City Council - 01/19/1999 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
1999 County Transportation Projects (T.H. 101, et. al.)
TUESDAY JANUARY 19, 1999 5:00 - 6:30 PM, CITY CENTER
HERITAGE ROOM II
CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Jean Harris, Councilmembers
Sherry Butcher-Younghans, Ronald
Case, and Nancy Tyra-Lukens
CITY STAFF: City Manager Chris Enger, Public Safety
Services Director Jim Clark, Parks &
Recreation Services Director Bob
Lambert, Public Works Services Director
Eugene Dietz, Community Development
and Financial Services Director Don
Uram, Management Services Director
Natalie Swaggert, and Council Recorder
Dona Rowland
OTHER Jim Grube,Bruce Polaczyk, and Craig
Twinem of Hennepin County; Tim
Phenow of SRF
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER-NANCY TYRA-LUKENS
Nancy Tyra-Lukens called the meeting to order at 5:15 pm
Ross Thor$nmson, Jr.was absent.
H. INTRODUCTION: GUEST SPEAKER, JIM GRUBE OF HENNEPIN COUNTY
Public Works Services Director Gene Dietz introduced Jim Grube of Hennepin County.
M. COUNTY PRESENTATION
A. GENERAL REVIEW OF COUNTY ROAD PROJECTS IN EDEN
PRAIRIE
Grube began the presentation by showing an enlarged map of Eden Prairie which
showed the proposed 5-year County Capital Improvement Plan as it impacted the
City. The discussion included the proposed schedule for the projects.
Ron Case asked about the prioritizing of road projects. Grebe said there are three
factors considered when prioritizing road projects:
CITY COUNCHI/STAFF WORKSHOP MINUTES
January 19, 1999
Page 2
1. Road Conditions
2. Amount of Traffic
3. Accident History along the Corridor
Road conditions,traffic volume, and accident history are important in determining
the need for either an overlay or reconstruction. If two threshold conditions have
been met,repair will take place. If all three threshold conditions are met,it makes
for a viable project. The County then asks the local community if they are
interpreting the situation correctly from a local or regional perspective:
• Is there local support?
• Can the community support the construction?
Uram asked about size and funding source for the CIP (Capital Improvement
Plan)budget. Grebe estimated well over$159 million for the 1999-2003 budget.
That includes trails on existing roads,bike trail construction,traffic signal
construction, and surface water construction. Property taxes contribute
$500,000/year vs. $50 million per year Hennepin County Road Project budget.
$500,000 is seed money to start projects. State aid amounts to $15-$20,with
federal funding making up the balance.
Enger asked how bonds are repaid. Grebe said it is a property tax repayment,but
is seldom used. Enger asked about the limit on bonds sold. The County Board
makes that determination, Grube said.
B. DETAILED REVIEW OF T.H. 101
Dietz introduced Bruce Polaczyk, and Craig Twinem of Hennepin County and
Tim Phenow of SRF. This project was designed by the SRF Consulting Group.
From 1976-1986, Eden Prairie experienced 6% annual traffic growth. We are
reaching some level of saturation in terms of development and traffic being
handled other ways. Traffic growth is leveling off.
Enger asked about the projection of traffic and deciding when the ideal time is to
improve to three or four lanes. T.H. 212 is being improved under very heavy
traffic conditions. Why build now if it's not projected to be highest volume until
2020? Grube said safety is a big item. Pioneer Trail discussion included safety
along the road and traffic history. The condition of roadways is also important.
The condition of T.H. 101 is a concern. If we're at 13,000 vehicles per day on a
two-lane road,the area and road are being challenged. We are already at a
threshold condition for four lanes. Therefore,if is appropriate to plan for a four-
lane reconstruction.
CITY COUNCIL/STAFF WORKSHOP MINUTES
January 19, 1999
Page 3
Butcher-Younghans asked if there were wetlands issues with T.H. 101. Wetland
mitigation is the key and is governed by state and watershed districts. The County
has to discuss those issues in environmental documentation.
Dietz noted the three states of the proposed design. Case asked if we know
enough to know that Carver County and Chanhassen are in agreement with these
designs. Grebe said Carver County agrees. Chanhassen agrees but needs to
reconcile some of the impact issues. Case suggested bringing the two
communities together and receive community comments
The recommended plan is 52 feet wide from curb to curb,versus 72 feet for the
other two proposals that were studied. A number of private driveways enter onto
the road, creating an access issue with the the 22-25,000 vehicles per day.
Separate turn lanes at all intersections is the ideal. The 72-foot design provides a
wide fifth center lane for turning access, a ten-foot wide regional trail and an 8-
foot trail on the Eden Prairie side,bringing the road very close to homes in many
areas. It is difficult to get into some driveways because of grades.
Dietz said the 52-foot design had the least right-of-way impact for the project and
would be the recommended plan shown at the public meetings. Case indicated it
would be appropriate to show previous versions of the plan to let people know the
effort taken to minimise impacts.
Case asked when taking a house out is discussed,is the primary issue a financial
issue one on the County or an emotional issue on the community? Grube said the
financial responsibility is on the State. He said some people are happy to be
bought out while others are not.
IV. DISCUSSION OF PUBLIC INFORMATION PROCESS
A discussion about the public process included a suggestion by Mayor Harris to consider
a joint meeting with Chanhassen. Mayor Harris will talk with the Mayor of Chanhassen
to determine the possibility of such a meeting.
Butcher-Younghans suggested a wider distribution of information than just adjacent to
the roadway. Residents along Dell Road have an interest in the outcome of this project.
Everyone agreed that a thorough communication plan is very important. Staff will
develop a more detailed plan for that purpose.
V. ADJOURN
The meeting ended at 6:50 p.m.