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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-09-13 WSCITY OF LAKEVILLE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES December 9, 2013 Mayor Little called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. in the Marion Conference Room at City Hall. Members Present: Council Members Swecker, LaBeau, Anderson, and Davis, and Mayor Little Staff Present: Steve Mielke, City Administrator; Chris Petree, Public Works Director; Zach Johnson, City Engineer; Judi Hawkins, Deputy City Clerk 2. Citizen Comments There were no citizen comments. 3. CSAH 50 /CSAH 60 Intersection Design and Traffic Impact Study Brian Sorenson, Dakota County Assistant Engineer, was present to discuss the proposed Diverted Traffic Study in relation to the closure of County Roads 50 and 60 during the 2015 construction of the roundabout. Approximately 34,000 vehicles use the intersection on a daily basis. The purpose of the traffic study is to identify anticipated impacts of the closure and find solutions to minimize the impacts. Drivers who currently use the intersection as well as those who currently use the proposed alternate routes are certain to experience inconveniences. Mr. Sorenson stated that the intersection will be closed for about four months. Construction under traffic would result in the project taking much longer and would be very difficult due to the changes in grade. The designated alternate routes use county roadways and might not be the most convenient routes for everyone. It is expected that people will find a route that works best for them. Council members discussed several areas where traffic flow might be of concern. Mr. Mielke stated that the proposed study would help to determine what the potential impacts will be and what might be done in 2014 to minimize the impacts in 2015. Some upgrades and road projects might be necessary in advance of the 50/60 closure. Swecker suggested one of those projects might be the extension of Kenrick Ave., which would alleviate some of the congestion on CR 50. Sorenson believes adequate advance signage will be critical. The study will focus on routes which are expected to be impacted and develop a plan for improvements to mitigate those impacts. This could include traffic control changes such as temporary signals, and geometric improvements such as added turn City Council Work Session December 9, 2013 Page -2- lanes. Drivers who are familiar with local streets will likely use those routes even though they might not be the designated detour. Sorenson discussed possible closure of Joplin Avenue at the 188`h Street railroad crossing in order to prevent heavy traffic in the neighborhood. This would leave many people who live in the neighborhood with only one access, depending on what side of the railroad tracks they live on. The bank and clinic on the southwest side of 50/60 have requested a consistent access to avoid confusion for their customers. Mayor Little stated that if Joplin is left open for local traffic only, it needs to be strictly enforced in order to be fair to the residents. Mr. Sorenson added that the neighbors will be adversely affected with either additional traffic on their neighborhood streets, or the inconvenience of a detour. Council members were not comfortable with complete closure of 188th Street at Joplin Ave. by the railroad tracks and cutting off those residents' access, and would like to discuss it further with the study results. Mr. Sorenson clarified that the purpose of the study is to indicate the most likely routes that people will be using, how much traffic is expected on those routes, and how the closure will specifically impact various intersections. The cost of the study is approximately $15,000 to $20,000 and will be shared along with the rest of the project costs. Council Member LaBeau believes drivers will find their own way that best meets their needs. Mr. Johnson stated that it is difficult to anticipate what routes people will chose, but the study will focus on how the traffic can best be facilitated. Council members agreed that improvements may be needed at other intersections in advance of the closure to help alleviate traffic congestion during the project. It was suggested that opinions be solicited from the 188 Street /Joplin Ave. neighborhood on whether that intersection should remain open to local traffic or if all traffic should use an alternate route. Mr. Mielke stated that knowing whether this intersection is to be closed or remain open will be a major factor in the study. Council members also expressed concerns about additional traffic at the Ipava Aved175th Street intersection and suggested a temporary traffic signal might be needed during the 50/60 closure. Sorenson stated that the Ipava/ 175' intersection might already meet the criteria for a permanent traffic signal without added traffic from this project. Traffic counts from the entire day are studied to determine if a signal is needed, not just during the heaviest traffic. Mayor Little believes the study is justified and supports the expenditure. Council Member Swecker agrees that drivers will find a route that works best for them; however, she is would be supportive of a totally comprehensive study. Sorenson stated that there are many roads City Council Work Session December 9, 2013 Page -3- that are not highlighted that will be impacted by additional traffic, but the intent is to minimize those impacts. The completed study, along with recommendations, will be presented to Council in February for further discussion prior to adoption. Sorenson stated the County Board might consider partnering with the City on the cost of long -term traffic solutions in conjunction with this project. Council members suggested several intersections they would like to have included in the study. It was Council's consensus to participate in the CSAH 50/60 Traffic Diversion Study and directed Dakota County to initiate the study to be funded as part of the joint project. 