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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002.09.12 CC Minutes - I-35 W/E CoalitionMINUTES FOR THE TRI -CITIES MEETING HELD ON SEPTEMBER 12.2002 TEM E STARTED : 7:15 p.m. TEM E ENDED : 9:44 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Members Puleo, Haas, and Mayor Miron MEMBERS ABSENT : Petryk and Granger Staff members present: City Administrator, Michael Ericson Representatives from the City of Centerville present: City Administrator, Kim MoomSykes Representatives from the City of Lino Lakes present: City Administrator, Linda Waite Smith; Community Development Director, Michael Grochala; City Engineer, Jim Studenski; Councilmember Dahl; Councilmember Carlson; Councilmember O'Donnell; and Mayor Bergeson Other Representatives present: Senator Jane Krentz; Congressman Mark Kennedy; Lynne Bly, MnDOT, Chris Manthey, Washington County; Glen Van Wormer, SEH Senior Transportation Engineer, State Representative Ray Vandaveer; State Representative Mark Holsten; Matt Dean; Representative for Michelle Bachman; Dennis Hegberg; Washington County Commissioner, Rebecca Ott, House Candidate, Pat Driscoll, House Candidate; and Len Pratt, Developer and Property Owner INTRODUCTIONS Mayor Miron welcomed everyone to the meeting while everyone present introduced himself or herself and the meeting agenda was distributed. He noted this is the second joint meeting in the past year. Many of the City Councilmember's from Centerville were unable to attend the meeting this evening. Because the involved cities share common borders and interests it is very healthy to discuss issues. He stated he is very happy to be hosting the meeting in the new Hugo City Hall. He thanked everyone for attending the meeting and indicated there will be an open house for the new City Hall in October. CSAH 8/14 JMPROVEMENT PROJECT. CHRIS MANTHEY, WASHINGTON COUNTY Ms. Manthey came forward and distributed information regarding Washington County State Aid Highway 8 and Anoka County State Aid Highway 14. She advised over $3 million dollars in funding has been received for the project. The County has been working on the project for over a year. One of the goals of the project is to keep everyone well informed. The project is necessary because the roadway is a minor arterial and there is a lot of traffic trying to access the freeway. The projected traffic volume is 32,000 ADT. Safety is a large issue and the roadway is starting to deteriorate. Ms. Manthey continued advised that based on existing and projected traffic volumes, the proposed improvements include reconstruction of the roadway with four through lanes, turn lanes, a center median, pedestrian/bicycle path and new drainage systems. Three meetings have been held regarding the project and another one is scheduled in January 2003 to present the final information and obtain comments. After that meeting, the preferred alternative will be selected and move forward for detail design. City Council meeting of September 12, 2002 Page 2 Councilmember Carlson inquired about Anoka County's preferred alignment of the roadway. Ms. Manthey stated there is not a lot of opportunity to go off the existing roadway. The roadway will have to be reconstructed along the existing corridor. The County will be meeting with property owners who will be affected by the roadway and presented with options that are available. Community Development Director Grochala stated the portion of the project that is in Anoka County is scheduled for 2004 and will follow a similar process. Mr. Hegberg, Washington County Commissioner advised the construction cost of $7.7 million dollars does not include the necessary right-of-way. The County and State are contributing a lot to the funding for the project. I -35E AND CSAR 14 INTERCHANGE STOP SIGNS. MICHAEL ERICSON/LYNNE BLY, MNDOT City Administrator Ericson advised the stop lights on the overpass are necessary for safety reasons. There is also the need to move forward with the formation of a coalition. Ms. Bly, MnDOT, stated that at the last meeting the need for the first step in the process for getting the improvements was stressed. The preliminary step in that process was to take a look at possible improvements and how it would benefit the area if there were an interchange. The results of that study will be presented at an open house September 17, 2002, 4:30 p.m. — 7:00 p.m. at Century Forest Lake High School. Ms. Bly advised MnDOT would like to work with the communities as a partner to have preliminary studies done. Communities will be contacted regarding that issue. I 35E AND CSAR 14 FORMATION OF COALITION. GLEN VAN WORMER. SEH SENIOR TRANSPORTATION ENGINEER Mr. Van Wormer, SEH Senior Transportation Engineer, advised a 35E Study and Corridor Management Team was established in the early 1990's to study the interchange at 35E and Highway 96. He gave the background of the project noting that five communities and several counties have participated to try to match land use and the transportation system. Other issues studied included congestion, operations, and effect of possible improvements and development impacts. There are a lot of concerns about the project including the side roads. Local involvement is very important on a project like this because land use has a lot of impact on the transportation system. He reviewed different types of land use development scenarios that were used for the previous study. An organized coalition between cities, counties and state agencies are critical to long-range road improvements. Without the coalition the project would be much lower on the priority list. The coalition still meets quarterly and the costs are fairly minimal because they are shared. He referred to a graph that indicated the traffic projections. Most of the issues that were identified in the past studies are very similar to the issues for this project. Other traffic considerations include peak hours and types of trips made on the roadway. Cities really need to look at land use and how locally the land use will affect the traffic. Other entities such as the counties and MnDOT also need to be involved. City Council meeting of September 12, 2002 Page 3 Mayor Miron added a balanced system and the formation of a coalition are very important issues that need to be addressed. Congressman Kennedy advised he is on the Transportation Committee in the House. To get these type of projects completed requires