City Council - 02/05/2018 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2018 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 James DeMann, 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 Maggie Neuville, and Recorder Katie O'Connor
Workshop - Heritage Rooms I and H(5:30)
I. ASPIRE EDEN PRAIRIE 2040 (TRANSPORTATION) (5:30-6:20)
Randy Newton, Assistant City Engineer, presented an update on the Aspire Eden Prairie
2040 Transportation Plan with SRF Consulting Group, Inc. Principal Craig Vaughn. Vaughn
planned to use this meeting and the questions asked as an engagement opportunity.
A transportation plan plays a fundamental role in a community's vision for its future. It
includes a comprehensive consideration of possible policies, goals, system mobility, and
potential infrastructure investments to prepare for future needs to move people and goods to
destinations. The plan has included timely engagement with the public. The Met Council
transportation plan requirements that need to be taken into account are roadways and traffic
forecasting, addressing bicycling and walking infrastructure opportunities, having
infrastructure in place to accommodate freight to move throughout the community,providing
multimodal transit opportunities, aviation, and healthy environment. Newton stated the last
transportation plan was done in 1997, and that information was used in the last
Comprehensive Plan update. A summary will be used from this stand-alone transportation
document for the Aspire 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
Mayor Tyra-Lukens asked if this will this be updated again in 10 years. Newton stated it's
something to consider,but in 10 years it will need to be decided if it is necessary.
The City has done public engagement over the past couple of years, including engagement
for a pedestrian and bicycle plan in 2014. For this update, SRF Consulting Group also
leveraged information from the City Quality of Life Survey. In addition, they commissioned
a set of focus group members to share their thoughts and perspectives on transportation in the
community at two different meetings, conducted a public survey, utilized a sMap as an online
interactive tool for outreach, and attended community pop-up events to engage a variety of
people. Another opportunity they used was surveying at a trail head to get the biking
community involved. They worked to engage different demographics within the community.
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February 5, 2018
Page 2
In the focus groups, the multi-modal transportation was a common theme. In the public
survey, trends appeared with concerns of traffic flow and congestion; traffic signal timing;
and vehicle, pedestrian, and bike safety. Much of the community stated walking as a
secondary mode of transportation, which speaks to the community's robust multi-modal
transportation and the ongoing theme.
The sMap was a push-pin map that identified traffic flow and congestion and traffic signal
issues. T.H. 5 and CSAH 4 intersection emerged as a common area of congestion, as well as
the Eden Prairie Mall area. The sMap Comment worksheet was used at pop-up events to
capture similar information in a hard-copy format.
The transportation plan components are broken down into goals and policies, transit system
plan, multimodal system plan, freight system plan, aviation system plan, sub area studies,
roadway system plan, pavement preservation, and planning for the future. The healthy
environment aspect touches all components.
Sustainability and resiliency focuses on pavement preservation and transportation technology
advancements. Pavement preservation is a big talking point on how to maintain the
infrastructure and the costs associated with it. In regards to technology advancements,how
can the city be nimble enough to navigate the amount of autonomous and connected vehicles
increasing or decreasing? The City is on the forefront of electric vehicle charging stations.
These components will be found throughout the Comprehensive Plan.
Tyra-Lukens had thoughts on how autonomous vehicles almost negate the need for traffic
signals. Is there a plan to analyze intersections as roads are being redone to determine if there
should be traffic circles? Newton responded, we're not quite sure how it will affect things
yet. It's anticipated there will be additional capacity on freeways, but we are still uncertain
how it will play out on local roadways. Maybe in the future some or all of the traffic signals
will go away. They will have to continue to monitor.
Council Member Nelson inquired if we are looking at encouraging gas stations to have e-
charging stations? How are we looking to encourage that around the City? Council Member
Case added, would there be money to be made in exchange for having those stations?
Council Member Aho stated the problem is there tends to be an hour or more charging time
which would stop people from charging at a gas station. Nelson replied this may be more of a
consideration for the mall. Aho stated they are working on technology to make charging
times quicker. Nelson replied businesses could consider looking into their five year business
needs plan. Aho added this would likely be more of a need at companies where employees
park or apartments.
Vaughn stated there are about seven different goals and policies based off of an overarching
goal for the transportation plan. Many are based off of previous goals and policies the City
held for themselves, factoring in where we stand ten years later. These are also shaped by
input from the focus group. Goals specific to aviation are included in that section.
