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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993 08-02 CCM Special Work Session MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA SPECIAL WORK SESSION AUGUST 2, 1993 CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in special work session and was called to order by Mayor Todd Paulson at 7:05 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Todd Paulson, Councilmembers Celia Scott, Barb Kalligher and Kristen Mann. Councilmember Dave Rosene was excused from tonight's meeting. Also present were Director of Public Works Sy Knapp, Director of Community Development Brad Hoffman and Council Secretary Debbie Wolfe. STAFF REPORT REGARDING PARK & RIDE SITES The Director of Public Works introduced representatives from MTC - Aaron Isaacs and Scott Thompson, and representatives from Strgar- Roscoe - Fausch - Tim Phenow and Ferrol Robinson; who will answer questions from the Council and assist with additional information for the presentation. The Director of Public Works reviewed for the Council a report providing responses to the issues raised at the June 28, 1993, public hearing including analyses of optional locations suggested at that hearing, a letter from Aaron Isaacs of the MTC, a letter from Mary A. Olsen, a resident within the project area, and a traffic count and turning movement study information as developed by Engineering staff. Strgar- Roscoe - Fausch presented traffic analyses and several new plan layouts. The Director of Public Works reported there were 16 issues raised by citizens who spoke at the June 28, 1993, public hearing, along with staff comments as follows: Issue No. 1 - What would be the tax impact of the Park and Ride facility? Why retire taxable property? Total Property Taxes Paid in 1993 Storm Water Pond (6 properties) $ 10,659.72 Park & Ride Site (9 properties) 19,348.34 Total $ 30,008.06 8/2/93 - 1 - The Director of Public Works explained if only the storm water pond is built, staff assumes the City needs to buy five homes and the four acre vacant parcel. If the Park and Ride facility is also built, MTC would share in the costs of buying one of those five homes. The Director of Public Works stated these properties are now in a transitional stage and without government involvement, this area can be expected to continue to deteriorate over an extended period of time. It is expected that any plan for redevelopment by private developers would need to be subsidized by TIF or some other public funds. The decision to "retire taxable property" is one which must sometimes be made when it is found to be the most cost - effective way to provide a needed public facility. Councilmember Kalligher questioned the number of properties that needed to be purchased. The Director of Public Works responded five properties would have to be purchased by the City and the remaining one property would be a joint purchase with MTC. Councilmember Kalligher asked if MTC would pay for acquisition cost, relocation, and engineering costs associated with the Park & Ride. The Director of Public Works responded MTC would cover these costs. Issue No. 2 - What will be the impact on property values for surrounding properties? The Director of Public Works stated the answer will be the result of how carefully the project is designed, constructed, and operated. MTC has requested the City to take the lead to acquire the properties, develop plans, and supervise construction. The City will design and build the facilities to be "good neighbors" with adjacent properties. Councilmember Kalligher asked if the facility would be similar to the one on 69th Avenue. The Director of Public Works said it would and a video tape is available for Council viewing, this evening if they wish to see the type of site that would be constructed. Issue No. 3 - Existing traffic problems on 65th Avenue (traffic volume, back -up from signals, accidents, etc.) The Director of Public Works reported during the week of July 19, 1993, traffic volume counts were taken on 65th Avenue - just west of 65th Avenue and on 65th Avenue between Marlin Drive and Indiana Avenue. He further reported the average daily traffic at these locations was 3,564 and 3,404, respectively. Turning movement counts were also taken for all vehicles making the eastbound approach to the Brooklyn Boulevard /65th Avenue signal system during A.M. and P.M. peak hours. There was no stacking on 65th Avenue to northbound Brooklyn Boulevard due to ramp buildup. All vehicles cleared intersection at each cycle. 