2019.06.04 Work Session Packet (2nd)
4141 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55422-1696
Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-1188 • www.crystalmn.gov
Posted: May 31, 2019
City Council
Second Work Session Agenda
June 4, 2019
Immediately following the City Council meeting
Conference Room A
Pursuant to due call and notice given in the manner prescribed by Section 3.01 of the City Charter,
the second work session of the Crystal City Council was held at ______ p.m. on June 4, 2019 in
Conference Room A, 4141 Douglas Dr. N., Crystal, Minnesota.
I. Attendance
Council Members Staff
____ Deshler ____ Therres
____ Kiser ____ Gilchrist
____ LaRoche ____ Ray
____ Parsons ____ Sutter
____ Adams ____ Revering
____ Banks
____ Budziszewski
II. Agenda of discussion items:
1. Hennepin County 2020 Mill and Overlay on Winnetka.
2. Rockford Road Library property at 6401 – 42nd Avenue North:
o Proposed access changes for the library/City Hall campus.
o Easement vacation and deed to affirm 1972 conveyance of library property from
city to Hennepin County.
3. Constituent issues update.
4. New business.*
5. Announcements.*
* Denotes no supporting information included in the packet.
III. Adjournment
The work session adjourned at ______ p.m.
Auxiliary aids are available upon request to individuals with disabilities by calling the City Clerk at (763) 531-
1145 at least 96 hours in advance. TTY users may call Minnesota Relay at 711 or 1-800-627-3529.
Memorandum
DATE: June 4, 2019
TO: City Council
FROM: Mark Ray, PE, Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: Hennepin County 2020 mill and overlay of Winnetka Ave
Summary
In 2020 Hennepin County is planning to do a mill and overlay of Winnetka Ave between Medicine Lake
Road and 42nd Avenue. The County’s project will be following a Centerpoint Energy gas main
replacement project along Winnetka. As part of the mill and overlay project, the County is considering
changing the existing four lane section of Winnetka Avenue to a three lane section and making some
pedestrian crossing improvements.
County project staff will be attending the meeting and presenting on the proposed project. County
staff met with the New Hope City Council on May 20th to gather their input on the proposed project.
Attachment
• Hennepin County memo on the Winnetka Ave repaving and restriping project.
Council action
• No formal action is needed.
• County staff would like the City Council’s input on the proposed 4 to 3 conversion and
pedestrian crossing improvements.
Hennepin County Public Works
1600 Prairie Drive, Medina, MN 55340
612-596-0300 | hennepin.us
Memo
To: Bernie Weber, City of New Hope; Mark Ray, City of Crystal
From: Emily Kettell, Hennepin County Public Works – Transportation Planning
Date: May 10, 2019
Re: Winnetka Avenue repaving and restriping
Purpose
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide an update to the Cities of New Hope and Crystal in regards to
a 2020 mill and overlay project along Winnetka Avenue (County Road 156) from 42nd Avenue N (County Road
9) to Medicine Lake Road (County Road 70). As part of the repaving project design process, Hennepin County
is reviewing existing conditions along the corridor. One of the items being evaluated is the potential for a
four-to-three lane conversion for the Winnetka Ave corridor.
This memorandum will accompany a presentation that Hennepin County staff will present at a New Hope
council work session on May 20, 2019 and a Crystal council work session on June 4, 2019.
Background
Upon completion of a 2020 CenterPoint Energy project, Hennepin County will mill and overlay Winnetka Ave
from 42nd Ave N to Medicine Lake Road in order to preserve the life of the pavement. As with most projects,
any resurfacing provides an opportunity to review existing pavement markings to look for opportunities to
make proactive safety and operational changes along the corridor. Any proposed revision of the existing
striping will be done in coordination with the cities of New Hope and Crystal.
2
Hennepin County has implemented a number of four-to-three lane conversions and has found several
benefits:
• Safety: Three lane roads typically see a 33-50% reduction in crashes compared to four-lane undivided
roads. Additionally, three lane roadways reduce the potential for multiple threat crashes for
pedestrians crossing the street.
