Loading...
10-27-2003 (Joint meeting with Environmental Commission)a:11ey OPEN SPACE & RECREATION COMMISSION and GOLDEN VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION Joint Meeting Golden Valley City Hall, 7800 Golden Valley Road Council Conference Room Monday, October 27, 2003 7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Open Space & Recreation Commission - Jerry Sandler, Jim Vaughan, Roger McConico, Tom Kuelbs, and Lance Ness. Environmental Commission - Rich Baker, Sue Hess, Alan Kuentz, Sara Peterson, and Dawn Hill. South Tyrol Neighborhood - Ken Huber, Jim Ladner, and Bob Provost. Jupe Hale and Pete Willenbring from WSB and Associates. Sherri Buss from Bonestroo, Rosene and Anderlik. City Staff: Rick Jacobson, Director of Parks & Recreation; Tom Klatt, Public Works Maintenance Manager; Jeff Oliver, City Engineer; Jeannine Clancy, Director of Public Works; and Sheila Van Sloun, Parks & Recreation Administrative Assistant. Absent: Open Space & Recreation Commission — Chuck Cahill, Liz Elder, Jim Johnson, and Tom Zins. Environmental Commission — John Giese and Joel Wessman. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — September 22, 2003 EC MOTION: Moved by Dawn Hill, seconded by Sara Peterson, to approve the minutes of the September 22nd meeting. Motion carried. OSRC MOTION: Moved by Roger McConico, seconded by Lance Ness, to approve the minutes of the September 22" meeting. Motion carried. GENERAL MILLS WETLAND AND FLOODPLAIN REPORT Clancy started by explaining the transportation improvements that need to be made to support the expansion of General Mills, as defined by a required Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW). The EAW identified two transportation improvements that needed to be made. The first project, which has been completed, included signalization at General Mills Blvd. and Betty Crocker Drive, and the north and south 1-394 ramp termini at General Mills Blvd. The second project includes the reconstruction of the intersection at TH 55 and General Mills Blvd. and Boone Ave. Clancy explained that in addition to the required improvements, staff recognized that there was a need to improve Boone Avenue north of TH 55 from the 100 year floodplain, and to repair the uneven intersection at TH 55 and General Mills Blvd./Boone Ave. Clancy then explained that the City has hired WSB and Associates to design the project. Jupe Hale, WSB Project Manager, gave an overview of the project. Items included in the project are as follows: • Add an additional left turn lane from west TH 55 to south General Mills Blvd. • Add an additional thru lane on Boone Ave. • Add an additional left turn lane from General Mills Blvd. to westbound TH 55. • Improve the intersection of TH 55 and General Mills Blvd./Boone Ave. Vaughan asked about the free right turn on the northwest corner. He feels that from a pedestrian stand point it's dangerous. He wanted to know if there was anyway to improve that. Hale explained that they have discussed the issue with MNDOT and without the islands, the signal poles would have to be set to far back. Sandler asked how the traffic would come off the service road north of Kare 11. Hale said that the intersection would be closed and explained that they have proposed a new access road south of Kare 11 between the General Mills parking lot and Kare 11 parking lot that will continue west to Ensign Avenue. Baker asked why there weren't any east/west crosswalks. Hale said that the plans are to encourage crossing only from the north/south. Hale added that the City doesn't typically like to direct crossing where there isn't a sidewalk for pedestrians to use. Baker said that crosswalks are also for bicycles and that bicycles use the road. Hale said that it's something that can be considered. Pete Willenbring of WSB, then gave an overview of the existing water conditions/issues regarding area flooding and discussed the proposed improvements for the area, which include, added flood storage on General Mills property west of the Brookview Condominiums. He pointed out the areas that are subject to flooding. He said that the plan could possibly include a levee/dike to contain the floodwaters north of TH 55. He then explained that a lift station would be built to discharge runoff behind the levee during high flow conditions in Bassett Creek. Sandler asked if there would be a trail through the General Mills area. Clancy said that General Mills agreed to dedicate a portion of the property to the City and that there would be some additional trails and walking opportunities created. McConico asked if there would be any additional open water. Willenbring said that they are going to create more open water wetland. These areas will be vegetated and left natural. Willenbring said the road construction will begin spring 2004 with the area north of Betty Crocker Drive beginning in the fall of 2004. Sandler