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PCM 1-15-20 FRIDLEY PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2020 7:00 P.M. FRIDLEY CIVIC CAMPUS, COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7071 UNIVERSITY AVENUE N.E. MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Kondrick called the Planning Commission Meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT:David Kondrick, Mike Heintz, Mark Hansen,Ryan Evanson,Leroy Oquist,and Terry McClellan ABSENT: Brad Sielaff OTHERS PRESENT: Scott Hickok, Community Development Director Alyssa Kruzel, Community Engagement Specialist Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner APPROVE MINUTES November 20, 2019 Motion by Commissioner Oquist to approve the minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Evanson. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM OTHER COMMISSIONS – THROUGH ONE MOTION Motion to accept the minutes from the following Commission meetings: 1. October 3, 2019, Housing and Redevelopment Authority 2. December 5, 2019, Housing and Redevelopment Authority 3. November 4, 2019, Parks & Recreation Commission 4. November 12, 2019, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission Motion by Commissioner Hansen to approve the minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Heintz. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Fridley Planning Commission Meeting January 15, 2020 Page 2 of 18 OTHER BUSINESS: 1. 2020 Census Presentation Alyssa Kruzel, Community Engagement Specialist, stated the U.S. Constitution requires that every ten years they do a count or census of everyone living in the United States. The census is really kind of the building block of our democracy and the building block of our community. If we do not know who is living here, how can we count them. We have to count them to make sure we have adequate representation at the local government level, the federal, and state and government level. That we are getting accurate federal funding. Ms. Kruzel stated the upcoming census is April 1, 2020. The two big reasons the census is the building block of the community are it is about fair representation. If we can get accurate census data both in Fridley and State of Minnesota, it is going to help us figure out how many representatives in Congress. Also, it is used to draw district boundaries at the state, federal, and local level. Ms. Kruzel stated Minnesota is at risk of losing its eighth congressional seat which means Fridley’s district would grow by over 100,000 people. If we are under-counted there is a good chance Fridley will be under-represented. Ms. Kruzel stated the other big issue is it comes down to federal funding. It is about $675 billion the federal government divies out to states across the United States. If we bring that down to one person, it is about $28,000 of federal funding over ten years per one person. If a family of four does not fill out their census forms, that is over $120,000 that Minnesota is at risk of losing for the next ten years. And this is just the initial distribution of funds. The state and local governments can always go back and request more funds throughout the next ten years. It is really important we are getting people counted in Fridley and the State of Minnesota. Ms. Kruzel stated it is about the economy. Census data is used all the time by businesses. Figuring out where to open new locations, open up new factories, new stores, and where to recruit new employees. Strong communities need strong businesses. Ms. Kruzel stated census data is also used by schools, people in local government, non- profits, hospitals, senior centers, to help us plan for all the vital community services we need. She does not know anyone who works in community who does not at one point or the other get census data to make informed decisions. Fridley Planning Commission Meeting January 15, 2020 Page 3 of 18 Ms. Kruzel stated it is also your civic duty. Participating in the census is the most inclusive civic activity we can do because everyone can participate in the census. Young people are counted in the census. As to people who do not vote or who have lost their right to vote, it is their opportunity to say, hey, I live in Fridley, I count. I live in Minnesota, I count. Ms. Kruzel stated, lastly, it is confidential. Any personal identifiable information you provide to the U.S. Census Bureau is protected. The information is only used to produce statistics. You can never get it at the individual level. It is never going to be shared across government agencies at the state, local, or federal level. No one in law enforcement or immigration or customs at the federal, state, or local level can go out and request your information. Your data is really protected. Census data is released after every 72 years. Ms. Kruzel stated as to the timeline, individuals will start seeing information in the mail starting in the middle of March encouraging them to go on-line to fill out the census form. This is the first census that will take place on-line. The one in 2010 and previous ones have all been paper copies or over the phone. Households and addresses are going to continue to receive post card reminders in the mail through the end of April, including around April 20-27 they will eventually receive a paper census in the mail such as previous ones in 2010 and 2000. Ms. Kruzel stated if internet or computers are a barrier to participation, you can call and request a paper copy right away or fill out your census information over the phone as well. Ms. Kruzel stated with the census there are about ten or so questions that are on the actual paper questionnaire, and there is a copy up on the City’s website. You are going to be asked who is living in your household. They really care about who is living in your household April 1. To count everyone who is living there, your children, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, people who may be staying in your home long term. Ms. Kruzel stated this is especially important for families who may co-parent where the child is staying at one home one night and then one at the other. So really counting people