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CC VER 2021 02 08CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 8, 2021 Mayor Ryan called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. The meeting was opened with the Pledge to the Flag. COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ryan, Councilman Campion, Councilwoman Rehm, Councilwoman Schubert, and Councilman McDonald Councilwoman Rehm joined via Zoom. STAFF PRESENT: Charlie Howley, Public Works Director/City Engineer, Heather Johnston, Interim City Manager; and George Bender, Assistant City Engineer PUBLIC PRESENT: Bethany Tjornhom 1840 Freedom Lane Richard Berland (via Zoom) 6900 Minnewashta Parkway Lyndon Colebrook-Robjent Carver County Division Director/County Engineer Angie Stenson Carver County Senior Transportation Planner Diane Langenbach MnDOT Environmental Engineer/Project Manager Peter Moe Director of UofM Landscape Arboretum Eric Johnson Bolton & Menk Transportation Engineer Ross Tillman Bolton & Menk Principal Transportation Engineer Mayor Ryan asked the council if there were any modifications or additions to the agenda. After the roll call vote there were no changes to the published agenda. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS: MAPLE LEAF AWARD - BETHANY TJORNHOM Mayor Ryan thanked Ms. Tjornhom for her 16 years of service on the council. She read a statement and presented a plaque. The meeting was recessed for refreshments at 7:10 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 7:21 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA: Councilman McDonald moved, Councilman Campion seconded that the City Council approve the following consent agenda items pursuant to the Interim City Manager’s recommendations: 1. Approve City Council Minutes dated January 25, 2021 City Council Minutes – February 8, 2021 2 2. Receive Planning Commission Minutes dated January 19, 2021 3. Receive Park & Recreation Commission Minutes dated October 27, 2020, November 24, 2020 and December 8, 2020 4. Resolution #2021-04: Bid Authorization for 2021 Street Improvement Project (20-05) 5. Resolution #2021-05: Accept a Donation from T-Mobile for 28th Annual February Festival 6. Approve The 2021/2022 Lake Ann Park Beach Lifeguard Contract 7. Resolution #2021-06: Adopt Resolution Setting a Public Hearing for March 22, 2021 Establishing a TIF District All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS. Richard Berland wished to make a comment about the Arboretum Transportation Plan. Mayor Ryan explained the item was on the agenda and comments could be taken at that time. OLD BUSINESS: RESOLUTION #2021-07: APPROVE ARBORETUM AREA TRANSPORTATION PLAN Public Works Director/City Engineer Charlie Howley presented the item and introduced the other people who were working on the project. The Arboretum Area Transportation Plan (AATP) began in March 2019 and the group was asking for council support on the vision. Mr. Howley reviewed that council had asked the group to address three main areas: ● Hold a specific outreach event with residents of Minnewashta Parkway concerning moving the entrance to the Arboretum. ● Hold a specific outreach to Crimson Bay Road due to the roadway connection. This outreach was held in November. ● Because the city didn’t have an appetite to contribute funding to the 82nd Street plan, the council requested a reflection of $0 amount contributed. With help from legislative funding, the group has gotten to the point of $0 funding requested of the city. The group intends to continue to work to secure funding, work on the design phase, and involve the City Council in check-ins. Carver County Division Director/County Engineer Lyndon Colebrook-Robjent gave a history of the project. The intention was to improve traffic patterns, increase mobility, and improve safety. City Council Minutes – February 8, 2021 3 The County felt it was important to invest and identified 26 projects. They were able to receive public input. Bolton & Menk Transportation Engineer Eric Johnson presented the purpose of the study, implementation, next steps, review of the vision, recent engagement, and where to go from here. The purpose of the study was to perform an area wide transportation vision, to look for partners to approve the shared vision, to identify short-, mid-, and long-term implementation plans, to define the problems and opportunities, and to arrive at concepts that best meet the goals and objectives. This was accomplished through updates to the Council as well as public open houses and refining the vision. There will continue to be public engagement throughout the project. Mr. Johnson reviewed that the resolution was not a commitment by the Council to invest a certain amount of money at this time. The plan will be realized over the next 20 years and encompasses 20 projects totaling $206 million. The cost will be broken down into funding sources including competitive grants, MnDOT funding, County and local option sales tax, as well as local funds including about $1.2 million from Chanhassen. Mr. Johnson reviewed the short-term, mid-term, and long-term implementation. Mr. Johnson reviewed the open house for Crimson Bay Road which gathered public feedback. Public concerns at the open houses included increased traffic, compromised safety, narrow roads, and decreased property values. Residents requested signage on Crimson Bay Road to indicate it was not a through street. He outlined different solutions that might assist in traffic pattern concerns on this road. Mr. Johnson continued that next steps involved a city-led effort to further develop and evaluate the concepts and go for Local Partnership Program funding, with a tentative start date of 2024 construction. Mr. Johnson stated the Minnewashta Parkway open house raised similar concerns as well as additional concerns regarding the relocation of the entrance and arboretum events which would increase