8/2/93 -2- Issue No. 4 - Traffic impacts (volume,congestion, safety, etc) of Park and Ride operation. Ferrol Robinson from Strgar- Roscoe- Fausch (SRF) presented an analysis of the traffic impacts as a result of the study conducted. Mr. Robinson stated 60% of the traffic is within a one hour peak period in the morning and evening. Councilmember Scott asked where the space for the extra turn lane would come from. The Director of Public Works responded it is part of the plan developed with Hennepin County and MTC. The Park & Ride facility would be moved slightly to make room for the extra lane. Councilmember Kalligher asked if there was a plan for an extra lane if the Park & Ride facility was not built. The Director of Public Works responded Hennepin County may add one in the future but the City would have to pay half the cost. Councilmember Scott asked if the street was wide enough for buses to make the corner. Aaron Isaacs from MTC stated the location of the proposed Park & Ride facility allows enough space for buses to make the turns. He added MTC does not try to put its drivers in difficult positions. Issue No. 5 - Because of high traffic volumes "...Brooklyn Blvd is not the right place for single family homes..." (noting safety problems, air pollution, noise levels, etc.). The Director of Public Works asserted alternative full development based on existing zoning would create more traffic, congestion, air pollution, and noise than the proposed Park and Ride facility. Issue No. 6 - If Park and Ride is "too successful" the overflow could cause a new set of problems. The Director of Public Works stated while it is possible that the demand for Park and Ride parking spaces may exceed the capacity of the lot, Park and Ride patrons are "repeat customers" who are fully aware of conditions on a day to day basis. He added as one facility becomes filled up, patrons find other options so this would be a self-monitoring /self- controlling issue. Councilmember Kalligher asked if patrons would be allowed to park on City streets if the lot was full. The Director of Public Works responded with the six hour parking restrictions it would not work for most patrons to park on the street and they would probably stop parking on the street if they are given one ticket. Issue No. 7- Various questions regarding bus traffic patterns: i.e. the ability of MTC buses to maneuver through the proposed facility, to turn onto 65th Avenue, delays through the 65th Avenue/Brooklyn Boulevard intersection and onto the HOV ramp. 8/2/93 - 3 - The Director of Public Works pointed out MTC and SRF have a great deal of experience in developing plans for Park & Ride facilities and MTC staff is confident this plan will work well. He added Hennepin County Public Works staff has advised they are able to reprogram signals to give higher priority to approaches where buses from Park & Ride facilities enter. Regarding the ability of buses to enter the HOV ramp, the Director of Public Works stated some minor geometric changes were (and are) included in the proposed design layout, and will be completed by HcDOT or MnDOT if this proposed facility is built. Issue No. 8 - Size of Park and Ride facility (i.e. 200 -235 spaces). The Director of Public Works explained MTC would prefer a plan with 235 spaces, but states their minimum need is for 200 spaces. Issue No. 9 - Possible increase in crime, vandalism, etc. (Note: the speaker assumed that the Park and Ride facility would be so heavily screened from Brooklyn Boulevard, that it could not be seen or monitored from Brooklyn Boulevard). The Public Works Director noted plan modifications have been made to assure the proposed facility can be seen and monitored from Brooklyn Boulevard. Brooklyn Park Police Chief Don Davis and Director of Service Dave Johnson reported they have experienced very few problems with crime or vandalism at the two Park & Ride facilities in Brooklyn Park. Councilmember Kalligher asked if there would be a public phone at the Park & Ride lot and Aaron Isaacs responded MTC always tries to put a public phone in Park & Ride lots. Issue No. 10 - What assurance do citizens have that plantings and landscape berms will actually be completed and that they will be properly maintained? The Director of Public Works stated the City will have an opportunity to assure proper design and supervise construction. He pointed out MTC has established a record for high - level maintenance of their facilities. Councilmember Kalligher suggested photographs be provided at the next public hearing to show residents what the proposed project would look like. Issue No. 11 - Objections to possible commercial use (for convenience store - or daycare facility) on the Park & Ride site. The Director of Public Works explained no decisions on commercial use have been made and MTC favors this concept because it could provide services to MTC patrons and to the neighborhood, provide revenue to help pay the costs for maintaining the facility, provide some level" of on -site monitoring and has the possibility of having the tenant provide maintenance, snow plowing, sweeping, etc. services. 