022403 CC WS Min
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CITY OF SHOREWOOD
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2003
5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
6:00 P.M.
MINUTES
1. CONVENE WORK SESSION MEETING
Mayor Love called the meeting to order at 6:04 P.M.
A.
Roll Call
Present:
Mayor Love; Councilmembers Garfunkel, Lizee, Turgeon, and Zerby;
Administrator Dawson; Attorney Keane; Engineer Brown; Finance Director
Burton; and Planning Director Nielsen
Absent:
None
B.
Review Agenda
Without objection from Council, Mayor Love proceeded with the Agenda for the evening.
2. Discussion on County Road 19 Intersection Project
Administrator Dawson explained that the Council, at its most recent Regular Council Meeting,
had requested Staff identify alternatives for action to gain agreements or decisions needed to
assure construction could begin soon on the County Road 19 Intersection project. He briefly
reviewed requirements regarding Municipal State Aid (MSA) funding for the project, as well as
the current status of the project. Administrator Dawson then introduced Jim Grube and Bruce
Polaczyk, from Hennepin County, to Council.
Jim Grube, Hennepin County Director of Transportation, stated it was a pleasure to meet all
parties present this evening, and he was happy to report he believed the project would happen.
He stated Commissioner Koblick sent her warmest regards, and had also stated she believed the
project could happen as she thought it was the right project for the right time. Mr. Grube reported
on the background issues of the matter, noting a meeting had recently taken place with
representatives of Hennepin County and the City of Tonka Bay to discuss design issues with all
parties involved in the intersection project. He noted the Truffle Hill Chocolate Shop entrance
might need to be redesigned to accommodate the Chocolate Shop and the proposed mall
redevelopment. Mr. Grube also noted these designs changes would come with additional expense
for the City's design consultants, and the County would be responsible for funding the design
changes.
Mr. Grube went on to state the County was prepared to move forward on the project, and good
progress had been made regarding the valuation of the Tonka Bay Liquor Store, the lack of
settlement on which had slowed the progress of the project. He further stated it would be
important to bring the cities and business owners together in the near future to revise the design
of the entrance to the Shopping Center and revisit the impacts to the intersection project.
Discussion ensued regarding the potential timeline the intersection project might take over the
course of the construction season.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES
February 24, 2003
Page 2 of 2
Mayor Love stated it was important to look for resolution in this matter. He stated the City was
not in disagreement with the City of Tonka Bay, but rather believed the City of Tonka Bay was
entitled to a fair valuation of the property and also wanted to see the project move forward
expediently for the enhanced public safety of all.
Mr. Grube stated the County had assumed responsibility for the delay in valuation, and he now
believed the project was the right design at the right time as all parties involved in the project
would be treated fairly and the interests of both public safety and traffic safety could now be
served. He also noted municipal liquor stores were governed by special statutes and, with regard
to valuation, and guidelines had to be followed.
Various members of Council expressed frustration with the length of time the process had taken,
noting it was critical to have the intersection safely functioning at the time the Public Safety
facility opened. Mr. Grube stated the County was examining the conditions necessary to have in
existence when the Public Safety Facility opened. He stated traffic signals would be operational
at the time of opening of the Facility in November of this year.
Engineer Brown stated of primary concern would be establishing the working signal, with
advanced signal (pre-emptive) operational, and the sight distance and roadway grade in place to
accommodate appropriate signalization for the intersection. Mr. Grube stated the County
understood the opening of the Public Safety Facility, in providing public safety to five
communities, was dependent on the project. He went on to state he heard and understood the
concerns of all Councilmembers, and suggested the time was appropriate to bring all parties
involved in the project together to finish the necessary final discussions on moving the project
forward. To that end, he also proposed these efforts would have priority status. He would report
a workable timeline to Engineer Brown for the project to move forward by the end of the week,
and Mr. Grube also authorized Mr. Polaczyk to move forward in working with the design
revisions necessary to bringing the project to the construction phase.
Council thanked Mr. Grube and Mr. Polaczyk for being present this evening, and appreciated
their efforts in bringing the project to fruition.
3. Adjourn
Zel'by moved, Garfunkel seconded, adjourning the Work Session Meeting of February 24,
2003, at 7:00 P.M. Motion passed 5/0.
RESPECTFULL Y SUBMITTED,
Sally Keefe,
Recording Secretary