who are living in your house April 1. Any additional people who are staying, whether you rent or own your home, and then your name, the sex, age and date of birth for who is living in your home. Then some demographic information, race, hispanic, latino, or spanish origin; and the relationship everyone is to the primary person who is filling out their census forms. Ms. Kruzel stated your data is protected. Your information cannot be shared cross government entitites and can only be used to produce statistics. All Census Bureau staff take a lifetime oath to not share the personal information they collect. They face up to pretty hefty fines and penalties, including up to five years in prison or about $250,000 in Fridley Planning Commission Meeting January 15, 2020 Page 4 of 18 fines as well. This information cannot be shared with your landlord or people you rent from. This is really kept confidential at the federal government level as well. Ms. Kruzel stated this is a great opportunity to get involved and take more of a civic engagement approach to being a part of the census. The Census Bureau is looking for thousands of census workers across the State of Minnesota to be census takers. Right now they are still in the proess of recruiting and providing offers to potential employees. It is up to $22 in Anoka County. These jobs are part-time, they are flexible and temporary/seasonal. Just the spring through the summer. It is a great opportunity to make some extra income while also helping your community. You can go on-line to learn more information and apply through 2020census.gov/jobs. They are especially looking for individuals who are dual language. You no longer have to be a U.S. Citizen to apply; you just have to have eligibility to work in the United States. You can really create your own schedule. Ms. Kruzel stated as to Fridley residents the easiest thing they can do is respond to their census form. Once April comes around and, if you have not responded to your census information, that is when the census takers will start coming out and try to get a hold of you through door knocking or reaching out via phone as well. Ms. Kruzel stated the next thing you can do is really spread the word about the 2020 census to your family members, friends, and neighbors; any community you have a connection to. Take it to your place of employment. There is a really good chance that your business uses census data and uses the funds that come down from the census. Ms. Kruzel stated really anything you can do as a census really helps us all build for our futures across schools, businesses, government. This really is kind of the building block of our community. If you have any questions or concerns, she has a pretty robust page on the City’s web page at fridleymn.gov/2020census. There are some great videos, fact sheets, resources, and links to other census sites as well. Chairperson Kondrick asked, what are the major stumbling blocks for some people who might be reluctant to share that information with the State? Ms. Kruzel replied, there has been a lot of misinformation out there around the census, and there are a lot of people who just are not aware. A lot has happened since the last census as far as technology and access to information over the last ten years so people are really hesitant to share that information on-line or just share it out in the public. Ms. Kruzel stated obviously for some of their communities of color or recent immigrants who are moving into the State of Minnesota, there are some concerns around sharing that Fridley Planning Commission Meeting January 15, 2020 Page 5 of 18 information with government entities especially if there has not been trust built with communities. She is really working with trusted community members in the larger communities to make sure these individuals are understanding it is safe and okay that their information is protected and cannot be shared across government agencies. Also, letting them know the sooner you fill out your census form, the less likelihood someone will have to follow up with an in-person response and knock on your door. Chairperson Kondrick asked Ms. Kruzel if she expects to have radio or television spots. Those avenues to inform people and make them feel secure in sharing information. Ms. Kruzel replied she has been working with Brian Strand, and they have been producing some commercial spots on the Community Connection. They have been replaying some of the videos that Twin Cities Public Television has created in partnership with the Minnesota Demographers Office around the census. She has been going on and sharing some of the information around the census as well. They will do some more outreach over social medial over the next couple of months, and there have been some articles in the newsletter as well. Commissioner McClellan asked Ms. Kruzel if they are reaching out to the non-profits, such as Gospel Mission or perhaps the religious community, the church, synogogues who might reach out to their parishoners. Ms. Kruzel replied, she has not reached out yet to faith-based organizations. They are on her to-do list. Those are organizatIons she has not heard of specifically yet but will add them to her to-do list. Commissioner McClellan asked Ms. Kruzel whether anyone has done any statistical analysis of folks who do not register during the census? Ms. Kruzel replied, Fridley is actually projected to be undercounted by about 5,000 residents. For Anoka County it is projected to be undercounted by about 52,000. Multiply those two numbers by $28,000 and you are talking about millions of dollars over ten years. Commissioner McClellan stated that is almost 20 percent. 