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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-08-21 Minutes1 MINUTES OF CITY OF EDINA, MINNESOTA TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION COMMUNITY ROOM AUGUST 21, 2014 6:00 P.M. ROLL CALL Answering roll call were members Bass, Boettge, Iyer, Janovy, LaForce, Olson, and Whited. ABSENT Members Nelson, Sierks, Spanhake, and Van Dyke. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA Motion was made by member Janovy and seconded by member LaForce to approve the meeting agenda. All voted aye. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF JULY 17, 2014 Motion was made by member LaForce and seconded by member Whited to approve the amended minutes of July 17, 2014. All voted aye. Motion carried. COMMUNITY COMMENT Mr. Troy Paulsen, 5116 Juanita Avenue, spoke regarding the proposed Arden Park D Neighborhood Roadway Reconstruction scheduled for 2015. Mr. Paulsen said he did not want the road diet which includes narrowing the road width, traffic calming measures, pedestrian network (sidewalk), streetscape enhancements, stormwater best management practice is too soon to know, premature to Living Streets concepts in 2015 because the plan is still being developed. He asked why some elements of Living Streets were being applied to Arden Park D but not to other neighborhoods. He said there is an element of risk in developing and applying the plan at the same time and City Council pulling the sidewalks is a good example. Regarding resident engagement, he said there was a questionnaire but it does not appear that residents are being included. REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS 2015 Valley View Road Reconstruction Update Mr. Andy Plowman with WSB presented the Valley View Road Reconstruction plan. Mr. Plowman said the project limit from McCauley Trail to Mark Terrace is a section of State Aid roadway and currently there are no curb and gutter, sidewalk, bike lanes, or parking lane. The road width is 28-30-ft. and it has two curves signed for 15 mph and 20 mph, respectively that do not meet State Aid standards. Mr. Plowman said the proposed design includes adding curb and gutter, two 5-ft. bike lanes (designated a primary bike route), sidewalk on one side with a 3-ft. boulevard planted with daylilies because they are drought tolerant, and two 11-ft. driving lanes. At Valley View Road and Braemar Blvd, the curve would become a roundabout without needing additional right-of-way. The other curve will remain a curve and properly signed at 20 mph because of right- of-way impacts (a variance will be needed for the 20 mph). Resident engagement included an open house and questionnaire. Discussion Regarding adding streetlights, Mr. Plowman said streetlights would be installed at the roundabout and intersections. He said they could consider surveying residents again but some residents do not want streetlights in their yard. Member Janovy said if adding sidewalk it is generally nice to add streetlights. Mr. Plowman was asked how the roundabout would be delineated for cyclists and he said it would be signed ‘share-the-road’ with colored pavement to delineate where cyclists should be. Mr. Plowman was asked if stop signs could be used in place of the roundabout 2 and he said the current configuration has a stop sign and it does not meet State Aid standard. Chair Bass added that the intersection currently functions like a roundabout so adding one would be a safety improvement. It was suggested that staff consider revising the questionnaire that is sent to residents to include an explanation why sidewalk was being recommended in hopes of getting better responses. Seeking input from a broader area was also suggested (input is currently sought from residents directly on the street where the sidewalk is to be added). Chair Bass said she lives in the area and is pleased with the upgrades. She said there are many pedestrians and while the roadway is dark and curvy she is sensitive to adding too much ambient light but pedestrian scale lighting would not infringe. She added that if the Southwest Light Rail is constructed she believe traffic volume will increase in the area because the only station is close by so the upgrades for all modes of transportation is good. She asked if the existing tree in the middle of the intersection would be preserved and city engineer Millner said according to the City’s forester it is declining so probably not. She suggested planting a replacement tree. Continuing, chair Bass said traveling down Dewey Hill Road, the sidewalk will be a big improvement and she asked planner Nolan if money could be budgeted in the PACS Fund in a future year for adding a crossing aid of some type at Dewey Hill Road and Valley View Road. She asked if any consideration was given to a protected bike facility like a bi- directional lane separated by a rumble strip (instead of the bike lanes) because this route is used by many students going to Valley View Middle School. Mr. Plowman said they did not look at this and city engineer Millner added that the footprint would need to be wider because they would need to include a reaction lane which is an extra 10-ft and this would require a variance. She recommended that in the future, they consider all options especially in areas that are close to schools and Planner Nolan added that what they install now should be envisioned for the future which would mean looking at Valley View Road all the way to Gleason Road. Member Janovy said they did not see the questionnaire results or residents’ correspondences and they’ve talked about making revisions to the questionnaire to make sure they are hearing sooner and more fully from residents. Member Iyer asked if staff would be showing them the streetlights’ styles at a later date. City engineer Millner said everything will be in the feasibility report that they will receive in a couple months. 