City Council Worksession

South St. Paul JOINT WORKSESSION COUNCIL SSP City Hall 125 3rd Avenue North Training room Monday, January 27, 2020 7:00 pm AGENDA: 1. Concord Improvement Project – Project Update & Listening Session 2. Public Housing Program – Update 3. Jefferson Site Analysis – Update (No Attachment) 4. Licensing of Carnivals 5. 2020 Goal Setting Discussion 6. Council Comments & Questions  H COUNCIL WORKSESSION REPORT DATE: JANUARY27,2020 1 t:�fl DEPARTMENT: ENGINEERING Prepared by: Lee Elfering, City Engineer ADMINISTRATOR: ,IRjJ_ AGENDA ITEM: Concord Street Improvement Update ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED: Information only: for input and discussion OVERVIEW: The Concord Street improvements will have significant impacts to the project corridor and to the City as a whole given its role as a major transportation route through South St. Paul. With our outreach efforts, we have endeavored to gather input from property owners along the corridor, general users of the corridor, and the community as a whole. Based on that input, the design team has worked with our agency pattners to address a number of local concerns. The 60% design that has been developed provides for a project that is suppo1ted by our agency partners and is within the guidelines of all the funding sources that have been secured. While additional changes could be made to the design to partially address the on-street parking concerns, those changes will result in the loss of a portion of the project funding which would then become the responsibility of the City. At Monday's work session, a presentation will be made summanzmg the current layout and improvements (including changes that have been incorporated since the original scoping of the project), estimated costs, and a review of the funding sources. We will also provide some information on changes that could be incorporated into the project to further address the on-street parking concerns in the nmth business area along with an approximation of the financial impacts of those changes. We have invited the businesses along the Concord Street project corridor to this meeting to hear the presentation and provide direct input to the City Council on the layout. We have also attached the public comments received on the project website for your review. While no official action will be taken, we hope to obtain an unofficial consensus on the final layout for incorporation into the upcoming feasibility study and public hearing.  ..... 1 1 1. The two lane on each side needs to continue to Grand Ave because of the truck traffic that goes around the full business park. Near Schadegg Business / Property WIKIMAP Mechanical in the Lane Configuration 7/8/19 Owners 2. Also reducing the ability to turn left on Concord from Bridge point to 494 will be a problem. Been in the business park for 19 years and never have seen an accident there because of the great visibility. Business Park 2 Between Armour WIKIMAP Commuter Avenue and Lane Configuration 7/8/2019 4-lanes should continue at least to Bridgepoint Drive intersection for better access to Bridgepoint Business Park. Bridgepoint Drive 3 WIKIMAP Commuter Bridgepoint Drive !lane Configuration I 7/11/2019 This needs to be a left hand turn to go south. 4 I I Bike lanes should be along the entirety of Concord, whether protected, separate or just on the road. I would love to bike comm�te to work here but I have seen too many close calls where there are not bike lanes for me to feel comfortable bike commuting. Concord provides a WIKIMAP Icommuter south of Central 1 Avenue I Bike/Ped Facilities I 7/17/2019 unique opportunity due to its connection to the Mississippi River Regional Trail, the soon to be River-to River Greenway and to the businesses along Concord. This could be a uni que opportunity to attract bikers away from just the bike trails and into the city, which would benefit restaurants and shops in town. Additionally, this would be the City's first Complete Street and would help the City attain its goals listed in the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. S WIKIMAP More Information Villaume Avenue Intersection Control N/A Agree that existing traffic signals be evaluated based on traffic volumes, sight distances, and truck access. 6 Bridgepoint Drive is a main road in and out of Bridgepoint Business Park. We need to be able to turn left (southbound) onto Concord from WIKIMAP More Information Bridgepoint Drive Lane Configuration 7/8/2019 Bridgepoint Drive. 7 This absolutely cannot be a right turn only. With 494 being south of us this would create numerous obstacles and the potential of having so many accidents. People will just choose to drive through the parking lot next Rihm Kenworth and I would guess they won't be going slow. I don't understand how anyone would even think this would be a good idea at all. The traffic on Bridgepoint drive alone should show you WIKIMAP I More Information IBridgepoint Drive I Lane Configuration I 7/8/2019 that this is a bad idea. Also, why would you ever Bring Concord down to one lane each way? Would this be so you can just go fix it in another year like most of the roadway projects in this state and bring it back to two lanes? We have a truck driving school down here and if you've ever been stuck behind a student driver of one of those it would tell you that one lane is a terrible idea. It might even be a worse idea than taking the left hand tum option away coming off of Bridgepoint Dr... 8 The City built a business park and now wants to close down the mostly widely used exit out of the park to the Interstate? This does not 1 WIKIMAP More Information Bridgepoint Drive Access 7/8/2019 make sense. There is literally nothing wrong with the way traffic runs through this area right now, so are we changing it just to spend money? Repave Concord and be done with it. 9 Grand Avenue to Would like to see a biking /running path next to Concord going to Kaposi a Landing so bicyclists etc... don't gave to go alt the way down to WIKIMAP More Information Bike/Ped Facilities 7/12/2019 Wentworth Avenue the spiral bridge to get there. 