• Speed: Narrow lanes discourage speeding and the three-lane configuration provides a more
consistent traffic flow.
• Turning: It is less common for people driving to weave around other vehicles to make turns.
• Multimodal transportation: The bikeable shoulder can also serve as a buffer between moving vehicles
for people walking along the sidewalk or waiting for the bus.
• Side-street crossings: Side-street traffic can more easily turn onto the roadway because there are
fewer lanes to cross at one time. People driving who wish to make a left turn from a side street can
use the center turn lane to break-up the turn into two stages, reducing the chance of potential
collisions from one direction at a time.
• Traffic capacity: Studies have found that the traffic delays have often decreased or stayed the same
after a four-lane to three-lane conversion. Major intersections will be supplemented with additional
turn lanes to accommodate higher vehicle volumes.
• Sight distance: Vehicles backing out of driveways experience improved site distance.
• Flexibility of space: In addition to providing a space for people who bike and a buffer space between
moving traffic for people who walk, shoulders provide space for delivery vehicles and garbage pick-
ups.
The County also realizes that there are a number of concerns and perceived drawbacks where four-to-
three lane conversion have been implemented:
• Safety: Some drivers are not familiar with the purpose of the three-lane section and sometimes use
the middle lane to pass vehicles.
• Gaps: Due to the number of lanes being reduced from four to three, the number of available gaps for
turning can decrease during the peak hours. This can increase the turning drivers’ frustration and
decrease their gap acceptance threshold.
• Speed: When drivers are frustrated about driving behind what they perceive as a slow vehicle,
sometimes they will speed up considerably to improperly pass that vehicle in the middle lane.
• Turning: Some drivers are not familiar with the fact they should enter the middle lane to turn left.
They do not use it and delay on the side street can be increased.
• Traffic capacity: During peak hours, or adverse weather conditions, traffic on the three-lane section
can become backed up because one lane is feeding into multiple lanes at an intersection.
Traffic analysis
As it exists today, Winnetka Ave is a four-lane undivided roadway, with two through lanes in each direction
and turn lanes at major intersections. Hennepin County is exploring the potential to convert the Winnetka Ave
corridor from four lanes to three lanes for a portion of the corridor from south of 42nd Ave N to just south of
Terra Linda Dr. Hennepin County considers these types of conversions on roadways where the average annual
daily traffic (AADT) is between 15,000-17,000 AADT or less. The volumes along the Winnetka Ave corridor fit
this criteria as they range from 10,800 near 42nd Ave N to 11,400 at Medicine Lake Rd. This change would
mean that through travel lanes would be reduced to one in each direction, a dedicated center left turn lane
3
would be added, and a bikeable shoulder would be striped to improve safety and comfort for all roadway
users.
As part of the process to understand the feasibility of a four-to-three lane conversion, Hennepin County staff
reviewed vehicle volumes along the corridor, turning movement counts at signalized intersections, and crash
data. In developing this recommendation, staff also referred to Hennepin County’s Complete Streets Policy, as
well as the comprehensive plans for the Cities of New Hope and Crystal.
When modeling the signalized intersections throughout the corridor, Hennepin County staff reviewed data for
the PM peak to account for trips taking place after school and work. The preliminary modeling results indicate
that the level of service (LOS) for the proposed three-lane concept remains the same when compared to
current conditions, with the exception of the Winnetka Ave and 32nd Ave intersection, which may see a slight
increase in delay, though still at an acceptable level (LOS B). This means that during non-peak hours, people
driving through the corridor can expect minimal change in delay when traveling along Winnetka Ave. During
the morning and evening peak, people driving may notice an increase in delay (particularly for vehicles
turning onto Winnetka Ave). Though a three-lane concept is proposed for the corridor, key signalized
intersections at 42nd Ave N, 36th Ave N, and Medicine Lake will open up to allow for additional capacity and to
accommodate higher turning volumes.
