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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-31-12 • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS TUESDAY, JULY 31 2012 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES I. Call to Order /Pledge of Allegiance /Approval of Agenda: Mayor Beaudet called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Present: Councilmembers Abrahamson, McComber, Runk, and Swenson. Staff present: City Administrator Johnson, City Attorney Vierling, and City Engineer Long. Absent: City Planner Richards Mayor Beaudet removed Section II from the Agenda. Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Runk, moved to approve the Agenda as amended. Carried 5 -0. II. REMOVED FROMAGENDA III. Visitors/Public Comment: Presentation by Jon Chiglo Minnesota Department of Transportation Jon Chiglo from the Minnesota Department of Transportation ( MNDOT) provided a PowerPoint presentation. He stated that MNDOT would use federal trunk highway dollars for impacted utilities. Chiglo reported betterments were not • eligible for trunk highway and federal funds. He stated that MNDOT considered the gray zone as betterments. Councilmember Swenson questioned what the City's negotiation power would be if the project was approved as presented to the City Council. Mr. Chiglo responded that MNDOT was continually committed to reducing the costs for the City. Todd Streeter from the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce was present at the meeting and came forward to encourage the City Council to look at opportunities and to move forward with the project. Tim McDaniel, manager at Lowe's Home Improvement, also came forward and stated he implored the City Council to move forward. Scott Friday, manager at Wal -Mart, reported that Wal -Mart was in support of the bridge project. Chuck Dougherty, owner of Cover Park Bed and Breakfast, stated he wanted the project to move forward. IV. Consent Agenda: . A. Approve Bills & Investments B. Approve City Council Minutes — July 24, 2012 City Council Meeting Minutes July 31, 2012 Page 2 of 4 • C. Appoint City Council Member Mike Runk as Planning Commission Liaison D. Approve Contract Amendments — City Administrator Councilmember McComber, seconded by Councilmember Swenson, moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5 -0. V. Public Hearings: None VI. Old Business: A. St. Croix River Crossing — Discuss Remaining Elements of MNDOT Letter Dated June 22, 2012 City Engineer Long reported that there was a change in the dollar amount of the estimate for utility work. He said it increased to $80,000 to $90,000. He stated he would obtain an estimate for pipe linings and provide that to the City Council August 1, 2012. Councilmember McComber requested funding options for the City's portion of the betterments. • Councilmember Runk questioned the maintenance of the loop trail. Jon Chiglo from MNDOT stated that the Stillwater MOU stated it would maintain that trail. Mr. Chiglo also indicated that there would be costs to the City for construction of the pedestrian grade- separated trails which the City Council requested. He stated he would work with Oak Park Heights staff to obtain a better understanding of the City's requests and to provide an estimate of the cost. Mayor Beaudet questioned the turning radius of the proposed cul -de -sac at Lookout Trail and Highway 95. He stated he would like the access open as it was in the 1995 plan. He also stated MNDOT should move Oakgreen Avenue away from Pine Grove Gardens. Mr. Chiglo indicated that MNDOT had moved Oakgreen Avenue away and have committed to landscaping in that area. He also indicated MNDOT was working on a landscape plan for the scenic overlook on Lookout Trail and could have discussions with the City about opening Lookout Trail to two -way traffic. Mayor Beaudet stated that staff needed to look at traffic issues and emergency vehicle access on Lookout Trail. Councilmember McComber questioned when the latest traffic counts were conducted on the frontage roads. Mr. Chiglo stated he did not know off- hand, but could obtain that information. City Council Meeting Minutes July 31, 2012 Page 3 of 4 Councilmember McComber also questioned whether MNDOT had plans to upgrade the corridor. Adam Josephson of MNDOT came forward and indicated the department had discussions to upgrade different issues and that a number of studies had been conducted. He stated the only project slated at that time was at Hilton Trail. Councilmember Abrahamson questioned if there were any assurances that MNDOT would not make Highway 36 into a freeway within the next 20 years. Mr. Chiglo responded that federal funds outlined rules that they cannot make changes within 20 years. City Engineer Long reported that the gray zone areas would last 75 to 100 years. Councilmember Abrahamson stated that was a concern. Mr. Chiglo reported that MNDOT cannot give any assurances of plans beyond 20 years. B. St. Croix River Crossing — Design Cost Estimates Mayor Beaudet questioned whether MNDOT would be providing a letter to concerned business owners on the Oamha Avenue access. Mr. Chiglo stated MNDOT would provide a letter to the City on the issue. Mayor Beaudet questioned whether MNDOT would allow the City more time to review the plans beyond the 60 day deadline. Mr. Chiglo • responded that MNDOT was not interested in extending the deadline. VII. New Business: A. St Croix River Crossing — Possible Consideration of Issues Councilmember Swenson, seconded by Councilmember McComber, moved to direct staff to prepare two resolutions: one to accept that the plan was in accordance with the 1 plan, and another to deny that the plan was in accordance with the 1995 plan. City Attorney Vierling responded that there would be two resolutions at a minimum. Councilmember Abrahamson, seconded by Mayor Beaudet, moved to amend to bring back all options in the form of resolutions. Carried 5 -0. Main motion carried 5 -0. B. St. Croix River Crossing_ Proposed Resolution Councilmember Runk, seconded by Councilmember Abrahamson, moved to set a workshop on August 21 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the budget and discuss issues related to the St. Croix River Crossing project. Carried 5 -0. VIII. Adjournment • Adjourned at 8:20 p.m. City Council Meeting Minutes July 31, 2012 Page 4 of 4 Respectful bmitte tu ontent and F , Jennifer Pins i ti Deput y Clerk Mayor