City Council Workshop

Blaine City Hall City of Blaine 10801 Town Sq Dr NE Blaine MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes City Council Workshop While this is a public meeting where interested persons are welcome to attend, it is a work session for Council and staff to discuss issues before them. It is not for the purpose of receiving public input. To participate in the meeting join the Zoom Webinar at https://blainemn.zoom.us/j/949434168 Questions? Email - Communications@BlaineMN.gov Monday, March 2, 2020 6:00 PM Cloverleaf Farm Room A NOTICE OF WORKSHOP MEETING 1 Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ryan at 6:43 p.m. 2 Roll Call Quorum Present. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Michelle Wolfe; Community Development Director Erik Thorvig; Police Chief/Safety Services Manager Brian Podany; Public Works Director Jon Haukaas; Finance Director Joe Huss; Public Services Manager/Assistant City Manager Bob Therres; City Engineer Dan Schluender; City Planner Lori Johnson; City Attorney Chris Nelson; Senior Engineering Technician Jason Sundeen; Communications Technician Roark Haver; Adjunct Board Member Drew Brown; and City Clerk Catherine Sorensen. Present: 7 - Councilmember Garvais, Councilmember Jeppson, Mayor Ryan, Councilmember Swanson, Councilmember Robertson, Councilmember Paul, and Councilmember Hovland 3 New Business 3-1 INTERSECTION CONTROL EVALUATION REPORTS City of Blaine Page 1 City Council Workshop Minutes March 2, 2020 Attachments: Preliminary Signal Design Preliminary Roundabout Single Lane Preliminary Roundabout Multi Lane Option 1 - 99th Ave No Changes Option 2 - 99th Ave Center Turn Lane Option 3 - 99th Ave Restriped Roundabout Concept Radisson & 116th Ave RI/RO Alt 1 Radisson & 116th Ave RI/RO Alt 2 Radisson & 116th Ave 3/4 Intersection ICE Ulysses and 121st ICE Ulysses and 117th ICE Polk and 99th ICE Radisson and 116th POWERPOINT City Engineer Schluender stated staff has received multiple complaints about traffic control at the following intersections, Ulysses Street and Paul Parkway/121st Avenue, Ulysses Street and 117th Avenue, 99th Avenue and Polk Street, and Radisson Road and 116th Avenue. The first three intersections were discussed at the April 2, 2019 Traffic Commission meeting and the Commission recommended that Intersection Control Studies be prepared for the three intersections. Please note, the Radisson Road and 116th Avenue intersection was not discussed at the Traffic Commission, as Radisson Road is a County road and outside the scope of the Commission. The Intersection Control Reports were presented to the Traffic Commission at their meeting on February 4, 2020. Staff provided a brief summary of the report and recommends that the City Council include the Traffic Commission recommendations for intersection control improvements to the intersections of Ulysses Street and Paul Parkway/121st Avenue, Ulysses Street and 117th Avenue, and 99th Avenue and Polk Street based on results of the Intersection Control Study to the City’s 5 year CIP. Staff also recommends that the City Council include the ¾ access intersection improvements at 116th Avenue and Radisson Road to the 5-year CIP based on the results of the Intersection Control Study. Councilmember Jeppson asked if there was a cost savings to install a roundabout. Mr. Schluender explained the initial expense was higher to install a roundabout versus a signaled intersection, but noted long-term maintenance was lower. Councilmember Robertson questioned if the future traffic changes along TH65 would impact these intersections. Mr. Schluender anticipated there would be a shift in traffic once the TH65 corridor was changed. City of Blaine Page 2 City Council Workshop Minutes March 2, 2020 Mayor Ryan asked if the City should meet with business owners along the TH65 corridor to gain feedback. Mr. Schluender stated the City could arrange to meet with business owners to learn about their concerns. Councilmember Robertson commented her concerns with roundabouts was that the public was not well-informed on how to use them. She suggested City staff work to better educate the public on proper use of roundabouts. Mr. Schluender explained staff received a great deal of criticism when 105th