>> GOOD AFTERNOON. WELCOME TO THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CLIMATE AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE FOR MARCH 6, 25. I'M KATIE CASHMAN, CHAIR OF THIS COMMITTEE. BEFORE WE BEGIN I WANT TO OFFER A FRIENDLY REMINDER THAT THESE MEETINGS ARE
BROADCAST LIVE TO ENABLE GREATER PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. THIS INCLUDES REAL-TIME CAPTIONING AS A FURTHER METHOD TO INCREASE THE ACCESSIBILITY OF OUR PROCEEDINGS. THEREFORE, ALL SPEAKERS NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF THE RATE OF THEIR SPEECH SO THAT OUR CAPTIONERS CAN FULLY CAPTURE
AND TRANSCRIBE COMMENTS FOR THE BROADCAST. THANK YOUERY MUCH. >> COUNCIL MEMBER VETAW. >> PRESENT. >> OSMAN. >> PRESENT. >> CHOWDHURY IS ABSENT. VICE CHAIR KOSKI IS ABSENT. CHAIR CASHMAN. >> PRESENT. >> THERE ARE FOUR MEMBERS PRESENT.
>> LET THEECORD REFLECT WE HAVE A QUORUM. I'M PROPOSING ONE ADDITION TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. THIS IS ADOPTING THE FINDINGS OF FACT AND RECOMMENDATION OF
DENIAL OF A CREDIT APPLICATION FOR A STORMWATER CHARGE SUBMITTED BY LAKEWOOD CEMETERY ASSOCIATION. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ABOUT INCLUDING THIS ITEM ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? SEEING NONE, I'LL MOVE TO ADD
THIS ITEM TO THE CSENT AGENDA. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY. THAT MOTION CARRIES. THE AGENDA IS AMENDED. SO STARTING OUT WITH THE CONSENT AGENDA. ITEMS 3 THROUGH 7, AND ADDITIONALLY THE
WALK-ON ITEM WE JUST DISCUSSED. ITEM 3 IS AUTHORIZING A COOPATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE METACOUNCIL FOR COST PARTICIPATION IN THE TRANSIT STUDY. ITEM 4 IS AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF A GRANT
APPLICATION FOR T NATURAL RESOURCES FOR THE LOCAL TRAILS CONNECTION PROGRAM. ITEM 5 IS AUTHORING A SUBMITTAL OF GRANT APPLICATION FOR A GEOTHERMAL GRANT. ITEM 6 APPROVING A
LEGISLATIVE DIRECTIVE ABOUT THE ONGOING PROCESS AT THE NICOLLET MALL. -- WATER SERVICE AND TERMINOLOGY REVISIONS. ADDITIONALLY ITEM 8, THE WALK-ON
IS ADOPTING FINDINGS OF FACT TO DENY THE APPLICATION SUBMITTED BY LAKEWOOD CEMETERY ASSOCIATION. ANY DISCUSSION ON ITEMS 3 THROU 8 THAT YOU'D LIKE TO PULL FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION OR HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT? SEEING NONE, I'LL MOVE
APPROVAL OF THE ITEMS 3 THROUGH 8. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY. AYES HAVE IT. THOSE ITEMS ARE APPROVED. NEXT UP WE'LL TAKE OUR
TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS TODAY. SO THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING ITEM 1 ASSESSMENT OF THE PENNHURST RESIDENTIAL STREET RESURFACING PROJECT. HERE TO KICK OFF THIS HEARING IS RYAN GOTTSLEBEN FROM
PUBLIC WORKSWELCOME. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMITTEE CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE CLIMATE AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE. MY NAME IS RYAN GOTTSLEBEN AND I'M AN ENGINEER WITH PUBLIC WORKS HERE TO PRESENT ON THE PENNHURST
RESURFACING PROJECT, ORDERING THE WORK TO PROCEED AND ADOPTING SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $749,363.11 FOR PASSAGE OF RESOLION REQUESTING
A BOARD OF ESTIMATE AND TAXATION, AUTHORIZE THE CITY'S ISSUANCE AND SALE IN THE AMOUN OF $749,363.11 FOR THE PROJECT. PENNHURST RESIDENTIAL ARE LOCAL STREETS BOUND BY 58th STREET
WEST TO 62nd STREET WEST. JAMES AVENUE SOUTH. THE AREA WAS RECONSTRUCTED IN 1990 AND HAS A PCI OF 45. PUBLIC WORKS HOSTED A COMMUNITY MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH, 25, AT 6 P.M.
