Loading...
15-85 - 11-04 - Affirming City Position Metro Blue line Resolution 15-85 November 4, 2015 Member Schmidgall introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION AFFIRMING CITY POSITIONS REGARDING THE METRO BLUE LINE EXTENSION WHEREAS, the METRO Blue Line Extension is a proposed project to provide transit service which will help satisfy long-term regional mobility and accessibility needs for businesses and the traveling public in the heavily traveled northwest area of the Twin Cities; and, WHEREAS, the METRO Blue Line Extension is located in Hennepin County, Minnesota, extending approximately 13 miles from downtown Minneapolis to the northwest serving north Minneapolis and the suburbs of Golden Valley, Robbinsdale, Crystal, and Brooklyn Park; and, WHEREAS, the staff of the Blue Line Extension Project Office has completed a project scope recommendation that encompasses the elements proposed to be incorporated into the light rail project, including right of way acquisitions, LRT vehicles, freight and LRT tracks, LRT bridges, roadway bridge reconstructions, traffic signals, station platforms and vertical circulation, park and ride facilities, poor soils mitigation, and other system elements; and, WHEREAS, the Issue Resolution Team, Technical Project Advisory Committee, Community Advisory Committee, Business Advisory Committee, and Corridor Management Committee, each involving representatives of the City of Golden Valley, have provided input into and assisted with the evaluation of the proposed scope recommendation; and, WHEREAS, a number of open houses and public forums have been held within the City of Golden Valley and along the corridor to discuss and debate the elements of the METRO Blue Line Extension project; and, WHEREAS, the METRO Blue Line Extension project is approaching Municipal Consent, the conclusion of Project Development, and the publication of the Final Environmental Impact Statement. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Golden Valley supports the work that has been completed thus far and looks to advance the METRO Blue Line Extension project into the next phase of final design and engineering. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Golden Valley holds that additional local transit enhancements, including but not limited to an increase in bus service along targeted existing routes, the expansion of routes in support of new areas of residential and commercial development, and the potential for future highway bus rapid transit along Highway 55, should continue to be explored by Metro Transit as a way to support the success of the METRO Blue Line Extension and the mass transit system in the metropolitan area. Resolution 15-85 - continued November 4, 2015 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Golden Valley affirms the following positions regarding the METRO Blue Line Extension project and will use them to provide guidance on votes to be taken with respect to the recommended scope and cost of the project as well as Municipal Consent: 1. The City supports the location of a light rail station at the proposed Golden Valley Road site, as it provides the greatest opportunity for residents and employees to take advantage of mass transit. The City supports the location of a light rail station at the proposed Plymouth Avenue site, as it serves as a gateway to Theodore Wirth Park and enhances regional access to nature and recreation. 2. In order to protect the surrounding single family neighborhoods from congestion, public parking must be provided as part of the project for riders who arrive at the Golden Valley Road station by automobile. The City continues to support collaboration with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and the Blue Line Project Office on the design exploration of infrastructure at the station that accommodates parking while also serving as a trailhead for the many local and regional trails that converge in the area. 3. Improvements to the Golden Valley Road and Theodore Wirth Parkway intersection should be included in the scope of the project in order to address anticipated traffic and safety concerns resulting from a Golden Valley Road station. 4. Any impacts to Sochacki Park and to the surrounding neighborhoods during construction of the light rail project shall be mitigated as part of the project to the extent possible. Sochacki Park must be restored and enhanced at the conclusion of the project. 5. New or improved pedestrian and bicycle connections shall be incorporated into the design of bridges reconstructed over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line as part of the light rail project. 6. Mitigation efforts shall be conducted as part of the project to reduce the impacts to Theodore Wirth Park, to Sochacki Park, and to surrounding neighborhoods of noise, vibration, lighting, aesthetics, and safety associated with stations and the operation of light rail vehicles. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution adopted by the City of Golden Valley be forwarded to the Blue Line Extension Project Office, to Hennepin County, and to the Metropolitan Council for their consideration. Shep rd M. Harris, ayor ATTEST: Kristine A. Luedke, City Clerk The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was seconded by Member Snope and upon a vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Snope, Clausen, Schmidgall, Fonnest and Harris and the following voted against the same: none whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted, signed by the Mayor and his signature attested by the City Clerk.