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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-21-09 WSIn attendance: Staff: Mayor Holly Dahl Council Member Mark Bellows Council Member Laurie Rieb Council Member Kerrin Swecker Council Member Kevin Miller The meeting was called to order at 5:45 pm. Minutes Lakeville City Council Work Session September 21, 2009 Steve Mielke, City Administrator Dave Olson, Community and Economic Development Director Keith Nelson, City Engineer Judi Hawkins, Deputy City Clerk ITEM #1 Cedar Avenue Streetscape Improvements Dakota County Engineer Kristine Elwood, Cedar Avenue BRT project manager, was in attendance along with design consultants from SRF to present the streetscape /landscape portion of the Cedar Avenue Transitway improvement project. Representing SRF were project manager Jim Dvorak and Vice President Barry Warner. Community and Economic Development Director Dave Olson provided an overview of the project. Bus rapid transit (BRT) along with highway improvements has been determined to be the best transit solution for the Cedar Avenue corridor. The design stage of the plan is 60% complete. Many of the elements sought by the City Council are included in the design. Not included are landscape berms due to right of way and trail lighting which City staff have indicated are a priority. Bi- weekly project design meetings have been held with SRF, Dakota County, and staff from the cities of Apple Valley and Lakeville. In addition, at a recent joint workshop hosted by Dakota County, Apple Valley and Lakeville City Council members discussed several elements of the plan including screening, noise control fences, and burial of overhead electric lines. The posted speed limit is not consistent throughout the length of the corridor. A 50 -MPH speed zone precludes the planting of trees in the median or boulevard areas. If the speed limit were lowered to 45 MPH along this portion of the corridor, plantings could be consistent throughout the project. This would require MnDOT to conduct a speed study. Mr. Warner stated that the existing plan will be presented to the Dakota County Regional Rail Authority tomorrow morning to ask for their concurrence on the existing concept as well as the cost implications. Preliminary design of the landscape plan will then be City Council Work Session Minutes September 21, 2009 Page -2- initiated in order to bring the design to the same level of completion as the street plan set. They are hoping to bring the streetscape /landscape design to a 95% completion by January so the project can move toward the bidding process. He feels the streetscape needs to be convenient, attractive and safe for the project to be successful. The landscape plan will provide each community with its own unique identity while incorporating several unifying features. An animated video showing the construction sequencing along the Cedar Avenue BRT corridor was shown. The video detailed proposed changes in traffic patterns, trail construction, traffic signals, etc. based on projected 2013 traffic. Additional roadway width through Lakeville is planned to be minimal. Council Member Bellows asked if trees planted along the medians through Apple Valley would be detrimental to the visibility of established businesses' signage. Mr. Warner said they would keep that in mind when choosing what species to plant and possibly provide additional space between the trees. Trees also act to minimize noise. City Administrator Steve Mielke asked City Council if they felt a speed study should be requested of MnDOT to possibly lower the speed limit along Lakeville's portion of the project, in order to allow plantings in the median and boulevard areas. Council members did not feel a 45 MPH speed limit would be supported by travelers along this stretch of Cedar Avenue and the current speed limit should be maintained. Kerrin Swecker asked for a cost comparison of concrete versus turf and whether low growing plantings would be installed if turf is kept. Various options for the medians were discussed: standard concrete, turf, decorative elements such as colored concrete or some other material, or hardy plantings. Hardy plantings could include perennials, shrubs, or ornamental grasses which would be attractive but would require irrigation and ongoing maintenance. Even though it is a county roadway and boulevard, the local government unit will be responsible for the maintenance of the medians. Council Member Swecker asked about the colored concrete sections. Mr. Warner stated that their purpose is to give special treatment to pedestrians and reinforce the distinction of the BRT corridor. City Engineer Keith Nelson stated that it is consistent with other corridors throughout the city. Several fiscal issues are yet to be resolved. The 10% local share of the project cost, or $4.9 million, will be divided among the County and the cities of Lakeville and Apple Valley. The Regional Railroad Authority will present their proposed cost share breakdown at a later date. The cities of Lakeville and Apple Valley have also submitted a joint application for federal Enhancement Funds which could be used for amenities such as trail lighting. Information on this grant should be available in October. Some municipal state aid funds may be available for the BRT project but not until 2013. Final project cost will be determined following right -of -way acquisitions. City Council Work Session Minutes September 21, 2009 Page -3- Council Member Rieb asked about a timeline for the realignment of Dodd Blvd. Mr. Mielke stated that it will not be done as part of this project but will depend on future development. Council members discussed costs for various details of the design, i.e., trees, benches and trash receptacles, and the importance of purchasing vandal- resistant, durable products. The county has minimized right -of -way acquisition while accomplishing this project, but some existing mature vegetation will need to be removed and replaced. Some of the existing 8' fences along Cedar will also need to be replaced. Kristine Elwood stated that the plan puts a great deal of emphasis on making the corridor "pedestrian friendly Pedestrian trail lighting will be installed along the corridor only where there are walk -up stations. Way- finding signs will provide guidance to transit riders as they depart the bus. Benches will be installed to provide comfort for the customers. Construction of the project is expected to begin in the fall of 2010 and finish in 2013. ITEM #2 Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm. Respectfully submitted, H. Iy D Mayor awkins ty Clerk )1A_b