENT MEETING AUTHORITY Council Chambers MEETING Medicine Lake Room 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 7:00 PM REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Council Chambers Page 5