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2004-02-17 City Council minutesPage No. 1 February 17, 2004 • M Kyl ON _ FPY _A ej A 0 • A4 lW 1 1 I Ilk I Q I • Minutes of the Regular Meeting Held Tuesday, February 17, 2004 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the regular meeting of the City Council, City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota was held at 7:30 o'clock p.m. at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. CALL TO ORDER Acting Mayor Krebsbach called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. The following members were present: Acting Mayor Krebsbach, Councilmernbers Duggan and Vitelli. Mayor Huber and Councilmember Schneeman had notified Council that they would be absent. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council, the audience and staff recited the Pledge of Allegiance. AGENDA ADOPTION Councilmember Duggan moved adoption of the revised agenda for the meeting. Councilmember Vitelli seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Vitelli moved approval of the minutes of the regular meeting held on February 3, 2004. Councilmember Duggan seconded the motion. Ayes: 2 Nays: 0 Abstain: I CONSENT CALENDAR Councilmember Duggan moved approval of the consent calendar for the meeting, revised to move items 6f, Livable Communities Grant Agreement, and 6g, Intersection Upgrade Agreement, to the regular agenda, along with authorization for execution of any necessary documents contained therein. a. Acknowledgment of the minutes of the February 10, 2004 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. b. Acknowledgment of the NDC4 meeting minutes and agenda. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 LIVABLE COMMUNITIES GRANT AGREEMENT Page No. 2 February 17, 2004 c. Approval of minor sign modifications for Do It Best Hardware and authorization for issuance of a sign permit subject to conformance with all applicable regulations. d. Authorization for the issuance permits for the installation of two signs for Do It Best Hardware on the Mendota Plaza sign pylons. e. Adoption of Resolution No. 04 -14 "RESOLUTION ADOPTING PURCHASING POLICEIS AND PROCEDURES." f. Acknowledgement of the Treasurer's report for January. g. Approval of the list of contractor licenses dated February 17, 2004. h. Approval of the List of Claims dated February 17, 2004 and totaling $137,467.21. Councilmember Vitelli seconded the motion. Council acknowledged a memo from Administrator Danielson recommending execution of the Metropolitan Livable Communities Grant Agreement. With respect to section 2.03 of the agreement, Councilmember Duggan asked what the impact on Ross Feffercorn would be if there are challenges to exceeding the budget. He stated that he understands that a Metropolitan Council representative will be at a Council meeting next month to present the grant check. Administrator Danielson responded that he contacted the Metropolitan Council, and Section 2.03 refers to grants that are multi- tasked. It would allow for various eligible uses to exceed their budget allocation by 10% as long as the total does not exceed the grant. He stated that the agreement is boiler -plate and that item does not apply to the Mendota Heights grant. Acting Mayor Krebsbach informed the audience that the city has received a second grant from the Metropolitan Council for $300,000 and that the grant will be added to the $873,400 grant the city received last year. The item before Council this evening is to authorize execution of the agreement. She stated that she spoke to Ms. Jan Gustofson, from the Metropolitan Council, and was told that Page No. 3 February 17, 2004 Councilmember Duggan moved to authorize the City Administrator to execute the "Metropolitan Livable Communities Act Livable Communities Demonstration Account Grant Agreement." Councilmember Vitelli seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 INTERSECTION UPGRADES Council acknowledged a memo from Administrator Danielson regarding an agreement between the city and county for upgrades to the Delaware Avenue /TH 110 intersection. Acting Mayor Krebsbach informed the audience that under the proposed agreement, the county will pay for a new left hand turn lane. There have been numerous accidents at the intersection, including a fatal accident, and Council is very happy to participate in the agreement. Councilmember Duggan moved to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Dakota County Joint Powers Agreement for Engineering, Highway Construction, Signal Revision and Right -of- Way Acquisition for the Delaware Avenue TH/110 Improvements. Councilmember Vitelli seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Vitelli informed the audience on airport noise activities that are currently taking place. He stated that there are two things happening right now that he and Acting Mayor Krebsbach, as Mendota Heights Councilmembers, are involved in as members of the Joint Zoning Board. At the end of 2005, a new north/south runway will open. That has two major affects: the need to rezone some surrounding land and a new distribution of noise. Because of the new runway, land use needs to be looked at. Attorneys have looked at the zoning changes, and there is no affect on Mendota Heights. Acting Mayor Krebsbach stated that there