Crash data
Safety is the main benefit of implementing a four-to-three lane conversion. Using data from the Minnesota
Crash Mapping Analysis Tool, Hennepin County has calculated crash rates for intersections and block length
segments using data from 2013-2015. Two intersections along the corridor are classified as above the average
crash rate including 42nd Ave N and 36th Ave N. Additionally, the segments between 42nd Ave N and 40th Ave
N, 36th Ave N to 35th Ave N, and Terra Linda Dr to Medicine Lake Rd are above the average crash rate.
Furthermore, between 2009-2015, there have been 138 crashes along the corridor. Fifty-six of the 138 crashes
occurred between 42nd Ave N and 36th Ave N, with 33 crashes concentrated at the 36th Ave N intersection.
Four crashes along the corridor have specifically involved people walking at 42nd Ave N, 32nd Ave N, 30th Ave
N, and Medicine Lake Rd. There were also two crashes involving people biking at 42nd Ave N and 36th Ave N.
Proposed option
Hennepin County is considering moving forward with converting the Winnetka Ave corridor from south of
42nd Ave to just south of Terra Linda Dr to three lanes, reducing travel lanes to one in each direction,
implementing a dedicated center left turn lane and adding a bikeable shoulder. At key signalized
intersections, the three-lane configuration will open up to accommodate higher volumes and turning
movements. A four-to-three conversion would improve multi-modal safety along the corridor while still
ensuring that vehicle access is efficient and direct.
Additionally, Hennepin County staff will be looking at locations where pedestrian improvements can be
constructed in coordination with this project. Currently, staff are evaluating the potential for a median refuge
island at Terra Linda Dr.
4
Next steps
Hennepin County would like to obtain feedback on the proposed option from the New Hope and Crystal City
Councils. This input will be used in the development of a layout and plans for proposed pedestrian crossing
improvements.
After the City Council’s input, the County will be reaching out to residents and businesses along the corridor
with a mailer including project information and an opportunity to comment on the project.
In order to meet the deadline for the 2020 mill and overlay, the final layout must be complete by July 31,
2019.
Attachments
Attachment 1 – Project location map
Pennsylvania
Woods
Medley Park
Jaycee
Park
Sandburg
Ballfields
Civic Center
Park & New
Hope Pool
Northwood
Park
Lions
Park
Hidden
Valley
Park
Sunny
Hollow
School Park
Yunkers
Park
Terra
Li nda
Park
Valley
Place Park
Sunnyview
Park
Florida
Park
Crystal
Highlands
Park
Kentucky
Park
Hagemeister
Pond Preserve
Brownwood
Park
Memory
Lane Park
Fred
Sims
Park
9
9
156
156
42nd Ave N
Winnetka Ave NGOLDEN VALLEY
NEW HOPE
CRYSTAL
Winnetka Avenue (County Road 156)
Hennepin County Public Works
Hennepin
Disclaimer:This map (i) is furnished "AS IS" with no representation as to completeness
or accuracy; (ii) is furnished with no warranty of any kind; and (iii) is not suitable forlegal, engineering or surveying purposes. Hennepin County shall not be liable for any
damage, injury or loss resulting from this map.
Publication date: 5/2/2019 Data sources (if applicable):
0 0.60.3 Miles
Key
Interstate
US Highway
MN Highway
County State Aid Highway (CSAH)
County Road
94
12
55
81
116
Project location
PAGE 1 OF 6
_____________________________________________________________________
FROM: John Sutter, Community Development Director
_____________________________________________________________________
DATE: May 30, 2019
TO: Anne Norris, City Manager (for June 4 Council work session)
SUBJECT: Discuss Rockford Road Library property at 6401 – 42nd Avenue North:
Proposed access changes for the library/City Hall campus
Easement vacation and deed to affirm 1972 conveyance of library
property from city to Hennepin County
A. BACKGROUND
In 1970 the city and Hennepin County entered into an agreement for the city to
acquire property for the county to build the Rockford Road Library. In 1972 the city
executed deeds conveying the site to Hennepin County but for unknown reasons the
deeds were not recorded.
