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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-09-15 MinutesDraft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date: 10/27/2016 1 Minutes City of Edina, Minnesota Transportation Commission Community Room September 15, 6:00 p.m. I. Call To Order Chair LaForce called the meeting to order. II. Roll Call Answering roll call were members Bass, Boettge, Brown, Iyer, Janovy, Koester, LaForce, Loeffelholz, Miranda and Olk. Absent at roll call was member Olson. III. Approval Of Meeting Agenda Motion was made by member Janovy and seconded by member Bass approving the meeting agenda. All voted aye. Motion carried. IV. Approval Of Meeting Minutes Motion was made by member Bass and seconded by member Iyer approving the edited Aug. 18, 2016, minutes. All voted aye. Motion carried. V. Community Comments None. New student members David Koester and Megan Olk were welcomed and introduced. VI. Reports/Recommendations A. Stop Sign Reflective Strip Study Engineering Department intern, Sean Hayford Oleary presented the study. Mr. Hayford Oleary explained that the study was done to determine the effects of vertical reflective strips on stop sign compliance because stop sign complaints. He said for three days, they collected video data at W. 42nd Street and Alden Avenue – this intersection has a 3-way stop sign and is near a school. They measured wheel stoppage and speed within a certain distance of the stop sign and the conclusion is to not recommend installation because “the reflective strips do not show a meaningful improvement in driver behavior.” Discussion • What else can be done? Planner Nolan said enforcement. • It may be that the crosswalk in the area draw drivers’ attention more than the stop signs; the stop signs are probably not warranted. • Have studies been done to see if drivers come to a complete stop at stop signs? Planner Nolan said not specifically but it is noted when observed in other studies. • Is the traffic cut thru or local? The presumption is it is local traffic. B. Passenger Rail Service in Edina: SWOT Analysis Opportunities • Add: Peer review literature that supports access to transportation and economic benefits. Weakness • Revise #1: Construction of stations will be more expensive. Draft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date: 10/27/2016 2 • They discussed the purpose of the SWOT Analysis, how to respond the three questions asked by city council, public engagement, and hiring a consultant C. 2017 Neighborhood and MSA Street Reconstruction Draft Engineering Studies Planner Nolan said streets would be narrowed per their practice for streets with or without sidewalk. • Parklawn Avenue Roadway Reconstruction Mr. Toby Muse, project manager, with Short Elliott Hendrickson, presented the study. Mr. Muse said the project area is from W. 76th Street to France Avenue. The project will include almost all entirely new curb and gutter, the two curves will be redesigned but will not meet MSA standards (a variance has already been granted), construction of a 10 ft. Nine Mile Creek trail, consolidation of Metro Transit bus stops, new crosswalks, etc. Discussion • Suggestion to install a covered bus shelter; it was noted that this would be a City expense if not warranted by Metro Transit. • Would the intersection at Parklawn Avenue and Gallagher Drive be a good fit for a roundabout? Gallagher Drive was narrowed when it was reconstructed several years ago and the right-of-way is limited. • Who is responsible for snow plowing the trail? Public Works if they are currently plowing the existing sidewalk. • Concerned with low survey participation; suggestion to remove reference to the survey percentage because it gives a distorted view of participation; another suggestion was to use a different method to get input when reconstructing streets with apartment buildings in order to get feedback from the residents; serving food at meetings was also suggested. Mr. Andrew Scipioni, engineering technician with the engineering department, asked for feedback on the following studies. • Birchcrest A/Countryside B Neighborhood Roadway Reconstruction Discussion • Staff explained that they are not recommending the sidewalk east on Valley View Road with the project because residents were told it would be several years before it would be reconsidered. Staff was asked if it would be more cost effective to do this sidewalk now and they said generally, yes. Chair Laforce would like it presented to Council on a map with a “big hole” to show the gap. Staff also explained that they are not recommending