traffic on that road. Current problems include high speeds and difficulty crossing the road to access local beaches. There were also concerns about decrease in property values. Engagement to date has only included 90 people of 550 affected households. Attendees offered solutions including adding a signal to Highway 5, limiting access so vehicles cannot go north and south, reducing the speed limit, increasing pedestrian crossings, as well as alternative ways to gain access to the arboretum. Mr. Johnson gave a history of Minnewashta Parkway which currently sees just over 2,000 cars per day. Mr. Johnson gave a summary of data collected of traffic patterns entering and exiting the arboretum during peak times in May and October of 2017 and 2018. City Council Minutes – February 8, 2021 4 Director of University of Minnesota (U of M) Landscape Arboretum Peter Moe explained that the goal was for people from everywhere to have safe access to the arboretum. There are 1,200 acres in the arboretum and the visitor experience could be improved. The study has looked into alternative transportation types into the arboretum including biking and walking and there is a new regional trail entirely on the U of M land. He showed a map outlining the main entrance at Minnewashta Parkway as well as an entrance near the Farm at the Arb which would be used for all events including children’s programming, the arboretum plant sale, etc. The entrance near the farm could also be used on busy days. Once the Chinese Garden is completed, it will be a major site for weddings and rentals but that will be 15 or more years down the road. He reviewed that 82nd Street is a gravel road that could be improved. Roads that cut through the arboretum are used for internal circulation but could never function for buses or garbage collection as they are narrow, icy, and winding with hills. Mr. Moe talked about the arboretum’s new process of time ticketing which has helped improve spacing of visitors as well as parking. In the proposed plans, visitors would not stop at a gatehouse but would pay at the exit which should eliminate traffic backup on Highway 5. Increased communication and signage at the arboretum and on Highway 5 would help people learn how to use the new exit. He also addressed that these plans have been used to help secure local funding. He has been meeting with donors to secure funds for road improvements. The plan is to have these changes completed by the time Highway 5 is done. Mr. Johnson reviewed that Carver County, City of Chanhassen, City of Victoria, the arboretum, and MnDOT were partners on this project. He spoke about a study of Minnewashta Parkway, refining the Trunk Highway (TH) 5 design, working with the arboretum on wayfinding, event management, and additional community engagement, including a noise analysis. Mr. Johnson asked the Council for their support, with the understanding that there would continue to be refinement of the implementation, so that the project can move forward and capture pending funding. Mayor Ryan addressed the emails and phone calls the Council has received concerning the project and wished to clarify some of the points. The Council was being asked for support on the vision of the comprehensive transportation plan. It was a significant financial investment with multiple partners. It was not a “vote no” issue and the Council was not approving or denying preliminary or final designs. Instead, it was approval of the vision plan and proposal. There will be many more opportunities to receive public engagement as the preliminary design phase is developed. If the city is not in alignment with county or state financial planning it would put them in a precarious position. The city has limited purview, including no zoning authority over the arboretum, as well as entrances onto TH 5. The city has authority over local roads which includes Minnewashta Parkway and Crimson Bay Road. She appreciates the traffic mitigation plan and wayfinding signs including signage on Crimson Bay Road to deter cut-through traffic. Councilman McDonald thanked the arboretum for putting together the pieces of the project since it is difficult to plan for all of it to happen simultaneously. He is also grateful for the internal structure that allows for a trail underpass at Highway 41. The city has also wanted to improve the intersection of Highway 5 and Minnewashta Parkway for many years. He agreed that the current City Council Minutes – February 8, 2021 5 traffic patterns create a choke point and it has become a high accident area. He feels the plan allows the city to address concerns and come up with solutions to make the area more usable. He would like to see something done on Minnewashta Parkway, particularly at Kings Road, to improve pedestrian crossing. He asked if there are other areas of the city that have beach access for the neighborhood that may be causing safety concerns. Should pedestrian crossings be added to those areas? He emphasized improving safety. Councilwoman Rehm agreed on a focus on traffic and pedestrian safety on Minnewashta Parkway. She is excited to see a bridge connecting the wetlands. She asked if there was a way to work with SouthWest Transit to create a shuttle bus during major events which may reduce traffic. Mr. Moe stated the arboretum has worked with SouthWest Transit in the past and is willing to work with them to make the arboretum more accessible. Councilman McDonald stated that he was part of the SouthWest Transit Commission and they are prohibited by law to act as a charter service due to funding they receive. It may be possible on a limited basis but not long term. Councilwoman Schubert asked if there was any concern about getting the $160 million in funding, including $80 million in grants and $80 million from the State. Mr. Colebrook-Robjent stated the grants are hopeful. He stated the County and Bolton & Menk are good at going after