10 Could we have a roundabout there for safety and traffic flow? I'm concerned about removing a traffic signal, but agree that it is frustrating WIKIMAP More Information Wentworth Avenue Intersection Control 7/11/2019 at times to wait to get on to Concord North from Wentworth (current light is LONG ), but fear that NO traffic control will not be safe... 1 OF9 1/23/2020 11 I More Information I Intersection Control There's not enough traffic from Wentworth to warrant a roundabout. In addition, because this is a downhill (limited visibility) southbound AND a 2�1ane merge northbound; a roundabout would cause too many unnecessary issues at this location. A stop sign for Wentworth WIKIMAP lwentworth Avenue 7/13/2019 traffic would be great. Also, considering Wentworth to southbound concord turns, it would be nice to direct all southbound traffic to the I Intersection Control left lane until after the intersection, giving people making a right turn room to accelerate and more opportunity to make their turn. 12 1 use this light to cross concord to get down to the river trail. If the light wasn't there nobody would stop to let you cross and it could be WIKIMAP More Information Bryant Avenue 7/12/2019 1dangerous 13 I Bike/Ped Facilities Decent/proper walking/biking trails are very important to me and a growing portion of the population. Biking is a rapidly growing portion South of Armour of the commuters and just as a plain hobby along with the serious cyclists. It is important to provide access and make it safe. Avenue WIKIMAP Other 7/12/2019 Trails/pathways/sidewalks should be clearly marked for use and restrictions that may apply. Love the possibilities that the new Concord may/will provide for development. Hopefully new development in this area is/will be considered. 14 WIKIMAP Other South of Central Avenue I Bike/Ped Facilities 7/12/2019 Will cycling be allowed on the sidewalk or will there be appropriate/safe bike lanes on Concord? I know biking was mentioned but not Itotally clear on how/where the lanes would be marked and width. 15 I Intersection Control Ever since the old Concord Street, now Concord Exchange, was created in the 1970s, it has become easier and easier for potential shoppers, visitors and others to simply zip through SSP without ever stopping. Removing stop lights at Grand, Wentworth, Bryant, etc. WIKIMAP Resident Grand Avenue 7/2/2019 make that even easier. lt•s as though we want to be sure no one even considers pulling into Kaposia Club or Burger King or Subway or any other business on Concord whereas if you wait at a stop light for a couple minutes, you just might realize pulling into Kwik Trip might be a -- !good idea. I'm curious what the Concord Street business owners are thinking about eliminating all those stoplights. A roundabout at Concord and Villaume would be nice to reduce traffic speeds along Concord, reduce delays along Villaume Avenue, and 16 Villaume Avenue I intersection Control I provide better pedestrian crossings. WIKIMAP Resident 7/12/2019 17 WIKIMAP Resident Armour Avenue I intersection Control 7/2/2019 Roundabout here to slow Concord traffic down and allow better access for Armour traffic. Roundabout at Grand Avenue intersection to reduce traffic speeds on Concord, allow better access to Grand Avenue traffic, and make a 18 WIKIMAP Resident I Grand Avenue I intersection Control 7/12/2019 I Hardman Avenue I safer pedestrian crossing. Roun�about at Hardman Avenue to slow Concord traffic down, allow better access to Hardman Ave traffic, and allow for safer pedestrian I 19 crossin1_s. WIKIMAP Resident !intersection Control 7/12/2019 Wentworth Avenue I Intersection Control 20 WIKIMAP Resident 7/12/2019 I Roundabout instead of signal or stop signs at Wentworth Avenue. 21 WIKIMAP Resident Bryant Avenue I intersection Control 7/12/2019 I Mini-roundabout at Bryant Ave to reduce width of road? I Bike/Ped Facilities 22 North of Bryant WIKIMAP Resident 7/12/2019 I Need sidewalk on east side of Concord I Avenue 23 WIKIMAP Resident Butler Avenue Bike/Ped Facilities 7/12/2019 I Roundabout instead of turn lane on Concord Roundabout here would be better to allow for full access at Camber Avenue intersection {it's a long way out of the way to turn left onto 24 WIKIMAP Resident Bridgepoint Drive Bike/Ped Facilities 7/12/2019 I Concord otherwise). 2 OF 9 1/23/2020  ...... m, Concord Street (TH 156) Improvements DOA.TMfMT o, T•AHs,o•U,TIOM 25 Overall, city/county/MnDOT should be most concerned about safety on Concord. The current design (12' lanes+ 6' shoulders) will allow North of Bridgepoint for greater travel speeds than what are safe in an urban area (20 mph where pedestrians can be expected with any frequency). Reduce the IWIKIMAP Resident Lane Configuration 7/12/2019 Drive travel lane/shoulder widths to promote safety and slow people down using passive speed control techniques (horizontal changes using roundabouts, vertical changes using speed tables/raised pedestrian crossings). 26 WIKIMAP Resident North of 6th Street ! Lane Configuration 7/12/2019 Don't need 4 lanes north of Villaume (traffic volumes not high enough and not growing, would be a racetrack as it is today). 27 Bike facilities needed along the whole corridor, not just the MRT part. Concord is a major (potential) connection across 1-494 for biking if it were safer for bikes. Building bike facilities will induce demand for biking Uust like building traffic lanes induces demand for driving). I don't North ofVillaume WIKIMAP Resident Bike/Ped Facilities 7/12/2019 see a lot of "Complete Streets" thinking in this plan... looks like more of the same typical suburban arterial design from the past that Avenue doesn't help our city to thrive. Mn DOT and Dakota County have Complete Streets policies or parts of their transportation plans... doesn't seem like they are taken too seriously here. 28 I am thrilled to see this investment and improvement happening! I moved here in 2014 from another state and was shocked by the poor walk ability just below me on the stretch of Concord between Wentworth and Central. Not pedestrian safe nor even navigable with a stroller or wheelchair, strewn with litter and glass, on a bus route and property and business owners not even shoveling in winter forcing WEBSITE Resident Bike/Ped Facilities 10/18/2019 folks onto the road. Decidedly decrepit retaining walls, etc. etc. This is a great step into ADA compliance and for folks trying not to drive autos, in addition to a beautifying move forward that is good for morale in the community. Happy to see SSP caring about safety and ,supporting bus riders, walkers and cyclists. All good news. 29 1 1. Do the bike paths need to be 6' wide? I was of the impression that bike lanes only need to be 48" wide per State code. Business / Property 2. What would be the need for sidewalks on both the east and west side of the roadway? Seems to be added and unnecessary expense, WEBSITE Bike/Ped Facilities 7/9/2019 Owners especially with improved crosswalks available. 