the sidewalk on W. 60th St due to low vehicle counts. Suggestion was made to remove it from the Comprehensive Plan and to include an explanation for the removal. Another suggestion was to present the City Council with a sidewalk map showing the gap that will continue to exist because they did not approve the sidewalk on Valley View Road east of the project area when they had an opportunity. • Would like to see how the bump-outs function in the Morningside Neighborhood before adding more. Planner Nolan said they will still recommend them but they can be pulled if necessary. • How many trees will be impacted for adding sidewalks? Engineering technician Scipioni said maybe two will be removed on Hansen Road, and only tree trimming on Valley View Road. He could not recall any being impacted on Maddox Avenue, and on Mildred Avenue there are 12 arborvitaes within the right-of- way. Motion made by member Janovy and seconded by member Boettge to write an advisory communication to the City Council about the missing segment of Valley View Road sidewalk. Member Iyer will write the advisory communication, and members Bass and Loeffelholz will review. All voted aye. Motion passed. Draft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date: 10/27/2016 3 • Countryside G Neighborhood Roadway Reconstruction No comment. • Chowen Park D Neighborhood Roadway Reconstruction Discussion • Engineering technician Scipioni explained that a multimodal survey was not done because of the smaller size of the project; a workshop was done instead. • Engineering technician Scipioni explained that the York/Zenith Avenue alley is too narrow for the City to maintain it (they would encroach on private property). D. 2017 Transportation Commission Work Plan Discussion about work plan items • The Comp Plan next update is next year and this will be big. • So many developments that they’re not spending any time on; should spend most of their time on developments as it relates to transportation. • Eliminating walking map – member Boettge said she is willing to do this. • The Work Plan is to be submitted to City Council by the end of September. • Are they setting themselves up for success with the Work Plan? • Human Rights host meetings and speakers. Each commission is different. • Living Streets Implementation (fold into new developments that Planning Commission handles). • Passenger Rail – support/guide study. • Southdale redevelopment – what is their role? o The transportation study was presented to them. o There is a lag between the development community and transportation engineer. o They’ve talked about forming a joint group with the Planning Commission (PC). Set up like a bill where the review process disseminates to different bodies. o The ETC could be sole arbiter of Living Streets or they can set it up so everyone feels ownership because it is not only transportation related. o How do they include Living Streets with PC’s work? Transportation Impact Analysis process hasn’t been updated; develop guidance for it and align traffic studies with Living Streets. • Eliminate circulator – it is hard to identify demand for this service. They could look at revising current bus routes and there are self-driving vehicles being tested. E. Additional Updates on 2016 Work Plan Initiatives No updates. F. Traffic Safety Report of Aug. 3, 2016 A.1. Make the signs aesthetically pleasing. B.2. A roundabout was suggested. Planner Nolan said one was in the CIP but it was not funded. He was asked if they could get it approved for 2017 and he said he would try. He was asked if PACS could fund the roundabout and he said it would significantly impact one or two years of PACS’ budget. B.3. With Hwy. 169 closing, how would this affect residents? Planner Nolan said after discussion with the requestor, they found the issue was sightline related. Regarding TH-169 closure, planner Nolan said they will have to wait and to see what happens with traffic and MnDOT will make adjustments accordingly. Draft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date: 10/27/2016 4 B.6. Move to C for further study because people are feeling uncomfortable. Planner Nolan said attempts are being made to address issue and if moved to C, the TSC won’t know what to do besides what is already being done, e.g. PCA, police enforcement, etc. He asked for suggestions and doing targeted enforcement two times annually to educate the community was suggested. Planner Nolan will revise the item and discuss with the police department. Motion made by member Bass and seconded by member Iyer to forward the Aug. 3, 2016, TSC report to