8/2/93 -4- Councilmember Scott asked about the commercial use. She stated if it was acceptable to the Council it would be nice to have a commercial use included such as a daycare center. She believes a daycare center would be better than any other type of use. The Community Development Director stated the decision for commercial use would have to be made prior to construction. Aaron Isaacs stated MTC is in favor of a daycare center and MTC would consider a price reduction on the land. Councilmember Scott added there is a shortage of daycare available in the northern suburbs and this would be a good location. Issue No. 12 - Previous request (15 years ago) for stop signs at 65th /Indiana was denied. The Director of Public Works reported the traffic counts do not justify a stop sign. Councilmember Kalligher added possibly a stop sign could be used as a bargaining issue in this area. Issue No. 13 - House(s) on 65th Avenue have been hit by vehicles. The Director of Public Works stated the City has not been able to get details on this accident(s). Issue No. 14 - Alternate site suggestions. The Director of Public Works stated five other sites were suggested by residents but the proposed site was found to be most acceptable by MTC and City staff. Issue No. 15 - Notices were sent only to those property owners within 300 feet of the proposed site. The Director of Public Works explained the City's policy concerning codes and ordinances for proposed zoning code amendments, site plan approval, etc. was followed for notification of residents. He added in the future those residents who signed the petition, or who spoke and identified themselves at the public hearing will also be added to the notification list. Mayor Paulson requested notice of the public hearing also be put in the newspaper. Issue No. 16 - Need for a timely decision. The Director of Public Works stated staff agrees a decision should be made as soon as possible so property owners and tenants know what their status is, and the City and MTC can schedule the implementation plan. He added MTC would like completion by 1994. 8/2/93 -5 - The Director of Public Works stated staff would like Council direction to hold another public informational meeting to present residents with updated information and answer any questions. He suggested holding the meeting sometime in August as more meetings may have to be scheduled. Councilmember Scott suggested staff have good plans to show the residents so they can get a good idea of what the Park & Ride site will actually look like. The Council agreed to have staff . ut this item on the agenda for the next Council meeting. P g g BROOKLYN BOULEVARD TASK FORCE The Community Development Director presented the need to discuss the appointment of a task force to work with BRW in the formulation of a streetscape plan for Brooklyn Boulevard. The proposal suggests a very short process. Staff suggests makeup of the task force include up to fifteen members. He stated members should be concerned with the northern part of Brooklyn Boulevard as well as the southern part and a good representation of business and residents should be included in the task force. He added staff proposes the following schedule for Council consideration: 1. Interested parties would submit their names by Thursday, August 12. 2. On Thursday evening, staff would prepare a list of all interested parties and submit a recommendation for Council consideration. 3. On Monday, August 16, the Council would discuss and appoint the task force (or at least a majority of the force) so work could proceed. 4. There would be a joint meeting with the Council, the task force, the Planning Commission, staff and BRW on the evening of August 18. The Community Development Director stated staff recommends the following individuals be considered: Dr. Duane Orn Northstar Dodge Representative Frank Slawson Larry Marofsky Lee Cook, Jr. Janis Blumenthals Dave Nelson Randy Rau Phyllis Plummer Bonnie Engler Bill Bartram Iten ChevroletBrookdale Pontiac The Council discussed this recommendation along with the list of current Brooklyn Boulevard Study Task Force Members and directed staff to contact the following individuals and determine their interest. Dr. Duane Orn Bonnie Engler Frank Slawson Dr. Munson Lee Cook, Jr. Diane Reem Dave Nelson Mark Holmes Phyllis Plummer Robert Mickelson Northstar Dodge Representative Janis Blumenthals 8/2/93 -6- Councilmember Kalligher stated Brooklyn Park has already formed their Brooklyn Boulevard Task Force. Councilmember Mann stated anyone listed would be an excellent choice. Mayor Paulson added it should also be open to the public to see if anyone else is interested and possibly those interested could apply over the telephone with City staff so appointments could be made by August 16. The Community Development Director stated August 18 is the date for the proposed meeting with the Planning Commission, City Council, staff, BRW, and the newly formed Task Force. He asked for Council approval that if anyone on the list shows interest they will be appointed to the task force. Councilmember Scott suggested Commissioners Reem, Holmes, and Mickelson be the representatives from the Planning Commission. Council consensus was reached to direct staff to contact those listed and bring back the list of those interested to the next meeting for Council appointment. ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Councilmember Kalligher and seconded by Councilmember Scott to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center City Council work session adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Deputy City Clerk Todd Paulson, Mayor Recorded and transcribed by: Debbie Wolfe Timesaver Off Site Secretarial 8/2/93 - 7 -