2. Information for the Transportation Plan Rachel Workin, Environmental Planner, stated she is here to present an update to the Active Transportation Plan (ATP). This is the second edition of a plan that was last approved in 2013. When they talk about active transportation, they are referring to Fridley Planning Commission Meeting January 15, 2020 Page 6 of 18 transportation that occurs outside of a personal vehicle - walking, riding, rolling, assisted mobility, and transit. Both for recreation and transportation. Ms. Workin stated it is important to think about active transportation for a number of reasons. Four that come to mind are mobility, equity; not all Fridley residents have access to a personal vehicle. Healthier lifestyles; walking has one of the highest rentention rates of different forms of exercise. It is a no-quit sport that can be carried out throughout different phases of life. Community desirability. There are studies that show this newest generation of homebuyers are really attracted to communities with sidewalks and trails where they can walk to places to eat or shop. Sustainability. If you get out of a personal vehicle, you are lowering the greenhouse gas emissions associated with that trip. Ms. Workin stated the original ATP was last approved in 2013. It was developed by an ATP Committee. It has a lot of importance in Fridley. Our community developed at a time when it was very automobile-focused. Many of the roads were developed without pedestrian or bicycle facilities. A lot of things that make Fridley great such as its location along major roadways and Rice Creek also lead to it being a city that is very fragmented. There are a lot of physical barriers to people trying to walk or ride their bikes around. It is important to think about how we can address those barriers and get people comfortably by foot or bike from one place to another. Ms. Workin stated when the City adopted the ATP, it was really the beginning of a lot of conversations about how we can address these barriers. There are a lot of important parts of this Plan. Two that have had a very large impact are maps that have a long-range plan for sidewalks and trails within the City. As well as identification of priority trail connections to focus on that planning cycle. Ms. Kruzel stated looking at the map of the priority trail connections, they can see a lot of them have been installed or funded. The Main Street trail, including a bridge over 694, have been installed. Major sidewalks along the sections along East River Road have now been installed. The West Moore Lake trail is installed, and the Seventh Street trail with the th 57 Avenue extension is funded and planned for construction next year. Ms. Workin stated they made a lot of progress during this past planning cycle. However, an update is needed primarily to align it with the City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The Community Development Department, the Engineering Department, and the Environmental Quality & Energy Commission worked together to revise the original document. Guidance through the Environmental Quality & Energy Commission was put forth in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan which recommended updating this document every five years with their guidance. Fridley Planning Commission Meeting January 15, 2020 Page 7 of 18 Ms. Workin stated together they came up with a vision that Fridley residents and visitors of all ages, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds will feel safe and comfortable using the City’s active transportation infrastructure to walk, bike, and roll for both transportation and recreation. Ms. Workin stated users who are on the City’s trail system, who are using it for recreation, tend to operate a little bit differently than those using it for transit purposes who are wanting to get from Point A to Point B as fast as possible vs. someone who is looking for something a little more scenic. So with the 2020 update they structured the Plan around four main goals: (1) improving the connectivity of the City by constructing active transportation infrastructure; (2) designing the infrastructure with comfort in mind for users of all ages and abilities (thinking about the younger end of the spectrum like children who are able to independently go to the park or the school and on the senior end of the spectrum, looking at the experience for them and everyone in between; (3) integrating living streets concepts into reconstruction and development projects (living streets is the idea that our roadways serve a purpose beyond strictly automobiles and when they are designed they need to think about other users and the environmental impacts of our roadways; and (4) maintaining the trails and sidewalks to allow for satisfactory year around use (once we put them in the ground, the City does not just turn a blind eye to them for the next 20 years). Ms. Workin stated in regards to Goal 1, improving connectivity, trails and sidwalks can get expensive so not every road can receive a trail and sidewalk with economic feasibility. They identified and ranked focus routes within this planning cycles. Looking at roads that have very high traffic counts, are currently unsafe, that have a lot of connectivity within the network, and that serve a lot of users or bring people to important commercial or economic destinations. These focus routes would be installed through grant funding the City would pursue and then in some cases through the City’s capital investment program. Ms. Workin stated for Goal 2, designing for use, looking at different options for the roads that would enhance the pedestrian and bicyclist experience. Ms. Workin stated for Goal 3, integrating active transportation, they create a living streets worksheet. This is a document the Engineering staff will fill out when they are undertaking road projects and would be put in the feasibility reports and be presented with that feasibility report to Council. This living streets worksheet outlines the different long-range plans the City has already put together and asked the engineer, how does your project align with those long-range plans. The active living checklist is a guidance document that has been developed by other entities they can look through for private development to see how the private development is enhancing the pedestrian or bicyclist experience. Fridley Planning Commission Meeting January 15, 2020 Page 8 of 18 Ms. Workin stated for Goal 4, for maintaining our trails and sidewalks for satisfactory year around use, they acknowledge as a City this is an area they have struggled with. A lot of times the City’s funds allocated