V.1. Municipal Consent CR2015-096 PH �
City of flopkins
September 8, 2015 Council Report 2015-096
MUNICIPAL CONSENT FOR THE SOUTHWEST LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT PROJECT
Proposed Action
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion following the public hearing: Move to
approve Resolution 2015-064, approving the phvsical design component of the revised preliminary
desi�n plans for the Southwest li�ht rail project within the City of Hopkins.
With this motion, the resolution will be forwarded to the Metropolitan Council.
Overview
As a city impacted by the proposed construction of the Southwest Light Rail Transit (SW LRT)
project, Hopkins is required under state law to hold a public hearing on the municipal consent
plans for the portion of the project within our border. The City of Hopkins did previously give
municipal consent in June of 2014, but changes to the base project require the City to hold
another public hearing and consider approval of the revised plans.
Preliminary design plans show the general dimensions and location of the light rail alignment,
including approximate station locations and related infrastructure. Municipal consent applies
only to this level of detail. Future decisions regarding issues such as station design and
streetscape will continue to be addressed as the project proceeds through to final design. The
plans can be accessed at http://www.metrocouncil.or Transportation/Projects/Current-
Proj ects/Southwest-LRT/Municipal-Consent/Plan-Documents.aspx.
The City of Hopkins will continue to participate in design plans, as well as specific actions
related to the operation and maintenance facility.
Primarv Issues to Consider
• What is included in the Municipal Consent plans?
• What comments were received from the public?
Supuorting Information
• Resolut'on 2015-064
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Kerst El rum
Director Planning&Development
Financial Impact: $_0 Budgeted: Y/N Source:
Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.):
Notes:
Council Report 2015-096, September 8, 2015 —Page 2
Analysis of the Issues
• What is included in the Municipal Consent plans?
The plans for Hopkins include three LRT stations: Shady Oak, Downtown Hopkins and Blake.
The plans also include the Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF), sited in south Hopkins,
and related track and facilities for the line including a bridge structure over Excelsior Boulevard.
The Shady Oak Station is generally located one block north of Sth Street South and
approximately two blocks south of Excelsior Boulevard. According to the Municipal Consent
Plans,the Shady Oak Station area currently includes:
a. Construction of a center platform LRT station and related LRT
infrastructure. The plans reflect changes to the platform location and track
modifications to achieve City's goals and project cost reductions;
b. Construction of an approximately 700 space park-and-ride surface lot
covering approximately 7 acres including a kiss-and-ride area, bike
storage, and landscaping(previous plans had a 500-space park-and-ride);
c. Construction of a new roadway located between Excelsior Boulevard and
the station built to state-aid standards designed with sidewalks, separated
bike lane, on-street parking and landscaping (previous design plans also
had two roundabouts);
d. Construction of a pedestrian walk between Sth Street South and the
station; and
e. Realignment of the Minnesota River Bluffs Regional Trail from
approximately the proposed 17th Avenue South extension to 1 lth Avenue
South with new bituminous surfacing.
The Downtown Hopkins Station is generally located between 8th Avenue South and 7th
Avenue South along the Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail just south of
Excelsior Boulevard. According to the Municipal Consent Plans, the Downtown Hopkins
Station area currently includes:
a. Construction of a center platform LRT station and related LRT
infrastructure;
b. Design and construction of a new civic plaza area to include softscape
(trees, shrubs and perennials) and hardscape (concrete and pavers)
landscape elements;
c. Design and installation of enhanced bicycle facilities including elements
such as short and covered long-term bicycle parking, self-service
maintenance kiosk, and additional bicycle route signage on or near the
proposed civic plaza;
d. Construction of an off-street kiss-and-ride area adjacent to the civic plaza;
Council Report 2015-096, September 8, 2015 —Page 3
e. Construction of curb extensions and cross walk improvements including
ADA-compliant pedestrian signals at the Excelsior Boulevard and 8th
Avenue South intersection(all four sides); and
f. Construction of three (3) bus bays at the Excelsior Boulevard and 8th
Avenue South intersection.
The Blake Station is located adjacent to the North Cedar La.ke Regional Trail west of Blake
Road. According to the Municipal Consent Plans, the Blake Station area includes:
a. Construction of a center platform LRT station and related LRT
infrastructure;
b. Construction of an approximately 89 space park-and-ride surface lot
(reduced from a 475-space parking ramp);
c. Construction of a new access road including a bus stop, kiss-and-ride area,
and associated landscaping located south of the station and north of the
park-and-ride surface lot between Blake Road and the western terminus of
the station platform;
d. Construction of a new access road generally located south of the station
and west of the station platform and continuing westward and then
southerly along an alignment connecting to Pierce Avenue. Improvements
to principally include bituminous resurfacing, a 2 foot ribbon concrete
curb defining the drive on either side, center striping, wayfinding signs
and utility pole mounted lighting(no utility work except for lighting);
e. Construction of a new traffic signal at Excelsior Boulevard and Pierce
Avenue; and
f. Installation of bike storage facilities in the structured park-and-ride ramp
near Blake Station.