For many years, city staff have desired to improve the access points and traffic flow
within the City Hall - library campus but have encountered resistance from county
staff. City staff have been waiting for an adjacent project like reconstruction of 42nd
Avenue to advance the resolution of these issues. However, it is unclear when the
county will initiate the reconstruction of this segment of 42nd Avenue.
In 2021, Hennepin County is planning to do a substantial renovation of the Rockford
Road Library, including the building exterior and site improvements. In preparation
for this work, the county ordered a survey of the property and discovered that the
deeds had not been recorded and original documents have been lost. The county
has requested that the city execute a deed affirming the 1972 conveyance. The
county has also asked the city to vacate an unused street easement which
unnecessarily encumbers the title to the library property.
The county’s planned renovation of the library, and its request that the city execute a
conveyance deed, prompted city and county staff to initiate discussion of the access
issues rather than waiting for 42nd Avenue to be reconstructed. City and county staff
have reached a concept-level agreement about what should occur. Detailed design
will begin later this year as the county prepares detailed plans for the 2021
renovations.
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Rockford Road Library
PAGE 2 OF 6
B. EXISTING ACCESS ISSUES
In the eyes of the public/customers/users, the library and City Hall function as a shared
public-institutional campus. However, the current configuration has several problems:
1. The sidewalk along 42nd Avenue west of the utility pole by the police department
needs to be reconstructed
2. There are too many curb cuts along 42nd Avenue
3. The existing library curb cut is too narrow and has too short of a radius to handle the
volume and type of vehicles
4. The existing vehicular connection between the two properties includes an awkward,
slightly offset drive aisle connecting the library to Douglas Drive
5. There is no accessible route between the two buildings
PAGE 3 OF 6
C. PROPOSED ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS
1. Utilities will need to relocate their poles & overhead lines so they are behind the
sidewalk instead of the curb (this will also match the rest of the poles along 42nd)
2. Close the City Hall curb cut and remove the unnecessary driveway to 42nd
3. Replace the curb and sidewalk between the police department and library curb cuts
4. Widen the library access to create separate right and left turn lanes for exiting traffic,
and increase the radii from 8 feet to 20 feet
5. Close the existing cross-access to eliminate awkward offset through route on City
Hall side
6. Open a new cross-access with proper T-intersections on the City Hall side
7. Install a new sidewalk along the north side of the new cross-access to provide an
accessible route between the two buildings
PAGE 4 OF 6
D. PROPOSED STREET EASEMENT VACATION
In 1959, the city was granted a street easement over a 30’ x 66’ area that is now part of
the Rockford Road Library parking lot. This easement would have been the south half of
41st Place if that street had been extended west from Douglas Drive.
Because there are no plans to construct a street in this location, this street easement
should be vacated.
PAGE 5 OF 6
E. AFFIRMING THE 1972 PROPERTY CONVEYANCE
In 1970 the city and Hennepin County entered into an agreement for the city to acquire
property for the county to build the Rockford Road Library. In 1972 the city executed
deeds conveying the library site to Hennepin County but for unknown reasons the
deeds were not recorded. For the county to have clear title to the library property, the
city needs to execute a new deed affirming the 1972 property conveyance.
The 1972 conveyance included seven parcels that comprise the library site:
Parcel 1: Original deed lost
Parcels 2-6: Unrecorded deeds
Parcel 7: Original deed lost
Note: The illustration below is in the process of being updated. It has been marked
up with the correct parcel reference numbers.
City staff views this as a title clean-up matter that is part of a mutually beneficial effort to
improve the library - City Hall campus.
PAGE 6 OF 6
F. PROPOSED CROSS-ACCESS EASEMENTS
After the street easement vacation and conveyance deed are recorded, the city and
county would execute and record mutual cross-access easements as depicted below:
G. NEXT STEPS
June 18 City Council holds public hearing and considers resolutions
vacating the street easement and authorizing execution of
the deed affirming the 1972 property transfer
Summer 2019 County and city execute mutual cross-access easement
Late 2019 into 2020 County design consultant begins work on detailed plans for
Rockford Road Library renovations to include the site access
changes described on page 3 of this report
2021 (estimated) Construction of Rockford Road Library improvements and
site access changes