Avenue roundabouts were first opened but indicated it has tapered off. He explained information was available on the City’s website about how to traverse a roundabout but this information has been removed. Councilmember Garvais stated he liked the roundabout idea on 117th Avenue but recommended the striping of the roadway be further considered. Mr. Schluender stated this could be further evaluated. Public Works Director Haukaas explained single-lane roundabouts have fewer conflicts than multi-lane roundabouts. Councilmember Jeppson recommended the 116th Avenue/Radisson Road intersection move up as a higher priority on the CIP given how dangerous this intersection was. Councilmember Robertson agreed and recommended the neighbors be engaged. Councilmember Hovland explained he was concerned with the high levels of traffic near Radco off 99th Avenue near Ole Piper Inn during the afternoon. Mr. Schluender stated he would have staff look into these intersections further. Council consensus was to direct staff to move the 116th Avenue/Radisson Road intersection forward earlier within the CIP. 30 MINUTE DISCUSSION 3-2 CREATE MARY ANN YOUNG CENTER ENDOWMENT FUND Attachments: Mary Ann Young Center Endowment Fund Public Services Manager/Assistant City Manager Therres stated last fall, Ralph Odegard, who was a regular visitor of the Mary Ann Young Center, bequeathed a portion of his estate to the Mary Ann Young Center upon his passing. This donation was slightly more than $250,000. Staff is suggesting that the majority of these funds be placed in an endowment fund, similar to our existing Capital Improvement Fund, to be used for non-routine items for the Mary Ann Young Center or senior programs. Interest created by the endowment fund can be used if five of seven Councilmembers approve of a recommendation by the Senior City of Blaine Page 3 City Council Workshop Minutes March 2, 2020 Advisory Committee. Principal from this endowment fund can only be used if six of seven Councilmembers approve of a recommendation by the Senior Advisory Committee. Staff reviewed a draft of a Mary Ann Young Center Endowment Fund discussed by the Senior Advisory Committee. The Senior Advisory Committee has recommended that this endowment fund be adopted by the City Council. The City Council directed staff to create an endowment fund. Discussed 15 MINUTE DISCUSSION 3-3 93rd AVENUE/I35W SERVICE DRIVE SEWER REPAIR UPDATE #3 Mr. Haukaas provided the Council with an update on progress toward the final repair of the collapsed sewer at the intersection of 93rd Avenue and the I35W Service Drive. Staff reviewed pictures of the work to date, a revised construction schedule, and costs incurred along with the estimated costs for completion. It was noted all properties continue to have full water and sewer utility service. Staff are on-site monitoring the bypass pumps 24/7 to immediately respond if unforeseen problems occur. The sheet piling for access and construction protection is complete and the contractor has excavated the first stage. Soil stabilization ‘tie-backs’ were installed and dewatering for the stage two excavation has begun. He explained work would continue and noted staff was thankful for the good weather. Councilmember Hovland expressed concern with the fact the water from this project was being directed to JD1 ditch and feared this would fill the drainage pond with silt. Mr. Haukaas explained staff has been communicating with the watershed district regarding this matter and no concerns have been raised. Mr. Schluender reported the watershed district just completed a walk-through of JD1 and several maintenance issues were proposed for this summer. Councilmember Swanson asked what the final cost would be for this project. Mr. Haukaas estimated the final cost would be around $1.1 to $1.2 million. Discussed 15 MINUTE DISCUSSION 3-4 TH65 IMPROVEMENTS UPDATE Mr. Haukaas provided the Council with an update on the TH65 study and noted staff was looking into grant opportunities. City of Blaine Page 4 City Council Workshop Minutes March 2, 2020 Discussed 15 MINUTE DISCUSSION 4 Council Calendar Review City Manager Wolfe reviewed the Council Calendar. OTHER BUSINESS None. ADJOURN The Workshop was adjourned at 7:24 p.m. City of Blaine Page 5