Transit system planning focuses not only on existing systems but future system planning. The
City feels strongly about the Southwest Light Rail Transit(LRT)plan and other opportunities
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February 5, 2018
Page 3
for transit, including American Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit(BRT). There have been
discussions with Southwest Transit, Metro Transit, and T.H. 169 BRT has been taken into
consideration. This is to make sure there is good connectivity within the community.
In regards to the multimodal system plan, the City has a robust Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan
from 2014. The existing system is documented through 2017 with mile allocations. The key
new focuses for future system planning are barrier reduction, on-street bicycle lanes, and
preservation of the bicycle and pedestrian trail system. Another key focus will be the
connectivity to businesses and activity centers by way of Regional Bicycle Transportation
Network(RBTN).
Newton stated one of the outcomes of the Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan was the focus on on-
street bicycle lanes as well as barrier reduction so people can better cross the major roads.
Some of the design things they are doing to help are providing median refuges and crosswalk
enhancements to increase the feeling of safety when crossing.
Council Member Butcher Wickstrom noticed Edina has been doing a lot with on-street bike
paths. How safe are these? Newton responded it depends on the volume of the roadway and
the different design elements. Many of the shared lanes are happening on the lower volume,
lower speed roadways. The City has put a lot of focus and money into their trail network.
There is a desire for some on-street facilities but limited in comparison to neighboring cities.
Aho stated he likes keeping the bicycling separate and to trails since there is a level of safety
to be concerned about. Butcher Wickstrom added people seem confused by the bike lanes.
Case believes they have exacerbated the on-street biking with how they are marked.
Nelson stated there are instances where bike lanes make sense in areas such as Technology
Drive going in and out of the Southwest Station transit area. Tyra-Lukens responded there
are trails around there. Nelson stated if there are trails at the very least that would be fine.
Butcher Wickstrom has reservations about bike lanes off Technology Drive with how busy
the street is because it causes confusion. This seems to work with the lower speed limits on
residential roads.
Newton stated what they heard from the Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan is there are different
design standards for on-street versus trails. They picked a few select corridors that would
make sense for on-street biking. This allows them more of a through route and would be
supplemented by the trail system.
Vaughn presented on the freight system plan component which includes the robust existing
system and future system planning. The aviation piece presentation to the Flying Cloud
Airport Advisory Commission went really well. The language is very consistent with the
previous plan with some updates to make it fit with current standards. There are five goals
for the aviation system plan and these are kept consistent with the 2008 Comprehensive Plan.
Newton presented Community Development did a lot of work on projecting what the Golden
Triangle Area (GTA) will be like with a traffic review. The major improvements that were
thought to be needed are still believed to be needed: T.H. 169 and Valley View interchange,
T.H. 212 and Valley View interchange, and internal improvements. There was a change from
more industrial use to more office use.
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February 5, 2018
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Aho inquired if the City has seen any results of how the Shady Oak Road improvements has
improved the traffic flow? Newton stated he has received less phone calls about that area.
This is hard to know with the ebb and flow of economic development,but it has seemed to be
going smoothly.
Nelson asked if the City is looking at areas by LRT stations that have no sidewalks. Newton
replied the southern part of the GTA does this fairly well, but the northern part may need
some work. They have been working with parks staff to prioritize some of those
improvements. Some of the improvements on West 70t" are dealing with that, and there has
been some consideration for a trail project along Shady Oak Road. These are improvement
that need to happen. Nelson inquired specifically about areas that do not connect by trail or
sidewalk that are close in proximity. Newton replied they are working on connections as
redevelopment happens. Also, the Southwest Corridor Transitional Station Area Action Plans
looked at different lacking connections around the LRT stations. Janet Jeremiah, Community
Development Director, stated they have been looking into grant opportunities as well.
Vaughn presented on the C.R. 4 and T.H. 5 intersection. There was public feedback that the
T.H. 5 north-south crossing has barriers for bicyclists and pedestrians to get across. They also
solicited feedback from the focus group to, ideally, let them know where transportation
connections or changes should be made. There was mention of interchanges, extending the
freeway look out west, and other types of roadway connections. Additional detailed traffic
operations analysis would need to be conducted in this area. Newton, a key improvement
would be a multimodal connection across TH 5. There would need to be substantial outreach
to determine what the right project should be. This is a barrier for the community and they
hear a lot of frustration about getting across this area.
