HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 16, 2011 MEETING NOTES
Grandview Small Area Guide Plan Process
Thursday, June, 16, 2011, 7:00 PM
Edina Senior Center
Fireside Room
Staff Present: Facilitators Present:
Cary Teague Kevin Staunton
Jackie Hoogenakker Michael Schroeder
Kris Aaker
Steering Committee Present: Others Present:
Gene Persha Steve Elkins
Kim Montgomery Griff Wigley
Andy Brown
Sandy Fox
Randy Halvorson
Larry Chestier
Peter Sussman
Suzanne Davison
David Davison
Marianne Rothu
Lisa Diehl
Greg Domke
Terry Ahlstrom
Peyton Robb
Dick Crockett
Ellen Jones
Chris Rofidal
David Davison
Richard Borland
Jim Baisch
I. Welcome
Kevin Staunton welcomed everyone and introduced Steve Elkins, from the Met Council.
II. Executive Committee Report
Staunton explained that over the past couple weeks the Executive Committee has been
working on drafting a "Request for Interest" seeking assistance from area consultants in
creating a Small Area Plan for the Grandview Area. The Committee will continue to
update you on this process. Staunton said he hopes to have a consultant or
consultants picked by late July early August.
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Ill. Group Reports
Staunton reminded the Committee that at their last meeting in May each work group
reported on their progress and since that time it has become apparent a
communications element needs to be added; possibly under Land Use. Staunton said
Chris Rofidal has volunteered and will be moving from the position of convener of the
Land Use group to the subgroup of Communications.
Motion
Dick Crocket moved to add another seat. Mr. Ruppert seconded the motion. All
voted aye; motion carried.
Reports by Groups:
Kim Montgomery— deferred her time
Lisa Diehl/Market Analysis and Finance reported that at this time their committee has
things on the "back burner" until the RFI process is formulated.
Peter Sussman/Land Use -
Larry Chestler/Transportation said that their group has identified a number of different
categories that would need to be addressed. Those categories are as follows:
1. School Bus Garage — Can a solution be found?
2. Highway 100 — Highway 100 isn't going away. There is the possibility of future
reconfiguration of the ramps. Connectivity between Highway 100 and the RR
Tracks.
3. Parking — in general. Would a Park & Ridge fit? If so, where?
4. Access within and to the district. Improvements need to be made in all
modes of transportation (pedestrian, vehicle, bus, train).
5. What role does mass transportation play in the Grandview area (rail and
vehicular). Mass transit would also include the role buses play on Highway
100 (Express buses).
Mr. Elkins was introduced to speak to the issue of transportation/light rail
Mr. Elkins addressed the Committee and explained with regard to the "light rail" element
of the discussion that the Committee needs to review all options. The intent of a light
rail line is to carry passengers and in Edina because of the current use of the CP rail
line the "light rail" would have to co-exist with freight traffic.
Continuing, Elkins said that the criteria and standards for implementing light rail were
high, and that's in all instances. Elkins said all light rail modes of transportation need to
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meet crash test standards and other safety standards; pointing out survival is minimal,
at best, if a commuter train collides with a freight train.
Elkins said currently there are cities in the USA where the same rail line is used for both
commuter and freight. This co-existence has been accomplished through scheduling.
Between specific hours the rail line can be used for freight, and commuter .Continuing,
Elkins reiterated in Edina's case; both Edina and the CP RR would have to work
together to co-exist if some form of "light rail" were to exist along this track. Elkins said
that currently the CP rail line operates at minimum twice per day, adding even if CP RR
gave the "go ahead" for commuter use the existing rail lines aren't in the best shape and
someone (State, Federal) government would have to step in and overhaul and maintain
this line. CP won't do it.
Concluding, Elkins said another issue before Edina regarding rail is that the CP rail runs
through some of Edina's neighborhoods and the majority of those residents won't want
an increase in traffic whether it's commuter or freight. Elkins said it is prudent of the
City to plan for the possibility of commuter rail; however, it's not without difficulties.
IV. Communications/Chris Rofidal
Chris Rofidal/Communications said the goal of communications is an age old problem of
reaching out and engaging the masses. Rofidal delivered a power point presentation
highlighting the following:
• In reaching out to Edina's Communications Director Jennifer Bennerotte, Rofidal
said he found out that the City has many assets that aid communication and
many of them can be found on the City's website.
Expanding on this asset Rofidal said besides providing the basic website link the
City also provides City Extra, which is an informational tool that residents can
sign up for and receive current information on specific topics. The City also uses
Facebook and twitter which could be implemented by the Committee.
• Consistent storage of information needs to occur in an easily accessible location.
• Outreach is important especially in reaching different demographics.
Continuing, Rofidal said he envisions the following ways to reach out to
residents:
1. Encourage all Boards and Commissions to mention this process on their
meetings.
2. When flyer is created the Planning Departments will visit the area merchants
and drop of the flyers.
3. Use the Sun Current and the City's "About Town" to further get the word out.
4. Develop a Grandview "stump" speech that can be given to different
organizations.
5. August 2nd is Edina Night 2 Unite — Committee Members can spread the word
that evening also look at getting this information to neighborhood associations.
6. Open House
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• Transparency is extremely important. All information should be easily accessed
and residents need to know they are welcome to attend all Steering Committee
meetings.
Kevin Staunton introduced Griff Wigley to speak more on communications.