THERE WERE 485 INVITATIONS MAILED. ONE ATTENDEEAME TO THIS MEETING. ON NOVEMBER 21, 2024, THE CITY COUNCIL DESIGNATED THE IMPROVEMENTS IMPOSED TO THE 2025 RESURFACING
PROGRAM. THE PURPOSE IS TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF SOME CITY STREETS WHICH ARE NOT SCHEDULED FOR ANY PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE, RENOVATION O RECONSTRUCTION IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. THIS RESURFACING PROGRAM IS ADDRESSING CITY STREETS THAT ARE
AT A POINT IN THEIR LIFE CYCLE IMPROVEQUALITY, AND NEIGHBORHOOD LIVEABILITY, AND HELP SLOW THE OVERALL DETERIORATION OF OUR CITY STREET SYSTEM. THE PROPOSED STREET RESURFACING SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS WERE DETERMINED BY APPLYING THE
2025 UNIFORM ASSESSMENT RATES TO THE LAND AREA BENEFIT PARCELS ALONG THE IMPROVED STREETS. INFORMATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO THE EFFECTIVE PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE NOTICED MAILED TO THEM AS TO HOW PERSONS MAY PRE-PAY THE
SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS IN FULL WITHOUT INTEREST IF THEY SO CHOOSE. CITY COUNCIL HAS PASSE RESOLUTIONS WHEREBY DEFERMENT MAY BE OBTAINED BY SHOWING HARDSHIP, OWNER BY PERSON 65 YEARS OR OLDER, RETIRED BY
VIRTUE OF PERMANENT AND TOTAL DISABITY, OR MILITARY PERSONNEL ORDERED INTO ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE. THIS COMPLETES MY PRESENTATION, AND I'M AVAILABLE TO RESPOND TO ANY QUESTIONS THE COMMITTEE MIGHT HAVE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY DEFERMENT BY
SHOWING HARDSHIP. WHAT DEFINES HARDSHIP? >> CHAIR CASHMAN, MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE, I'D HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU ON WHAT IDENTIFIES AS HARDSHIP. >> THIS ONE AS WELL AS THE NEXT ONE, I THINK IT WOULD HAVE THE
SAME DEFINITION. BUT THAT WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS PUBLIC HEARING? I'LL NOW PROCEED TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE SIGNED UP. IS THERE ANYONE FROM THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? JUST BY REMINDING YOU BY SPEAKING HERE TODAY, YOU DO
RESERVE YOUR RIGHT TO APPEAL. OKAY. SEEING NONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ASK COMMITTEE MEMBERS IF THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR PUBLIC WORKS. I DO HAVE ONE ESTION. IT'S
ABOUT THE PCI. THE PAVEMENT CONDITION INDEX. YOU SAID IT'S 45. WHAT THRESHOLD DOE USUALLY LOOK FOR BEFORE WE PROCEED TO A RESURFACING? HOW DOES 45 KIND OF LAND ON THE SCALE. >> CHAIRCASHMAN, MEMBERS OF THE
COMMITTEE, PCI45 IS IN THE RANGE OF WHERE WE'D LOOK FOR RESURFACING PROJECT. I'D SAY ANYTHING BELOW 60 WOULD BE A RESURFACING CANDIDATE. >> OKAY. ONCE IT GETS TO A CERTAIN LEVEL, IS THERE SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN
BEYOND RESURFACING? LIKE HOW FAR DOES IT NEED TO DROP BEFORE IT GOES TO ANOTHER LEVEL AND CAN'T JUST BE RESURFACED? >> CHAIR CASHMAN, MEMBERS OF THE COITTEE, I'D HAVE TO GET BACK ON THAT NUMBER. USUALLY THERE'S
THAT. >> OKAY. CLERK KENDALL, I'D LIKE TO MAKE THAT NOTE FOR FOLLOW UP. AND MAYBE IN THE NEXT PRESENTATION TOO. IF THAT'S NOT ANSWERED, THEN I'LL ASK FOR FOLLOW UP TOO. SEEING NO ONE WHO
WISHES TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, I LL MOVE APPROVAL. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOS SAY NAY. ANY ABSTENTIONS? THEOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. OUR NEXT PUBLIC HEARING ITEM NUMBER TWO IS ABOUT
ORDERING THE WORK TO PROCEED AND ADOPTI SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS FOR THE FRANKLIN AVENUE. HERE TO KICK OFF THE HEARING IS ALIISON BELL. WELCOME. >> GOOD TERNOON. MY NAME IS ALIISON BELL. I'M A SENIOR
PROJECT ENGINEER WITH THE DESIGN DIVISION WITH PUBLIC WORKS. TODAY, I'M HERE PRESENTING FOR THE FRANKLIN AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT. CITY PROJECT 23680. 1.2 MILES OF
FRANKLIN AVENUE BETWEEN LYNDALE AVENUE SOUTH AND CHICAGO AVENUE SOUTH. ELEMENTS TO BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE PROJECT ARE FULL REMOVAL OF THE EXISTING ROADWA NEW PEDESTRIAN RAMPS, SIDEWALKS, BIKE FACILITY, NEW PAVEMENT, NEW CURB AND GUTTER, STREET LIGHTING
AND UTILITY IMPROVEMEN. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO INCLUDE NEW SIGNAGE AND NEW PAVEMENT MARKINGS. THE TOTAL COST IS
$26, -- THE TOTAL STREET RECONSTRUCTION ASSESSMENT IS $1,252,652. THIS IS BASED ON THE 2025 UNIFORM ASSESSMENT RATES, AND THE INFLUENCE AREA METHOD. THOSE RATES ARE AS FOLLOWS.