asked how the project is being funded. Clancy explained that the project is part of the General Mills EAW and that a Developers Agreement was signed with General Mills and that the money was set aside through the tax abatement program. The taxes that are being generated from the General Mills expansion are going to pay for the public improvements associated with the project. IV. INTERPRETIVE SIGNS FOR PUBLIC STORM WATER PONDS Oliver explained that as part of the surface water management plan, several areas were identified for wetland and storm water enhancement. He said that the project in Brookview Park is being used as a pilot project to create public awareness of buffer strips, native landscaping and bank stabilization. Oliver said that buffer strips help filter water that drains into the ponds, which helps remove sediment and nutrients prior to the local runoff reaching the ponds. The signs are an effort to educate people on the value of the buffer strips. 0► Oliver passed around a sample of an interpretive sign. Hill asked if the signs were vandal proof and fade resistant. Klatt explained that they were designed with these things in mind. Clancy said that they would limit the use of the signs to parks with ponds that people have access to because they are meant for education. V. TRAIL PAVING POLICY DISCUSSION Clancy explained that the City Council asked staff to revise the City's Sidewalk and Trail Policy to create criteria that would allow for exceptions to the City's practice of paving trails. She explained the proposed revisions to the policy and then introduced Sherri Buss, of Bonestoo, Rosene & Anderlik, Inc., whom the City has hired to review and comment on the City's Sidewalk and Trail Policy, as well as provide information on various trail surfaces. Buss gave details on her research, which included different options for surfacing trails and went over their advantages and disadvantages. She also explained trail paving practices in other jurisdictions. Baker expressed his surprise that there weren't any City's mentioned that deliberately left trails natural (unpaved) in their City to give those who want a more natural experience that option. Buss said that it's the county and state parks that provide a "wilderness" experience. She also explained that a lot of City parks are really focused on a different kind of experience. She did say that what she heard form all of them was that there was such a strong desire for access for everyone in the community (i.e. strollers, handicapped, elderly). Kuentz asked if there was any advantage or disadvantage of having paved versus wood chip trails along streams. Buss said that the main concern is whether or not run-off from the trail drains into the stream. If the trail is made of wood chips and it drains into the stream, phosphorus which comes from decaying vegetation is draining into the water. She explained that if there is no buffer between the stream and the trail, paving would be the best option. Ladner asked what the incline was on roads and trails in Golden Valley. Oliver said that the grade on the portion of the trail that go between the park and June Avenue vary from about 3% to under 15%. Ladner asked if there are other grades in the city that are substantial. Jeff said that the grades vary on streets and trails throughout the city. Huber asked for further clarification of the information regarding grass pavers. Buss responded talking about the need for water and sun for the grass to survive. Huber then asked about other gravel products for surfacing trails. Buss responded highlighting accessibility and environmental concerns. Hill asked if boardwalks were used much. Buss said that they are used in poor soil situations or across wetlands. She said they are pricey. Baker asked what the goal is in adding the two statements to the policy. Oliver said accessibility and connectivity. Ladner thanked everyone and commended the Commissioners for their volunteer service. Ladner then stated that from talking to neighbors, it appeared that a majority do not wish to have the trail paved. He then talked about other information that he would like to share with the Commissioners and distributed a memo regarding the new revised trail policy proposal. Baker then suggested that this topic be continued at a future meeting which hopefully would be a joint meeting between the two Commissions in November. W Sandler added that the Commissions have been asked by the City Council to make comments on the changes to the policy. As Chair of the OSRC, he has been trying to keep things focused on what they are supposed to be doing. Ladner added that he would like some time at the November meeting to provide information from the neighborhood. VI. OTHER BUSINESS None VII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Moved by Roger McConico, seconded by Lance Ness to adjourn. Motion carried. 1 1 4