2015 Neighborhood Reconstruction Projects Assistant city engineer Patrick Wrase was introduced to the ETC and he presented the 2015 neighborhood reconstruction projects. The neighborhood projects presented were Countryside H, Prospect Knolls B and Dewey Hill G. He said Arden Park D is also scheduled for 2015 but is being handled by a consultant and would be presented at a later date. Assistant city engineer Wrase said improvements will include the asphalt pavement, selective replacement of curb and gutter, new hydrants and gate valves, sanitary sewer spot repairs, storm sewer repairs, and new sump pump drain line. Sidewalk is proposed for Countryside H based on the Active Routes to School (ARTS) plan. Regarding selective replacement of curb and gutter, member Olson said the old and new looks like patch work when it is completed and asked what the savings was from doing it this way. City engineer Millner said their rule of thumb is if 50% or more of the curb and gutter is in bad shape everything is replaced or if it is a watermain driven project, otherwise it would be expensive to replace everything. Member Janovy said residents’ value aesthetics so staff should consider replacing everything if cost is not too unreasonable. He said curb and gutter is funded from the Storm Sewer Fund and it would be very costly. Discussion ensued about the placement of the sidewalk in the Countryside H project area. Member Janovy thought they had prior discussion about adding the sidewalk to the school or park side. Planner Nolan said there are fewer impacts on the school and park side but the trips are generated on the side where the houses are. A combination of east/west sidewalk might be better. Staff is still evaluating placement. Member Bass asked if staff knew where the children on Vernon Lane attended school. She said the ETC talked about making connections when possible to make it easier for students to be able to walk/bike and since Merold Drive is 3 being constructed she asked if it would be possible to create a path to Vernon Lane. Member LaForce said the connection would be good for all pedestrians in the area to be able access Bredesen Park. Staff will check to see if there is an existing easement. Member LaForce asked why Arden Park D was not presented and city engineer Millner said they are still looking at utility design, sidewalks and another public meeting. Member LaForce asked why the sidewalks went to City Council and bypassed the ETC and Mr. Millner said City Council asked about the sidewalks at last council meeting and current vehicle counts does not warrant sidewalks so they voted to remove them. Staff is still planning to reduce the roadway width from 30-ft to 27-ft (the standard width). He said this neighborhood is a watermain driven project so the entire curb and gutter will be replaced and this gives them the opportunity to narrow the roadway width. Member Janovy said it was brought up earlier that this neighborhood is being treated differently and it seems like it is because the curb and gutter is being replaced. Mr. Millner agreed and added that it is also because they knew the Living Streets policy would be approved and at an earlier workshop they sought City Council’s input to implement elements of the plan and they were in favor. 2015 Transportation Commission Work Plan Chair Bass said they plan to approve the work plan in September. After review and discussion, survey/questionnaire will be added to the ETC’s work plan for standardization, creating a comprehensive way of getting feedback, surveying a broader area and determining how the feedback will be used. “Respect is a Two-Way Street” Street Safety Campaign Planner Nolan said the campaign proposal was developed by staff that included engineering, police, communications and administration, and they would like the ETC’s feedback. Discussion Member Boettge liked the idea of involving everyone – pedestrians, bikers, and drivers; but questioned the use of a slogan like “Try It, You’ll Like It.” She prefers positive messages. Member LaForce said respect goes both ways but there seem to be an emphasis on bikers starting immediately on page one. He does not think they should be telling people how to feel or think; instead the focus should be on behaviors. Chair Bass said she appreciated the effort to respond to an identifiable need that is on their work plan and agreement among staff that they need to create a culture of respect among motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians. She also appreciated the steps taken by staff in breaking down silos and coming together to have this discussion. However, she expressed disappointment because in June, the ETC delayed setting goals and instead discussed identifying who should be involved and at a minimum, it should be a joint effort with the school district. She said the ARTS plan that was recently approved recommends this and involvement by key stakeholders will help to create a stronger campaign. Additionally, she said the proposal states that it is for all users but there is no mention of pedestrians. She said there seem to be a preoccupation with the interaction between motorists and bicyclists and while this is important, pedestrians are the most vulnerable users. Finally, the principle focus of the proposal is educating on behavior, and it seemed aligned with teaching everyone rules but this is not the only stated goal. She said it is filled with messages and tactics and no strategy and she is not able offer comments on the proposal because it is