30 1 see the plans include a provision for no left turn from Bridgepoint Drive onto southbound Concord. The reason listed is for safety. Having Business / Property 1 WEBSITE Intersection Control 7/6/2019 traveled that intersection and made that left hand turn for many years, it seems to be to a perfectly safe left hand turn as the sight lines Owners are extensive in both directions. 31I wEBSITE IBusiness/Property Minikahda Storage Utilities 7/12/2019 Will this work include replacing the storm sewer pipe that runs under our building at 1200 North Concord Street, that connects the street Owners drain to the rest of the �tem? 32IWIKIMAP Commuter Bike�e_d _EaciJiti_es 7/17/2019 Bike lanes should be along the entirety of Concord, whether protected, separate or just on the road. I would love to bike commute to work -- -· here but I have seen too many close calls where there are not bike lanes for me to feel comfortable bike commuting. Concord provides a unique opportunity due to its connection to the Mississippi River Regional Trail, the soon to be River-to River Greenway and to the businesses along Concord. This could be a unique opportunity to attract bikers away from just the bike trails and into the city, which would benefit restaurants and shops in town. Additionally, this would be the City's first Complete Street and would help the City attain its goals listed in the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. 30F 9 1/23/2020  ·T m, Concord Street (TH 156) Improvements ,�!:t,•,�:,'!i,c:... B 0 DQ 0 ssp Comment Source Topic No. Category Location Date Initial Comment Dislike Concord Street and woulcfLike to eliminate access to Concord St. people throw beer bottles, booze bottles and trash even found a empty plastic bottle of Diesel exhaust fluid for a semi truck. All kinds of junk littering these sidewalks. I think it's not a residential street so I ord Pia think the city or county should be liable for the snow blowing/plowing and grass mowing. It's so hard to mow and snow shovel coming from Concord Place and when it snows we get11/2 lanes of snow on the sidewalk which it's not fair compared to a regular residential street. We can't see the sidewalk why would we want to take care of it if we can't enjoy it! Enough said 34IWIKIMAP Commuter Bridgepoint Drive Lane Configuration 10/17/2019 Concord needs to remain 4 lanes due to traffic increasing with businesses to the East of Concord and all the semi's that use Concord. Especially with the truck driving school near by so you are able to pass some of the slower moving vehicles. 3SIWIKIMAP Commuter Bridgepoint Drive 10/22/2019 The two lanes makes it easier to get around slow moving traffic. This is not a residential area with homes and a lot of foot traffic. It is more Lane Configuration Concord should remain 4 lanes. There is a lot of traffic in the mornings and afternoons with slow moving vehicles as well as semi trucks. of a commute area and if a bike trail is to be added to the area it should be well off to the side of the road. I have never seen a biker during my commute so I am unsure as to why we need a bike lane. A bike path should be sufficient enough off to the side of the road. 36IWIKIMAP Commuter Bridgepoint Drive Lane Configuration 10/22/201l1 Concord should remain 4 lanes. With the growing business's on Concord, they are producing more traffic. There have been multiple accidents at the stop light intersections as it is, reducing the lanes will not help. 37IWIKIMAP Business / Property 10/28/2019 IBusinesses WILL be harmed significantly if this point is ignored. - The one thing that is a bit baffling is that people seem to be ignoring the Bryant Avenue Lane Configuration Parking is a necessity along Concord fOr businesses. If we have to interrupt bike lanes as a result it is an unfortunate but necessary evil. fact there are bike lanes along the river. Owners 38[WIKIMAP [Commuter IBridgepoint Drive 10/31/2019 If you work east of Concord, the new layout will not let you access southbound Concord unless you go to the signal lights on Grand or Armour. Even then, there will only be one turn lane. Are you kidding me? Did anyone take into account the number of people that work Access east of Concord? This will be a nightmare trying to go south! 39[EMAIL [N/A N/A Bike/Ped Facilities 7/9/2019 I've peeked at the plans for this street upgrade and have a couple questions: 1. Do the bike paths need to be 6' wide? I was of the impression that bike lanes only need to be 48" wide per State code. 2. What would be the need for sidewalks on both the east and west side of the roadway? Seems to be added and unnecessary expense, especially with improved crosswalks available. 40[EMAIL IN/A N/A 7/9/2019 Having traveled that intersection and made that left hand turn for many years, it seems to be to a perfectly safe left hand turn as the sight Intersection Control 3. I see the plans include a provision for no left turn from Bridgepoint Drive onto southbound Concord. The reason listed is for safety. lines are extensive in both directions. 