grants. The estimates are conservative and, if the money isn’t received, the County will bring in the sales tax to fill the gap. Currently, the County can afford to do the short- and mid-term projects. The County has done a cash flow analysis. Councilwoman Schubert asked if the arboretum would continue to do time ticketing or if it would be phased out. Mr. Moe stated that the time ticketing had many advantages. However, since some senior citizens are having a harder time getting tickets, the arboretum may look at a hybrid system. At this time, time ticketing would continue until spring but there is no final decision on if it will continue or not. Councilwoman Schubert agreed that the council will continue to look at Minnewashta Parkway to increase safety for residents. Councilman Campion is excited about the project and the fact the city will not be bearing an overly large financial burden. He agreed that traffic impacts on Minnewashta Parkway need to be taken into consideration. Mayor Ryan added that Crimson Bay Road feedback was also important. She felt that a communication plan should be discussed between the entities involved. Since only a small amount of Minnewashta Parkway households have given feedback, she would hope for additional engagement. Hopefully the funding will come through to support the project. City Council Minutes – February 8, 2021 6 Mayor Ryan stated that, although it was not a public hearing, she would allow public comment. Resident Richard Berland expressed that the arboretum was an asset that he enjoys. He doesn’t feel that the entrance to the arboretum should be put in the Minnewashta Parkway neighborhood. He had attended the open house meetings in 2020 but felt he just received information and didn’t have a chance to help make a decision. He hopes the council can find a different solution. Mr. Howley agreed that pedestrian safety and traffic speed is of concern and the corridor will be assessed for impacts. Mayor Ryan encouraged Mr. Berland to stay involved and agreed that a two-way exchange was desirable. Resolution #2021-??: Councilman Campion moved, Councilman McDonald seconded that the City Council approves the attached resolution to support the Arboretum Area Transportation Plan dated February, 2021. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0. APPROVE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Interim City Manager Heather Johnston reviewed the legislative agenda. Items for consideration included longstanding support of urban transit, new developments sharing in cost of business permit fees, unfunded mandates including regulations from the state on local government, local government restrictions such as levy limits imposed by the state, certain restrictions on zoning authorities, streamlining the wetland permitting process throughout all levels of government, support of steady NSA funding and identifying funding sources to cover local projects, water resource protection funding based on the number of lakes and wetlands in a community, the Minnetonka Middle School West Intersection improvements, and a desire to continue to be part of the tax base sharing program. Ms. Johnston answered a question that Councilman Campion had brought up at a previous meeting. The amount the City of Chanhassen shares in terms of net tax capacity is about $1 million which means the city has a net tax contribution of about $120,000. Ms. Johnston added that Chanhassen would support change to state statute that would allow for remote meetings outside of an emergency order - limitations may include the number of meetings or under limited circumstances. Council did not have any questions. Mayor Ryan asked that a sentence be added after the “limitations may include number of meetings annually or under limited circumstances such as work-related travel” which states “to be determined at the local level”. City Council Minutes – February 8, 2021 7 Ms. Johnston will share the finished document with Chanhassen’s legislative delegation. Mayor Ryan will be inviting the legislators to speak with the council as their schedules allow. Representative Boe came to the council earlier this year, but is planning on coming again. Visits from Representative Morrison, Senator Osmek, and Senator Coleman are also expected. Councilman McDonald, Councilwoman Schubert seconded that the City Council approve the 2021 Legislative Priorities. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0. PUBLIC HEARING: APPROVE ON-SALE 3.2 PERCENT MALT LIQUOR LICENSE FOR GOLF ZONE LOCATED AT 825 FLYING CLOUD DRIVE Ms. Johnston presented the item and introduced business owners Brian and Keri Colvin who joined via Zoom. The license would be limited to inside only, a background check has been performed, and a notice has been sent to homeowners within 500 feet of the property. No comments have been received by neighbors concerning this license approval. Mayor Ryan opened the public hearing. There was no public comment. Mayor Ryan closed the public hearing. Councilwoman Coleman McDonald moved, Councilman Campion seconded that the City Council approve the request for an on-sale 3.2 percent malt liquor license from Colvin Golf LLC DBA Golf Zone located at 825 Flying Cloud Drive. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0. NEW BUSINESS. None. COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS. Mayor Ryan thanked Mr. Howley for allowing her to do a snowplow ride along. Mr. Howley gave an open invitation to other council members to also do a ride along. ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS. None. CORRESPONDENCE DISCUSSION. REVIEW OF CLAIMS PAID 02-08-2021 City Council Minutes – February 8, 2021 8 Councilwoman Schubert moved, Councilman Campion seconded to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0. The City Council meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Submitted by Heather Johnston Interim City Manager