very strong cooperation between all entities involved. Many of the roadblocks in the way of the project also have to be resolved for the project to move forward. He encouraged the three cities to work together. Mayor Minn inquired about the issues regarding lack of finding for projects. State Representative Vandaveer stated the coalition should also include the communities of Forest Lake and Columbus. Projects tend to get more attention if it is regional. The broader the area of interest the more likely you are to succeed and obtain funding. Senator Krentz stated MnDOT is very interested on working on a study in this area That corridor is a high priority but finding was not identified Mr. Hegberg added another study is being done in that area that includes park and rides and busing to help with the traffic problems. Mr. Van Wormer advised that the study needed to include multi -mobile transportation because it is an essential component. Councilmember Haas asked if it is appropriate for City staff to meet and compare land use in terms of planning for land use. Mr. Van Wormer stated it is very helpfid for City staff to meet and discuss land use. That component was included in the previous study and changes were made to land use. Mayor Bergeson stated the City of Lino Lakes is not sure about some development along 35E. He noted he is in favor of a coalition but it will be difficult for the City to project traffic at this point. Mr. Van Wormer suggested that a representative from an existing coalition also be involved in the joint meetings. City Administrator Waite Smith inquired about the members that make up a coalition. Mr. Van Wormer stated the coalition was made up of eight voting members from each involved entity made up of City staff. Mayor Miron called for a short recess at 8:34 p.m. Mayor Miron reconvened the meeting at 8:55 p.m. City Administrator Waite Smith noted Councihmember Reinert had planned to attend the meeting but had to attend a last minute business meeting. City Council meeting of September 12, 2002 Page 4 Mayor Miron stated the City of Hugo is also missing some Councilmember's. He indicated he believes that the issues discussed this evening are very important to everyone. The cities should not avoid joint meetings because some Councilmember's can not be present. However, it is important to have representation from all the cities. He added is very pleased with the meeting's attendance. He asked if the participating cities would like to direct staff to move forward with the formation of a coalition. City Administrator Waite Smith suggested each Council discuss the formation at a Council work session before a decision is made. Mayor Miron suggested that a resolution be adopted if the cities determine to move forward with the coalition. City Administrator Moore -Sykes stated there would be three new Councilmember's to the Centerville City Council next year. She indicated she would discuss the possibility of a coalition when the new Council is in place. Mayor Miron stated the formation of a coalition might be something the old Council will want to approve now to give the new Council direction. He added he believes there is support from the Hugo Council to form a coalition. ELMCREST AVENUE EMPROVEMENTS Community Development Director Rask stated the City of Hugo undertook ahuge land use study for the area between 165& Street and County Road 8/14. There is approximately 1600 acres that will develop in the next 20 years. About half of the City will receive municipal services. The City has gone through a very detailed process and it is anticipated that the area will develop. The community was involved in the process and is very happy about the proposed land use. Mr. Len Pratt, Developer and Property Owner, came forward and referred to a map noting the location of Victor Gardens. Victor Gardens is a multi use development that includes residential and commercial development. Because of the development a north/south corridor will be necessary along with a new school. He indicated he collaborated with another developer and planned the development around the school. He commended the City Council's on taking steps to work together cooperatively. Mayor Miron stated Mr. Pratt has been very active with the City of Hugo and part of the planning process. Councilmember Carlson asked if there will be any affordable housing developed in the southern area. Mr. Pratt stated there are plans for townhomes in the affordable housing range and have provision for a limited number of rental units. It is anticipated that rent will be approximately $1.00 per square foot per apartment unit. He added that he would be working with the League of Minnesota Cities to address affordable housing in relation to developers. The northern section of the area will be City Council meeting of September 12, 2002 Page 5 developed when the road alignment is determined The development there is probably about three years into the future. Mayor Miron inquired about the amenities of the school. Mr. Pratt stated the school districts in White Bear are mixed in terms of referendums. Because referendums have a hard time passing, this school will offer a lifetime of learning. Amenities will include a library, a leased gymnasium, senior center, child care and performance center. Councilmember Dahl asked if the affordable housing will include townhomes and apartments. Mr. Pratt stated the rental units would include townhomes with 8 -12 units per building. Councilmember Dahl stated she likes the term' Tri -City" in regard to joint meetings. She indicated that she believes the communities will be more likely to succeed if everyone works together. She added information about the project needs to be shared with each other and compromises will have to be made. Mayor Miron stated he believes the best decisions are made from diversity and the outcome of the decisions will be more beneficial. City Administrator Ericson offered everyone present a tour of the new facilities at Hugo City Hall after the meeting is adjourned. Mr. Pratt thanked the City of Lino Lakes for providing water to Victor Gardens. ADJOURN Mayor Miron thanked everyone for attending the meeting and having the opportunity for the three cities to meet and discuss various issues. There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:44 pm. These minutes were considered, corrected and approved at the regular Council meeting held on October 7, 2002. Maryeager City C