HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-12-09 Council Special Meeting MINUTES
OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
EDINA CITY COUNCIL
HELD AT CITY HALL
DECEMBER 9, 2014
6:00 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 6:09 p.m.
11. ROLLCALL
Answering rollcall were Members Bennett, Sprague, Swenson, and Mayor Hovland. Member Brindle entered
the meeting at 6:16 p.m.
111. MEETING AGENDA APPROVED
Member Bennett made a motion, seconded by Member Swenson, approving the meeting
agenda.
Ayes: Bennett, Sprague, Swenson, Hovland
Motion carried.
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS HELD—Affidavits of Notice presented and ordered placed on file.
Engineer Millner described the City's mission to sustain a safe and solid infrastructure to assure Edina
remained a preeminent community for its residents. He noted Minnesota State Statutes Chapter 429 allowed
the City to assess costs to residents. Mr. Millner explained that a typical single-family home would be assessed
one Residential Equivalent Unit (REU) and commercial properties would be assessed REU's based on gross
floor area and type of business. He said that Edina's improvement projects were funded through special
assessments, the City's utility funds, and the Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety Fund. Mr. Millner outlined the Living
Streets Policy and stated that some parts of the Policy would not be implemented at this time, such as curbs
and gutters, because of costs and differing life spans.
The Council asked whether some parts of the Living Street Policy would be implemented now. Mr. Millner
responded affirmatively that parts such as size of sidewalks, etc. would be implemented during reconstruction
projects.
IV.A. ARDEN PARK D NEIGHBORHOOD ROADWAY RECONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENT NO.
BA-412 —RESOLUTION NO. 2014-156—ADOPTED
Mr. Millner summarized the Arden Park D Neighborhood Roadway Reconstruction, Improvement No. BA-
412, that had been initiated by the City. Mr. Millner identified the project area, described existing conditions,
and the proposed rehabilitation of the sanitary sewer, storm sewer, water main, fire hydrants and gate valves,
and City-owned lights. The project involved reconstruction of the roadways including bituminous pavement
and concrete curb and gutter. Sidewalks were planned for Arden Avenue, West 52.d Street, and Minnehaha
Boulevard adjacent to a 24-foot curb-to-curb street width. Parking was proposed to be restricted to one side
of the roadways. The overall project cost was estimated at $8,235,000, which included City-owned utility
repairs and replacement.
Member Brindle arrived at 6:16 p.m.
The Council asked how much the cul-de-sacs were being reduced in size and about driveways on the cul-de-
sacs. Mr. Millner answered that the cu-de-sacs were being reduced by three to four feet and the City would
work with the property owners to mitigate impacts. Mr. Millner confirmed the City's equipment could only
maintain sidewalks that were at least 5 feet wide.
Mr. Millner shared petitions and letters received by the City including a petition against narrowing Juanita
Avenue and Indianola Avenue and another request for a sidewalk on the west side of Halifax Avenue. Mr.
Millner noted cost was the main factor concerning the sidewalk on Halifax Avenue. The Council asked if the
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Minutes/Edina City Council/December 9, 2014
road reconstruction was completed as recommended, would a sidewalk be feasible in the future. Toby Muse,
SEH, answered that a second sidewalk could be installed at a later date.
Mayor Hovland opened the public hearing at 7:25 p.m.
Public Testimony
Gary Gandrud, 80 South Eighth Street Minneapolis, addressed the Council.
Lawrence Swandby, 5124 Juanita Avenue, addressed the Council.
Donald Wenger, 5212 Halifax Avenue, addressed the Council.
John Wheaton, 5109 Arden Avenue, addressed the Council.
Troy Paulson, 5116 Juanita Avenue, addressed the Council.
Stephanie Vitt, 5216 Halifax Avenue, addressed the Council.
Cary Schilling, 5017 Bruce Avenue, addressed the Council.
Marie Pechman, 5316 Halifax Avenue, addressed the Council.
