HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.10.08 Work Session Minutes
Council Workshop
East Farmington
December 10,2008
Mayor Soderberg called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m.
Present: Soderberg, Fogarty, Pritzlaff, Wilson
Absent: McKnight
Also Present: Joel Jamnik, Peter Herlofsky, Kevin Schorzman, Todd Larson, Terry Donnelly,
Julie May, Cynthia Muller
MOTION by Wilson, second by Fogarty to approve the agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
City Attorney Jamnik provided Council with historical information on East Farmington on the
City's response to residents two years ago regarding litigation. On November 11,2008, the East
Farmington Homeowners Association sent a letter to the City. A response was sent by City
Attorney Jamnik on November 21,2008 asking for additional documentation and a response has
not been received. Therefore, the City does not have information regarding the HOA's
settlement with Sienna. What remains is a question regarding mailboxes, maintenance of private
streets, snow removal and long-term issues regarding the parks. The private streets include Birch
Court and Aspen Court in the fourth addition. These are cul-de-sacs with a park at the end of
each street. This involves four blocks. The border streets are public streets. The private streets
were not constructed to City standards, they do not have a large radius cul-de-sac at the end and
were part of the PUD. The HOA asked if they could sell the park land or ifthe City would take
them over. The PUD indicates the covenants would run with the land. The covenants were not
recorded by Sienna. The streets are not wide enough for the City to plow them. The HOA has
removed the playground equipment in the parks and has stopped maintaining the park areas. The
City is being asked by the residents and the HOA to fix the problem. However, the City does not
know what has been legally terminated and what the current situation is as no documentation has
been received. Residents were not happy with what the HOA was not doing, so 44 residents
voted to get out of the association and this has left the remainder of the nine homes along the
private streets and abutting the parks with no maintenance for streets and parks. City Attorney
Jamnik advised the City does not have the authority to plow private streets. Doing this could set
a precedent. The streets and the parks are owned by the HOA. Council was very concerned with
the parks as the City gave the developer credit to build the parks. City Attorney Jamnik stated if
the park areas are not maintained, the City has the right to mow the parks and maintain them and
assess the HOA who would in turn assess the abutting properties. The private streets become the
same as long private driveways. It was suggested the homeowners on these streets get together
to hire a plow service. The City should move forward with construction and maintenance of the
parks and assess the HOA.
MOTION by Pritzlaff, second by Fogarty to adjourn at 6:25 p.m. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
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ynthia Muller
Executive Assistant
Council / School Board / Dakota County
Transportation Workshop
December 10, 2008
Mayor Soderberg called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
Present:
Absent:
Also Present:
Soderberg, Fogarty, Pritzlaff, Wilson
McKnight
Joel Jamnik, Peter Herlofsky, Kevin Schorzman, Todd Larson, Julie May,
Cynthia Muller
Bob Heman, Terry Donnelly, Ann Manthey, Tim Weyandt, Tim Burke, Julie
Singewald, Brad Meeks
John Sass, Commissioner Joe Harris
John Sass summarized the discussion from the previous workshop. There are two new corridors
coming and a new high school. There will be a new 195th Street which will connect to TH3 from
Pilot Knob, and the paving of Flagstaff Avenue with the new high school. Dakota County came
up with some criteria to evaluate the intersections.
There are four intersections that have some issues with level of service such as delay and
capacity. These intersections include Akin Road and 195th Street, 195th Street and Pilot Knob
Road, Flagstaff Avenue and 195th Street, and CRSO and Flagstaff Avenue. The first criteria was
crash rates at intersections. When you increase the level of control at intersections, such as
installing a signal, the crash rate goes up. Traffic control should only be increased when
warranted and after a traffic study is done. The crash severity rate also goes up as the level of
control at the intersection is increased.
On 19Sth Street and Akin Road, the existing condition assumes the new corridor is open and 135
homes are added and there is the school. The current multi-way stop level of service is D which
is acceptable. The county recommended a multi-way stop with east right-turn lane and leave as
an all-way stop. This does not have to be done before school opens.
Regarding Pilot Knob Road and 195th Street, there is not a benefit to a higher level oftraffic
control. The county suggested looking at a roundabout within five years and that something
should be put in the CIP for this intersection. Part of the county's study includes looking at other
intersections on Pilot Knob Road. Any solution will have an effect on the properties on the
comers. In the meantime, something should be included in the CIP for developing this
intersection. They are working on four alternatives for the north end of Pilot Knob and these will
include the intersection by Super America.
At 19Sth Street and Flagstaff A venue, the current stop sign on 19Sth Street is a level of service F
which is not acceptable. A multi-way stop would be a level of service E. The county
recommended a multi-way stop before school opens. The level of service E is just during the
peak hours. During the majority of the day the intersection will function fine. They looked at
Council Workshop Minutes
December 10, 2008
Page 2
peak hours in the morning, evening and afternoon for high school traffic. John Sass explained
crash rates going from a multi-way stop to a roundabout and going from a signal to a roundabout.
Councilmember Pritzlaff asked if a multi-way stop creates an unsafe situation due to the
difference in speed between 195th Street and Flagstaff A venue. The county noted the severity of
the crash would be higher. Councilmember-elect May suggested starting with a multi-way stop
to slow everyone down and if that does not work, then go to a signal. The county stated a
roundabout would be a long-term option. Councilmember Fogarty stated these are kids in our
community and she was concerned with this recommendation. She was willing to face the
taxpayers and say this deserves more money and more attention and put in a roundabout.
The intersection at CR50 and Flagstaff will function with a level of service C at the peak hour.
The county recommended keeping the two-way stop on Flagstaff, but a traffic management plan
is needed for when school gets out in the afternoon to direct traffic north on Flagstaff to 195th
Street. Another option is a % intersection with a U-turn down CR50. This would be a short-term
solution. The county felt a signal would not work well. A multi-lane roundabout may work
better. To install a signal the road would have to be shifted to the west at a cost of $700,000.
The other option is to leave the road as is and move the power line which is $2.4 million so a
signal is not recommended. The design for a roundabout could be programmed in to the CIP for
2010. School Board member Weyandt asked if there could be lights on the comer for kids
walking to McDonald's. City Engineer Schorzman stated at the last meeting it was discussed
that if someone covers the cost the county would be willing to allow it. The cost of a street light
is $5,000 - $7,500. In order to make the traffic go north, a sign would be posted for a no right
turn on to Flagstaff during peak times at the school entrance. This would be until there is more
traffic control at CR50 and Flagstaff. If the school posted a sign, the police would be able to
enforce it. The school can make this a requirement for students to keep their parking permit.
The no right turn would only be in effect during peak times for students leaving school not for
special events.
The City could also look at a street light at 195th Street and Flagstaff. School Board member
Weyandt stated regarding lighting for safety, the City will find the school easy to work with in
cost sharing. Mayor Soderberg encouraged Council to discuss this item in the very near future.
Councilmember Fogarty also asked the County to look at lit stop signs. Regarding the police
enforcing the no right turn from the school entrance, the school is not asking to have an officer
stationed at the entrance every day, but only if problems arise. The county will finish the study
for the long-range plan for Pilot Knob Road and will bring it to the Council at that time. City
Administrator Herlofsky and Superintendent Meeks will bring back a recommendation for street
lights for 195th Street and Flagstaff A venue. The school asked that a no right turn sign on
Flagstaffbe installed in July-August.
MOTION by Fogarty, second by Wilson to adjourn at 8:34 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
~~~~?~Le-~-<J
e;;,thia~ Muller
Executive Assistant