Loading...
12-14-04 WSDecember 14, 2004 • Page 1 MINUTES JOINT CITY COUNCILS WORK SESSION December 14, 2004 A joint work session of the Hopkins City Council and Minnetonka City Council was called to order by Hopkins Mayor pro tem Diane Johnson at 6:30 p.m. on December 14, 2004, at the Hopkins Pavilion. Hopkins Council members Rick Brausen, Bruce Rowan and Jay Thompson were present. Minnetonka Council Members Mayor Karen Anderson, Robert Ellingson, Tony Wagner, Terry Schneider, Brad Wiersum and Al Thomas were present. Other city personnel present were: Hopkins Acting City Manager Jim Genellie; Hopkins Economic Development Director Jim Kerrigan; Hopkins Public Works Director Steve Stadler; Minnetonka City Engineer Lee Gustafson, Minnetonka Community Development Director Ron Rankin, Minnetonka City Manager John Gunyou, and Minnetonka Assistant City Manager Geralyn Barone. Also present were Craig Twinem and Guy Nowlan of Hennepin County Transportation Department, Larry Blacksted of Hennepin County Transit and Community Works, Patrick Connoy of Hennepin County, Mark Koegler of Hoisington-Koegler and County Commissioner Linda Koblick. Mayor ProTem Diane Johnson opened the meeting by thanking the Minnetonka City Council and the other participants for attending. She explained that Mayor Maxwell was indisposed and could not be here. Mayor Anderson thanked Hopkins for hosting the joint meeting. She said there has been a history of close cooperation between Minnetonka and Hopkins, citing the joint recreation programs and the joint running of Shady Oak'Beach. She expressed the hope this would be the first of several joint meetings to work out the issues relating to the development of Shady Oak Road. Mayor Anderson also noted the project is scheduled for 2008, that there would be many opportunities for public input, and this evening's meeting is for the city councils to gather information. Mr. Twinem, manager of the design division of Hennepin County Transportation Department, introduced Mr. Nowlan, the person who heads this project. Mr. Twinem noted both councils had seen the traffic presentations which show a 4-lane road is needed. The new alignment is set to a certain point by the location of the duck ponds. Thus, the project is basically divided into a northern corridor (the area north of the ponds) and a southern corridor (the area south of the ponds). Mr. Blacksted said this project will be unique in Hennepin County as it so closely involves two cities. The Transportation Department will do the road; the Transit and Community Works assists with housing and transportation. Their focus is on infrastructure-based community revitalization projects. He emphasized this is "much more than just a road project." Mr. Gustafson noted the firm of Hoisington-Koegler has been hired as consultants to conduct the land use analysis. December 14, 2004 Page 2 Mr. Koegler then explained the process his company proposes for the public involvement process, asking for feedback from both councils. He noted his company has worked with both cities before. The tightness of the corridor and the historic characteristics of the area raise issues. So far his company has only gathered base information. Mr. Koegler said a January kick-off public meeting is planned, noting there will be a variety of opportunities for public input. Then the city staffs will be met with. The consultant will then conduct a preliminary land use analysis, which should take 30-45 days. This will include developing alternative concept plans with identification of positive and negative impacts. A public review and comment period would be held and modifications made if necessary. Both city councils would then review the options and the range of impacts. This would be followed by a series of community meetings where the options would be presented and feedback received from those who live and work in this area. Mayor Anderson suggested that at this point another joint council session would be helpful. There was general consensus that was a good idea. Mr. Koegler said the company would then do land use concept modifications, meet with the city councils, and issue a report. He emphasized the report would not be a "decision" but an assessment of options the councils and county can use as a tool for their decisions. Mr. Gunyou asked about timing. Mr. Gustafson said it should take 6-9 months to finish the Hoisington-Koegler report. Mr. Twinem said the report would give guidance in choosing the alignments. Then his department could start actual preliminary layouts. Mr. Blacksted said the county wants to know the impact of the different alternatives. Mr. Koegler added the county has economic models that help determine assessment values and other financial considerations of the cities. Mr. Blacksted said he sees this as a unique opportunity for both cities. He feels the Transit and Community Works will serve as a bridge between the two and will work with both cities to develop an implementation package. While the city councils plan, his group will look for funds