022196 CC WS Min
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CITY OF SHOREWOOD
WORK SESSION
WEDNESDA Y, FEBRUARY 21, 1996
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
8:52 P.M.
MINUTES
1. CONVENE WORK SESSION MEETING
Mayor Bean called the meeting to order at 8:52 p.m.
A.
Roll Call
Present:
Mayor Bean; Councilmembers McCarty and Benson; Planning Director
Nielsen, Administrator Hurm, City Engineer Brown, and Consulting
Engineer Paul Hornby.
2. DISCUSSION ON 1996 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
Hurm explained this work session is being held to allow Council a chance to provide
direction to the engineers regarding the proposed projects on Eureka Road, Strawberry
Lane and Smithtown Road having had public information meetings on all three.
Benson reiterated his opposition to curb and gutter on Eureka Road, thereby changing the
character of the area, unless it is absolutely necessary to maintain roadways. He felt
Eureka Road north is not a collector road and should be restored to current status. He
stated he is willing to keep Smithtown Road and Eureka Road South on the system.
McCarty agreed.
Benson stated he supports a trail on Smithtown and Strawberry because they are collectors
and there is a larger volume of traffic.
McCarty agreed with Benson about retaining the character of the area. She suggested
installation of the watermain along Eureka and restoring the street to present condition. She
brought up Mr. Larson's comment about the Council separating the issue of water and
development, and stated she felt they need to do a better job of this.
Bean agreed and explained potential development was identified to enable staff and Council
to anticipate areas of first need for water.
Brown stated the roadway in its current status is not designed well with respect to drainage.
To use funds wisely, ditches should be constructed to provide for proper drainage, which
would impact trees.
Bean suggested construction of a 20' wide pavement, and allow the additional width for
ditching.
Brown noted there would not be enough room for that to happen. He stated the choices are
either a ditch or curb and gutter. If curb and gutter were to be provided in order to save the
trees in the area, it would have to be required along two-thirds of the entire roadway. He
stated another alternative would be a blacktop curb, which aesthetically over time is not
desirable. If the drainage issue is not dealt with at this time, the roadway is more likely to
fall apart over a 10 year period as opposed to a 20 to 40 year period if it is rebuilt.
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City Council Work Session
February 21, 1996
Page 2 of 4
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Brown noted another alternative would be to put in the watermain, overlay and patch the
street. However, he stressed that this would not be the best use of funds as the road would
deteriorate in the near future.
Nielsen pointed out the loops of the roads are necessary for MSA funding. He pointed out
a certain number of miles must be maintained on the MSA system. The Council could
chose to keep Eureka Road as MSA but don't build it to standards or switch Strawberry
Lane to MSA designation.
Brown noted Strawberry is currently proposed at a 24' width. MSA construction requires
26' unless special permission is given to go to 24'. Minimum design is 11' lane with a 2'
shoulder.
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Brown advised that when cost projections were done for the 20 year watermain plan,
dollars for reconstruction of the roadway were omitted because they were using MSA
funds. If State Aid funds are not used the projections will need to be revised to reflect use
of City funds.
Bean pointed out if Strawberry Lane is redefined as MSA and Eureka Road is removed
from MSA, the dollars should almost balance out. He stated to accomplish this on
Strawberry Lane, the trail may have to be removed, which would make the residents
happier. He felt the trail makes sense on this road, but eliminating it may be the only way
to accommodate the MSA designation. He asked if the loop needed would be provided.
Bean noted opposition by the residents to the trail along Strawberry Lane and Smithtown
Road.
Hurm suggested requesting a 24' wide MSA designation, with the possibility of gaining
additional right-of-way in the future for the trail.
Brown noted that 2' will neither make or break the trail concept. Six foot wide trails are
proposed because ofMSA and ADA standards.
Nielsen felt a 24' wide roadway, mixing traffic and people, is very marginal. He felt they
should go at least 26' wide for Strawberry Lane.
Brown felt that the residents he talked with along Smithtown Road would have accepted an
on-street trail more than the proposed off-street. However, the problems associated with
that include: 1) lack of protection for pedestrians; and 2) increases speeding as drivers
perceive their boundary being the curb. He noted the on-street trail would cost more to
construct, but maintenance is easier.
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Benson stated his opposition to an on-street trail because it creates a false sense of security
for pedestrians.
Nielsen felt the decision should not be based solely on comments by residents immediately
along Smithtown as there are many others in the area who would use the trail, especially
considering the Minnewashta School traffic.
McCarty asked about the feasibility of a survey, but she felt this is a public safety issue.
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City Council Work Session
February 21, 1996
Page 2 of 4
Bean reiterated the first section of Smithtown Road project was done under MSA
designation, and the plan is that the entire road will be designated as such.
Hurm questioned the procedure for designating Strawberry Lane as MSA.
Brown noted he would have to send a letter of request to designate by March 1, and the
Council would have to adopt a resolution by May 1. He stated Minnetonka has approached
him about designating Vine Hill, and it is his intent to follow through with that request.
Brown noted that in reviewing past documents he found a technical error in that private
road mileage was included thereby putting the City over allowed MSA mileage. He stated
he will be reviewing the entire system in detail.
Benson noted he felt trails are a totally different transportation mode unlike sidewalks and
wherever possible, should be provided.
Bean noted the general comments at the information meetings were that people do not want
the trail along Strawberry Lane, and if one is provided, they won't use it anyway. It is
very close to several homes.
Brown asked if the Council felt Strawberry Lane to be a highly traveled area.
Benson stated he can only estimate, but felt if a study were done the results would be
amazingly high. He felt if a trail were provided, people would use it despite their voiced
opposition.
McCarty agreed but reminded the Council of some homes where the setback from the road
is minimal at present.
Bean stated he felt the trail should not be along Strawberry Lane because it would create a
hardship for the properties close to the roadway.
Hurm suggested doing the road reconstruction at this time, and plan for a trail in the future.
Brown felt if the trail were not a part of the street reconstruction, it probably won't be built
within the next 15 to 20 years.
Council directed staff to consider the narrowest roadway possible, meeting State Aid
requirements.
Hurm reviewed Council's directives:
Smithtown Road - no changes, off-street trail, 32' wide
Eureka Road - watermain with street restored to current status
Strawberry Lane - watermain and 26' wide street reconstruction, designate MSA,
no trail