$2.98 FOR SQUARE FOOT FOR NONRESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES. AND $1 SQUARE FOOT FOR NON-RESINTIAL PROPERTIES. THESE ARE PAYABLE OVER A 20-YEAR PERIOD. THE REST OF THE FUNDING IS NET BONDS. THE CITY AND COUNTY STAFF HAS CONDUCTED
NUMEROUS OUTREACH ACTIVITIES. A VIRTUAL PREASSESSMENT MEETING, DISCUSSED PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE PROCESS WAS HELD ON FEBRUARY 24TH. TODAY, PUBLIC WORKS IS ASKING CITY COUNCIL TO PASS RESOLUTIONS ORDERING THE
WORK TO PROCEED, ADOPTING THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS, AUTHORIZI THE SALE OF ASSESSMENT BONDS, AND AUTHORIZING ABANDONMENT AND REMOVAL OF AREA WAYS IN CONFLICT WITH THE PROJE. I WILL NOW INVITE JEFF UP TO PROVIDE MORE
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT OUR PROCESS. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR CASHMAN, MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. MY NAME IS JEFF HANDLIN. I'M WITH
THE DESIGN DIVISION OF PUBLIC WORKS. YOU MIGHT HAVE NOTICED FROM ALLISON'S PRESENTATION THAT THE NON-RESIDENTIAL RATE FOR RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IS
HIGHER THAN THE RESIDENTIAL RATE FOR RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. THAT'S BECAUSE NON-RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TEND TO GENERATE MORE IN HEAVIER USE ON THE PAVEMENTS. YOU ALSO MAY HAVE NOTICED THAT
THE RECONSTRUCTION RATE IS HIGHER THAN THE RESURFACING RATE FROM THE PREVIOUS PRESENTATION. THAT'S BECAUSE FULL RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS SUCH AS FRANKLIN AVENUE ARE GOING TO
LAST LONGER. THEY'RE ANTICIPAT ESTIMATED TO LAST ABOUT 40 YEARS. WHEREAS RESURFACING EXTENDS THE LIFE AS IN THE PENNHURST PROJECT. RESURFACING EXTENDS THE LIFE OF THE PAVEMENT. SO RESURFACING IS
EXPECTED TO EXTEND THE LIFE ABOUT 10 YEARS. RECONSTRUCTION IS ESTIMATED TO LAST 40 YEARS. THEREFORE, THE RESURFACING RATE IS ABOUT ONE-QUARTER OF THE RATE OF THEECONSTRUCTION.
>> CAN WE ASK SOME QUESTIONS NOW BEFORE WE OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING? >> YES, PLEASE, CHAIR CASHMAN. >> I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT THE PCI ALSO ON FRANKLIN, JUST FOR REFERENCE OF WHAT THE CONDITION IS AT RIGHT NOW.
>> CHAIR CASHMAN, WE CAN GET BACK TO YOU ON THAT. IT'S A COUNTY-LED PROJECT. >> THANKS. MY SECOND QUESTION IS WHAT WE CLASSIFY AS NON-RESIDENTIAL. WOULD THAT BE A DUPLEX OR OVER FOUR UNITS THAT
IT BECOMES COMMERCIAL. WHAT'S THE THRESHOLD FROM GOING FROM $1 PER SQUARE FOOT TO 2.9. >> YES, THE RATES ARE $2.98 PER
SQUARE FOOT OF INFLUENCE AREA OF NON-RESIDENTIAL PROPTY. A NON-RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY WOULD BE ANYTHING THAT KIND OF LIKE IT SOUNDS, NOT RESIDENTIAL. REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY UNITS WOULD STILL BE THE RESIDENTIAL
RATE. HOWEVER, IF THERE IS A NON-RESIDENTIAL USE OF THE PROPERTY, THAT WILL FOLLOW EITHER THE NON-RESIDENTIAL RATE OR A MIXED RATE BETWEEN NON-RESIDENTIAL AND RESIDENTIAL. >> OKAY.
>> SO DID I SAY THAT CORRECTLY? EVERY PROPERTY THAT'S RESIDENTIAL, THAT'S PURELY RESIDENTIAL, WILL GET CONSTRUCTED AT THE RESIDENTIAL RATE. NOT SURE IF I SAID THAT CORRECTLY. SO REGARDLESS OFHE NUMBER OF UNITS. >> YES. THAT'S WHAT I UNDERSTOOD
AS WELL. I'M JUST WONDERING ABOUT SOME COMMENTS FROM SOME RESIDENTS ON THE WARD 7 SIDE OF HERE THAT WERE FROM 510, 514, 516 WEST FRANKLIN. AND PART OF THEIR PROPERTY IS A PARKING LOT. HOW WOULD THAT BE ASSESSED?
>> CHAIR CASHMAN, I THINK I'M FAMILIAR WITH THAT PROPERTY IF IT'S THE PROPERTY I'M THINKING OF. THAT PROPERTY IS A MIXED USE. SO THERE IS -- THE USE INFORMATION FROM THE ASSESSORS OFFICE SAYS THAT THERE IS PART
OF THE USE OF THAT PROPERTY IS NON-RESIDENTIAL. SO THEY MAY BE OPERATING A BUSINESS. THEY HAVE A PARKING LOT. AND THEY Y GENERATE MORE TRAFFIC THAN A PURELY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. I SEE, AND
I'LL RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION. I'VE BEEN FOLLOWING FRANKLIN CONSTRUCTION UPDATES. PEOPLE ARE EXCITED. I LIKE THE BUILD OUT ON WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE. BUT MY QUESTION
IS THE ASSESSMENT AND WHAT THE RESIDENT OR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TAKE ON. I AM REALLY LOOKING AT -- THIS IS A MAJOR ROAD USED BY ENTIRE STATE, N JUST OUR CITY. AND SOME OF THE