to do the redevelopment plan. Mr. Wagner asked how the economic development authorities (EDAs) would be involved in these preliminary steps. Mr. Blacksted said the county is open to inclusion of the EDAs in the process. He emphasized both councils would be involved throughout the process; the county is "the bridge." A multi jurisdictional agreement will give a legal framework for working together. Mr. Gunyou noted the county serving as a bridge could ease the logistics of the planning. Mr. Blacksted noted his department has sometimes worked with as many as 8 communities on a project. Mr. Gustafson asked when in the process the multi jurisdictional agreement would be done. Mr. Blacksted said it can be done at several points in the process, such as when the layout is decided. Mayor Anderson pointed out that the Hoisington-Koegler plan is in addition to the normal process. Mr. Twinem said the normal process includes meetings with property owners sometimes as many as four personal meetings -once the roadway right-of--way is decided. There is usually a citizen advisory committee for engineering designs. Mayor Anderson asked for clarification of the steps. Mr. Gustafson said each city has seen the first preliminary drawings. December 14, 2004 Page 3 Several months after the Hoisington-Koegler report the preliminary layout comes to the councils for approval. This approval is the necessary authorization for the county to start acquiring property. Throughout this legal process, the county finishes final design plans. These final designs come to the two councils for approval. Then the county completes cooperative agreements as two cities are involved. He noted that a lot of public input is taken after the preliminary layout and that the county works with the property owners involved. Mr. Blacksted noted his group really wants an agreement about the community process; they do not want to move forward without that. Mayor Anderson said she wanted it to be clear both cities back the 4-lane design, noting Mr. Schneider had said the traffic studies made it evident 4 lanes are needed and her council has agreed to that. Ms. Johnson, as pro tem Mayor, said Hopkins had made the same decision. She added the Hopkins council will want more information from Mr. Blacksted; he said he would meet with the council. Mayor Anderson said her council has looked at downtown Hopkins as a model for redevelopment, especially its combining residential and commercial development. She hopes Mr. Blacksted's department can see if that~is possible. Ms. Johnson added one of Hopkins Council's main concerns is that Hopkins not lose businesses or residents because of the project. Mayor Anderson said the additional opportunities for public input beyond the usual process should be helpful. Mr. Genellie asked about the notification of the public for the first public hearing. Mr. Twinem said there would be a direct mailing as well as using the web or whatever other means are necessary.' Mr. Gunyou said the boundaries for notification should be wider than usual. Mr. Gustafson agreed 500 feet was not enough but the entire area should be notified. Mr. Blacksted added the newspapers and community newsletters would also be utilized. Mr. Schneider said he feels this must be looked at as an opportunity for the area, that the cities need to look at the project as though there were no city boundaries. He thought the joint work sessions could involve public input so that people could address both councils at once. The challenge will be on the impacts on current businesses, particularly since rents often increase with redevelopment. Schneider noted that is where the Community Works department can assist. He added there needs to be joint decisions made by both councils together. Mayor Anderson noted the division into two corridors separated by the ponds makes sense. Mr. Schneider asked if the stakeholder meetings would be limited to impacted property owners only or if a broader base would be included early on in the process. Mr. Koegler said while the meetings will emphasize that particular corridor he will be explaining the whole process at all meetings. They will be open to all, and those who do not want to speak publicly will be able to use comment cards. Mr. Brausen said he agreed with Mr. Schneider. He feels the councils must do the best they can to represent the property owners and residents. He addressed the public attendees directly saying he hopes they will stay in for the whole process and asked they make sure council members know how to contact them. • December 14, 2004 Page 4 Ms. Johnson thanked the public for their attendance. She also thanked Commissioner Koblick for her attendance. Commissioner Koblick thanked the councils for their comments, adding she wants to support the cities as commissioner. Mr. Thompson moved adjournment. Mayor Anderson seconded. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Kasey Kester, Secretary Minnetonka Council Members ATTEST: Mayor Pro pore of Hopkins Mayor of Minnetonka Hopkins Council Members