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16-11 - 02-16 - Preliminary Design for Metro Blue Line Resolution 16-11 February 16, 2016 Member Fonnest introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN PLANS FOR THE METRO BLUE LINE EXTENSION (BOTTINEAU) LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT PROJECT WITHIN THE CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY WHEREAS, the City of Golden Valley supports transit in general as an important part of the regional transportation network and supports the METRO Blue Line Extension (Bottineau) Light Rail Transit Project ("Project") specifically as it believes it will help satisfy long-term regional mobility and accessibility needs for businesses and the traveling public located within the northwest portion of the Twin Cities; and, WHEREAS, the Governor designated the Metropolitan Council ("Council") as the responsible authority for the Project, which makes it responsible for the planning, designing, acquiring, constructing, and equipping the Project; and WHEREAS, Minnesota Statues Section 473.3994 allows cities and counties along a proposed light rail route to provide input to the Council on the physical design component of the preliminary design plans ("Plans"); and WHEREAS, many residents and businesses have participated in numerous Commissions, Committees, Open Houses, and other Public Forums to provide feedback and assist with the evaluation of the Plans; and, WHEREAS, on December 15, 2015, the Council submitted the Plans to the governing body of each statutory and home rule charter city, county, and town in which the route is proposed to be located; and WHEREAS, public hearings are then required, which the City of Golden Valley held on February 2, 2016; and WHEREAS, within 45 days of a joint hearing held by the Council and the Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority ("HCRRA"), which was held on January 19, 2016, the City of Golden Valley must review and approve or disapprove the Plans for the route to be located in the City of Golden Valley; and WHEREAS, Minnesota Statues Section 473.3994 provides that "a local unit of government that disapproves the plans shall describe specific amendments to the plans that, if adopted, would cause the local unit to withdraw its disapproval;" and WHEREAS, approval or disapproval by the City of Golden Valley is part of the statutory preliminary design process; and WHEREAS, City staff has reviewed the Plans and developed a report pertaining to these Plans and has made its recommendations; and Resolution No. 16-11 -2- February 16, 2016 WHEREAS, the City of Golden Valley supports the implementation of the Project and is committed to supporting the Project through its successful implementation by 2021; and WHEREAS, the City of Golden Valley will work with the Council throughout the design and construction process to resolve outstanding issues. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Golden Valley provides its municipal approval of the Plans pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 473.3994 consistent with the above and directs City staff to submit the City of Golden Valley's approval to the Metropolitan Council. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City identifies the following concerns regarding certain impacts from the Project, as well as desired enhancements, and declares its full faith and trust in the Metropolitan Council's commitment to arrive at mutually acceptable solutions: 1. In order to protect the surrounding single family neighborhoods from congestion, public parking shall 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. 2. Roadway improvements, such as the reconfiguration of lanes and the development of better pedestrian crossings, to the Golden Valley Road and Theodore Wirth Parkway intersection shall be included as part of the project in order to address anticipated traffic and safety concerns resulting from a Golden Valley Road station. 3. 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 fullest extent possible, consistent with the Principles and Actions approved by the Sochacki Joint Powers Board on February 8, 2016. Sochacki Park shall be restored and enhanced at the conclusion of the project. 4. 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. 5. 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. Resolution No. 16-11 -3- February 16, 2016 6. The capacity of Trunk Highway 55 shall be preserved and enhanced in the future to accommodate projected growth and to reduce traffic diversions to lower capacity roadways in Golden Valley and Minneapolis, which would result in a decreased level of service and negatively impact adjacent neighborhoods. Shep rd M. Harris, Ma or 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: Harris, Snope, Schmidgall, Clausen and Fonnest 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.