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V.5. Approve Minutes of the Joint Meeting on January 27, 2015CITY OF HOPKINS AND CITY OF MINNETONKA SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015 Hopkins Council Present: Molly Cummings, Jason Gadd, Kristi Halverson, Aaron Kuznia, and Mayor Gene Maxwell Minnetonka Council Present: Patty Acomb, Tim Bergstedt, Bob Ellingson, Tony Wagner, Brad Wiersum, and Mayor Terry Schneider. Dick Allendorf was excused Hopkins Staff: City Manager Mike Mornson, Director of Economic Development and Planning Kersten Elverum, Community Development Coordinator Meg Beekman, Public Works Director Steve Stadler, City Engineer Nate Stanley Minnetonka Staff: City Manager Geralyn Barone, Asst. City Manager Perry Vetter, Director of Engineering Lee Gustafson, Community Development Coordinator Elise Durbin, City Attorney Corrine Heine Southwest LRT Project Office: Sarah Ghandour, Kathryn Hansen, Kim Koempel, Michael Krantz, Ryan Kronzer, Craig Lamothe, Dan Pfeiffer, Tats Tanaka Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. at the Hopkins Fire Department. Mayor Maxwell welcomed the City of Minnetonka staff and Council as both communities look at the bigger vision and work on a plan for both communities. Mr. Mornson and Ms. Barone gave an overview of the Joint Work Session agenda. The two cities have met periodically to discuss matters affecting both communities. The purpose of the Joint Work Session is to provide updates to Council Members regarding Shady Oak Road construction and Southwest Light Rail Transit planning. Shady Oak Road Update a. Road Project Mr. Gustafson and Mr. Stadler discussed the Shady Oak Road construction project. The project schedule has experienced delays due to weather but Hennepin County has commented that they believe that substantial progress can be made to complete most of the project by this fall except for landscaping. Landscape planning is scheduled for late this year with completion next spring. Council Member Acomb discussed a concern that the "No Blocking Intersection" signage at the Frontage Road has been removed causing traffic congestion. Mr. Gustafson will investigate reinstalling the signage. Mr. Gustafson commented that the Frontage Road will be closed permanently next spring. CITY OF HOPKINS AND CITY OF MINNETONKA SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015 b. Redevelopment Activities Ms. Elverum gave an overview of the Hennepin County Community Works Grant and what was accomplished with the funds. Ms. Elverum explained the construction and relocation activities along Shady Oak Road. Ms. Elverum commented there have been very few public calls regarding the project. Council Member Wiersum asked about the outlook of the business owners during the redevelopment process. Ms. Elverum commented that they are continuing to work with the businesses and address their concerns. Mayor Schneider questioned the landscaping and streetscaping design. Ms. Elverum gave an overview of the design elements, upgrades to signage and parking lot designs. Mayor Maxwell commented that many of the businesses affected by the project relocated into Hopkins. Mayor Maxwell also commented that staff worked hard to ensure that Minnetonka residents were buffered from the backs of buildings. Ms. Elverum commented on the improvements to the backside of buildings and alley. Ms. Barone gave an update on the Ring Property acquisition. The closing on the property will be in the next 3-4 weeks. Following the closing, the city will begin a neighborhood process to determine site redevelopment. Ms. Barone commented that construction would not begin until approximately August, 2017. Mayor Maxwell asked if the building will continue to be leased. Ms. Barone commented that new tenants will not be sought and the building would eventually be vacant. Mayor Schneider commented that the public input process should include Hopkins residents. Mayor Maxwell asked about the adjoining Johnson property. Staff will investigate the status of the vacant lot located in Hopkins. Update on Southwest Light Rail Transit (SW LRT) a. Shady Oak Station area Ms. Beekman gave an overview of the Shady Oak Station area development strategy, a joint effort by the two cities that will be partly funded by a grant from the Met Council. Ms. Beekman discussed the main components of the work including market feasibility, vision and land use scenarios, zoning, public investment component, entitlement review processes for both cities and the public engagement process. Ms. Beekman explained the goals are to balance housing, retail and job growth, develop a model for sustainable redevelopment, and create a street design and design guidelines. Ms. Durbin gave an overview of Crandall Arambula, a national consultant firm with local sub -consultants. Ms. Durbin reviewed the development strategy schedule and tasks that the consultants would be addressing. Ms. Durbin explained the next steps in the process including negotiating the final CITY OF HOPKINS AND CITY OF MINNETONKA SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015 contract, project kick-off, land use scenarios and public input process. Staff will keep the Councils updated on the process. Council Member Wagner asked about the development guidelines. Ms. Durbin commented that both staffs are working together on the zoning code. Ms. Elverum commented that it is important not to duplicate work that has already been done and to concentrate on the right mix of uses for the area, street grid, existing businesses and how to transition the area. Mayor Schneider asked about the parking lot. Ms. Elverum commented that they are looking at remnant parcels. Mayor Maxwell asked about the experience of the