41[EMAIL N/A N/A 7/12/2019 Will this work include replacing the storm sewer pipe that runs under our building at 1200 North Concord, that connects the street drain to the rest of the system? Utilities 40F9 1/23/2020  ...... ffl'\ t:��t�.r,i:._;,c:N I am thrilled to see this investment and improvement happening! I moved here in 2014 from another state and was shocked by the poor walk ability just below me on the stretch of Concord between Wentworth and Central. Not pedestrian safe nor even navigable with a stroller or wheelchair, strewn with litter and glass, on a bus route and property and business owners not even shoveling in winter forcing folks onto the road. Decidedly decrepit retaining walls, etc. etc. This is a great step into ADA compliance and for folks trying not to drive autos, in addition to a beautifying move forward that is good for morale in the community. Happy to see SSP caring about safety and supporting bus riders, walkers and cyclists. All good news. 43!EMAIL IN/A N/_A_____ Other 12/20/2019 jWhat are plans for my property area? 625 Concord St N SouthStPaul MN55075 44IEMAIL IN/A N/A lr:tter_se_c:tior:,__Co_r:,�_r:_ol }2/23/2019 The sight lines at Concord and Bryant require a stop light. Please drive a sedan (not a truck with higher seating) east down Bryant toward !the intersection. When stopped at the intersection you will see that the sight lines, especially to the south, are quite obscured. Surely sight lines, and not just traffic volume, should be taken into account before removing the traffic signal. 44TEMAIL-- TN/A N/A Access 12/23/2019 Next, I don't see how anyone will be able to turn left onto northbound Concord during rush hour without a stopl�ht. 45jEMAIL IN/A N/A Bike/Ped Facilities 12/23/2019 Slower moving pedestrians and bicyclists regularly use this intersection to get to and from the park and need to be able to cross Concord safely. Concord should be mana_[ed for the citizens of South St Paul, not commuter traffic. 46IEMAIL IN/A N/A Other 12/26/2019 just wondering when the retaining wall start to go in what part of the construction project. what does it look like. will there be trees coming out due to the close proximity to the wall and tree roots. i live at 645 Concord St N and looking forward to the new improvements. I would like to talk about the snow removal which i don't think is is fare do to how wide the lanes are and all the snow the plows push onto the sidewalk. So i work in Bloomington and the city takes care of Normandale Blvd from 494 to Old Shakopee Rd the sidewalks. it would be nice if South saint Paul could do the same kind of thing for us home owners and businesses.. its hard enough shoveling a normal street plowed onto a sidewalk but 2 lanes is ridiculous. so when the plows finish the snow hardens and it is very heavy and no space to put is. Now with no grass space where are we suppose to put it. we cant very well throw it over the 8 or 9 foot retaining wall, That could be a shoulder injury. Just wanted to throw this in the mix of now and after the construction problems. Thanks in advance for looking at this email and Happy Holidays to your whole Team:) 47IWEBSITE !Resident Iconcord & Villaume Other 10/2/2019 I think input from drivers of buses and large trucks would be valuable. Are roundabouts difficult for their navigation? Ave 4s]WEBSITE ]Resident Concord St between Bike/Ped Facilities 10/2/2019 Bike lanes and sidewalks increase potential purchases from stores and restaurants. Can we assurrlebike racks willbe installed? Villaume Ave & 6th St 49jWEBSITE !Resident IE concord St between lslke/Ped Facilities Villaume Ave & 6th St 1/7/2020 jwe already have bike trails. 50!WEBSITE IResident IE concord St between lsike/Ped Facilities Villaume Ave & 6th St 12/21/2019 [There is a bike path less than a few hundred yards away. E 5l!WEBSITE !Resident Concord St between BikeLPed Facilities 9/30/2019 In 2o+ years of living in SSP & 9 in St. Paul's West side, I've seen 5 or less bicyclists or pedestrians riding or wakling on Concord St. Villaume Ave & 6th St E S OF9 1/23/2020  T AA - ffl'\ u� Concord Street (TH 156) Improvements DQ T:!�•,_•,_�.•,i:.�::N B 0 0 Comment Source Category Location Top,c Date Initial Comment No. 52IWEBSITE Icommuter Iconcord & 6th St E Access 1/2/2020 !Why are we removing the ability to turn left from both directions off of 6th? We are making people turn right, drive down the road and 53IWEBSITE Icommuter Iconcord & 6th St E 1/3/2020 then U Turn?? ISo then after turning right, how are people going to safely make a u turn at the next intersection? There's only a thru lane, not a left turn lane. Access 54 WEBSITE Commuter Concord & 6th St E 1/4/2020 Don't create problems by not allowing left turns. You're making another Robert Street that I now avoid! 55 WEBSITE Concord & 6th St E 1/10/2020 The ability to turn left from the west sdie of 6th St Eis unnecessary since you can just go north on Concord Exchange and turn left (north) Access Commuter Iat Bridgepoint. I'm not sure why the east side of 6th St Eis needed at all since it is just a driveway to access the rear part of the Allstate Access Peterbilt property. The Dakota County map doesn't even show it as a street on the east side of Concord. 56jWEBSITE !More Information Concord & 6th St E 1/3/2020 This is going to kill the local business on the Exchange. You are not letting people access Footh, Kaposia Club or Al's easily, which will drive I Access 57 WEBSITE Other 1/2/2020 people away. Concord & Armour please leave it be. This doesn't help the businesses. Don't upset the few businesses we have. Ave 58 WEBSITE Business / Property Concord & BridgepointILane Configuration 1/2/2020 Concord needs to remain 4 lane. The growth of businesses in this area has brought increased commuters and delivery traffic. With the Owners Itruck driving school, it is imperative to have four lanes as the trucks block traffic regularly. Also with Kwik Trip and the draw it has for semis, we need to have lane options for passing, and for heading both north and south at intersections. 