for maintenance have been diverted to service matching funds for grants for new trails. So acknowledging as a City it needs to take more responsibility for this side of the equation and beginning a bi-annual inspection program for the trails that would be conducted by the Engineering division and using those bi- annual inspections to establish a maintenance schedule similar to the roads. They would also still have a complaint based maintenance program available for residents if they notice potholes or large cracks they could report on the City’s website or by calling the Public Works Department. Ms. Workin stated additionally, in terms of maintaining the trails and sidewalks for year aorund use, this document affirms the City of Fridley has a municipal-led snow removal program. While the City Code does require residents to clear sidewalks, the City acknowledges the trails and sidewalks are part of the public infrastructure. That burden should not fall on the adjacent homeowner, that the City needs to be clearing those sidewalks and trails after a snowfall to ensure residents are able to use them to reach the bus and other important destinations. This is also a requirement for the trails that are put in using most grant funding, that the City will maintain them for year around use. The City does have a sidewalk plow it takes out after its redline priority streets are done and begin clearing trails. Ms. Workin stated the information associated with these four goals are then put into an implementation plan with six parts. One is installing active transportation infrastructure in conformance with the Plan’s goals. Providing the funding through the capital investment program for the maintenance of the trails and sidwalks and pursuing grant funding to support the structure of new active transportation infrastructure that has been identified in the Plan. Evaluating our Zoning Code language to ensure it is in comformity with the Plan. Implementing the living streets policy within the street reconstruction projects. Developing and funding pavement maintenance plans to perform needed maintenance. Performing maintenance of trails and sidewalks, and conducting education outreach to pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers related to active transportation and safety. Ms. Workin stated a summary of the document was included in the Memo the Planning Commission received which also included a link to the full Plan document. She requested action to recommend the Second Edition of the ATP to the City Council. Chairperson Kondrick asked if they have a weakness in the City in terms of walking, riding, rolling around, would she say the weakness would be not enough sidewalks or not enough trails or a combination of both? Fridley Planning Commission Meeting January 15, 2020 Page 9 of 18 Ms. Workin replied, as part of this document they did outreach for the Finding Your Fun in Fridley campaign and asked residents where do they prefer to be. They have found that Fridley residents who ride their bike do prefer to be on grade separated trails. This is something when they do outreach related to specific trail projects, that they see over and rd over again with the Seventh Street project. Then with the 53 Street project they recently did outreach on, they asked residents, would you want to see an on-road bike line, or grade separated, or nothing at all. Every time the grade separated trail has come back with an overwhelming positive response. People do prefer to ride their bike on a trail. Chairperson Kondrick asked so they hear more from bicyclists than walkers? Ms. Workin replied, they have heard people prefer wider facilities. In the past a lot of Fridley sidewalks were constructed four-feet wide. People feel more comfortable on a five or six-foot trail. People also prefer systems in which there is trail or sidewalk on both sides of the street. A lot of times they see even if there is trail on one side, if someone is going the opposite direction, they will choose to walk in the road instead of crossing over to the sidewalk. That is something they are trying to incorporate into designs when possible. It is not always spatially feasible. Chairperson Kondrick stated even with the bike lanes on the street, people would rather go against traffic so they can see it coming on as opposed to going with the traffic because you can get hit from behind and never know what is happening. That is one of the problems in Minneapolis. They are putting in a lot of bike lanes, and people want to go the wrong direction. Ms. Workin replied, that is a great point. It also speaks to different cyclists of different abilities would feel comfortable in different situations. There are some commuter bicyclists who would feel comfortable riding on University Avenue that would not apply to herself or parents of young children. Thinking about who the specific user is and what they would feel comfortabe doing is really important. Chairperson Kondrick stated maybe it is because they are recognizing the need for sidewalk and trail applications and for walking and exercising. The City is doing a pretty good job with removing snow from the sidewalks and trails, etc. The sidewalks are being cleared. He has noticed that and he is sure a lot of folks in Fridley are recognizing that as well. Ms. Workin stated the Public Works staff have been very busy this year. They have definitely heard and the Council has heard, this is a priority of residents when trails and sidewalks are not cleared. The City gets a number of phone calls and are taking a more proactive approach before those phone calls come in. Fridley Planning Commission Meeting January 15, 2020 Page 10 of 18 Commissioner Evanson asked, how is preference being given to the different options whether they talk about biking, walking, considering whether there is one group who is perhaps more vocal and another group where they are not overwaiting the preference for some just because perhaps they are more vocal. How are they discerning what the actual needs of the community are, especially if some of those compete with one another. Ms. Workin replied in this document, they looked at based on traffic