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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-12-07 City Council Regular Minutes Page 1 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EDINA CITY COUNCIL VIRTUAL MEETING DECEMBER 7, 2020 6:00 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. and stated the meeting was being held remotely in compliance with Governor Walz’ Stay at Home Order then shared the procedure for public hearing and community comment. II. ROLLCALL Answering rollcall were Members Anderson, Brindle, Fischer, Staunton, Hovland. Absent: None. III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IV. MEETING AGENDA APPROVED AS PRESENTED Member Brindle made a motion, seconded by Member Fischer, to approve the meeting agenda as presented. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Brindle, Fischer, Staunton, Hovland Motion carried. V. COMMUNITY COMMENT No one appeared. VI. PUBLIC HEARINGS HELD– Affidavits of Notice presented and ordered placed on file. VI.A. RESOLUTION NO. 2020-129, CREEK KNOLL A&B NEIGHBORHOOD ROADWAY RECONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENT NO. BA-459 – CONTINUED TO DECEMBER 15, 2020 Engineering Director Millner stated staff initiated this project and proposed to reconstruct Abbott Place, Beard Avenue, Beard Court, Drew Avenue, Ewing Circle, Fuller Street, and West 55th Street, as well as West 54th Street within the cities of Edina and Minneapolis. The overall project cost was estimated at $3,870,931 and funding would be a combination of special assessments, City Utility and Pedestrian and Cyclists Safety (PACS) funds. Mr. Millner said staff analyzed the project and determined the project was necessary, cost-effective, and feasible from an engineering standpoint. He reviewed the general schedule, assessment policy, Statute 429, and bike/ped master plan. Mr. Millner reviewed the pavement condition index then outlined the 299 properties in the Melody Lake A&B, Grandview A and Birchcrest C projects and the 113 properties in the Creek Knoll A&B neighborhoods. He spoke about recall resident petitions and input from the quality of life survey which included convenience, accessibility, and walkability of the City. Assistant City Engineer Ditzler shared about the Creek Knoll A&B neighborhood roadway reconstruction in detail that included existing watermain conditions, proposed watermain and sanitary sewer improvements, then reviewed the existing sanitary sewer and storm sewer conditions. He reviewed existing roadway conditions and proposed improvements with scope of work and traffic circles at Beard and Drew Avenues. He spoke about how the project would match the Living Streets Plan and existing sidewalk plan with a proposed sidewalk on France and Beard Avenues. Mr. Ditzler shared a petition against the Beard Avenue sidewalk but that staff recommended its installation based on the pedestrian and bicycle master plan. He shared the 113 properties or 115.77 REUs cost of $15,300 per REU and compared the cost/benefit by property. Minutes/Edina City Council/December 7, 2020 Page 2 The Council asked questions regarding underground utilities connections between Minneapolis and Edina, clarified Ewing Circle would remain at 31 feet, and suggested the width be 27 feet instead as curb and gutter would likely be damaged as part of the proposed project. The Council inquired about Beard Avenue street widths as a way to decrease impervious surfaces and current center line of street to fit for both sides of the street. Mr. Ditzler responded there would be no connections of sanitary sewer services and no cost sharing involved but would occur for storm sewer for respective drainage areas. He said the storm sewer would not be extended because the area was all private property and contained no easements. The Council confirmed staff was comfortable with storm water management strategies for the homes on Beard Avenue and asked when traffic data was measured based on changed traffic patterns due to the current pandemic. Mayor Hovland opened the public hearing at 7:08 p.m. Public Testimony Jennifer Schaidler, 3709 West Fuller Street, addressed the Council. Terri Ford, 3501 West 54th Street and 5400 Beard Avenue, addressed the Council. Amy Barger, 5405 Beard Avenue, addressed the Council. Chris Soper, 3505 West 55th Street, addressed the Council. Molly Wurst, 3501 Fuller Street, addressed the Council. Bill Fullerton, 5405 Beard Avenue, addressed the Council. Lucy Klos, 5413 Abbott Place, addressed the Council. Kim Zander, 3500 West 55th Street, addressed the Council. Jane Walsh, 5401 Beard Avenue, addressed the Council. Carolyn Wilson, 3225 West 54th Street, addressed the Council. Brian Higgins, 5501 Beard Court, addressed the Council. Cathy Hughes, 5400 Beard Avenue, addressed the Council. Michelle Schelp, 5407 Abbott Place, addressed the Council. Kennon Jaeger, 5423 Abbott Place, addressed the Council. Brandon Ford, 3501 West 54th Street, addressed the Council. Member Staunton left the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Member Fischer made a motion, seconded by Member Brindle, to extend public hearing to noon on December 9, 2020, and take final action on Resolution No. 2020-129, ordering improvement for Creek Knoll A&B Neighborhood Roadway Reconstruction, BA-459 at the December 15, 2020, meeting. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Brindle, Fischer, Staunton, Hovland Motion carried. Minutes/Edina City Council/December 7, 2020 Page 3 Staff answered questions raised during the public hearing regarding power pole placement based on review of truck turning movements, drainage concerns at 3225 West 54th Street, ways to protect the properties, snow removal concerns, and the potential of changing snow drop locations should the sidewalk be installed and sidewalk extensions on Beard Court. The Council reviewed the tree removal plan and sidewalk reconstruction south of the creek, the proposed sidewalk at Beard Avenue south of Fuller Street, then discussed the potential fence along the retaining wall to assist in providing safety for potentially vulnerable residents in the area. Mr. Ditzler spoke about the addition of the concrete sidewalk and pervious surface improvements and how sidewalks were not considered impervious as long as grass boulevard was included. Mr. Millner said staff would return to Council with further responses to concerns raised this evening and until the public hearing closed on December 9, 2020. VI.B. RESOLUTION NO. 2020-130, MELODY LAKE A&B, GRANDVIEW A, BIRCHCREST C NEIGHBORHOOD ROADWAY RECONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENT NO. BA-457 – CONTINUED TO DECEMBER 15, 2020 Project Engineer Gerk said staff initiated this project and proposed to reconstruct Bernard Place, Code Avenue, Dale Avenue, Eastview Drive, Grove Street, Hansen Road, Josephine Avenue, Melody Lane, Melody Lake Drive, Tingdale Avenue, Windsor Avenue, West 56th Street, West 57th Street, West 58th Street and West 59th Street. The overall project cost was estimated at $16,361,168 and funding would be a combination of special assessments, City Utility and Pedestrian and Cyclists Safety (PACS) funds. He said staff analyzed the project and determined the project was necessary, cost-effective, and feasible from an engineering standpoint. He said the project scope included 299 properties then reviewed existing conditions and proposed improvements, commented about Dale Avenue flood risk concerns and proposed reduction plans that included increased pipe size from Dale Avenue to the east. He reviewed the existing roadway conditions, left and right turn lanes, the intent to reconstruct the Hansen Road railroad crossing, and the proposal for sidewalk on the west side of Hansen Road to Normandale Road. Mr. Gerk spoke about the pedestrian and bicycle master plan guiding principles and connectivity for everyone then spoke about the proposed sidewalks east of Code Avenue and existing conditions in the right of way include landscaping. He then reviewed estimated project costs of $7.2 million in special assessments. Mr. Millner reviewed the special assessments assigned to benefiting properties and REUs with estimated assessment estimates of $24,200 per REU increased from $19,000 and project schedule then commented how Statute allowed Council to continue improvement hearing for six months. City Attorney Kendall summarized the ability to continue this matter for six months prior to ordering the project unless higher cost were realized then outlined options regarding costs. The Council spoke about subsoils and the need to equalize in the same manner as curb and gutter, the cost of assessment per household, and the two timelines. Mr. Millner noted $7,000 would be added per REU. The Council asked questions regarding street widths, driveway accesses, results from the Task Force, and how ordering of the project could be delayed. Mr. Millner explained options such as the ability to provide more information that included updated bidding documents, return in April based on estimates, and how the Task Force could have policy recommendations in place to move forward for possible conclusion in 2022. Mayor Hovland opened the public hearing at 8:53 p.m. Tom LaForce, 5901 Tingdale Avenue, addressed the Council. Tom Forker, 5109 W. 56th Street, addressed the Council. Kevin Bohrer, 5605 Dale Avenue, addressed the Council. Minutes/Edina City Council/December 7, 2020 Page 4 Ruth Ann Metzger, 5600 Dale Avenue, addressed the Council. David Preis, 5816 Hansen Road, addressed the Council. Judith Hawley, 5013 W. 56th Street, addressed the Council. Gregory Keane, 5105 W. 56th Street, addressed the Council. Bob Vose, 5817 Eastview Drive, addressed the Council. Chris Rofidal, 5037 W. 56th Street, addressed the Council. Member Staunton returned to the meeting at 9:16 p.m. Member Staunton made a motion, seconded by Member Fischer, to extend the public hearing to noon on December 9, 2020, and take final action on Resolution No. 2020-130, ordering improvement for Melody Lake A&B, Grandview A, Birchcrest C Neighborhood Roadway Reconstruction, Improvement No. BA-457 at the December 15, 2020, meeting. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Brindle, Fischer, Staunton, Hovland Motion carried. The Council discussed questions raised during public testimony regarding land needed for proposed sidewalks. Mr. Gerk confirmed all land was within the City right-of-way and accessibility was included in the proposed project with connectivity for people of all abilities and ensured sidewalks connected. Mr. Millner explained the process regarding sidewalk funding and creation of the PACS and explained the City only removed snow on sidewalks along MSA and active routes to schools. Mr. Neal commented on the historical context of the fund, surveys conducted, and snow removal comments. The Council asked about reasons not to support Option 3. Mr. Gerk replied there were not a lot of options to support pavement on one side with the ped bike master plan as on street was not necessarily safer with no additional benefit for individuals with low vision. The Council on the costs of sidewalks not assessed and paid for from PACS fund then asked questions regarding shared paths on 56th Avenue. Mr. Millner responded future project funding would be different with no date set. The Council asked about the Creek Knoll project and street grade increases. Mr. Gerk replied the grade would be increased in order to obtain better drainage. VII. ADJOURNMENT Member Fischer made a motion, seconded by Member Brindle, to adjourn the meeting at 9:49 p.m. Rollcall: Ayes: Anderson, Brindle, Fischer, Staunton, Hovland Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Sharon Allison, City Clerk Minutes approved by Edina City Council, January 5, 2021. James B. Hovland, Mayor Video Copy of the December 7, 2020, meeting available.