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Minutes of the WS on May 13Page 1 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Tuesday, May 13, 2014 City Hall Raspberry Room- 6:30 p.m. The meeting was started at 6:33 p.m. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Molly Cummings, Jason Gadd, Kristi Halverson and Cheryl Youakim, City Manager Mike Mornson, Public Works Director Steve Stadler, Director of Economic Development and Planning Kersten Elverum, Community Development Coordinator Meg Beekman, City Engineer Nate Stanley, Assistant City Manager Jim Genellie, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) representatives James Wisker and Renee Clark, Hart-Howerton and Wenck Associates, Inc. representative Roland Aberg, Flagship Recreation representative Charlie Colvin and Southwest Light Rail Transit (SWLRT) representative Dan Pfiefer. New business: Cottageville Park Update Mr. Stadler gave an overview of the Cottageville Park design and project. Mr. Stadler reviewed the status of the project, costs and project schedule. Currently the design is 60% complete with costs exceeding estimates. Staff have cut costs by removing a storm water irrigation system and is looking at other areas to reduce costs. Mr. Stadler gave an overview of costs, funding and grant monies. Staff is finalizing the purchase of the remaining duplex on the property. Mr. Stadler reviewed changes to the project schedule and construction time frame. There was Council discussion regarding the project completion date, alley design and drainage. Mr. Stadler commented that the projected October completion date is for phase one of the project. Mr. Stadler reviewed the storm water drainage area and 32 -foot wide alley design. Mr. Wisker, MCWD, gave an overview of the Minnehaha Community Corridor Master Plan, history of the project, management of storm water, green space and future projects. Mr. Wisker reviewed the previous & current conditions of Cottageville Park, storm water management & storage tanks, drainage area map, design & construction phasing of the project and future phases. There was Council discussion regarding storm water tanks, park gateway area, neighboring homes, parking and water access for the community gardens. Mr. Aberg commented that the final design details for the gateway area are not complete, that the fence will be extended to buffer the neighboring home, a water spigot will be made available for the gardens and that 12 parking spaces will be available for park users. There was Council discussion regarding possible future parking shortages. Staff will have further discussion regarding future parking solutions. Mr. Aberg reviewed the Cottageville Park Master Plan, walkability of the park, proposed trail network, width of trails, lighting & planting concept that is geared toward safety, more plantings near homes, types of seasonal low maintenance plantings, plantings for visual continuity, playground, community garden and buffer areas. Mr. Aberg gave an overview of the approximately 4800 square foot fenced garden area and the approximate 9000 square foot playground area. Staff is exploring playground equipment and costs. There was Council discussion regarding trail materials, water storage tanks, lighting, parking and types of playground structures. Mr. Wisker addressed the concern of water freezing in the storm water storage tanks. Mr. Wisker commented that this type of storm water storage system is being used in Page 2 other areas and there are no cold weather concerns. Mr. Aberg showed Council a sample of the type of downcast lighting that could possibly be used. Staff will investigate the possibility of using motion sensor lights near neighboring homes. Mr. Stadler stated that marking the parking spaces for maximum usage is possible. Staff will provide Council with examples of playground equipment in similar sized areas. Council discussed garden soil, park access, bench areas, sightlines, and neighbor input. City and project staff will continue to gather input from the garden group & neighboring residents and are looking at ways to improve access into the park. Mr. Aberg discussed the gazebo area, benches around the playground area, that fencing & berm buffers define areas and that height variations make the park more interesting for users. Staff is still exploring options for sightlines between the gardens and playground area. Council discussed the gateway area and suggested signage promoting the future of Cottageville Park. Mr. Stadler gave an overview of the public input and feedback process regarding the community garden space and playground equipment. The public open house is schedule for May 20 at Eisenhower Community Center with final design approval scheduled for the June 3 City Council meeting. Mr. Wisker reviewed the following items that City and project staff will continue to address: • Parking: PPL project, alley, number of spaces, striping of spaces and future parking • Park access • Lighting: how it will interact with neighbors and possible use of timers • Plantings: low maintenance • Garden and playground sightlines • Good garden growing medium and depth of soil • Provide Council with playground image samples and comparison with similar sized spaces • Buffering for the existing neighborhood • Future restroom option • Alley and berm elevations • Park opportunities for teens Mr. Aberg gave an overview of the creek access and future opportunities. Council consensus was that they liked the direction of the park design. SWLRT Update Ms. Elverum gave an overview of properties designated historical which include City Hall, the Mainstreet District and the Depot Coffee House. The Depot is most impacted by the SWLRT. Ms. Elverum reviewed the improvement in the design work recommendations of the bridge structure affecting the Depot. The Depot staff and board will review the proposed design. Ms. Elverum reviewed the municipal consent plans with Council: Staff discussed the recommendation for upgrading