59IWEBSITE I Commuter Concord & Bridgepoint � 1/2/2020 I You are getting rid of the ability for people east of Concord to go south on Concord! This entire area is filled with businesses and commuters that go to the freeway! Why are we reducing the ability for them to go the direction they need to go? 60IWEBSITE IMore Information 1/10/2020 !Without the left turn from Concord, this entrance could be eliminated entirely since traffic patterns would change for those living off Memorial Dr !Veteran's Memorial Dr anyways. The Grand Ave is close enough to make this redundant. Concord & Veteran1 s Access 61!WEBSITE !Resident Concord & Grand Ave Other 12/30/2019 1The pavement here on Grand Ave. needs to be concrete. The existing asphalt pavement has slumped downhill resulting in a hump. Thus w :hump is particularly bad in the left turn lane. WEBSITE North of Concord & Grand, 18 parking 62 stalls I Parking 11212020 'what for? There's nothing there that can't be more easily accessed from the Concord Exchange side. WEBSITE More Information 'This entrance could be eliminated as there are better intersections to the north and south. Concord Exchange could be connected to the Exchange N 1/10/2020 I Hardman Ave intersection through the Big Discount Liquor and Royal Star parking lots, or it could dead end at the Royal Star parkin�lot. Concord & Concord 63 Resident Access WEBSITE Concord & Hardman A drawing I saw removed the ability to turn south on Concord from Hardman at this intersection. That is an alNful idea, sending us north to 64 Commuter Ave N 1/2/2020 then eventually U Turn? Concord & Hardman Access 65 WEBSITE Commuter Ave N Access 1/8/2020 Visibility both north and south is more than adequate here. Left (south) turns from Hardman Av should be permitted. Concord & Wentworth 66 WEBSITE More Information Ave I intersection Control 1/13/2020 We NEED some sort of traffic control here. We are trying to increase Concord Ave traffic, yet seriously considering no roundabout OR ,stoplight here? That is about as stupid an idea as I have heard. Please reconsider. I use this intersection often. 1 I have already input some feedback about this proposed change but had to come back to make another point: Concord & Wentworth ,You (the Project Team) claims that there is not enough traffic here to justify either a light or a roundabout, yet at the same time, there is 67 WEBSITE More Information Ave I intersection Control 1/13/2020 apparently enough bicycle traffic to justify more bike trail? The visibility to the north from eastbound Wentworth Ave is somewhat limited due to the Animal Hospital and the roadway's elevation Concord & Wentworth change to the north. Without traffic controls here, it may increase (the dreaded t-bone) crashes between southbound Concord traffic and 68 WEBSITE Resident Ave !intersection Control 1/8/2020 traffic turnin� north from Wentworth. 6DF9 1/23/2020  ..... Concord &Wentworth I I've experienced speeding drivers through Wentworth roundabouts and wondered, do roundabouts pose more risk bicyclist and 69IWEBSITE Resident Ave !intersectionControl 10/2/2019 pedestrian safety than traffic lights? I A roundabout would work well here, however, as a Resident that uses this intersection frequently, I will say that this is one of the friendliest, "smartest" stoplights I know of. I rarely have to wait more than a minute to get ontoConcord fromWentworth. Concord &Wentworth ! I Simply eliminating the light without adding a roundabout, however, would be very inconvenient. There is often enough traffic on Concord 70IWEBSITE Resident Ave Iintersection Control 1/131'_2020 to make it difficult to make a left turn fromWentworth without some sort of device. In the Video shown on Vimeo, the east side ofConcord shows a "bump-out" curbing and green space along the frontage. This design is great! Currently, Northbound vehicles drive too fast in this area (between the businesses on opposite side of the street). Will this bump­ In front of RC Tropical out be sidewalk, grass, curbing? In the winter, the snowplows tend to drive through too fast and launch the snow/salt/slush directly onto 711WEBSITE IBusiness / Property Ow Readers Other 12/20/2019 the building so maybe the bump-out helps this as well. thank you for this interactive map. Concord Street 72 WEBSITE Resident Townhomes Other 12/22/2019 I Townhomes ofConcord Place. Concord St between El Nuevo 7 Mares and 73IWEBSITE I Resident Fury Motorcycle I other 1/13/2020 I serious!}'_? Concord St just south 74IWEBSITE lother lofWaterous St IBike_LPed Facilities 1/8/2020 Bike traffic can be directed to the River Trail across the bridge to Kaposia Landing. As a Resident that uses this intersection frequently, I will say that this is one of the friendliest, "smartest" stoplights I know of, along with the one onWentworth &Concord. I rarely have to wait more than a minute to get ontoConcord here. 7SIWEBSITE More Information I concord & Bryant Intersection Control _1L13/2_o_2_Q_ I frequently use this intersection when taking my dog to the offeash park or to ride the bike trail. Is there any possibility of making a pedestrian/bike friendly lane on the overpass from Bryant to the dog park for all of the walkers and 76IWEBSITE More Information I concord & Bryant Bike/Ped Facilities 12/22/2019 bikers to safely transit that section? With a new signal system will they be better regulated so there isn't such a long wait to make a left turn from Bryant toConcord going nlWEBSITE More Information Concord & Bryant Intersection Control 1/14/2020 North? 78IWEBSITE More Information Concord & Bryant B�/Ped Facilities 1/14/2020 I a!'ee with the Oec 22nd comment below about a lane on the overpass for bikers/walkers. TheConcord / Bryant intersection receives a lot of traffic both from neighborhoods up the bluff to accessConcord, and from the many persons accessing the bridge across the tracks to the park. The latter includes people accessing (1) the dog park throughout the day including early morning and after work, (2) parking for trails in 3 directions, (3) the new ball fields, and (4) the open areas of the Kaposia Flats park. The cited information about this being a "low volume intersection" appears to be outdated and incorrect. Very important to keep this traffic light (or roundabout) for safety. Because Bugg's Place goes right to the sidewalk and vehicles are often parked in front, traffic coming down Bryant from the bluff doesn't have good sight lines forConcord traffic from the south. Without traffic control would be increased risk of accidents especially for traffic turning south onConcord from