Douglas and Karen McElrath, 5026 Bruce Avenue, addressed the Council.
Kendra Lindahl, 105 South Fifth Avenue Suite 513 Minneapolis, addressed the Council.
Jack Meenan, 5300 Halifax Avenue, addressed the Council.
Janet Anderson, 5132 Indianola Avenue, addressed the Council.
Member Swenson made a motion, seconded by Member Sprague, to close the public hearing.
Ayes: Bennett, Brindle, Sprague, Swenson, Hovland
Motion carried.
The Council addressed issues raised during public testimony including parking along cul-de-sacs; water main
and pavement issues on Halifax Avenue that needed to be addressed; only replacing City-owned lights; four to
six signs per block according to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices; and, property value. Mr. Millner
answered a question concerning the pump house, indicating the City did not assess for the pump house as
advised by legal counsel. The Council discussed the Living Streets Policy, noting this was not something being
`tried out' in this neighborhood, but parts of the Plan were being implemented as it moved forward. Member
Swenson introduced and moved adoption of Resolution No. 2014-1 S6, Ordering Improvement
for Arden Park D Neighborhood Roadway Reconstruction, Improvement No. BA-412. Member
Bennett seconded the motion contingent upon a amending the motion to add the following revisions: to keep
the entire length of Minnehaha Boulevard at 24 feet wide with parking on the park side; and, to allow parking
on both sides of the 27-foot wide streets.
The Council discussed the revisions. Members Sprague and Swenson indicated they preferred the plan as
designed. Member Bennett withdrew her second. Member Sprague seconded the motion and
offered a friendly amendment to add the requirement to review how parking was functioning in one year.
Member Swenson accepted the friendly amendment offered by Member Sprague and called the
question.
Votes on calling the question.
Ayes: Bennett, Brindle, Sprague, Swenson, Hovland
Motion carried.
Votes on main motion.
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Minutes/Edina City Council/December 9, 2014
Rollcall:
Ayes: Brindle, Sprague, Swenson, Hovland
Nays: Bennett
Motion carried.
Member Sprague made a motion to approve the Sidewalk Plan as proposed. The Council noted that the
Sidewalk Plan had been approved with Improvement Plan No. BA-412. Member Sprague withdrew his motion.
The Council discussed lighting and how it would be funded in the future.
IV.B. COUNTRYSIDE H NEIGHBORHOOD ROADWAY RECONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENT NO.
BA-413—RESOLUTION NO. 2014-IS7—ADOPTED
Mr. Millner introduced new staff members Assistant City Engineer Wrase and Engineering Technician Scipioni.
Mr. Wrase summarized the Countryside H Neighborhood Roadway Reconstruction, Improvement No. BA-
413 that had been initiated by the City. He identified the project area, described existing conditions, and the
proposed rehabilitation of the sanitary sewer, upgrades to the storm sewer and water main systems, spot
repair of concrete curb and gutter, construction of new concrete sidewalks, and complete reconstruction of
bituminous pavement surfaces. The overall project cost was estimated at $3,880,180, which included City-
owned utility repairs and replacement. Funding for 100% of the roadway cost would be from a special
assessment. All City-owned utility improvements would be funded from the respective utility funds and
sidewalk improvements would be funded through the Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety Fund.
The Council asked how much curb would need to be replaced to justify replacing all of it. Mr. Wrase
responded approximately 50%. The Council asked about residents dealing with water pooling in the backyard.
Mr. Wrase replied that if water pooled in a backyard, it was considered a private drainage issue, but residents
could take advantage of the ability to hook sump pumps into the storm sewer system.
Mayor Hovland opened the public hearing at 9:30 p.m.
Public Testimony
Gary Lee, 5621 Wycliffe Road, addressed the Council.
Molly Urbanski, 5800 Stuart Avenue, addressed the Council.
Troy Paulson, 5116 Juanita Avenue, addressed the Council.
Member Swenson made a motion, seconded by Member Brindle, to close the public hearing.