to a freight rail quiet zone. The LRT uses a bell as the train enters the station area. Staff is investigating the noise impact of the LRT bell and will address this at the open house. In order to establish a freight rail quiet zone, all three crossings need to be constructed to quiet zone standards and currently only two of the three crossings are scheduled to be upMraded. Mr. Stanley will be meeting with MnDOT staff regarding the possibility of upgrading the 5` Avenue rail crossing. Staff will be also be addressing train crossings with emergency personnel. Page 3 Mr. Stadler discussed the proposed access road at the Blake Station. Staff is currently not satisfied with the proposed concept and feels that the SWLRT project staff needs to reevaluate the set up and function of the access road. Community Development Staff has met with Blake Station area property owners and will continue to discuss possible redevelopment of the area. There was Council discussion regarding redevelopment of the area and station parking. Staff will continue to work on a master plan to redevelop the area. The Blake Station is proposed to have 350 parking spots. Ms. Elverum discussed the location of the power substation near the Downtown Station. Staff recommendation is to locate the power substation as close as possible to the station to preserve green space and the importance of a screened and attractive structure. There was Council discussion regarding the appearance of a power substation. Mr. Pfiefer gave an overview of power substations and spacing requirements. Ms. Elverum discussed the importance of upgrading the 8th Avenue and 5th Avenue pedestrian crossings. Council discussed the concern of truck traffic back up at 5th Avenue. Mr. Stadler commented that stoplights will be timed and coordinated with train crossings. Staff discussed the entrance and way finding signs at the Shady Oak Station. Staff has been investigating the possibility of utilizing the Napco smokestack as a focal point. Staff discussed the design for a future extension of 17th Ave to K -Tel Drive, a pedestrian connection for south Hopkins and support of a structured parking facility at the station. Ms. Elverum discussed the screening and buffering of the Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF). Council stressed the importance of SWLRT project staff working with Hopkins staff on the land use approval process and OMF building design. Council discussed business relocation and timing of property acquisition. Staff will continue to work closely regarding property acquisition and redevelopment around the OMF site. Staff reviewed the CMAQ grant application, prioritizing of contingencies and Federal funding allocations. Staff will know more after May 21 and will keep Council updated. Mr. Genellie gave an overview of the municipal consent process. The public can review the SWLRT plans and provide comments directly to local governments or to the Metropolitan Council through email or in writing. The SWLRT project plans are available for review at City Hall, Hopkins Library or online. Public comments will be accepted through the end of the business day on June 4, 2014. The open house/public hearing has been scheduled for June 3, 2014. Mr. Genellie discussed with Council the purpose of the public feedback is for comments related to the SWLRT in the City of Hopkins. Staff is suggesting that the public fill out a comment card with name and address and that testimony be limited in duration and to one opportunity. Lengthy questions and comments can be submitted in writing. The public should be informed of the guidelines prior to the opening of the public hearing. Staff will monitor upcoming SWLRT public hearings scheduled in neighboring cities. There was discussion regarding contingent items on the municipal consent and the need for a majority Council vote. Staff will clarify and update Council. Staff discussed with Council SWLRT concerns that have already been shared. Comments have included parking concerns, need for an additional station near south Hopkins and noise at the Blake Road Station. Public comments received will be shared with Council ahead of the Public Meeting. All comments will be in the Council packet, which is made available to the public for review. At the Public Hearing, Council will summarize how many Page 4 comments have been received. Council would like to respond to public questions and staff will keep the Council updated regarding public comments and questions as they are received. There was discussion of setting the comment time limit to 3-5 minutes prior to the public meeting. Ms. Elverum encouraged the Council to let staff know if they have any additional questions or comments regarding the SWLRT municipal consent process and upcoming public meeting. Mr. Mornson discussed with Council the Memorandum of Understanding and conditions on the Municipal Consent. City attorneys in SWRLT cities are continuing to address these agreements and staff will keep the Council updated. Other: • Discussion of Council members touring the existing light rail line. • LTD Brewery is scheduled for a possible soft opening on Memorial Day. • Mainstreet reconstruction project will begin after Raspberry Festival. • Council member Gadd will be attending the Community Works Light Rail meeting and the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon meeting on Thursday May 15. • Discussion of Beyond the Yellow Ribbon signage and area festival presence. • Councilmember Cummings discussed her TC&W train experience. • Upcoming ULI Housing Summit at Hopkins Center for the Arts. • New City Clerk begins on Monday, May 19, 2014. • Mr. Morrison will be attending the City Managers Conference. With no further business to discuss there was a motion by Council member Gadd and a second by Council member Cummings to adjourn the meeting at 9:54 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Debbie Vold CITY COUNCIL ATTEST: Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor