2025.06.17 Work Session Packet
4141 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55422-1696
Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-1188 • www.crystalmn.gov
Posted: June 13, 2025
City Council Work Session Agenda
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 | 6:30 p.m.
Upper Community Room/Zoom
Pursuant to due call and notice given in the manner prescribed by Section 3.01 of the City Charter,
the work session of the Crystal City Council was held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at ______ p.m. in
the upper community room at city hall, 4141 Douglas Dr. N., Crystal, MN and via Zoom. If the
agenda items are not completed in time for the city council meeting at 7 p.m., the work session
will be continued and resumed immediately following the city council meeting. The public may
attend the meeting via Zoom by connecting to it through one of the methods identified on the City
Council Meeting Schedule for Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
I. Attendance
Council members Staff
____ Onesirosan ____ Bell ____ Struve
____ Budziszewski ____ Tierney ____ Sutter
____ Cummings ____ Therres
____ Deshler ____ Elholm
____ Eidbo ____ Larson
____ Kamish ____ Kunde
____ Kiser ____ Revering
____ Hubbard
II. Agenda
The purpose of the work session is to discuss the following agenda items:
1. Three Rivers Parks District Update – District 3 Commissioner Erin Kolb
2. Parks and Recreation Department Update*
3. Blue Line Extension Update
a. Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement (SFEIS)
b. 60% plans
4. Council liaison reports.*
5. Constituent issues update.*
6. City manager update.*
7. New business.*
8. Announcements.*
III. Adjournment
The work session adjourned at ______ p.m.
* Denotes no documentation included in the packet.
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.
Erin Kolb
Elected Commissioner District 3
Brooklyn Center • Golden Valley • Brooklyn Park: Precincts W-1, W-2 & W-3 • Crystal • Robbinsdale • St. Anthony • St. Louis Park
Our mission:
Promote environmental stewardship
through recreation and education in a
natural resources-based park system.
Our vision:
Every person can connect with nature
every day.
Who we are
•Park District was established in 1957 by state Legislature
•Board of Commissioners – 5 elected;2 appointed
•Three Rivers Park District includes suburban Hennepin
County
•Partnership with Scott County
•We partner with other agencies to manage some facilities
•25 parks and park
reserves
•27,000 acres of land
•175 miles of regional
trails
•300 miles of trails within
our parks
•15 million visits per year
2025
Budgeted
Three
Rivers Park
District
Revenue
Sources
Property taxes
$42,500,536
Park use fees
$7,812,609
Met Council grants
$2,011,470
Other grants
$400,000
Interfund
transfers
$76,732
Interest income
$200,000
Other revenue
$255,302
MAC Wildlife Area
•City of Crystal/Three
Rivers partnership
to make
improvements to
boardwalk
•First two phases are
complete
Regional Trails
Operational
•Bassett Creek Regional
Trail
•Crystal Lake Regional Trail
Planned
•north-south regional trail
Welcoming everyone to nature
Recreation
Winter recreation
Education
Recreation and Education Programs
2024
•12 public and
group education
programs offered
in Crystal
•7 public programs
in Sochacki Park
Natural Resources
We’re always
interested in talking
about potential
partnerships and
how we can do an
even better job
serving residents of
our communities.
Moving forward
Thank you!
Comments/questions?
Page 1 of 2
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: June 12, 2025
FROM: John Sutter, Community Development Director
TO: Mayor and Council
City Manager Adam R. Bell
RE: Blue Line Extension Update - Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement and
60% plans
Background
Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (“SDEIS”)
• On Aug. 2, 2024, the city provided the attached comment letter regarding the SDEIS.
• On May 22, 2025, the project released the Supplemental Final Environmental Impact
Statement (“SFEIS”), including a table summarizing the project’s response to SDEIS
comments (Crystal excerpts attached). There is a 30 day SFEIS comment window which
closes on Sunday, June 22.
60% Plans
• On Oct. 1, 2024, the City Council adopted the attached resolution approving the preliminary
design plans at a 30% level of design detail (“municipal consent” and “30% plans”,
respectively).
• On June 3, 2025, the project released plans at a 60% level of design detail (“60% plans”).
There is a 45 day comment window which closes on Friday, July 18. Staff has only begun its
review of the 60% plans and they are much more detailed than the 30% plans. At the June 17
work session, staff will present illustrative roll plots of the 60% plans, which will be put on
display in the basement hallway in place of the currently posted 30% plans. At the July 15
work session, staff will present a detailed review of the 60% plans to the Council.
June 17 Work Session Goals
Discussion regarding the project responses to the city’s Aug. 2, 2024 SDEIS comment letter.
Provide direction to staff regarding whether or not to formally comment on the SFEIS.
Page 2 of 2
Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement
https://metrocouncil.metctest.state.mn.us/Transportation/Projects/Light-Rail-Projects/METRO-
Blue-Line-Extension/Environmental/Supplemental-Final-EIS.aspx
The following is a summary of project’s SFEIS response to the city’s seven comment items:
1. Vehicular traffic
The project addressed sub-items (a) and (c) with an updated traffic forecast for the year
2050.
The project did not address sub-items (b) and (d):
(b) The SFEIS does not evaluate the traffic shift from Bottineau Blvd. to West
Broadway.
(d) The SFEIS does not evaluate the impact of the lane reduction on the existing
southbound queuing problem north of the 47th Avenue signal. It does not even
acknowledge that there is a southbound queuing problem.
2. Parking
The project addressed the parking impacts at Crystal Business Commons (5500 Lakeland).
3. Noise
The project added an additional noise measurement location as requested.
4. Visual impact
The project modified its conclusion of the visual impact of the Bass Lake Road
interchange from neutral to adverse, and discusses using design to mitigate the impacts.
5. Joint Water Commission pipeline through Robbinsdale
The 60% plans include a casing to protect the JWC line.
6. Stormwater
The project added language acknowledging the need to mitigate negative effects of
converting existing visual buffers into stormwater management facilities.
7. Public Safety
The project did not evaluate the increased demand for services from local first
responders such as city police departments.
Page 1 of 5
4141 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55422-1696
Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-1188 • www.crystalmn.gov
August 2, 2024
Nick Thompson
Interim Project Director
METRO Blue Line Extension
6465 Wayzata Blvd #500
St Louis Park, MN 55426
Subject: City of Crystal comments on Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement for
the METRO Blue Line Extension
Dear Mr. Thompson:
Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (“SDEIS”) for the METRO Blue Line Extension (“the project”).
The city’s comments concern the following subjects:
1. Vehicular traffic
2. Parking
3. Noise
4. Visual impact of interchange
5. JWC water supply through Robbinsdale
6. Stormwater facilities
7. Public safety
1. Vehicular Traffic
a. The SDEIS conclusions are based on the 2040 forecast, which is flawed.
x Actual 2023 volumes exceed the 2040 forecast volumes in the Bass Lake Road-Wilshire Blvd.
segment
x Actual 2023 volumes have reached the 2040 forecast volumes in the 47th-Hwy 100 ramps
segment.
Page 2 of 5
x The 2040 forecast shows a higher volume on Bottineau Blvd. north of Bass Lake Road than
south of Bass Lake Road, which is contrary to the historical and current reality.
x City staff have repeatedly expressed concerns to project staff about the 2040 forecast and
whether it should be used as a basis for concluding that Bottineau Blvd. would function
adequately and safely with four lanes instead of six.
x The forecast, model, and simulation need to be updated, recalibrated, and revised. Only
then can the project’s impact on vehicular traffic be correctly evaluated.
b. The SDEIS does not specifically evaluate the traffic shift from Bottineau Blvd. to West Broadway
due to the lane reduction on Bottineau.
x This need is supported by the future diversion of 1,000 AADT from Bottineau Blvd. to the
parallel segment of West Broadway in the no-build forecast.
x It is likely that this diversion will be greater due to the project and its reduction of lanes on
Bottineau Blvd. from six lanes to four.
x The city is concerned about diversion of traffic from an existing high-speed limited access
road to a low-speed road of substandard condition and configuration as described in the
City Council’s July 16, 2024, letter to the project.
x The traffic shift needs to be specifically evaluated in the revised forecast, model, and
simulation. Only then can the project’s impact on West Broadway be correctly evaluated.
c. The SDEIS does not evaluate cross-street delays.
x The SDEIS states that all intersections in Crystal would operate at or below capacity but
does not break out the level of service for each approach, the signal phasing and timing
assumptions, or how they compare to current settings at each of the intersections.
x Project staff have acknowledged that Bass Lake Road delays would increase substantially
due to the proposed interchange.
x This is especially concerning due to the prospect of the county potentially increasing cross-
street delays as a way to “solve” delays on Bottineau if they worsen over time.
x The cross-street delays and signal phasing/timing assumptions need to be included in the
SDEIS. Only then can the project’s impact on cross streets be correctly evaluated.
d. The SDEIS does not specifically evaluate the impact of the lane reduction on the existing
southbound queuing problem north of the 47th Avenue signal.
x Existing backups during the a.m. peak typically extend to 50th Avenue and occasionally
extend through the Corvallis intersection. And this is with three southbound lanes.
x The project proposes to eliminate the third southbound lane except for a short segment
from Lakeside to 47th Avenues which is approximately half the length of the existing a.m.
peak queue.
x It is a reasonable assumption that the project’s significant reduction of road space will cause
the southbound queues to extend further north and occur more frequently than in the
existing condition.
Page 3 of 5
x Due to the proposed interchange at Bass Lake Road, southbound traffic will be transitioning
from a wide-open, freeway-style, 1ЫŵŝůĞůŽŶŐ segment south of 63rd Ave. to traffic signals
with congestion and queues.
x Southbound traffic would be cresting the bridge over the CPKC when it would first see the
slowed or stopped queue, with little time to react. Having a third lane start just 1,000 feet
north of 47th does not address this real-world traffic safety problem.
x The SDEIS must specifically evaluate the southbound queuing problem. Only then can the
project’s impact on traffic movement and safety be correctly evaluated.
2. Parking
The SDEIS claims a loss of only 7 off-street parking spaces at Crystal Business Commons (5500
Lakeland).
x This may have been based on an earlier plan to move the Adair cul-de-sac onto the existing
private stormwater pond and use public right of way for private parking.
x The project is now proposing to keep the Adair cul-de-sac basically where it is today, which
would mean the elimination of a lot more than 7 spaces.
x The SDEIS needs to quantify and evaluate the effects of the most recent plan on Crystal
Business Commons and any other private property. Only then can the impacts on parking be
correctly evaluated.
3. Noise
The SDEIS concludes that four homes and 14 apartment units would be moderately impacted by
noise, and none would be severely impacted.
x The noise model was developed using noise measurements at 5906 Elmhurst Ave. N. and 5257
Xenia Ave. N. 5906 Elmhurst is 215 feet from the proposed LRT guideway. 5257 Xenia is 195
feet from the proposed LRT guideway, buffered by a concrete wall and opaque fence, and
located at a lower elevation. Neither property is among the closest homes to the project.
x The most directly impacted residential neighborhood is between Corvallis Ave. N. and 47th Ave.
N. where multiple residences are within 100 feet of the proposed LRT guideway.
x The noise model needs to be revised so that it includes at least one actual measurement
location in the area of greatest potential impact such as one of the single-family homes
adjacent to Bottineau Blvd. in the vicinity of 48th-50th Avenues. Only then can the noise impacts
of the project be correctly evaluated.
4. Visual Impact
The SDEIS acknowledges that the intersection of Bottineau Blvd. and Bass Lake Road is a location of
high visual sensitivity but concludes that the visual impact of the proposed interchange is neutral.
Page 4 of 5
x The visualizations in the SDEIS (KVP-07 and KVP-08) directly and obviously contradict this
conclusion.
x The proposed interchange would be a radical change to the visual landscape due to the bridges
being visible from a wide area including adjacent residential neighborhoods.
x The correct conclusion is that the project will create an adverse visual impact in this location.
5. Joint Water Commission pipeline through Robbinsdale
The SDEIS does not discuss the potential impacts and risks to this water supply pipeline which
serves 70,000 people in Crystal, New Hope, and Golden Valley.
x The SDEIS treats this piece of critical infrastructure as merely another “utility crossing,” as if it’s
no more important than a regular water main serving a single block.
x These risks include not only construction disruption or damage, but also difficulty of access for
long-term maintenance.
x The SDEIS needs to specifically evaluate the risks related to the JWC water supply pipeline.
6. Stormwater
The SDEIS states that additional stormwater facilities will be needed due to increased impervious
surface but does not evaluate the location and impacts of those facilities.
x The project team has indicated that they are looking at land outside the existing roadway
footprint, currently used as landscape buffers, as locations for the additional stormwater
facilities.
x This would remove some of the limited screening and buffering that exists today and would
negatively impact visual quality, noise, and so forth.
x The SDEIS needs to evaluate these impacts.
7. Public Safety
The SDEIS does not evaluate the impact of the project on public safety in general and local law
enforcement agencies in particular. The SDEIS merely lists those agencies and the broad categories
or services they provide.
x The city is likely to see increased demand for police services based on the known reality of what
happens at LRT stations in other jurisdictions.
x Even a fully-staffed Metro Transit Police Dept. would frequently be delayed and sometimes
totally unavailable, causing the Crystal Police Dept. to be the first responding agency at the Bass
Lake Road station.
x The SDEIS needs to evaluate the public safety impacts including the increased demand for
services from local first responders. Only then can the impacts on public safety be correctly
evaluated.
Page 5 of 5
The City appreciates this opportunity to comment on the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact
Statement. Please feel free to contact me at 763.531.1140 or adam.bell@crystalmn.gov with any
questions. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Adam R. Bell
City Manager
cc: Charlie Zelle, Chair, Corridor Management Committee, METRO Blue Line Extension
Commissioner Jeff Lunde, Hennepin County Board, District 1
Council Member Anjuli Cameron, Metropolitan Council, District 8
Adam R Bell