The opportunity for joint development was deleted at the Blake Station through the elimination
of two property acquisitions.
'The OMF is generally located south of K-Tel Drive and Sth Street South along 16th Avenue
South. According to the Municipal Consent Plans,the OMF and yard area includes:
a. Construction of an operations and maintenance facility and yard. Changes
in the municipal consent plans include the reduction of OMF storage
space to 30 Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) and loop track modifications and
value engineering.
The award of Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds for a Downtown Hopkins
station park and ride is not reflected in the current plans, as the facility is being constructed by a
private party.
Council Report 2015-096, September 8, 2015 —Page 4
While not included in municipal consent plans, other system-wide changes to the project scope
where made that impact Hopkins include the following:
Off-platform station furnishings throughout the corridor, including bike racks, trash cans and
seating, were cut by 50 percent. Station platforms will still have seating.
Station art was eliminated throughout the corridor.
The landscaping allowance for trees, sod, plantings/mulch, seed, mulch and topsoil at stations,
the operations and maintenance facility and throughout the corridor was cut by 75 percent.
The light-rail vehicle fleet was reduced by five vehicles; the project will now have 27 vehicles.
• What comments were received from the public?
As of the preparation of this report, no comments have been officially received regarding
municipal consent. It is anticipated that there will be comments provided during the public
hearing.
Alternatives
The Hopkins City Council has the following options regarding this item:
• Approve the design plans and give Municipal Consent
• Deny the design plans with specific amendments
• Continue the item for more discussion
A local unit of government that disapproves the plans shall describe specific amendments to the
plans that, if adopted, would cause the local unit to withdraw its disapproval. Failure to approve
or disapprove the plans in writing within 45 days after the hearing is deemed to be approval,
unless an extension of time is agreed to by the Metropolitan Council as the responsible authority.
The deadline for acting on municipal consent without an extension is October 11, 2015.
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PHYSICAL DESIGN COMPONENT OF THE
PRELIMINARY DESIGN PLANS FOR THE SOUTHWEST LIGHT RAIL PROJECT
WITHIN THE CITY OF HOPHINS
RESOLUTION NO. 2015-064
WHEREAS,the Governor designated the Metropolitan Council ("Council") as the responsible
authority for the Southwest light Rail Transit Project("Project"), which makes it responsible for
planning, designing, acquiring, constructing and equipping the Project;
WHEREAS, the Project is now in the preliminary design phase;
WHEREAS,the design at this phase is approximately 30 percent complete;
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statues Section 473.3994 allows cities and counties along a proposed
light rail route to provide input to the Council on the physical design component of the
preliminary design plans;
WHEREAS, on July 23, 2015,the Council submitted the physical design component of the
preliminary design plans;
WHEREAS,public hearings are then required, which the City of Hopkins held on September 15,
2015;
WHEREAS,within 45 days of a joint hearing held by the Council and the Hennepin County
Regional Rail Authority("HCRRA"), which was held on August 27, 2015, the City of Hopkins
must review and approve or disapprove the Plans for the route to be located in the City of
Hopkins;
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statures Section 473.3994 provides that"a local unit of government that
disapproves the plans shall describe specific amendments to the plans that, if adopted, would
cause the local unit to withdraw its disapproval;
WHEREAS, approval or disapproval by the City of Hopkins is part of the statutory preliminary
design process;
WHEREAS,the City of Hopkins staff has reviewed the Plans and developed a report pertaining
to these Plans and has made its recommendation;
WHEREAS,the City of Hopkins supports the implementation of the Project and is committed to
supporting the project through its successful implementation by 2020;
WHEREAS,the City of Hopkins is committed to work with the Council throughout the design
and construction process; and
WHEREAS,the City of Hopkins requests that the Council and its staff include the replacement
of elements existing today, specifically the irrigation in the City's property between 8`i'Avenue
and St''Avenue, south of Excelsior Boulevard, in the final design plans for the project.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Hopkins provides its municipal approval of
the Plans pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 473.3994, consistent with the above, and directs
staff to submit the City of Hopkins' approval to the Metropolitan Council.
Adopted this 15th day of September 2015.
By:
Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor
Attest:
Amy Domeier, City Clerk