4. Pan-O -Prog Boulevard Ordinance Public Works Director Chris Petree stated that it has become common practice for people who are saving spots for the Cruise Night and the Pan -O -Prog parade to place markers of some kind on the downtown boulevards and right of ways. Over the past few years these items have been causing significant issues for business owners and property owners and have become a general eyesore and safety hazard. An ordinance amending Chapter 7 of the City Code regarding boulevard use and maintenance, specifically as it pertains to the Pan -O -Prog festivities, is proposed. The amendment allows spot - saving items such as chairs and blankets to be placed on the boulevard from 9:00 a.m. to midnight on both days. Outside of those hours anything left out would be picked up by city crews, since the items restrict their efforts to clean up the streets between events, especially overnight. The ordinance amendment received support from both the DLBA and the Pan -O -Prog Executive Board. Other options could be to totally restrict placement or to limit placing items to two hours before the event. The ordinance proposes that impounded items be brought to a central location for retrieval by their owners. LaBeau asked if there would be fee involved and about budget implications for possible additional overtime hours. Petree stated that the budget impact would be minimal since crews are attempting to clean along the parade route anyway. Maintenance workers could place items on a trailer to be claimed later; no fee is proposed during a public education period. Staff will focus on signage and public education in an effort to make people aware of the new ordinance. Council members stated that downtown business owners had been frustrated with people trying to tape off spots on the sidewalk in front of their business during the sidewalk sales, making it difficult and hazardous for customers. Little believes the ordinance it is too broad and there will be difficulty in returning items to their rightful owners. As the amendment is written, it could possibly rule out sidewalk sales. Mielke suggested issuing one general City Council Work Session December 9, 2013 Page -4- permit to the DLBA to allow a sidewalk sale in the downtown. Davis added that this is a critical time for the downtown businesses and they need to be safely accessible. Council members concurred that there is a need for this ordinance and that consistent enforcement is necessary to modify people's behavior and alleviate the problem. Signage and a Messages article will be used to educate the public. Homeowners along the parade route will also be notified. 5. 2014 City Council Work Session Meeting Dates Some holidays and special events conflict with regularly scheduled meetings and work sessions. It is important to determine alternate dates and provide advance notice to Council and the public. Council determined that for regular meetings that fall on a Monday holiday, the meeting would be moved to Tuesday. Alternate dates for 2014 work session conflicts that Council is aware of at this time will be: January 28, May 12, and December 8. Council directed staff to prepare a resolution reflecting those dates and to add it to a regular meeting agenda for consideration 6. Other: Council members received a draft 2014 calendar of activities and events in which Council typically participates. Council would like to have Outlook calendar invites. Council Member LaBeau asked what determines whether an item is placed on consent agenda -or as a regular item for discussion. She has heard comments that there could be more discussion on some items and believes expanded minutes from the work session discussion would be helpful. Mielke stated that it is his decision whether an item is consent or regular, and he is open to Council's direction. Little encouraged council members to use their option of removing any item from the consent agenda if they wish to discuss it further. LaBeau requested an update on Heritage Center fundraising progress. Mielke stated that 2014 should be the final fundraising year, with approximately $85,000 remaining. The Parks and Recreation Director is working on a progress report. LaBeau asked if a joint meeting could be scheduled between the Council and the Finance Committee. Little suggested a discussion be held at a work session regarding topics for that meeting. City Council Work Session December 9, 2013 Page -5- LaBeau believes homebuyers are looking for detached townhomes on smaller lots, and stated this was also mentioned at the Envision Lakeville process. Mielke will discuss with the EDC. Mr. Mielke stated that Council committee appointments will be on the next work session agenda for discussion and asked council members to review their options before the meeting. Only the DCC is requesting an immediate appointment. 7. Adjourn Mayor Little adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, - I J /if I V-L J'f 4 i 0 J d Hawkins, Deputy Clerk Matt ittle, Mayor