Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-09-21 MinutesMINUTES OF THE Edina Transportation Commission Thursday, September 21, 2006 Edina City Hall 4801 West 50th Street Community Room MEMBERS PRESENT: Warren Plante, Jean White, Marc Usem, Geof Workinger, Joni Kelly Bennett, Dean Dovolis MEMBERS ABSENT: Les Wanninger, Marie Thorpe STAFF PRESENT: Wayne Houle, Sharon Allison I. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6:10 p.m. by chair Bennett. II. Old Business a. NTMP Update Houle said an NTMP request was received in February 2006 to address speeding on Wooddale Avenue between 50th and 56th Streets. Houle said installing a speed sign monitor was discussed in a previous meeting and he suggested installing it for a period of six months. Houle said a newer and smaller model speed sign can be purchased for about $4,000 to $8,000. Houle said the residents in the impacted area will be surveyed in October to get their feedback. Bennett requested that the ETC gets a copy of the survey; Workinger recommended a sign that is unnoticeable as possible. No formal action was taken Houle updated the ETC on the Assistant City Engineer’s position. He said staff expects to begin interviewing candidates in about two weeks. No formal action was taken. b. West 70th Street Corridor Traffic Study Discussion was postponed until next meeting. Houle said week-long data counts have began. No formal action was taken. III. New Business a. Web Streaming Laura Fulton from the City’s Communications Department was invited by Houle to explain web streaming. Fulton explained that web streaming is used to re-broadcast city meetings that are videotaped. The meetings can be viewed online at www.cityofedina.com at anytime and the program allows viewers to select the agenda item that is of interest to them without having to watch an entire meeting. Currently, only the City Council and Planning Commission meetings are videotaped. Houle said web streaming is a tool that is available in addition to the meeting minutes. No formal action was taken. 2 b. Concern of residents Houle said Council has asked that all boards and commissions add ‘Concern of residents’ to their agenda for every meeting. Houle asked the ETC to discuss how they would like to handle this agenda item. The following motion was made after discussion: Dovolis moved that ‘Concern of residents’ be permanently placed on the agenda after completion of preliminary business from 6:15 to 6:30 p.m. and each speaker is allowed 3 minutes. Bennett amended the motion to include giving discretionary power to the chair to set and adjust the time limit as needed. The amendment was accepted by Dovolis. The motion was seconded by Plante. All voted aye. Motion carried. IV. Approval of Minutes a. Special Meeting, July 31, 2006 Workinger moved to approve the minutes of July 31, 2006. Seconded by Plante. All voted aye. Motion carried. b. Regular Meeting, August 17, 2006 Dovolis moved to approve the corrected minutes of August 17, 2006. Seconded by Workinger. All voted aye. Motion carried. c. Special Meeting, September 7, 2006 Dovolis moved to approve the corrected minutes of September 7, 2006, subject to clarification of the sidewalk on W. 44th still being a part of the plan. Seconded by White. All voted aye. Motion carried. V. Planning Commission Update (Commissioner Workinger) Workinger reported that the Planning Commission reviewed final development plans for two projects: TCF Bank, located north of Southdale and an out lot by Braemar Golf Course. VI. Open Discussion Interlachen/Blake Bike Trail: Houle reported that plans are on hold for about two weeks until the Mayor, City Manager and he can meet to discuss how to proceed after the Met Council denied the City Council’s revised plans. The City Council had suggested a 4-5 ft. lane on both sides of the roadway after strong resistance to the original design was received from residents who felt the trail was encroaching onto their property. CP Rail Trail: Houle reported that they met with CP Rail staff and discussed the feasibility of a trail along the railroad. CP Rail staff said the trail was too close to the railroad and poses a liability. Additionally, they are expecting increased usage on that particular rail fairly soon. Houle said this was conveyed to the City Council. Southwest Transit Line: White said if all goes well, this line could be built by 2015. Houle said the next meeting agenda will include the I-169 and Valley View Road project and a Mn/DOT staff will attend to explain the project; the agenda will also include formation of the West 70th Street Corridor Traffic Study Advisory Committee. Houle said the NE Edina Traffic Study final report will be on the City Council’s agenda October 17. 3 Houle said the Planning Commission is the process of hiring a consulting firm to develop the City’s Comprehensive Plan. They are expected to recommend a firm next week. Houle said he would like to involve the ETC once the RFP is written for the transportation portion of the Plan. He said developing the Plan will include a huge public process. Workinger reported that a new Planning Director has been hired and he will begin on October 2. A memo was received from a resident who is interested in serving on the Study Advisory Committee (SAC) for the West 70th Street Corridor Traffic Study. Bennett reported that ridership of MTC’s buses have increased in Edina such that they’re now using an articulated bus on one of their routes. She said when Park & Ride comes up again for discussion she would like the ETC to consider a plan that gets riders to walk to the bus instead of driving and parking. VII. Concerns of Resident Dan Giedd, 4208 West 70th Street, said the West 70th Street Homeowners Association would like to have a representative on the West 70th Street Corridor Traffic Study SAC. VIII. Adjournment Dovolis moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Plante. All voted aye. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for October 19, 2006, 6-8:00 p.m. in the Community Room, City Hall.