COMMENTS THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED SO FAR IS THE GROUND MEDICAL SUPPORT SERVICES. IT'S A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT SERVICES LOW INCOME RESIDENTS. THEY ARE NON-PROFIT TRYING TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS AS MUCH AS
THEY CAN. BUT THE LEVY ASSESSMENT IS I BELIEVE OVER $2 FINANCIAL STRAIN AND ERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON IN THAT, WITH THAT BEING A NON-PROFIT, THEY'RE
HOPING TO GET A WAIVER OR TO GET SOME KIND OF RELIEF ON THIS. AND I CAN SEE WHY BUSINESSES THAT ARE STRUGGLING, ESPECIALLY HERE, COULD BE DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO PAY THAT KIND OF AMOUNT. WHAT IS THE PROCESS LOOKS LIKE,
ESPECIALLY WHAT'S OUT THERE FOR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE SERVING? IS THERE SOME KIND OF DUE PROCESS THEY CAN GO THROUGH TO MAKE SURE AT LEA TO GET SOME KIND OF WAIVER? >> CHAIR CASHMAN, COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN, THANK YOU FOR THAT
QUESTION. SO THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS FUND A PORTION OF THE PROJECT. THE MAJORITY OF THE FRANKLIN AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT IS FUND BY THE COUNTY, AND WITH OTHER FUNDS OTHER THAN SPECIAL ASSESSMENT. BECAUSE
THERE IS, LIKE YOU SAID, SO MUCH TRAFFIC, THAT'S NOT JUST BENEFITING THOSE PROPERTIES. WE DO, YOU KNOW, ASSESS AT A UNIFORM RATE JUST BASED ON THE TYPE OF PROJECT AND WHETHER THE
PROPERTY IS RESIDENTIAL OR NON-RESIDENTIAL. WHO WE ASSESS IS BASED ON LAWS AND LONGSTANDING PRACTICING. AND INCLUDING SOME VERY NOBLE INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS THIS, AND YOU KNOW, OTHER NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS, CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS ARE ALL ASSESSED AT THE NON-RESIDENTIAL RATE. BY SUBMITTING THEIR WRITTEN OBJECTIO WHICH THEY DID, THEY HAVE RESERVED THEIR RIGHT TO APPEAL THE ASSESSMENT TO
DISTRICT COURT. AND IF THEY PURSUE THAT APPEAL, THEN THERE COULD BE A BENEFIT TEST. >> SURE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR NOTING THAT. I JUST WANT TO NOTE THAT EVERYONE IS EXCITED FOR
THIS PROJECT. THE COUNTY IS PAYING A LAR PORTION OF IT. THERE ARE STILL SMALL NON-PROFITS OR RESIDENTS THAT ARE FAIRLY LOW INCOME IN THIS AREA. AND IT'S VERY GOOD TO CONSIDER WHAT THIS COULD HAVE COST THEM IN THE LONG TERM.
THANK YOU. >> I'LL RECOGNIZE DIRECTOR SEXTON. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR. I'M WONDERING IF MR. HANLON CAN TALK ABOUT THE PAYBACK TOOLS. $20,000 IS A BIG BILL TO GET ALL AT
ONCE. BUT THERE'S OPTIONS TO DEFER SOME OF THAT. DIRECTOR SEXTON, THANKS FOR THE REMINDER. I THINK WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPERTY THAT COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN MENTIONED, CHAIR CASHMAN, THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THE ASSESSMENT IS SPREAD OUT OVER A
PERIOD OF 20 YEARS. SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY THIS ALL UPFRONT. WITH RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES, YOU KNOW, IF THEY QUALIFY FOR A, YOU KNOW,
HARDSHIP, IF THEY'RE DISABLED OR OVER 65 YEARS OLD, THEY MIGHT BE LIKELY TO QUALIFY FOR HARDSHIP IN WHICH CASE THEY COULD DEFER THE ASSESSMENT, AND THEN IT WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE PAID UNTIL
THE PROPERTY IS TRANSFERRED, CHANGES HANDS. >> THAT'S HELPFUL. THANK YOU. >> YES. THANK YOU. I'LL JUST ASK MY QUESTION AGAIN ABOUT WHAT DEFINES HARDSHIP HERE. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR CASHMAN. SO
THERE'S A DEFERMENT -- LET ME GET THIS RIGHT AS LONG AS I'VE GOT THE OPPORTUNITY. THERE'S A DEFERMENT AVAILABLE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE PERMANENTLY OR TOTALLY DISABLED. THE DEFERMENT DOES IN THE EXCUSE THE
ASSESSMENT BUT PUTS IT OFF TO SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE. INTEREST DOES ACCRUE AS LONG AS DEFERMENT. AS FAR AS WHO QUALIFIES FOR DEFERMENT, THAT BASICALLY COMES DOWN TO LIKE A DOCUMENT, A LEGAL DOCUMENT THAT