consultant company. Ms. Durbin and Ms. Beekman gave an overview of the company's experience with station area planning and level of experience. Ms. Barone asked for an explanation regarding the entitlement review process. Ms. Beekman explained that the process by both Hopkins and Minnetonka will ensure coordination of the project area vision and zoning. b. Station Design Representatives from the Southwest Light Rail Transit (SW LRT) Project Office gave an overview of the project and development timeline with passenger operations scheduled for 2019. The SW LRT staff gave an overview of the public involvement process and scheduled public open houses and events for 2015. The open houses will be combined for Station and Operations & Maintenance Facility (OMF) design and will be located in the Hopkins/Minnetonka area. SW LRT staff explained the Station Design Approach that identified 4 station types: Landscape, Neighborhood, Town Square and Landmark. Staff gave an overview of the station structures, materials and colors. SW LRT staff reviewed the suggested station types in Hopkins and Minnetonka. • Opus Station: Landscape or Town Square Station • Shady Oak Station: Landmark station • Downtown Hopkins Station: Town Square Station • Blake Station: Neighborhood Station Staff explained the next steps for the station design process including making station prototype adjustments based on city staff input and public open houses. Staff explained the public art process that will be used to enhance the unique identity of the stations as well as enhance the OMF. Mayor Schneider commented that the station emphasis should be on weather protection and comfort of the riders, a suggestion that has been strongly mentioned at public meetings. The Project Office staff commented that there will be wind flow analysis around the stations and will refine station designs if necessary. Mayor Maxwell asked about the durability of the art. The Project Office staff commented that the art materials will be designed for long term durability. Council Member Cummings asked about the number of artist proposals. The Project Office received 10 proposals. CITY OF HOPKINS AND CITY OF MINNETONKA SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015 c. OMF update The Project Office staff gave an overview of the OMF design, layout and building materials under consideration. Mr. Mornson asked about property negotiations. The Project Office began meeting last week with property owners to acquire background information and will begin appraisals this summer. Property acquisition and the relocation process will take place after the Project Office receives the Record of Decision. Council Member Cummings asked when the acquired properties come off the tax rolls. The Project Office staff commented when the property fee title is secured. Council Member Gadd asked about the number of trains crossing K -Tel Drive at the OMF. The Project Office staff explained that trains leave in the morning and return in the evening and will be in service all day. Drivers transfer shifts at the Shady Oak Station. Mayor Maxwell commented that it is important to have an enhanced OMF design for ongoing redevelopment of the area. d. Funding Update Mayor Schneider gave an overview of the funding update and the Locally Requested Capital Investments (LRCI). Mr. Mornson asked about Federal Government funding. The Project Office commented that they are expecting to get word soon from the Federal Transit Administration regarding the project rating. Council Member Wagner asked about the formula ranking for communities. The Project Office explained that new rules state if communities provide 51 % of a local match they will bump up one ranking. Council Member Gadd commented on the narrowing to 14 eligible contingencies (LRCI) and noted cities will need to make the final decision to fund the contingencies completely. The Project Office commented that the decision time to fund the LRCI's will be in early 2016. Mayor Maxwell asked what cities can do regarding the negative comments about the SW LRT project. The Project Office commented we need to continue to have constructive dialog and that the Project Office is continuing to work with the Minneapolis Park Board and the pending neighborhood lawsuit. e. Other SWLRT update Mr. Stadler gave an overview of the Locally Requested Capital Investments (LRCI) :l CITY OF HOPKINS AND CITY OF MINNETONKA SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015 and the funding criteria. Mr. Stadler gave an overview of the LRCI's in Hopkins and Minnetonka that met the criteria. Mayor Maxwell asked if the requests can be presented again. Mr. Stadler commented that the deadline is past. The Project Office commented on the criteria to evaluate requests was to reduce operating costs and increase ridership. Other: Council Member Gadd commented that cities need to make sure they consistently have a positive message how the SW LRT will benefit the area and encourage businesses and residents who see the benefit to keep that message out there. Mayor Schneider commented that businesses need the transportation asset to continue to draw a talented work force and that transit is critical to long term growth. Council Member Wagner commented that we need to engage the business community and appeal to those who will benefit from the project. Council Member Wiersum commented that City Councils need to continue to talk to businesses, community leaders and residents. Mayor Maxwell thanked City of Minnetonka for working together with Hopkins on a common ground, vision for our area and maintaining the quality of life for our residents and businesses. The Work Session adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Debbie Vold