Newton stated the 1997 plan was a little conservative in some ways and will need to be
updated. As we learn and identify needs, some projects may get added in the future. A few
significant projects would be T.H. 5 and C.R. 4, T.H. 212 and Prairie Center Drive
interchange, and T.H. 101. It is acknowledged there is a possible need for four lanes on T.H.
101. Chanhassen states it in their plan as well.
Butcher Wickstrom inquired what year Chanhassen has as there anticipated date for work on
T.H. 101. Newton responded their plan is for 2040,but they have not set priorities or a date
for work on T.H. 101.
Newton stated they did a Major Center Area (MCA)plan about 10 years ago, and there were
a few recommendations they have looked at but do not have any new information on them.
Some of the potential needs that were identified by MCA were the Prairie Center Drive and
Flying Cloud Drive interchange, Singletree Lane realignment, and new ramps off of I-494
and T.H. 212. These projects will all be left in the plan. These are all concept-level projects,
and before any were to move forward there would be robust public engagement. Input would
be taken by the public and the Council before any details were solidified.
Nelson inquired about the design of a three lane street. Newton replied it would have three
lanes on either side of the road.
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February 5, 2018
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Tyra-Lukens asked about the significance of the color-coded circles on the map. Newton
explained the red is more significant, but C.R. 4 and T.H. 5 should be designated as red.
Aho stated I-494 where it meets T.H. 5 or T.H. 212 is clearly a huge issue. Since T.H. 212
gets used so heavily, it creates a real problem in the morning and afternoon. Newton
responded the original design includes a cloverleaf, and a critical improvement would be to
get rid of the weave. Aho asked if the City has pushed these improvements at all. As a part of
the I-494 corridor initiative, an emphasis should be placed on these improvements.
Nelson stated an area that desperately needs signs is by Winter Park on the roundabouts.
There are only signs at the beginning and exit. Butcher Wickstrom added there was a fatality
in that area last year. Newton replied they would take a look at it.
Newton stated there are a few roadways that are now larger than they need to be. One
example is Anderson Lakes Parkway between T.H. 212 and Franlo Road. It was shown as a
four lane road but could safely be a three lane road due to traffic volumes. Another area is
Scenic Lakes Road on the west. It was shown as a three lane road but a two lane road would
be sufficient. On the north part of town, Valley View Road between Eden Prairie Road and
Baker Road could be converted to only a three lane road rather than a four lane road that goes
into a two lane road. The traffic volumes do not warrant a four lane road. Tyra-Lukens asked
if that holds true on Scenic Heights Road by the middle school as well. Newton replied the
one location in front of the middle school might warrant a left turn lane. Nelson stated the
area by the middle school is very narrow.
Newton continued with mentioning Eden Prairie Road and Baker Road were shown as three
lane roads. Baker Road should reasonably operate as a three lane road and it was shown as a
bike lane corridor. There are also neighborhood street connections shown in the plan. A lot of
the city has been built,but likely the most controversial would be the connection at Dell
Road and Turnbull Road.
Nelson would like to see every school road taken into consideration in regards to controlling
speed limits and helping mitigate traffic. Butcher Wickstrom added it is frustrating for
residents when they cannot get around the buses and school traffic.
II. STRATASYS (6:20-6:30)
Tyra-Lukens stated she, City Manager Getschow, and Economic Development Manager
David Lindahl met with Stratasys' Real Estate Broker to talk about this topic.
Lindahl stated Stratasys is in five different buildings in Eden Prairie, and they have been
looking at relocating or consolidating buildings for the last fifteen years. They have looked at
many options, including buying the City Center when it was available. The company had a
potential lease two years ago in Eden Prairie at the previous Best Buy building but backed
out of it. They are looking into leasing a location in Golden Valley that fits their needs but
are looking into utilizing Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
(DEED) funds for the move and lease build out. Stratasys would need the consent of the City
to utilize those funds for the move to Golden Valley. The City has been trying hard to find a
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February 5, 2018
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solution for them to stay. It's a difficult situation to say yes to easily, because the City wants
to make sure they have exhausted all of their options within Eden Prairie. They're at a point
now where they want the consent.
Getschow stated a few months back they had these discussions about different plots of land
in Eden Prairie they could move to. Their argument is they have exhausted their options in
Eden Prairie. There are options in Eden Prairie that they could build, but they do not feel it
suites their needs. Going to Golden Valley keeps the company and its jobs in Minnesota.