Mr. Wigley informed the Committee that he has had a long standing relationship with
Scott Neal, Edina's City Manager. This relationship began when Mr. Neal was the City
Manager of Northfield, MN. Continuing, Wigley said that he worked with Mr. Neal in
developing a "blog" to engage the citizenry. Wigley said at this time he, along with Neal
are developing a blog that can be accessed at www.edinacitizenengagement.org. This
tool can be used to raise the level of awareness within the community. Concluding,
Wigley said there can be a blog for every issue.
Discussion on Communications
The discussion focused on how to help with "getting the word out". The Committee
acknowledged the importance of using the traditional forms of communication (i.e. Star
& Tribune West Metro, Sun Current, and Edina Patch); however, more could be done.
Staunton reported to "kick-off" the process he wrote a by-line in the Sun Current/ Letters
to the Editor section and also speaks to the Edina Patch; however, he agreed more
"outreach" needs to be done. Staunton suggested to Rofidal that they develop a power
point presentation on the Grandview process that anyone can use if they get the option
to address a community organization.
Staunton asked if anyone was interested in blogging or "group speak" see Chris or me.
IV. Request for Interest/Engagement of Consulting Experts
Kevin Staunton reported that the Grandview Small Area Plan study will be a one year
process broken down into different sections the first; organization and engaging
consultants. Staunton said the role of the consultants would be to assist the Committee
in developing a "final" plan or development framework for the Grandview area.
Staunton explained what the Executive Committee would like to see from the
consultants was a 6-page letter explaining what they do; their ideas for the Grandview
area and how they will guide us through the process to the final product. Staunton said
the feedback from the consultants would be more like a letter of interest and ideas.
Staunton said after the RFI goes out the Executive Committee would analyze each
response and develop a list of those the Executive Committee wants to interview.
Staunton said he also foresees the Steering Committee receiving and reviewing the
responses and at a Steering Committee meeting (July 21st) a consultant "team(s)"
would be selected to interview. Staunton also said that anyone who would want to site
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in on the interviews could; however, the Executive Committee would "host" the
interview(s). Staunton said he envisions the following after receipt of Letters of Interest:
1. Executive Committee reviews the Letters of Interest and selects the "team" to
participate in interviews.
2. The Executive Committee (as mentioned previously) will conduct the interviews;
reiterating all Steering Committee members and/or general public; for that matter, can
"sit in" on these interviews.
3. When the "team" is chosen the "team" will be invited to participate in scoping
session.
4. Have scoping session with selected team.
Concluding, Staunton said the consultant's or team the Committee picks needs to know
that we are serious about the plan. The Committee also wants to reinforce to
whomever is chosen that "we own the work plan", reiterating that it was important that
each consultant knows how serious the Committee is about the process and the final
work plan.
Staunton said he envisions a consultant team hired by early August.
A brief discussion ensued on the fee paid to the "team" to begin the process (scoping
session). $2,500 was mentioned with the suggestion of a $5,000 for the chosen "team.
Staunton said what needs to be done is to review the grant and look at the conditions.
It was noted that much of the grant money could be spent if the "team" attends
Executive and/or Steering Committee meetings. It was also noted that maybe a fee
should not be mentioned; the 100 thousand grant can be acknowledged — don't dictate
an artificial threshold.
In conclusion Staunton said that at this time the focus of the Committee should be
sending out the RFI, choosing the consultant(s)/team and establishing a fee for the
scoping session and have the selected team prepare a work plan with fee.
Kim Montgomery suggested that it may be best to be more specific in what we want.
She said the City may receive more innovative responses if the criteria were tighter,
adding if they know what we want the money would be better spent. If it's left too
general we may miss out on true innovators.
Chris Rofidal added that in his opinion if the RFI was framed too specifically it could
lead to a more biased approach from a consultant and less innovation.
It was also pointed out that it may be best if the burden was placed on the
consultant/team. It is the job of the consultant/team to take whatever input the City
provides and "run with it". The team chosen are professionals who don't have to be
spoon fed.
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Motion
Chris Rofidal moved to increase the consultant "pay out" from $2,500 to $5,000.
Randy Halvorson seconded the motion. All voted aye; motion carried. A "close
date" was also established for the RFI's of July 11, 2011, 4:30 pm
VI. Follow-up on May 12, Idea Generation Session-Kim Montgomery
Kim Montgomery reported that last month she attended a community conversation
meeting that was attended by a number of residents that couldn't attend the regularly
scheduled Steering Committee meetings. Ms. Montgomery said the outcome of that
conversation was provided to the Executive/Steering committees. Ms. Montgomery
said as a result of the community conversation and steering committee meeting on the
10`h of May she compiled all that information on Community Ideas Organized According
to 7 Guiding Principles. Attached/ Meeting Notes June 16, 2011 as Exhibit "A".
Continuing, Montgomery said in her opinion it would be beneficial if the information
contained in the Community Ideas Organized According to 7 Guiding Principles was
attached to the RFI.
A discussion ensued on the merits of attaching the Community Ideas to the RFI. The
group as a whole decided that it would be best to send out the RFI as drafted with the
minor changes and provide all consultants a link to the City's website allowing them to
look at all the information provided on the Grandview Small Area Plan; going back to the
Public Works Small Area plan process and beyond.
A concern that was expressed was that the consultant(s)/team selected would provide
the City with the typical "mixed-use" scenario. The Committee expressed the opinion
that they do not want to stifle anyone's creativity; however, they want to ensure that an
innovative approach was taken in selecting the "team".
The discussion ensued with Staunton calling for a motion to approve the RFI and
subsequent dates.
Motion
Brown moved to accept the RFI and subsequent dates. Rofidal seconded the
motion. Ayes; Nay; Montgomery. Motion carried.
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VII. Adjournment.
The meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM
Jackie Hoogenakker
Respectfully submitted
P Y
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