Bryant. The increased traffic speeds onConcord from the elimination of stop lights would add to the risk and likely result in increased accidents. We would likely avoid this intersection entirely and go much longer ways around if the stop lights are eliminated with no effective traffic control replacement. With removal of so many lights and higher speeds catering more to commuters, as a resident I would be inclined to avoid Concord for safety and do more business in West 79jWEBSITE Resident Concord & Bryant IntersectionControl 12/23/2019 St. Paul or St. Paul. SOJWEBSITE Resident Concord & Butler Other 118/2020 Oisa!'ee: Visibility from Butler both norti,_a _nd south is more than adequate. _ 70F 9 1/23/2020  ..... m, Concord Street (TH 156} Improvements Dt,.tHMINTM T•.tlfti,,Olf&TIOlf The scope of the project is not functional for the businesses and while it looks good on paper, I don't think it works for the people of South I 81IOPEN HOUSE IN/A N/A Other 10/29/2019 St. Paul or the businesses that operate in it. 82IOPEN HOUSE IN/A N/A Access 10/29/2019 !The center turn lane is not necessary and sidewalks on both sides of the street make no sense functionally on a bluff_of the Mississippi. 83IOPEN HOUSE IN/A N/A Access 10/29/2019 Davis Transmission at 529 Concord Street has been there since 2007. Loss of parking on the west side of Concord Street is a big problem. 84 OPEN HOUSE N/A Other 10/29/2019 IThere ha\/e·been repOrted-Crlmes-arld thf!ft-fn-UPPer lot, but the police do not address theft and vandalism. I N/A 8SIOPEN HOUSE IN/A N/A Lane Configuration 10/29/2019 13-lane section should start at Bryant and go north. The statistics analysis pulled on parking for my business-I want a copy of the analysis where they came up with my car-count. There's not 86 OPEN HOUSE N/A N/A Parking 10/29/2019 enough proposed earking for_my business. 87 OPEN HOUSE N/A N/A Access 10/29/2019 Keep access to businesses when the project is under construction. 88 OPEN HOUSE N/A N/A Parking 10/29/2019 Parkin1_ 89 OPEN HOUSE N/A N/A Parking 10/29/2019 IC:oncered about loss of parking on west side of Concord -this is a problem. 90 OPEN HOUSE N/A N/A Other 10/29/2019 Parkin_£ area on top west is subject to vandalism -theft and vandalism. I'm concerned that customers know I'm still open for business and they can get to me during construction. Signage is important syaing I 91IOPEN HOUSE IN/A N/A Other 10/29/2019 businesses are open. 92 OPEN HOUSE N/A N/A Other 10/29/2019 Bouldevard should be concredte - not !_rass 93IOPEN HOUSE IN/A N/A Access 10/29/2019 !Access somehow to property from Concord Street to property as there is currently no wall. Concord & Villaume 94IWIKIMAP !Resident Ave Other 10/2/2019 I think input from drivers of buses and large trucks would be valuable. Are roundabouts difficult for their navigation? South of Concord & 9SIWIKIMAP I Resident 16th Bike/Ped Facilities 10/2/2019 Bike lanes and sidewalks increase potential purchases from stores and restaurants. Can we assume bike racks will be installed? 96 WIKIMAP Commuter Concord & 6th Access 1/2/2020 I I Whyare we removing the ability to turn left from both directions off of 6th? We are making people turn right, drive downtheroad and then U Turn?? So then after turning right, how are people going to safely make a u turn at the ne xt intersection? There's only a thru lane, not a left turn 97 WIKIMAP Commuter Concord & 6th Access 1/3/2020 lane. The ability to turn left from the west side of 6th St Eis unnecessary since you can just go north on Concord Exchange and turn left (north) I Peterbilt property. The Dakota County map doesn't even show it as a street on the east side of Concord. at Bridgepoint. I'm not sure why the east side of 6th St Eis needed at all since it is just a driveway to access the rear part of the Allstate 98 WIKIMAP Commuter Concord & 6th Access - - - 1/10/2020 This is going to kill the local business on the Exchange. You are not letting people access Footh, Kaposia Club or Al's easily, which will drive 99IWIKIMAP Commuter Concord & 6th Access 1/3/2020 people away. I Business/ Property South of Concord & Concord needs to remain 4 lanes. The growth of businesses in this area has brought increased commuters and delivery traffic. With the truck driving school, it is imperative to have four lanes as the trucks block traffic regularly. Also with Kwik Trip and the draw it has for 100IWIKIMAP Bridgepoing 1/2/2020 semis, we need to have lane options for passing, and for heading both north and south at intersections. I Owners Lane Configuration North of Concord & You are getting rid of the ability for people east of Concord to go south on Concord! This entire area is filled with businesses and 101lw1KIMAP commuter IBridgepoint Access 1/2/2020 commuters that1_0 to the freeway! Why are we reducing the ability for them to go the direction they need to go? Concord & Veteran 1 s !Without the left turn from Concord, this entrance could be eliminated entirely since traffic patterns would change for those living off 102 WIKIMAP More Information Memorial Dr Access 1/10/2020 Veteran's Memorial Dr anyways. The - Grand . . Ave .. is close enough to make this redundant. The pavement here on Grand Ave. needs to be concrete. The e xisting asphalt pavement has slumped downhill resulting in a hump. Thus [ 103 WIKIMAP Resident Concord & Grand Other 12/30/2019 hump is particularly bad in the left turn lane. 104 WIKIMAP More Information Concord & Grand Access 1/2l2020 lwhat for? There's nothing there that can't be more easily accessed from the Concord Exchange side. 80F9 1/23/2020  T m, OIPAITMIMT o, Concord Street (TH 156) Improvements DQ TU,t,!t-•U,TIOM B 0 0 95p Comment Date Source Category Location Topic No. Initial Comment I Exchange N 1/2/2020 Hardman Ave intersection through the Big Discount liquor and Royal Star parking lots, or it could dead end at the Royal Star parking lot. This entrance could be eliminated as there are better intersections to the north and south. Concord Exchange could be connected to the 10slw1K1MAP Concord & Concord Concord & Hardman I Resident Access then eventually_ U Turn? A drawing I saw removed the ability to turn south on Concord from Hardman at this intersectio11.