the City Council. All voted aye. Motion passed. • Traffic Safety Report of Sept. 7, 2016 A.1. On-street parking policy still does not permit handicap parking? Yes, and staff is reviewing this. B.1. Seem like a partial approval. D.8. Should be in B because it is a denial. Planner Nolan will look at this. D.3. Should have come thru as item A or B. Planner Nolan said it was easy to resolve. Motion made by member Janovy and seconded by member Bass to forward the Sept. 7, 2016, TSC report to the City Council. All voted aye. Motion passed. VII. Correspondence And Petitions None. VIII. Chair and Member Comments A. Participation in 2016 Open Streets on 50th Event Chair LaForce said Open Streets is scheduled for Sept. 25 and the plan is to set up a table, have transportation related maps and comment boxes for residents to provide feedback. Majority of the commissioners volunteered to work shifts at the event. Member Iyer noted again the condition of an area on York Avenue that CenterPoint restored that is in bad shape. Planner Nolan will reach out to CenterPoint. Member Iyer suggested a roundabout at W. 66th Street and Valley View Road, hopefully paid for by developers. Member Bass said she attended a planning meeting with City staff regarding an urban design symposium with speakers and she recommended the City consider strategic communication and have the ETC and/or PC write an opinion letter to the editor and also ask speakers to address specific issues that comes up in the City. Member Brown noted how difficult it was to travel on France Avenue between TH-62 and W. 50th Street because of increased traffic. He said it is becoming unlivable. Member Boettge said mayor Hovland had suggested a crosswalk at Dunberry with the Cornelia Sidewalk and asked planner Nolan if this was still planned. Planner Nolan said staff is planning on conducting a pedestrian count at this location to determine need. Student member Koester said it is impossible to cross the intersections of Antrim Road/Valley View Road/Tracy Avenue at the high school, even with a crossing guard. Draft Minutes☐ Approved Minutes☒ Approved Date: 10/27/2016 5 Chair LaForce said he attended a visioning session. Chair LaForce said he spoke with his neighbor about Benton Avenue and TH-100 who still feels the area is dangerous but it seems to be a sightline issue. The stop sign needs to be pulled back because of its current location to the crosswalk. IX. Staff Comments for September 2016 • The 2016 projects are wrapping up. • 2016 sidewalk projects are progressing; Xerxes Avenue will begin next week. • Arden Park D ‘no parking’ sign study: director Millner will update the City Council next week on the no parking study and survey of residents that was done. Results of the survey showed that residents favor one-sided parking, except for Bruce Avenue and Bruce Place (removing these signs), and they favor the 12x12 size signs. • TH-169 construction schedule was revised to closing from January to September; MnDOT is holding outreach meetings and the first one is scheduled for 9/21 in St. Louis Park. • Chuck Marohn with StrongTowns.org, will be doing an all-day event in Edina on Sept. 30, including a luncheon with the ETC and PC and a driving tour of several locations. • Reminder that the ETC’s October meeting will be the 4th Thursday, instead of the regular 3rd week schedule. X. Calendar of Events A. Schedule of Meeting and Events as of September 15, 2016 XI. Adjournment at 9:40 p.m. J F M A M J J A S O N D SM WS # of Mtgs Attendance % Meetings/Work Sessions 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 10 NAME TERM (Date) 6/21 Bass, Katherine 3/1/2017 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 8 80% Boettge, Emily 3/1/2017 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 8 80% Brown, Andy 3/1/2019 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7 90% Iyer, Surya 3/1/2018 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 8 80% LaForce, Tom 3/1/2018 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 10 100% Loeffelholz, Ralf 3/1/2018 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 8 80% Janovy, Jennifer 3/1/2017 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 10 100% Miranda, Lou 3/1/2019 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 8 100% Olson, Larry 3/1/2017 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 9 90% Koester, David (student) 9/1/2017 1 1 100% Olk, Megan (student) 9/1/2017 1 1 100% Ding, Emily (student) 9/1/2016 1 1 2 20% Ruehl, Lindsey (student) 9/1/2016 1 1 1 1 4 40% TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION ATTENDANCE