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09-05-00 Worksession CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Richfield, Minnesota Special City Council Study Session September 5, 2000 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kirsch at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present:Martin Kirsch, Mayor; Suzanne Sandahl; Susan Rosenberg; Russ Susag; and Kristal Stokes. Staff Present:Samantha Orduno, City Manager; John Stark, Community Development Manager; Julie Urban, Planning and Zoning Administrator; Tom Foley, Transportation Engineer; Mike Eastling, Public Works Director; Mark Andrle, Community Development Technician; and Bruce Palmborg, Community Development Director. Item #1PRESENTATION ON DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR BEST BUY CAMPUS PROJECT S. R. NO. 21 City Manager Orduno stated that this not a public hearing and is an informational meeting for the Council on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Best Buy project. Planning and Zoning Administrator Julie Urban reviewed Staff Report No. 21 regarding the purpose of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and explained the four stages of the EIS which include the Scoping Environmental Assessment Worksheet, the draft EIS, the final EIS and the determination of adequacy of the document. Council Member Susag asked what generates an EIS. Ms. Urban stated it is generated by the square footage of the project. Special Study Session Minutes-2-September 5, 2000 Ms. Urban stated that the EIS looks at two alternatives with expected development and maximum development. Alternative one had five buildings and alternative two has four. She described the proposed features for each alternative and reviewed the expected and maximum development features. Council Member Sandahl asked which site layout is more likely to occur. Ms. Urban stated that the first layout was proposed first and the second layout evolved from the first. Ms. Urban reviewed the issues the EIS addresses which include erosion control, water runoff, traffic, 76th Street, air quality and solid waste. John Stark, Community Development Manager, continued the presentation describing the impacts on traffic noise, cultural resources, water supply, waste water, lighting, shadows, compatibility of the comprehensive plan, public services and social and economic impacts. Council Member Rosenberg asked if there was a need for additional capacity to accommodate runoff at Fountainhead Apartments given the construction of the pond with the Galyan’s project. Public Works Director Eastling stated that the apartments are in a low area and additional ponds would continue to help their situation. Council Member Rosenberg stated that the traffic impacts at the intersections of 70th Street and Penn Avenue and 66th Street and Penn Avenue should be studied as well. Transportation Engineer Tom Foley reviewed the proposed roadway improvements in the area of the Best Buy project which included improvements to the Penn Avenue bridge, improvements to Penn Avenue and 76th Street and the intersection of Penn Avenue and 76th Street. Council Member Rosenberg asked if the improvements to the Crosstown will relieve congestion on the local streets. Mr. Foley stated that staff anticipates an improved Crosstown should reduce traffic on 66th Street. Council Member Sandahl asked if the construction to Penn Avenue and 76th Street will avoid the new apartments at the northeast corner of 76th Street and Penn Avenue. Mr. Foley stated that they will try to minimize right of way takings and will try to avoid the apartments. Council Member Sandahl asked if a noise wall and loop streets could be constructed to screen the neighbors north of 76th Street. Mr. Foley replied that this idea was proposed to the neighborhood several years ago but was rejected. He noted that it would mean additional right of way takings. Special Study Session Minutes-3-September 5, 2000 Rich Nau, BRW Traffic Consultant, reviewed the traffic study they conducted for the area. Mr. Nau stated that they studied 18 intersections, looking at turning movements, peak traffic counts, trip generations, and looked at projected traffic counts for 2003 and 2022. He stated that all intersections will operate at acceptable levels of service with the 7500 employee alternative. One turning movement at 76th Street and I-35W would require a mitigation measure. Council Member Rosenberg stated that the intersection at the 76th Street ramp and I-35W seems to be very unsafe for pedestrians and needs to be looked at. Mr. Eastling pointed out that the intersection would have a median for pedestrians to wait on and traffic would be coming from only one direction. Council Member Stokes suggested that a crossing could be set up to allow people to cross on the south side of 76th Street instead of crossing the ramp entrance. Council Member Sandahl asked when funding will be available for the pedestrian bridge. Mr. Eastling stated that they have been holding off on constructing a separate bridge because it may be possible to incorporate pedestrian and bike safety with the new 76th Street bridge that will come when the I-35W and I-494 interchange is reconstructed. Biz Colbrun, BRW, reviewed the travel demand management plan (TDM), which tries to reduce the number of employees driving to work at peak hours. The TDM will also identify how many employees would use alternative transportation, where most employees live and how to get alternative transportation options to them. Council Members briefly discussed examples of other companies using alternative modes of transportation. Council Member Rosenberg stated that the EIS needs to address the pedestrian and bike movements west of Penn Avenue and employees need to understand that the side streets are off limits for commuting. Council Member Sandahl stated that the 77th Street and Penn Avenue intersection seems to be a difficult one for pedestrians to cross. TheBRW consultant stated that the light will be timed to give pedestrians plenty of time to cross the road when the button is pushed. Council Members discussed the childcare facility that will be located on the Best Buy campus and that it will be managed by a daycare provider. Special Study Session Minutes-4-September 5, 2000 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:00 p.m. Date Approved: Martin J. Kirsch Mayor Mark AndrleSamantha Orduno Recording ClerkCity Manager