HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 09/03/2013 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 CITY CENTER
5:00—6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOMS
6:30—7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER
CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Council Members Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher
Wickstrom, Kathy Nelson, and Ron Case
CITY STAFF: City Manager Rick Getschow, Police Chief Rob Reynolds, Fire Chief George
Esbensen, Public Works Director Robert Ellis, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah,
Parks and Recreation Director Jay Lotthammer, Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, City
Attorney Daniel Gregerson, and Recorder Lorene McWaters
Workshop - Heritage Room H
I. SWLRT UPDATE
Public Works Director Robert Ellis gave a progress report on Southwest LRT project
activities since the City Council's May 7 workshop. Ellis said the project has received
additional public input, alignment and station alternatives have been narrowed, and technical
issues have been analyzed in more detail.
Ellis said it appears that the line at City West(Crosstown/UHG campus) will likely go under
the roadway rather than over. Both the City of Minnetonka and United Health Group have
stated a preference for an underground crossing. The alignment along Highway 212 and
Shady Oak Road will likely move to the west as the local preferred alternative. The project
office is assessing the possibility of surface parking near the SuperValu campus for the
Golden Triangle Station. Staff is also looking at ways to enhance walkability and
connections in the Golden Triangle Station area. This would probably occur in conjunction
with redevelopment. Ellis said a circulator bus will likely operate in this area.
Ellis said that the Town Center alignment appears to be migrating toward the Comp Plan
alternative, which would run behind Brunswick Zone. He said this plan would result in the
loss of several of Redstone's parking spots; however, 38 additional on-street parking spots
would be created with the extension of Eden Road. Factors being taken into consideration in
locating this station include: construction costs, amount disruption caused during
construction, walkability, economic development potential, LRT run times and proximity to
Town Center core. Aho asked why the planners believe the Comp Plan alignment would
cause more construction disruption than the Technology Drive alignment. Ellis said the
Technology Drive location would require closing Prairie Center Drive for up to a year. Ellis
noted that the Comp Plan alignment would require a taking of the Eden Prairie Convenience
Mall (which houses Fed Ex Kinkos and several other businesses). Council Member Nelson
noted that the owner of the strip mall has indicated he prefers a whole taking rather than a
partial taking. Ellis said up to 160 parking spaces will be needed for this station. Project
staff believes those parking spaces can be gained through lease agreements until
redevelopment creates more parking options.
City Council Workshop Minutes
September 3, 2013
Page 2
Ellis said it is assumed the Southwest LRT station will be co-located with SouthWest Transit.
They anticipate building a new parking structure with 480 parking stalls. Butcher Wickstrom
said she is concerned about the proximity of the LRT to Purgatory Park. She is worried that
it will interfere with aesthetics and wildlife. Council Member Aho said he is worried that
noise from the LRT may be an issue for park users. Economic Development Director David
Lindahl said the route of the tracks through this area will reduce or eliminate "curve
screech."
Ellis said the location of the end of the line station will likely not be on Eaton property. Eaton
has indicated they are not interested in giving up part of their campus for a station. City
Center parking lot is under consideration as a location for the station. A three-story parking
structure with around 900 stalls would have to be constructed for this station.
Ellis said locations in Hopkins and Eden Prairie (likely at the current location of the City's
Maintenance Facility) are both still being considered for the OMF. He said the City has
documented its concerns with location of an OMF in Eden Prairie. He said location of the
OMF more centrally along the line (in Hopkins) might make more sense logistically.
II. 2014-2015 BUDGET
City Manager Rick Getshow presented an updated 2014 budget and levy proposal. He noted
that the City Council will set a preliminary budget resolution at the regular council meeting.
Getschow said both the proposed budget and levy have changed since they were presented to
the City Council on July 16. General fund tax revenue and the tax levy were reduced, so the
net levy increase remains 1.8 percent. The net levy increase was adjusted to 2.3 percent as a
result of an updated fiscal disparity distribution amount. General fund expenditures increase
went from 4.8 percent to 3.4 percent due mainly to favorable bids the City received from
health insurance carriers. Getschow said the City tax on the median value home ($317,850)
would go down by .4 percent.
Open Podium - Council Chamber
II. OPEN PODIUM
III. ADJOURNMENT