Ayes: Bennett, Brindle, Sprague, Swenson, Hovland
Motion carried.
The Council discussed the 100-year event and new rainfall averages. Mr. described the new model being
developed called Atlas 14 that suggested 7.5-inches of rainfall versus the previous 6-inches of rainfall. Mr.
Wrase answered questions raised during public testimony including the diameter of storm water pipes, the
strength of different road types, coordination of street reconstruction with utility work, and metrics for
measuring run off. Member Sprague introduced and moved adoption of Resolution No. 2014-1 S7,
Ordering Improvement for Countryside H Neighborhood Roadway Reconstruction,
Improvement No. BA-413, with the addition of a Benton Avenue sidewalk from Stuart Avenue
to Tracy Avenue. Member Bennett seconded the motion.
Rollcall:
Ayes: Bennett, Brindle, Sprague, Swenson, Hovland
Motion carried.
IV.C. PROSPECT KNOLLS B NEIGHBORHOOD ROADWAY RECONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENT
NO. BA-414 —RESOLUTION NO. 2014-1 S8 ADOPTED
IV.D. DEWEY HILL G NEIGHBORHOOD ROADWAY RECONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENT NO.
BA-41S—RESOLUTION NO. 2014-I S9 ADOPTED
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Minutes/Edina City Council/December 9, 2014
Mr. Wrase summarized the Prospect Knolls B Neighborhood Roadway Reconstruction, Improvement No. BA-
414 and Dewey Hill G Neighborhood Roadway Reconstruction, Improvement No. BA-415, that had both been
initiated by the City. He identified the project areas, described existing conditions, and the proposed
rehabilitation of the sanitary sewer, upgrades to the storm sewer system and fire hydrants, spot repair of
concrete curb and gutter, and reconstruction of bituminous pavement surfaces. The overall project cost for
Prospect Knolls B was estimated at $874,720, which included City-owned utility repairs and replacement. The
overall project cost for Dewey Hill G was estimated at $1,058,035, which included City-owned utility repairs
and replacement. Funding for 100% of the roadway cost would be from a special assessment. All City-owned
utility improvements would be from the respective utility funds.
The Council asked what could be done to move storm water away from the homes in the Dewey Hill G
neighborhood, which was adjacent to a wetland. Mr. Wrase responded there would not be any changes to the
pond, but the new pipes would help to move the water away quicker.
Mayor Hovland opened the public hearing for both projects at 10:1 1 p.m.
Public Testimony
Troy Paulson, 51 16 Juanita Avenue, addressed the Council.
Member Swenson made a motion, seconded by Member Sprague, to close the public hearing.
Ayes: Bennett, Brindle, Sprague, Swenson, Hovland
Motion carried.
Mr. Millner answered a question raised during public testimony concerning how to quantify whether parking
on one side of the street was working. He shared that the City would conduct traffic monitoring and set up a
camera. Member Swenson introduced and moved adoption of Resolution No. 2014-158, Ordering
Improvement for Prospect Knolls B Neighborhood Roadway Reconstruction, Improvement No.
BA-414. Member Brindle seconded the motion.
Rollcall:
Ayes: Bennett, Brindle, Sprague, Swenson, Hovland
Motion carried.
Member Bennett introduced and moved adoption of Resolution No. 2014-159, Ordering
Improvement for Dewey Hill G Neighborhood Roadway Reconstruction, Improvement No. BA-
415. Member Brindle seconded the motion.
Rollcall:
Ayes: Bennett, Brindle, Sprague, Swenson, Hovland
Motion carried.
The Council discussed whether or not to assess the City for one REU for the lot that contained a pump
house. The Council thanked engineering staff for all of its hard work.
V. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business on the Council Agenda, Mayor Hovland declared the meeting adjourned at
10:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
UlY
Debra Ma en, City Clerk
Minutes approved by Edina City Council,January 6, 2015.
James B. Hovlan , Mayor
Video Copy of the December 9, 2014, meeting available.
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