City Council Workshop

Blaine City Hall City of Blaine 10801 Town Sq Dr NE Blaine, MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes - Final City Council Workshop Thursday, November 17, 2016 7:10 PM Cloverleaf Farm Room A NOTICE OF WORKSHOP MEETING 1 Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ryan at 7:00 p.m. 2 Roll Call ALSO PRESENT: Councilmember-Elect Andy Garvais Quorum Present. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Clark Arneson; City Attorney Patrick Sweeney; Planning and Community Development Director Bryan Schafer; Public Services Manager Bob Therres; Finance Director Joe Huss; Budget/Fiscal Analyst Ward Brown; Safety Services Manager/Police Chief Chris Olson; City Engineer Jean Keely; Communications Technician Roark Haver; Senior Engineering Technician Al Thorp; City Clerk Catherine Sorensen; and Recording Secretary Linda Dahlquist. Present: 7 - Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Hovland, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Clark, Councilmember Bourke, Councilmember Herbst, and Councilmember King 3 New Business 3-1 WS 16-67 TRAFFIC COMMISSION - DETERMINE PRIORITIES, BUDGET AND OPERATIONS Public Services Manager Therres stated the Traffic Commission (TC) will be created for 2017. He stated the TC will review neighborhood traffic concerns; define traffic issues; review alternatives; look at short and long term cost alternatives; hold public hearings; and make recommendations to the Council. He noted that the TC would not have a specific budget for any improvements or changes, but would make recommendations. He stated staff is recommending the TC hold bi-monthly meetings and have the Engineering and Police Departments prepare and present reports to the Commission at their meetings. City Manager Arneson asked about the cost of traffic signs and traffic studies. City of Blaine Page 1 City Council Workshop Minutes - Final November 17, 2016 Public Services Manager Therres replied traffic signs cost $25,000 and traffic studies cost $6,000. Councilmember Hovland asked if the TC will make recommendations on existing roads or new development. Public Services Manager Therres replied the TC will look at issue specific roads. Councilmember Swanson commented the TC should have a few months of grounding/training. Councilmember Hovland suggested training be six months. Councilmember Herbst stated he thought the TC would look at issues that are brought to the City. He commented the TC would not be involved with planning. Councilmember King stated he understood the TC would research issues brought to the City from residents. He stated he agreed the TC should have a training period. He asked about small item purchasing and if the City Manager or the Council would decide on the purchase. City Manager Arneson stated the TC will make suggestions for the Council to consider. Councilmember Clark commented the TC would research small requests like crosswalks, sidewalks, etc. He stated he is concerned about road closure or road redesign recommendations. Mayor Ryan suggested members have two year terms. He stated the Council knows the road issues. Councilmember Clark commented road issues need to come to Council. Councilmember Bourke stated issues or petitions should continue to go to staff and then brought to the TC for review. Councilmember Herbst commented the TC needs a budget. Councilmember Bourke suggested the TC review issues brought to the City by the residents. Councilmember Hovland stated he agrees with Councilmember Bourke and with Mayor Ryan. He noted the TC responsibilities can be expanded once it is up and running. Councilmember Swanson commented not all residents on Rice Creek Parkway complain about the same issue. City Manager Arneson stated the full report on Rice Creek Parkway is forthcoming and staff has suggested it be the first project for the TC. City of Blaine Page 2 City Council Workshop Minutes - Final November 17, 2016 Councilmember King stated there should be initiating event for the TC to review a road issue. Councilmember Bourke suggested the TC bring issues forward for Council review. Councilmember Hovland commented the TC can help staff with research. He commented funding could come through the Pavement Management Program. Mayor Ryan questioned where the agenda comes from and if the TC’s meetings will be public with recorded minutes similar to Planning and Parks. Councilmember Bourke stated staff from engineering and traffic should be a part of the TC. He noted Territorial Road needs parking signs. Councilmember Clark stated the TC would receive issues from residents, staff or Council to start research. He stated if the issue meets the TC’s scope a project could move forward. He proposed a budget of $25,000 to start and $25,000 in reserve. He commented the TC’s scope would be limited to traffic control devices and pedestrian movement such as stop signs, parking signs, flashing lights, crosswalks signs, etc. He stated the TC will not be involved with new development layout, traffic systems or pavement construct or reconstruct. He stated the TC’s process would include tests and measures of the recommendations, and policy development to traffic control. Public Services Manager Therres commented there are funds budgeted for consultant services to help with road studies. Councilmember King commented $25,000 budget to start seems low. Councilmember Hovland asked about the Comp Plan and if transportation is included in the plan. Planning and Community Development Director Schafer replied the Comp Plan does have a section on transportation. Councilmember King suggested $50,000 and $50,000 in reserve. Councilmember Clark suggested $25,000 and $75,000 in reserve. Councilmember Herbst suggested $50,000 and $25,000 in reserve. Council consensus on $25,000 and $75,000 in reserve. Councilmember Clark stated the TC’s requirements are training, testing and measurement, policy development, and neighborhood input. City of Blaine Page 3 City Council Workshop Minutes - Final November 17, 2016 Council discussion on TC’s meeting schedule. Discussed Other Business None. ADJOURN The Workshop adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Aye: 7 - Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Hovland, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Clark, Councilmember Bourke, Councilmember Herbst, and Councilmember King City of Blaine Page 4