-That is an awful idea, sending us north to 10slw1K1MAP Commuter AveN Access 1/2/2020 I Concord & Wentworth roundabout OR stoplitht here? That is about as stupid an idea as I have heard. Please reconsider. I use this intersection often. I Disagree. We NEED some sort of traffic control here. We are trying to increase Concord Ave traffic, yet seriously considering no 101lw1K1MAP Ave 1/13/2020 I have already input some feedback about this proposed change but had to come back to make another point: You (the Project Team) More Information Intersection Control I Concord & Wentworth claims that there is not enough traffic here to justify either a light or a roundabout, yet at the same time, there is apparently enough 10alw1KIMAP More Information Ave !intersection C�ntrol I 1/13/2020 bicycle traffic to justify more bike trail? The visibility to the north from eastbound Wentworth Ave is somewhat limited due to the Animal Hospital and the roadway's elevation I Concord & Wentworth I change to the north. Without traffic controls here, it may increase (the dreaded t-bone) crashes between southbound Concord traffic and 109IWIKIMAP Ave 1/8/2020 traffic turning north from Wentworth. Is there any possibility of making a pedestrian/bike friendly lane on the overpass from Bryant to the dog park for all of the walkers and Resident Intersection Control llJWIKIMAP Concord & Bryant 12/22/2019 bikers to safely transit that section? With a new signal system will they be better regulated so there isn't such a long wait to make a left turn from Bryant to Concord going More Information Bike/Ped Facilities 111lw1K1MAP !concord & Bryant 1/14/2020 North? Can the parking extend to the north closer to our property?? Unless the city will be maintaining all snow removal?? Customers will have to !More Information Intersection Control 112IWIKIMAP I owners IConcord & Waterous !other 1/16/2020 \Business / Property I walk in the street to access our business. 90F9 1/23/2020 A COUNCIL WORKSESSION REPORT DATE: JANUARY 27, 2020 2 DEPARTMENT: ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Prepared by: Ryan Garcia, Director - Economic & Community Development ADMINISTRATOR: JRH AGENDA ITEM: Public Housing Program - Update DESIRED MEETING OUTCOMES: • Discuss potential options for public housing administrative/reporting/oversight structure going forward, and generate consensus on preferred approach OVERVIEW: The City’s public housing program has undergone a period of transition over the past 18 months. Beginning February 1, 2020, Nath Companies will begin serving the City as property management agent for the two public high-rise properties, taking over for CommonBond. As Council is aware, the CommonBond management contract presented practical operational and administrative challenges from the start, which persisted throughout their contract term and will have lasting impacts even after their termination. Put simply and succinctly (not easy for me to do ☺), the following summary hopes to paint a picture for the council of “what we learned” in 2019 about our Public Housing program: • Tenant processing – from waitlist to application review and rent calculation to continued occupancy to moveout – requires a unique skillset. HUD has a specific set of documentation requirements and processes/procedures that must be followed. We are confident that Nath is well-equipped and prepared to manage this central component of the program for us. • As Public Housing assets, maintenance, upkeep, and capital improvements to the properties requires a dedicated level of staffing and expertise, and a familiarity with HUD’s Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) and Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) standards and processes. We are confident that Nath is well-equipped and prepared to manage this central component of the program for us. • Financial management of the program – particularly the processing/handling of tenant accounts and vendor payment processing – requires nearly continuous monitoring when left in the hands of the contracted property management entity. While our original model with CommonBond sought to pass along all financial management to their accounting and finance department, in practice the City literally had to audit (by line) financials on a monthly basis to reconcile financials. This approach introduced significant rework and an additional layer of risk and potential error. In the end, financial management of the program is best left as an “in-house” element.  • For as long as South St. Paul owns the Nan McKay and John Carroll properties – regardless of who “operates” or manages the properties – the City has an ongoing interface and obligation to HUD that reaches far and wide into administration of the program – everything from budgeting, to capital improvement, to reporting, to grant and financial management, to procurement and contracting. This is, by definition, a responsibility of the public agency – not a private contractor. In 2019, these duties were split (by necessity) between Michelle Pietrick and I. With Michelle’s departure, it is not practical to expect to find a Finance Director that will have the background or capacity to add public housing administration duties (in any great degree) to their role. Frankly, much of what Michelle was doing is not “Finance Director” work. It is program manager/grant administrator type work. • “Disposition” of the Public Housing program is not viewed by the administration as a viable or desirable option at this time. For reasons that have been articulated in previous worksessions, the City does not have the option to sell the property to a private party nor can we keep essentially the same program (senior, disabled near-senior only) and sell to another public entity. Fundamentally, we should recognize that these properties provide a critical public good (affordable senior housing), have been very well-cared for, and are on financially very solid ground. Considering all of this, Staff is of the opinion that it is time to employ some form of “hybrid” approach to the public housing program. We present