will need to be rezoning in Bloomington, and its City Council has gone on record as saying there are no adverse affects on Mendota Heights zoning or where the safety zones are located. She informed the audience there will be a hearing at MAC on February 25 and everyone is invited to attend. Councilmember Vitelli stated that there is also a meeting on the ordinance on March 4 by the Joint Zoning Board. He stated that the other issue is the new distribution of noise. The MAC established a Page No. 4 February 17, 2004 Noise Oversight Committee (NOC), which he and Councilmember Schneeman serve on. The north/south runway will make a change in the distribution of noise. Consultants have been working on noise distribution changes because of the new runway. There are new contour maps that show where the noise will be the greatest and where it will dissipate are available. The NOC will meet Thursday afternoon to review the contour maps. They will also look at the sound insulation program. The NOC meetings are open to the public and are held at the MAC headquarters. That is also where the zoning board meetings take place. He stated that he has seen the first information on the new contours and it is very good news for Mendota Heights. He feels that Mendota Heights is the city that benefits most by the north/south runway and the resulting noise distribution. Aircraft departures over Mendota Heights are projected to be cut in half. The new 60db1 contour map is now completely moved away from the Rogers Lake area, St. Thomas Academy, Visitation, and in fact, the contour is almost completely west of I- 35E. Another reason the noise level is going down is that the number of 747 (200s) is going down and the number of 727 and 737's, the noisiest planes, is going down. The NOC meeting is Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at the MAC headquarters and there will be a public hearing on April 27 on noise oversight at the MAC headquarters at 7:00 p.m. A noise contour map will be available at City Hall. Acting Mayor Krebsbach stated that a copy of the noise ordinance is also available at City Hall. TH 110 SIGNAL LIGHTS Council acknowledged a memo from Police Chief Aschenbrener regarding the THl 10/13 traffic signal. Mr. Steven Misgen, MnDOT Metro District Signal Operations Engineer, was present for the discussion. Chief Aschenbrener informed Council that MnDOT did a safety audit on the intersection and Mr. Misgen will review that information for Council and the audience. Acting Mayor Krebsbach stated that the reason the item is on the agenda is because there has been concern expressed by residents on both the timing and the duration of the traffic signal at the left turn lane on TH 110 coming from the Mendota Bridge for traffic turning north onto TH 13. She stated that there was a fatal traffic accident at the intersection, and by the information provided by Mr. Misgen, there are a number of people who have been challenged by that intersection._ `..:: Page No. 5 February 17, 2004 Mr. Misgen stated that he is responsible for operating 650 signals in the metro area. Last May, Chief Aschenbrener asked him to look at the intersection. His office completed a safety study in October. There were 19 crashes there and the contributing factors are listed in the report he submitted to the city. There are a number of red light runners. People coming across the bridge at 55 to 60 miles an hour must stop all of a sudden at the intersection. The signal timing is up to MnDOT standards for the yellow and all reds. The signals run on a coordinated schedule most of the day. In the morning rush, they are set on a time of day program. The rest of the day, it depends on the flow of traffic. Acting Mayor Krebsbach asked what the range is. She stated that it seems like when there isn't a lot of traffic, the light is very long. Mr. Misgen responded that it varies from 90 seconds between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and the afternoon peak of 114 seconds. Acting Mayor Krebsbach stated that her main concern is how long the left turn wait is and when the light turns green for the left turn. Mr. Misgen responded that it will not bring up a left turn signal unless there is a car in the intersection. The controller is looking for gaps in traffic. If there are five cars waiting and only three get through, and there is a second in between cars making the turn, the signal could cut them off. Also, there is a 90 second cycle, and if the cross read does not use its allocated time, the additional time goes back to the main line and the green light goes back to the main line early. It is a reality that the timing is not consistent, and that is why. Acting Mayor. Krebsbach stated that Council's concern is people getting confused and going through the light. Mr. Misgen stated that the average time is about 1.5 minutes. He stated that if it is 3:00 in the afternoon, he thinks a person is willing to accept the delay. In light traffic, people get impatient at about a minute. The worst possible wait at the intersection is 1.5 minutes. Councilmember Vitelli asked what percentage of the 650 lights Mr. Misgen oversees are the adaptive type of signal, like the one at this intersection. He also asked if the accident history at the intersection is average, or above or below