THE APPLICANT SIGNS. >> OKAY. BUT THEY DO HAVE TO BE OVER 65-YEARS OF AGE OR HAVE A DISABILITY OR VETERANS STATUS TO BE CONSIDERED. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR CASHMAN. THAT'S CORREC THEY HAVE TO SIGN A DOCUMENT THAT ATTESTS TO
THAT. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. THOSE ARE L THE QUESTIONS WE HAVE RIGHT NOW. SO I'LL PROCEED TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. AND REMIND OUR SPEAKERS TODAY THAT BY SPEAKING, YOU DO RESERVE YOUR RIGHT TO
APPEAL TO DISTRICT COURT. AND AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARING, SFF WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE TO MEET WITH YOU OUTSIDE THE CHAMBERS TO ANSWER ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. SO OUR FIRST SPEAKER IS AARON AND STEPHANIE FROM THE ELECTRIC FETUS. A YOU'LL HAVE TWO
MINUTES TO SPEAK. AND IF YOU'D BOTH LIKE TO SPEAK, YOU COULD TAKE FOUR MINUTES. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIR AND COMMITTEE. MY NAME IS AARON, THIS IS MY WIFE STEPHANIE, AND WE'RE HERE TODAY REPRESENTING OUR PROPERTY AND BUSINESS, THE ELECTRIC FETUS
LOCATED AT FOURTH AVENUE SOUTH AND FRANKLIN AVENUE. TODAY AT THE MEETING WE'D LIKE TO ADDRESS TWO CONCERNS WE HAVE WITH THE FRANKLIN AVENUE PROJECT. MNLY THE REDESIGN AND THE ASSESSMENT. NUMBER ONE IS THE ASSESSMENT. WE'VE LIVED THROUGH A COMPLETE
RECONSTRUCTION OF THE FRANKLIN AVENUE BRIDGE. AT WHICH THAT TIME WASN'T THAT LONG AGO. THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY IN QUESTION HAS A BEEN RECONSTRUCTED. IT'S BRAND NEW. THE SIDEWALK IS BRAND NEW. THE STREET HAS BEEN RECONSTRUCTED GROUND UP. WE SENT PICTURES TO THE COMMITTEE TO
PRE THIS. WE BELIEVE AND FEEL THAT WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT HAS RECENTLY BEEN DONE AS IN PERFECT WORKING CONDITIONS FROM THE STREET TO THE SEWER SYSTEM TO THE SIDEWALKS. NUMBER TWO THAT WE'D LIKE TO ADDRESS IS WE'RE ASKING
THAT THE LEFT-HAND TURN LANE REMAINS HOW IT IS AND NOT BE REMOVED FROMHE DESIGN PROJECT. WE ALSO ASK THAT A NEW TRAFFIC STUDY IS DONE TO REFLECT MORE ACCURATELY THE CURRENT AND FUTURE TRAFFIC CONTROL AT THIS
INTERSECTION. WE'RE A SMALL INDEPENDENTLY OWNED BUSINESS. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 37 EMPLOYEES AND WE'RE PROUD TO BE A DESTINATION SHOPPING EXPERIENCES FOR CUSTOMERS THAT COME FROM AROUND THE WORLD AND THE COMMUNITY WITHIN ITSELF. IN ADDITION TO THE MEDIAN AND THE REMOVAL OF THE TURN LANE ON FRANKLIN WILL
HAVE SUBSTANTIAL EFFECT ON OUR BUSINESS AND OUR NEIGHBORS. MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ART AND OUR COMMUNITY. DURING THE 35W FRANKLIN AVENUE -- REQRED THIS
ADDITION OF THIS LEFT-HAND TURN LANE IN QUESTION TO BE ADDED TO THEIR PLAN. FOR SOME REASON NOW CURRENTLY IT IS BEI REMOVED. THERE MUST HAVE BEEN A REASON FOR IT THEN AND IS NOW NEEDED. -- RESTRICT ACCESS. CAN I KEEP GOING FORHER?
>> YES. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. THE REMOVAL OF THIS TURN LANE. >> IN FRONT OF THE MICROPHONE PLEASE. THANKS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIR AND COMMITTEE. THE REMOVAL OF THIS TURN LANE IN ADDITION OF A MEDIAN AT THIS INTERSECTION WILL
RESTRICT ACCESS TO OUR STORE, DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM COMING TO OUR PLACE AND NEIGHBORHOOD, AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT AND LESS TIMELY FOR EMERGENCYEHICLES TO SERVICE US. THIS WILL ALSO ENCOURAGE THE USE OF OUR PARKING LOT AS A CUT THROUGH. WE HAVE
SEEN FIRSTHAND WHEN IT WAS CLOSED DUE TO THE PROJECTED. -- PLACED ON THE FLAWED TRAFFIC STUDY DONE ON A TUESDAY IN MAY 2022. GLOBAL PANDEMIC AS
WELL AS THE AFTER EFFECTS OF THE CIVIL UNREST IN OUR CITY. WE HAVE DONE OUR OWN INFORMAL TRAFFIC STUDY WITH THE USE OF SECURITY CAMERAS. THE COUNTY ADMITS IT WOULD NEVER HAVE
PROPOSED THIS REDESIGN PLAN IF TRAFFIC LEVELS HAD BEEN HIGHER. THAT STUDY SHOWED OVER 500 CARS USED THAT TURN LANE. CLINTON AVENUE CANNOT HANDLE MORE TRAFFIC. WE DO HAVE PICTURES THAT WE HAVE SUBMITTED TO THE
COMMITTEE. TO REITERATE, WE ARE OBJECTING THIS ASSESSMENT AS WELL AS INSISTING THE COUNTY PRESERVE THE LEFT-HAND TURN LANE. -- THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR
PUBLIC COMMENT. OUR NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE STEVE FM WHITTIER. WELCOME, STEVE. IF YOU COULD PLEASE SAY YOUR LAST NAME FOR THE RECORD AS WELL.
>> STEVEN MOGEL. TWO MINUTES. >> YES. >> THE ENTIRE REDEVELOPMENT IN OUR AA IS INCORRECT. THERE ARE 16 TO 20,000 AUTOMOBILES ON EAST FRANKLIN. I HAVE A CAMA ALSO
FACING THE BRIDGE. THERE'S LESS THAN 100 PEOPLE GOING ACROSS THAT BRIDGE. LESS THAN 20 BICYCLISTS GOING ACROSS. I SUGGEST ON THE NORTHSIDE OF EAST FRANKLIN IN FRONT OF MY PROPERTY, THERE'S A CUTOUT
BECAUSE I HAVE 16 FEET OF SIDEWALK, PUT ANOTHER PARKING AREA FOR LOADING, UNLOADING. WHEN THEYEDID THE BRIDGE, I LOST THREE PARKING SPACES. THEY PUT THE FIR HYDRANT IN AT AN ANGLE, AND THE BUMP OUT OF THE
SIDEWALKS IS CAUSING A LOT OF TRAFFIC PROBLEMS. MY BUILDING HAS BEEN DAMAGED BY TWO AUTOMOBILE CRASHES IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF. FOR 33 YEARS, I NEVER HAD Y PROBLEMS. THERE'S
A TRAFFIC PROBLEM NO IF THEY PUT IN WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT, IT'S GOING TO BE CHAOS. I HAVE A VERY DIFFICULT TIME LEAVING A ENTERING MY OWN DRIVEWAY. I HAVE
SIGNS UP SAYING IT'S BASICALLY A DEADEND. I STILL HE FIVE CARS A DAY COMING IN. THE ASSESSMENT -- I UNDERSTAND THE ASSESSMENT. SO IF IT HAS TO BE,
IT HAS TO BE. BUT THE REDEVELOPMENT, THE DESIGN IS INCORRECT. >> THANK YOU. WOULD YOU MIND SHARING YOUR ADDRESS OR AT LEAST YOUR INTERSECTION. >> IT'S 1924 FOURTH AVENUE SOUTH. I'M ON THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF 4th AVENUE SOUTH AND
EAST FRANKLIN. >> OKAY. >> THANK YOU. >> THANKS SO MUCH. >> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JOAN LITTLE. WELCOME.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR CASHMAN AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS JOAN LITTLE, AND I'M REALLY HERE REPRESENTING MY FAMILY. MY FATHER BOUGHT OUR PROPERTY AT 2001 STEVENS IN 1969. AND WE'VE MAINTAINED THE PROPERTY. AND
WITHIN THE LAST 15 YEARS, BOUGHT THE EMPTY LOT ADJACENT TO OUR PROPERTY AT 2007. WE MAINTAIN THAT LOT AS A GREENSPACE FOR USE FOR OUR TENANTS, MY SON, AND THREE OTHERS, IN THE FOUR-PLEX.
AND AS A GREEN SPACE FOR THE COMMUNITY. I OBJECT TO THE ASSESSMENT. I BELIEVE THAT WE'RE ALREADY LOSING PART OF OUR FRANKLIN AVENUE SIDE OF OUR YARD. THEY'RE TAKING AWAY, YOU
KNOW, FROM THE PUBLIC SIDEWALK ABOUT THREE FEET INTO WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS OUR YARD. WE LEARNED, OF COURSE, FROM SURVEYORS THAT IT WASN'T. WHEN THEY'RE DOING THAT, THEY'RE GOING TO BE REMOVING OUR FENCE FOR OUR BACKYARD. THEY'LL BE REMOVING OFF-STREET PARKING FOR
OUR TENAS. AND THEY'LL BE REMOVING PART OF OUR SPACE. OH, THERE'S A RETAINING WALL THEY'RE GOING TO BE DESTROYING. AND THEY SAY THAT THEY'LL BE PUTTING SOMETHING IN PLACE OF THAT RETAINING WALL. WE NEED TO PAY TO REPLACE THE FENCE. BUT WE'LL
LOSE THE WALL, AND THE OFF-STREET PARKING ALTOGETHER. IT'S A MODEST FOUR-PLEX MANAGED BY MY SON. ALL OF THE TENANTS HAVE LIMITED INCOMES, AND IT WOULD BE A HARDSHIP TO INCREASE
THE RENT TO PAY FOR THE ASSESSMENT. -- DOESN'T EVEN TOUCH FRANKLIN. SO WE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY. THE PROPERTIES E NOT EVEN JOINED. SO I'M NOT SURE WHY. AND IT'S JUST A BEAUTIFUL EMPTY LOT THAT
PROVIDES GREEN SPACE. SO I AM HERE TO JUST SAY THAT I THINK IT'S A HARDSHIP FOR US, AND I OBJECT TO THE ASSESSMENT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THIS IS THE END OF MY LIST. BUT IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE WHO CAME HERE TO SPEAK TODAY THAT WOULD LIKE TO
SPEAK DURINTHE PUBLIC HEARING? OKAY. SEEING NONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. AND IF WE COULD WELCOME BACK UP ALLISON JUST TO ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT SOME OF WHAT WAS BROUGHT UP BY THE RESIDENTS WHO CAME HERE TO SPEAK TODAY. AND IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS THAT WE DIDN'T ANSWER, REMEMBER THAT
STAFF WILL BE AVAILABLE TO MEET WITH YOU AS WELL. I DID WANT TO ASK ABOUT THIS LEFT-TURN LANE. IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT EA GOING TO BE REMOVED. BUT THE WEST-BOUND LEFT-TURN LANE WAS GOING TO REMAIN. CAN YOU HELP ME
UNDERSTAND WHY TT DECISION WAS MADE BY THE COUNTY AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO TRY TO PUSH BACK ON THAT DECISION. >> CHAIR CASHMAN, I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO INVE PETER BENNETT UP TO SPEAK.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. CHAIR CASHMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. MY NAME IS PETER BENNETT, I WAS THE TRANSPORTATION PLANN WORKING ON THE FRANKLIN AVENUE PROJECT THAT IS LED BY HENNEPIN COUNTY.