There hasn't been a deadline stated for when they would need the Council's consent. It is
uncertain whether or not they have signed the lease yet for the building in Golden Valley.
They are looking at about 1.9 million dollars in state incentives. These funds have been used
in Eden Prairie in the past for Emerson, Wand, and Climatech. Hopkins signed off for
Climatech to move to Eden Prairie while utilizing these funds. This was done with the
knowledge of that site being for the LRT. There are examples of cities that have signed off
on companies using these funds and some that have not signed off.
Butcher Wickstrom asked if the City Center would be enough space for the company.
Lindahl replied their needs have changed since 2004. They are now looking for 350,000
square feet with lab space, office space, and manufacturing space. There's nothing out on the
market that would be a great fit. There are 40 acres of MAC property that's zoned for office
where they could have built new, but they looked at it and didn't feel it was a good option for
them. Nelson added it could be due to all the vibration from planes taking off.
Council Member Aho inquired what would happen if the Council did not sign off on it.
Essentially they would not get the money. Getschow replied they would go to Golden Valley
without the 1.9 million dollars of state incentives. Tyra-Lukens responded they are looking to
move regardless. Getschow added an alternative would be they stay put but then move out of
state when an option becomes available. This is what DEED is worried about.
Jeremiah stated if it is a cost issue to stay in Eden Prairie, the incentive makes it desirable to
go to Golden Valley. With the incentives, it could help them look harder to stay here. Lindahl
added there's always the vailed threat of leaving Minnesota which gets the attention of the
DEED officials. These DEED funds encourage them to continue looking in Minnesota and
maybe in Eden Prairie. They have looked at seven different properties in Minnesota:
Plymouth, Bloomington, Golden Valley, and Chanhassen.
Council Member Case asked if they are currently leasing all their space in Eden Prairie.
Lindahl stated they own four buildings and lease one. One of their motivating factors towards
finding a solution is they have an early out option for their lease in the spring.
Aho asked if there are no places that fit their needs in Eden Prairie. Lindahl replied he trusts
their brokerage firm's search. There is nothing existing out there that would work for them.
The Bluestem building was approached, but they declined.
Tyra-Lukens stated from a state prospective it is giving them incentive to sell their property
and move to leasing which would give them the ability to move out of the state later. Lindahl
replied, this allows them to consolidate buildings from two other sites around the country.
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February 5, 2018
Page 7
Nelson inquired if their buildings are spaced out or if they're close enough to connect
buildings. Lindahl replied their two biggest buildings are on Commerce Drive, and they have
looked into whether other properties around them are available for purchase. It would be an
option to build up,but they aren't interested in that.
Tyra-Lukens stated with the system set up this way it looks like by signing off on this the
City is giving them money to take the jobs out of the community. Nothing is preventing them
from moving again in five years and requesting funds again. Jeremiah replied they are only
required to keep those jobs in place for two years after receiving these funds.
Getschow stated the answer could be that the City Council is not inclined to sign off on this.
Aho asked, is there anything that could be done to state that we are not interested in signing
off on them leaving but incentivizing them to stay instead? Lindahl stated the City has
currently been taking that process. Getschow added the timing is off with no other companies
in the City wanting to sell buildings.
Nelson asked if the Council could approve one of the three DEED funds but not the rest.
Getschow stated he would ask. Lindahl stated they would need consent to use any of the
funds.
Butcher Wickstrom stated how we handle this now will be important to how we move
forward handling these matters in the future. The City will have to use the same standard.
Nelson asked if the City will have to pay on the fiscal disparities. Getschow stated he's not
sure where Golden Valley would fall on the pay out of fiscal disparities.
Lindahl stated he is fairly convinced Stratasys will want to come in front of an audience to be
heard if the Council is not definitive on this.
Open Podium - Council Chamber (6:30)
III. OPEN PODIUM
Keith Carlson, 8633 Zachman Circle, spoke about the Preserve Boulevard Reconstruction
project. He shared that the road will be moving closer to his property due to the addition
of left turn lanes at Franlo Road and Scotch Pine Court. He requested the left turn lanes
be eliminated from the project as there is little left turning traffic. He also shared
concerns about speeders on Franlo Road with the new design, and that traffic already
drives over the speed limit.
Case asked if the berm and trees along Keith Carlson's property were impacted by the
project. City staff indicated the berm and trees would remain, but some trimming of
branches might be necessary.
IV. ADJOURNMENT