average. Mr. Misgen responded that all but one of them are adaptive. He stated that he is not sure about the percentage, but he would say it is Page No. 6 February 17, 2004 probably below average for this type of intersection. It is a high speed intersection with left turn lanes all the way around. Also, the volume on TH 110 is not as great as it could be for that type of roadway. Councilmember Vitelli asked if the left turn green is in a typical sequence. He stated that it seems to him that it would be typical that the left turn light to go north would be green as the light turns green for the people going east on TH 110. He felt that is why people think it is not working or that they missed the light change. He suggested that MnDOT consider making it green when the main light turns green or to reduce the wait another fifteen seconds. He also stated that the westbound to southbound left always lags. Eastbound to northbound changes by different times during the day. Mr. Misgen stated that the sequencing is for coordination reasons. MnDOT takes the volumes and other data and puts it into a program to get timing. Sometimes it says it is better at the end of the green and other times it says it is better at the same time. Acting Mayor Krebsbach stated that she would like the light standardized and not have it be variable. It is not operating the way left hand turn lights normally do, and she would very much like MnDOT to standardize this light. She asked that the light be changed to the same standard that people expect so that they do not go through it thinking they missed the turn light. Mr. Misgen responded that he cannot make any promises but will try. Acting Mayor Krebsbach stated that she would like to see it always at the beginning of the green or always at the end so that it is not so confusing to people, particularly at TH 110 and Delaware. Council wants to reduce the chance of a serious accident at that intersection. Mr. Misgen responded that the changes that will be made at Delaware and TH 110 will greatly improve the safety of the intersection. He stated that it will take him a couple of weeks or so to have someone analyze Council's suggestions and he will get back to Council with a response. Councilmember Vitelli clarified the suggested improvements as follow. Council would like to see the light consistent, either before or after the green light for TH 110 and that MnDOT try not to make it random. Council believes that would make the intersection safer. Page No. 7 February 17, 2004 j Secondly, that MnDOT try to reduce the maximum duration of the red left even if it is only by ten seconds. Mr. Misgen responded that he will look into forcing the intersection to go free during non -peak times of the day. He will check into the suggestions and get back to Chief Aschenbrenner. CITY ENGINEER Council acknowledged a memo from Administrator Danielson recommending the appointment of a City Engineer. Acting Mayor Krebsbach informed the audience that when Administrator Danielson was appointed to that position, the Public Works Director position was left vacant. Council decided not to fill the position, but to hire a City Engineer instead. Staff is recommending the appointment of Susan McDermott, effective on March 8. Councilmember Vitelli moved to approve the hiring of Susan McDermott as City Engineer at an annual salary of $75,000, with 3 weeks of vacation accruing per year beginning immediately, and that she be allowed to take a two week vacation beginning on June 16, 2004. Councilmember Duggan seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 SOMERSET VIEW Council acknowledged the feasibility report for proposed Somerset FEASIBILITY STUDY View area street reconstruction. Engineer Mogan reviewed the report for Council and the audience and responded to Council questions. Councilmember Vitelli pointed out that the streets are in terrible condition and maintaining them is costing the city a great deal of money. Councilmember Vitelli moved adoption of Resolution No. 04 -, "A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING ENGINEER'S REPORT AND CALLING FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT TO SERVE THE PROPERTIES REFERRED TO AS THE SOMERSET AREA NEIGHBORHOOD INCLUDING SOMERSET VIEW, SOMERSET HEIGHTS, AUDITORS SUBDIVISION 3, AND SURROUNDING AREAS (IMPROVEMENT NO. 2004, PROJECT NO. 1)." Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 Page No. 8 February 17, 2004 Councilmember Duggan seconded the motion. Acting Mayor Krebsbach stated that she would like to see a financial comparison with the cost of improvements to other neighborhoods and any costs relating to including the watermain should be considered further. She would like to see more information on this for fear the costs are greater than anticipated. MEETING DATE Administrator Danielson reminded Council and the audience that the next regular meeting has been rescheduled to Monday, March 1 because the regular March 2 meeting date conflicts with the day of the political caucuses. ADJOURN There being no further business to come before Council, Councilmember Duggan moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Vitelli seconded the motion. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 8:30 p.m. K thleen M. Swanson City Clerk S dra Krebsb Acting Ma or t