nowhere near what it should be. Member Olson said having been involved since 2008 with Bike Edina, it is tremendous progress that needs to be fine- tuned. Member Janovy agreed but said some of the information is inaccurate and does not reflect a clear understanding of the law and expectations. She said if people do not know the subject matter they are trying to communicate, they should not be communicating it. She said some messages are not in the law and they differentiate from those 4 required. She agreed there seemed to be a preoccupation with bicyclists but not a good one and pedestrians are more vulnerable. She said they are missing collaboration with the community who can contribute. Overall, she is happy that something is being done but it needs to be different. Member Iyer said this needs to be a big scale campaign involving the school district, Chamber of Commerce, etc. He suggested using a consultant to develop it. Motion was made by member Iyer and seconded by member LaForce to reassess the goals and collaborative effort needed for an effective campaign and involve stakeholders including the ETC, school district, business community and Bloomington Public Health in the reassessment and subsequent planning. Member LaForce asked if they knew what would work. He said it is easy to say what they don’t want but are they ready or able to say what they want. Chair Bass said other examples are available that they can review and then decide if they need a consultant’s help, but for sure stakeholders need to be involved. All vote aye. Motion carried. Updates Student Members - None Bike Edina Working Group – Minutes of July 10, 2014 Member Janovy said the publisher of ‘Have Fun Biking’ attended their meeting and asked for feedback on best biking routes and people can email her with their best routes. Biking in parking lots discussion will be added to the September agenda. Living Streets Working Group – None Communications Committee – None CORRESPONDENCE AND PETITIONS Member Janovy said the City Council receives transportation related communications that the ETC does not get. She said residents assume they are getting them. Planner Nolan said he does not get them either unless addressed to him directly or the ETC. She said this may put them at a disadvantage. CHAIR AND COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS Member LaForce said he was surprised to see the Tracy Avenue Bridge over TH-62 under construction and he asked where are cars to stop on France Avenue relative to the intersection improvements. Planner Nolan said the work is near the bridge and its CenterPoint Energy doing emergency repairs to a gas line. Regarding the crossings on France Avenue, he said stop bars were not planned but staff will analyze this. Member Janovy said the France Avenue traffic signals are rusty and splattered with concrete. Mr. Plowman said Hennepin County is responsible for painting. She asked if the City could partner with them to spruce them up. Regarding planting daylilies in the boulevard, member Janovy asked if this would pose a problem for passengers exiting vehicles next to plantings. She asked if the Garden Club could check to see if there are other planting options. Member Boettge said member Janovy approached her about starting a Walk Edina Group and she is willing to do so and asked the process to get started. Member Whited asked about Xerxes Avenue and planner Nolan said he did not have an update but will check in with Hennepin County. Chair Bass reported that there is a section of sidewalk along Dewey Hill Road south of Lewis Park that is overgrown. 5 STAFF COMMENTS 2014 Project Update:  Countryside F and Strachauer Park B Neighborhoods are completed;  Morningside B Neighborhood Reconstruction – sidewalk is completed;  Todd Park F Neighborhood Reconstruction – Edina portion has started;  France Avenue Pedestrian Intersection Enhancement – stage 3 being constructed and street light contract was awarded;  Hazelton Road – the detour is still in place and sidewalk construction was started;  2014 Sidewalk Improvements – contract was awarded;  Advisory Communication – City Council directed staff to revise ordinance;  60th & Chowen area traffic study was submitted to University of MN for consideration as a capstone project; planner Nolan said member Spanhake is feels confident it will be picked and would be for the fall semester;  Conducting research to see how other cities handles repeated traffic safety requests;  Developing a Sign Reflective Policy to be completed by years end;  Developing an ADA transition plan; ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned. ATTENDANCE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION ATTENDANCE - 2014 NAME TERM J F * M A M J J A S O N D SM 2/27 S M 3/1 0 W S 3/18 # of Mtgs Attendance % Meetings/Work Sessions 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 9 Bass, Katherine 2/1/2017 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7 78% Boettge, Emily 2/1/2017 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 9 100% Iyer, Surya 2/1/2015 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 8 89% Janovy, Jennifer 2/1/2017 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 9 100% LaForce, Tom 2/1/2015 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 9 100% Nelson, Paul 2/1/2016 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 8 89% Olson, Larry 2/1/2016 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7 100% Sierks, Caroline student 1 1 1 3 33% Spanhake, Dawn 2/1/2016 1 1 1 1 1 5 71% Van Dyke, Jackson student 1 1 2 22% Whited, Courtney 2/1/2015 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7 78% *Cancelled due to weather Respectfully submitted, Sharon Allison, Secretary