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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWK - October 4, 2011ANL6 Y O r ® 6 j3!1 � 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W.. ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW.ANDOVERMN.GOV City Council Workshop Tuesday, October 4, 2011 Conference Rooms A & B 1. Call to Order — Immediately following City Council Meeting 2. Discuss South Coon Creek Drive NW/11 -10 -Engineering 3. Other Topics 4. Adjournment H Y 0 F O jT E S ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING — OCTOBER 4, 2011 MINUTES The Workshop Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Mike Gamache, October 4, 2011, 8:22 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Sheri Bukkila, Mike Knight, Julie Trude, and Tony Howard Councilmember absent: None Also present: City Administrator, Jim Dickinson Director of Public Works /City Engineer, Dave Berkowitz Community Development Director, Dave Carlberg DISCUSS SOUTH COON CREEK DRIVE NW /11 -10 4 0 City Engineer Berkowitz stated the Council is being asked for direction on the width for South Coon Creek Drive as part of the reconstruction. A 33 -foot wide road would provide for a 3 -foot on street path on both sides of the street and a 37 -foot wide road would provide a 5 -foot on street path on both sides of the street. The on street path provides the least amount of impact while providing a bike and pedestrian path. The on street path would also be easier for snow removal and maintenance purposes. An off -road trail would have a greater impact for tree removal and would be more costly to construct. He also clarified the property that staff is requesting the road be moved north to reduce the amount of encroachment for this property. There are two property owners that may argue that the improvements being done do not benefit them because the County had done improvements previously that they were assessed for. He explained there is some right -of -way that may need to be acquired. The City may consider waiving an assessment in exchange for the right -of -way. Councilmember Trude stated a 3 -foot on street path is not wide enough for bikers or pedestrians and she would prefer to have the road built at 37 -feet in order to accommodate a 5 -foot path. Councilmember Howard stated due to the cost difference between the 33 -foot road and the 37- foot road he would be in favor of going with a 33 -foot road width. He stated the City also needs to consider the Bunker Lake Boulevard trail project and if the City does not receive the grant they applied for then the City will need to fund this project as well. Between the two projects there is a potential for the City to pay over $600,000, $300,000 for the Bunker Lake trail project and the additional $300,000 it would cost to widen South Coon Creek from 33 -feet to 37 -feet. Councilmember Knight stated there is not a high volume of traffic on South Coon Creek and a wider street may not make a difference. Councilmember Trude stated there is a high volume of traffic after school on this road. All the © Andover City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes — October 4, 2011 Page 2 roads in Andover are relatively quiet during the day but during the morning and after school they are busier. Councilmember Bukkila stated she would not feel comfortable with her kids riding their bikes on a 3 -foot on street path as compared to a 5 -foot path. A 5 -foot path would provide the City with a safe connection and link the ease and west sided of the City. The City may not have an opportunity to provide this type of path for the residents for another 15 years. The money is something to consider but does the City miss this opportunity and not make this connection in the City for another generation. City Administrator Dickinson stated the City and County are fairly confident the grant application for the Bunker Lake Boulevard trail project will be successful. Councilmember Knight asked if the on street path would be added to the trail map. He also stated the trails are not well publicized for the community's youth. City Engineer Berkowitz stated the City has a full map of all the City's parks and trails. He explained the on street path would not be marked as a bike trail on the street itself but would be © included in the City's trail map. He also clarified the City would not move forward with the Bunker Lake Boulevard trail project without the City Council's approval if the grant application is not successful. Councilmember Bukkila stated this would be the opportunity for the City to provide this connection for the residents and it may not be able to do this again for several years. It would be more costly for the City to add a trail after the road is constructed. Councilmember Knight stated the City has developed a good reputation for its trails and he would like to see this connection added as a trail designation. City Engineer Berkowitz clarified the path would be added as a regional trail and there would be signing along the road. He would not recommend having bike symbols painted on the street because of the multi -use of the path. Community Development Director Carlberg stated the South Coon Creek project would be creating setback changes for some properties and this would require a variance for these properties. Since the municipality is creating the hardship these would not be difficult to approve and staff would assist residents through the process and the City would waive the variance application fees. Councilmember Knight stated he would reluctantly agree to a 37 -foot road. © Councilmember Trude stated she would be in favor of a 37 -foot road. Councilmember Bukkila stated she would favor a 37 -foot road. © Andover City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes — October 4, 2011 Page 3 Mayor Gamache stated he would also favor a 37 -foot road. Councilmember Howard stated he would be in favor of a 37 -foot road if he knew the grant application for the Bunker Lake Boulevard trail project was successful. Councilmember Trade pointed out State Aid funds were assisting with the construction of the trail and these are funds that are replenished each year. The consensus of the City Council was to direct staff to move forward with design for a 37 -foot width on South Coon Creek Drive for the reconstruction project. OTHER TOPICS BUNKER LAKE PARKAND WILD IRIS PARK City Engineer Berkowitz stated he had gotten some price information for the Bunker Lake Boulevard Trail project, in front of Wild Iris Park. Tree removal would cost $12,000 and to have © the full project done with storm sewer pipe would be $42,000. This would include curb and gutter for this section. Staff has included the pipe and curb and gutter into the trail grant application that was submitted. The full project including the storm sewer pipe would have less impact on tree removal and would limit the aesthetic affect to the park. Councilmember Trade asked if the ditch in this area would be eliminated as part of the project. City Engineer Berkowitz stated the ditch would be worked into the trail. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilmember Knight, Seconded by Councilmember Trade to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Tina Borg, Recording Secretary x