three options for Council’s consideration: 1. Recruit a Housing Programs Administrator – This is staff’s strongly preferred option as we feel it presents the greatest possible chance at sustaining a strong program. This position would oversee the property management contract, serve as lead procurement officer (we have significant Capital resources that need to be deployed beginning now and through the next 24 months). This position would manage vendor contracts/procurement, and be the primary interface with HUD as it relates to the periodic and regular grant reporting requirements we have related to the program. This person would also oversee and assure local compliance with required HUD policy and program requirements related to public housing. Ideally, this position will help to stabilize the public housing program in the wake of this past year’s challenges, which we expect will take a period of time. The position would be fully funded through our Operating Subsidy with HUD, unless and until the City felt there was capacity in the position to introduce new areas of focus outside the public housing program, which might stem from the city’s Master Housing Strategy, for example. 2. Attempt to Contract with an outside agency for program administration – This option would seek to engage another agency to essentially administer the City’s ongoing responsibilities with HUD in particular (reporting, procurement, contract management, financial management). At this time, it is hard to define exactly what that type of arrangement would look like, and to be clear we have not had any conversation with Dakota County CDA or others about whether this would even be of interest to any outside agency. Nonetheless, it might be an option worthy of pursuit, if Council is against adding staff at this time.  3. Attempt to develop a mid-level staff coordinator from within the organization – This option would seek to identify and reassign staff from within the organization to take on more of a “support” role in the public housing program, theoretically relieving some of the time demands on the Finance Director and Economic/Community Development Director positions. This approach would need further formulation, but if the Council is against adding senior staff and it is proven that we can’t “farm out” the administration to another Agency, we would suggest taking a closer look at this option. In summary, the City remains – and most likely for the foreseeable future will remain – in the Public Housing business. While we remain confident that a contracted property management approach can provide a higher level-of-service to the day-to-day operation of the buildings, we feel that we’ve learned through this past year that oversight and administration of this complex and regulated federally funded program is not within the scope or capacity of a private property management firm. And fundamentally, as owners of the buildings and recipients of the federal funds to operate and maintain the buildings, it would seem to be in our best interests to have direct and dedicated oversight and direction over these resources. Thus, we suggest Council authorize the Administration to begin the process of creating and recruiting for the position of Housing Programs Administrator immediately. SOURCE OF FUNDS: The Public Housing Operating Subsidy would fund the proposed position, or any contracted services related to administration of public housing. A COUNCIL WORKSESSION REPORT DATE: JANUARY 27, 2020 4 DEPARTMENT: CITY CLERK Prepared by: Christy Wilcox ADMINISTRATOR: JRH AGENDA ITEM: DESIRED MEETING OUTCOMES: Discuss if the City Council would like to amend the City Code to allow for carnivals and circuses. OVERVIEW: In March of 2014, the City Council adopted an ordinance prohibiting circuses and carnivals from operating within the City. This was based upon the City receiving a request to allow a circus in the parking lot of Concord Lanes. There were so many issues relating to this request such as security, timely manner in which the license applications were received prior to the event and placement of poles that were being dug into the lot without approval. At that time, the City Attorney and City Staff felt that these types of events can cause burden on City resources and the inability to assure the protection of the public health, safety and welfare of the community. At the January 21st City Council meeting, a representative of Kaposia Days requested the City consider allowing carnivals, specifically for Kaposia Days. There are several things to factor in relative to allowing carnivals: • Hours of Operation (if near residential area should be limited to 10:00 pm?) • Security • Sanitation and Clean-up • Restoration of area • Insurance • Parking • Garbage/Recycling • Any Prohibited Activities • Only allow only on public property (city or school) for further control? If the City Council chooses to allow for carnival and/or circuses, Staff will work with the City Attorney to prepare the necessary ordinance. SOURCE OF FUNDS: n/a A COUNCIL WORKSESSION REPORT DATE: JANUARY 24, 2020 5 DEPARTMENT: ADMINISTRATION Prepared by: Joel Hanson ADMINISTRATOR: JRH AGENDA ITEM: 2020 Goal Setting Discussion DESIRED MEETING OUTCOMES: Discuss preferences regarding the need for a 2020 Goal Setting session. OVERVIEW: In an attempt to keep us all moving in the same direction, my normal preference is to conduct annual goal setting sessions. However, our top three goals from last year were all major undertakings and we might be better off getting them closer to completion before embarking on new challenges. Therefore, staff would like direction as to your views regarding the need for a 2020 goal setting session or if some other function such as team building, 2019 goal status reporting, burning issues that need attention, or some other process should be considered. If goal setting is desired, your input as to format, facilitator, and timing would also be appreciated. At this time, I do not have a recommendation as to how to proceed and would appreciate a discussion to determine our preferences. SOURCE OF FUNDS: List source of funds (if none, list N/A)