SO FIRST TO JUST TO NOTE THAT THE ACTIONS THAT WERE TAKEN BY THIS COMMITTEE AND BY CITY COUNCIL AS A WHOLE ON MARCH 28TH OF 2024 WERE TO APPROVE THE CONCEPT LAYOUT OF THE FNKLIN AVENUE PROJECT, AND TO AUTHORIZE NEGOTIATING WITH PRIVATE PROPER OWNERS FOR RIGHT OF
WAY. THAT WAS THE ACTION TAKEN BY CITY COUNCIL TO APPROVE A CONCT LAYOUT OF THE STREET. AND THE FUTUR WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY WERE SHOWN IN THAT LAYOUT. THAT YOUT WAS DEVELOPED THROUGH AN ENGAGEMENT
PROCESS FOR SEVERAL YEARS. IT'S ALSO BACKED UP WITH TRANSPORTATION PLANNING, AND ENGINEERING JUDGMENT. TO GET MORE INTO THAT PROCESS THAT DEVELOPED THE LAYOUT ALONG WITH SOME OF THOSE ANSWERS ABOUTHE ENGINEERING, I WILL ACTUALLY INTRODUCE THE HENNEPIN COUNTY
PROJECT MANAGER NATHAN ELLINGSON TO SPEAK MORE. >> WELCOME. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE. MY NAME IS NATHAN ELLINGSON. I'M WITH TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT DELIVERY DEPARTMENT. I'M ALSO THE PROJECT MANAGER FOR THE
FRANKLIN AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT. THIS PARTICULAR AREA -- CAN I ASK YOU TO REPEAT THE QUESTION, CHAIR. >> YES, THE QUESTION IS WHY THE WESTBOUND LEFT-TURN LANE IS BEING PROPOSED TO BE REMOVED,
WHICH IS WHAT THE ELECTRIC FETUS, A VERY LONG STANDING BUSINESS HERE IS SAYING WILL BE A HARDSHIP AND NOT GOOD FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES AND FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS AS WELL. >> CERTAINLY. SO I'D JUST LIKE TO MENTION STAFF FROM BOTH THE COUNTY AND CITY HAVE MET WITH
THE ELECTRIC FETUS REPRESENTATIVES ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS TO DISCUSS THE PROJECT, THEIR CONCERNS, THE SPECIFIC TAILS RELATED TO THE IMPROVEMENTS MADE. BEING PROPOSED AT FRANKLIN AND 4th
AVENUE. WE'VE EXPRESSED HOW T PROJECT PRIORITIZES THE USE OF SPACE FOR THE PARTICULAR AND UNIQUE TRAFFIC NEEDS OF THIS AREA. THIS IS THE AREA OF THE HIGHEST AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC WITHIN THE FRANKLIN CORRIDOR. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, ENSURING THAT THE SAFETY, THE ACCESSIBILITY, AND
THE COMFORT OF ALL ROADWAY USERS IS CARRIED THROUGH. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEDESTRIANS, WE'RE INCLUDING BICYCLISTS AND THOSE USING TRANSIT AS WELL. SO WE'VE HEARD THE CONCERNS. WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT NOT ALL ELEMENTS OF THE PROJECT ARE GOING TO BE AGREEABLE TO EVERYONE. WE DO BELIEVE THAT THE
PROJECT DESIGN, AGAIN, WHICH WAS APPROVED HERE IN COUNCIL IN 2024, IS REFLECTIVE OF THE PROJECT GOALS THAT WE'VE ESTABLISHED THROUGH MULTIPLE YEARS OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT. THIS IS THE BEST DESIGN THAT'S IN THE BEST INTEREST OF ALL ROADWAY USERS.
>> OKAY. THANKS. SO IT'S SORT OF A SPACE ISSUE. THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH SPACE TO ACCOMMODATE EVERY SINGLE LANE THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE. AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE PROPOSING TO REMOVE IN ORDER IT MAKE SPACE FOR OTHER THINGS.
>> YES, CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE, SPACE IS ONE COMPONENT OF IT. THERE'S ALSO A SAFETY ASPECT OF IT AND TRAFFIC OPERATIONS ASPECT OF IT. SO I WOULDN'T SAY SPACE IS THE ONLY COMPONENT THAT SAYS THIS, YOU KNOW, THE DESIGN THAT WE HAVE IS
APPROPRIATE FOR THE SPACE THAT WE HAVE. THE OPERATIONS THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR AND THE GOALS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACHIEVE WITH TRAVEL ON THE CORRIDOR. >> CAN YOU ALSO EXPLAIN WITH THE 35W CONSTRUCTION PROJECT AND T
REDO OF SO MUCH OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE WHY IT WOULD BE TORN UP AND DONE AGAIN EVEN THOUGH IT'S SO RECENT. >> YES, CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE, WE ARE LARGELY LEAVING THE BRIDGE ITSELF UNTOHED. THERE'S SOME RESTRIPING THAT'S DONE ON THE
BRIDGE AND WE'RE ADDING CURBING FOR THE BICYCLISTS GOING ACROSS THE ROAD. WE ARE BUILDING UP TO THE BRIDGE ON BOTH SIDES OF FRKLIN, THE ROADWAY ITSELF. AND WE NEED TO DO THAT TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEW CONFIGURATION OF LANES, THE
BOULEVARDS, THE BICYCLE FACILITIES IN THE AREA AS WELL. SO WITH THAT, INCLUDES DRAINAGE, ALL ASPECTS OF A FULL RECONSTRUCT. AND BACK CERTAINLY TO THE 35W PROJECT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S LIMITED SCOPE AND THAT
IS DONE WITH A PROJECT LIKE THAT WHERE IT'S A BRIDGE REPLACEMENT ONLY. SO WE'RE MEETING INTO THAT. >> THANKS. TWO MORE QUESTIO RELATED TO THE OTHER SPEAKERS WHO ARE HERE TODAY. STEVE WAS INQUIRYING ABOUT A LOADING OR
UNLOADING ZONE. IS THAT SOMETHING TO BE ADDED IN LATER ON? THAT WIL BE SOMETHING THAT I WOULD EXPECT WOULD BE LATER IN THE CONSTRUCTION THAT COULD BE DED IN. BUT CAN YOU SPEAK TO HOW YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT LOADING AND UNLOADING ZONES?
>> CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE, FRANKLIN AVENUE WILL NOT HAVE PARKING OR LOADING OR UNLOADING AREAS IN THE STREET WITH THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS. THAT AGAIN, DOWN TO SPACE. AND
THE PRIORITIES THAT WE ESTABLISHED THROUGH OUR ENGAGEMENT PROCESS, PARKING IN ITSELF W NOT SOMETHING THAT ROLLS TO THE TOP OF THOSE PRIORITIES. SO IT'S A SPACE
ISSUE AT THIS POINT. YES. >> CHAIR CASHMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE, FOR THAT SPECIFIC PROPERTY, THE STREET ON THE SIDE IS 4th AVENUE SOUTH, AND THE ON STREET PARKING ALONG 4th AVENUE
SOUTH IS MANAGED BY THE CITY. AND AER THIS FRANKLIN AVENUE PROJECT, IT COULD BE CONSIDERED THE CURB USE OF 4th AVENUE SOUTH COULD BE ASSIGNED DIFFERENTLY. BUT THAT WOULD BE FOR A STANDALONE PROJECT NOT THIS PROJECT. >> THANK YOU. FINALLY, WHY AN
ASSESSMENT ON 2007 STEVENS IF IT'S NOT ON FRANKLIN AVENUE? >> CHAIR CASHMAN, WE'RE GOING TO INVITE JEFF HANLON UP TO ANSWER
THAT QUESTION. >> THANK YOU. >> CHAIR CASHMAN, THANKS FOR THAT QUESTION. SO OUR ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY USES A UNIFORM RATE MULTIPLIED BY AN INFLUENCE AREA.
AND THE INFLUENCE AREA WE DRAW BY SECTING ANGLES AT THE INTERSECTION, AND ASSESS BASED ON THE SQUARE FOOTAGE WITHIN THE INFLUENCE AREA OF THAT STREET. SO THERE IS SOME PROPERTIES THAT ARE TYPICALLY NOT TOO FAR FROM
THE CORNER THAT DO HAVE A PORTION OF THAT PROPERTY IS IN THE INFLUENCE AREA FOR THE STREET AROUND THE CORNER. >> OK. THANKS. THOSE ARE ALL THE QUESTIONS THAT I HAVE. DOES ANYONE ELSE WANT TO -- I RECOGNIZE COUNCIL MEMBER OSMAN. >> YES, I HAVE A QUTION. YOU
MENTIONED THAT THE COUNCIL VOTED ON THE LAYOUT, CONCEPT LAYOUT AND ALL THAT. ARE THERE STILL OPTIONS FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADD ANY COMMENT OR ANY SUGGESTIONS OF THE LAYOUT ITSELF OR IS THAT
A DONE DEAL? >> CHAIR, COUNCIL MEMBER, THIS PROJECT IS NEARING THE FINAL PLANS SUBMITTAL. THIS PROJECT IS INTENDED TO START CONSTRUION LATER THIS SUMMER INTO THE FALL. SO WE ARE AT THE POINT OF THE
PLANS BEING FULLY DEVELOPED AND READY TO BE AUTHORIZED. >> THANK YOU. >> WELL I JUST -- THANK YOU ALL FOR ANSWERING THESE QUTIONS, AND THANK YOU, EVERYBODY, WHO CAME HERE TODAY. I RECOGNIZE THAT, YOU KNOW ASSESSMENTS ARE VERY CHALLENGING AND CONSTRUCTION IN GENERAL IS GOING
TO B VERY CHALLENGING, AND THE LOSS OF PARKING AND OTHER THINGS WILL BE CHALLENGING FOR ALL OF R OSMAN AND I KIND OF SHARING THIS AREA ARE GOI TO BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO CONTINUE TALKING WITH YOU THROUGHOUT THE SUMME AS CONSTRUCTION GOES. AND DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE AWARE
OF THEEFERMENT OPTIONS, THE APPEAL OPTIONS, AND THE ASSESSMENT THAT WERE EXPLAINED QUESTIONS ABOUT THOSE, I THINK SOME OF THE STAFF WILL BE WILLING TO TALK WITH YOUORE OUTSIDE. BUT FINALLY, I DO ALSO JUST WANT TO EXPRESS THAT FRANKLIN IS A VERY DANGEROUS CORRIDOR RIGHT NOW. I'VE LIVED
RIGHT OFF THE STREET FOR MORE THAN FIVE YEARS. AND YOU KNOW, AS A RENTER, LIKE, I WOULD ALWAYS CHOOSE NOT TO PARK ON FRANKLIN BECAUSE I WOULD THINK THAT MY CAR WOULD BE DESTROYED BY RACING VEHICLES AT NIGHT. SO I THINK A LOT OF THE DESIGN
CHOICES ARE SUPER SMART. I'M A BIKER. VERY EITED TO BE ABLE TO BIKE SAFELY ON FRANKLIN. I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THOSE TNGS ARE REALLY APPRECIATED. BUT ALSO THAT THERE WILL BE CHALLENGES FOR EVERYONE ALONG THIS CORRIR AS THE PROJECT GOES ON THIS YEAR. SEEING NO ONE ELSE WHO WANTS TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, I WILL MOVE
APPROVAL. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. >> AYE. >> THOSE OPPOSED SAY NAY. THE MOTION CARRIES. AND WE'VE CONCLUDED ALL BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMITTEE. SO WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE ARE ADJOURNED.