HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 10/15/2013 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 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 Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters
Workshop - Heritage Room H
Council Member Case was absent.
I. SOUTHWEST LRT
Public Works Director Robert Ellis provided an update on progress on the Southwest LRT
project since the September 3 Council Workshop. He said the Corridor Management
Commission has recommended a budget of$1.553 billion. In addition, the Mitchell Road
station has been eliminated from the plan, and the end of the line is now shown to be at
Southwest Station. Ellis said Governor Dayton met with Met Council representatives and
other project stakeholders earlier this week. The result of this meeting was to delay the Met
Council's vote on the Southwest LRT recommendations for 60 to 90 days.
Ellis presented a PowerPoint that steps through the entire Eden Prairie alignment. He
provided details on changes to the project. He said the at-grade crossing at Nine Mile Creek
has been redesigned as an overpass, and another overpass is being recommended at Valley
View Road and Flying Cloud Drive.
The Golden Triangle Station has been moved to the north. Economic Development Manager
David Lindahl said that Kraus Anderson has expressed concerns about the views from the
freeway to their buildings due to the height of the LRT bridge in this area. He said staff has
scheduled another meeting with Kraus Anderson for next week to discuss the issue. Lindahl
noted that the proposed bridge is entirely in MnDOT right-of-way.
Ellis said the City of Minnetonka pushed for a cut and cover tunnel at Highway 62.
Construction of the tunnel may require reduction of some lanes of traffic but not a complete
shutdown of the roadway. Lindahl said he will be meeting with Liberty Property Trust to
discuss the possibility of leasing space for LRT parking. They have indicated they may be
willing to support such an arrangement.
City Council Workshop Minutes
October 15, 2013
Page 2
Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah said the discussion of betterments for
Eden Prairie has not taken place yet. She said the City will likely seek trail connections and
better access to Shady Oak and the Golden Triangle Station.
Representatives of First Western Bank were concerned about the proximity of the proposed
railway bridge. The Residence Inn owners have expressed concerns about visibility, sound
and vibrations. Council Member Aho asked if there will be dinging sounds at the
intersection. He felt that could potentially disturb hotel guests. Ellis said he will follow-up
with more information about what kind of ringing or other sounds will occur at intersections.
Council Member Nelson said some type of sound proofing may have to be provided to
buildings near the alignment.
The tracks will be at-grade at Technology Drive and Flying Cloud. This will require a full
taking of the Eden Prairie Convenience Center strip mall that houses Kinkos/Fed Ex and
several other businesses. Lindahl said there may be residual property from that taking
available for development. Ellis said the extension of Eden Road will include on street
parking, and will provide for better walkability. Aho asked how many at-grade crossings
will be in the Town Center area. Ellis said there are three. Aho said he is concerned about
the amount of noise generated at those crossings. He feels it could be very disruptive.
Ellis said the newly designated end-of-the-line is Southwest Station. He said the SPO is
struggling to find a way to get the alignment on the east side of Prairie Center Drive. Going
down the center of Prairie Center Drive would require reconstruction of the road, and the
addition of a third lane in each direction. That would also likely involve the taking of Ruby
Tuesday and Anchor Bank. The project office has expressed reservations about doing that.
Lindahl said Culvers has indicated they would be okay with a taking. They are concerned
with traffic and circulation if the alignment is moved to the east. Santorini's is also
concerned with the location of the final alignment and would probably want a full taking if it
is moved to the east.
Ellis said the Project Office has indicated they may offer to do some "above and beyond," to
make the alignment with Purgatory Park more palatable. Ellis noted that all of the projected
LRT work would be in the right-of-way, and not in the park itself. Aho noted that the
renderings do not show the wires that will run above the tracks. He said those will make a
big difference in how it looks.
Ellis said City staff has not given up pushing for Mitchell Road being the end of the line.
They are pushing the Project Office for more information on what environmental impacts
they are concerned about with that location.
Open Podium - Council Chamber
II. OPEN PODIUM
III. ADJOURNMENT