City Council - 09/19/2006 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
& OPEN FORUM/OPEN PODIUM
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2006 CITY CENTER
5:00—6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOM II
6:30—7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER
CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Councilmembers Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher,
Ron Case, and Philip Young
CITY STAFF: City Manager Scott Neal, Police Chief Dan Carlson, City Engineer Al Gray,
Parks and Recreation Director Bob Lambert, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah,
Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, Assistant to the City Manager Michael Barone, City
Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters
Heritage Room H
I. SOUTHWEST TRANSITWAY ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS
Stephanie Eiler, Hennepin County consultant with Parsons Brinkerhoff, and Katie
Walker of Hennepin County,presented a PowerPoint on the Southwest Transitway
Alternatives Analysis Study. The study compares benefits, costs and impacts of a
range of transit alternatives. Eilers explained the study process and reviewed the
schedule. The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) is scheduled to meet this month
to develop a recommendation that will be forwarded to the Policy Advisory
Committee (PAC). The PAC will then select preferred alternatives for public review.
Public input will be gathered in October and November, and the PAC will forward a
final recommendation on preferred alternatives to the Hennepin County Regional Rail
Authority (HCRRA) on November 29. The HCRRA is expected to take action on the
recommendation in December and forward their recommendation to the Metropolitan
Council.
Eilers reviewed each of the alternatives under consideration—Enhanced Bus, Bus
Rapid Transit(BRT) and Light Rail Transit(LRT). The alternatives analysis includes
two tiers of goals for the southwest transitway. Tier 1 goals include improved
mobility and provision of a cost-effective, efficient travel option. Tier 2 goals include
protection of the environment, preservation and protection of quality of life, and
support of economic development.
City Manager Scott Neal asked Council whether or not they wish to hold a meeting to
receive public feedback before taking final action on supporting an alternative.
Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah noted that ridership forecasts in the
study are based on pre-Comp Plan update numbers, so actual ridership will likely be
higher than indicated for the LRT 3 alignment. The analysis also assumes all property
within Eden Prairie will have to purchased; however, the City has a policy of
requiring that a portion of land be set aside for transit as development occurs along
the alignment that passes through the Major Center Area and Golden Triangle.
Jeremiah also presented the following staff recommendations:
• Staff requests that the Council actively advocate for a southwest transit line.
• Staff recommends that the City continue to maintain a strong preference for the "3
alignment," which travels through Eden Prairie's Town Center and the Golden
Triangle.
• Staff recommends that a public meeting be held in advance of Council taking
action on a resolution of support.
• Staff recommends that the City take action on the study prior to the HCRRA
Board Meeting scheduled for December, and that the City consider drafting a
resolution of support in cooperation with Minnetonka and possibly Hopkins.
• Staff recommends full incorporation of the preferred LRT alignment and station
locations into the Comp Plan update.
Council discussed holding a public meeting on the transitway study at the Council's
November 14 meeting or as part of the November 28 Town Meeting at Summit Place.
Council agreed to hold the transit study public meeting as part of the November 14
Council meeting, and they asked staff to begin drafting a resolution of support.
Council Chamber
II. OPEN FORUM
A. MAINTENANCE OF WINFIELD PATH
Bob Rose, Doug Kelso, and Larry Ziski addressed Council concerning a letter
several property owners on Erin Bay received from the City informing them they
must discontinue mowing on City property that abuts their properties. They
indicated the developer of the neighborhood told them it was their responsibility
to maintain this land when they bought their homes 13 years ago. They also said
location of the property line is not clear. They asked Council to review the
ordinance pertaining to this issue and to consider the merit of their case
individually. Parks and Recreation Director Bob Lambert said property markers
could be installed within a week,but that they must discontinue mowing on City
property. The Mayor suggested that the issue be referred to the Parks, Recreation
and Natural Resources Commission and the Conservation Commission for
review.
III. OPEN PODIUM
A. THOMAS BRIANT
Mr. Briant asked Council to reject City Manager Scott Neal's recommendation
that Gregerson, Rosow, Johnson & Nilan continue to be retained to provide
prosecution services for the City.
IV. ADJOURNMENT