counts, data related to employment and bus stops, as well as the current safety standards for all of these identified routes and ranked those on a scale of 1 through 3. Those that had the highest ranking were identified as the focus routes and the priority for this section. This gives staff kind of a general idea of where to apply for grants and where to invest. Ms. Workin stated before they would do any individual project, they would do outreach in that neighborhood and show what potential options would be. In this next planning cycle for regional solicitation funding, the City is planning to submit a grant for trail and rd sidewalk facilities on 53. This is a road that currently does not have any trail or sidewalk facilities. It is a high-traffic bus route. Currently people waiting fo the bus wait in the shoulder which becomes especially problematic in the winter. This had been identified as a priority in the previous Plan. When they then went into the neighborhood, they showed different options of sidewalk or just a trail or sidewalk and trail and asked the residents what their preference was. That way they can incorporate the feedback of the neighborhood. Commissioner Evanson asked, before any individual projects are actually implemented, are there going to be additional approvals required from this Commission; or is any endorsement of this Plan tonight, is it giving free reign to go do things, or is this just more of a general endorsement to the Plan but before any other specific projects would be undertaken, it would come back to the Commission or some other body for final review. What is the process for implementing projects? Ms. Workin replied this Plan provides staff with a general framework for pursuing different projects before staff goes forth and develops more specific plans. That is something usually presented to the City Council. They have not historically come to the Planning Commission for these individual projects. It is something they do ask the general public for feedback on, and the City Council does have to authorize staff to do. Commissioner Evanson stated so they are more or less endorsing the idea, the Plan, without making specific commitments tonight. At that point in the project it sounds like would go to the Council where they would make the final decision. Fridley Planning Commission Meeting January 15, 2020 Page 11 of 18 Commissioner Hansen stated also as a couple of points to note, in reference to Commissioner Evanson’s questions, at one point as part of the EQEC review, the comments the City received as part of the Finding Your Fun in Fridley, the social pinpoint process, that was included as an attachment to the Plan. He was not sure if it was still referenced in the Plan going forward. Commissioner Hansen stated those comments provided by people throughout Fridley from the biking and sidewalk communities were all part of that Plan. That was something that they, as a Commission, took into consideration. Commissioner Hansen stated, also, when they looked at the priority trail and sidewalk locations, the EQEC really wanted to focus on where they have gaps in the sidewalk and trail network on the major roadway facilities - the County roads, the MnDOT facilities that go through the City so that when those roads get upgraded, they can also have this Plan as a guide to help them through implementing those features when those projects come along from other agencies, too. Chairperson Kondrick asked Commissioner Hansen when they were making this finding, were they curious about the County’s role in supplying monies for sidewalks and when they are going to redo a road, for example, and they have a chance to have a sidewalk put in. Were they able to learn what the County has to say about their wanting to go along with that idea? Commissioner Hansen replied, the County is very supportive of trails and sidewalks and mobility on their facilities. That has not always maybe been the case if you drive sections of East River Road, for example, you are going to see major gaps in the system. However, they are getting to be more progressive and enlightened in those circumstances. Sometimes the funding does fault the cities he thinks to fund those things. However, the economics and the order of magnitude cost for implementing something like that when you are reconstructing a County road there is going to be an economy of scale if you are doing it in conjunction with a big roadway project. Chairperson Kondrick asked Ms. Workin whether anybody has said to her, I bought my house in this nice quiet neighborhood. I don’t want to have a bunch of people walking around and snooping around and harassing my wife and kids, etc.? Ms. Workin replied, they have heard sometimes in the engagment outreach portion related to trails, concerns about people passing in front of the home. When deciding the trails and going through this, all of these trails are located along roads considered to be connector roads. None of them are located on local streets so they are not going deep into a neighborhood and installing these sidewalks. Most of these routes are areas that Fridley Planning Commission Meeting January 15, 2020 Page 12 of 18 already receive a fair amount of pedestrian or bicyclist traffic. For example, Seventh Street there are already a lot of people walking along the shoulder on Seventh to reach Commons Park or reach the middle school or high school. They are just giving the people who are already there a safe space to do that activity. There are a lot of studies that show adding sidewalks and trails decreases crime. The more people, the more eyes there are. Also, they improve property values. Usually once they have those conversations, those fears are abated. Most of the concerns the City gets are related to winter maintenance. Who is going to be clearing this new sidewalk and trail in front of my house. Staff addresses this by taking that responsibility on as a City. Ms. Workin stated, also, in regards to the previous comments, she would like to thank Commisisoner Hansen for his comments on the process. The EQEC provided so much direction for this Plan. The EQEC, as well as the Parks and Recreation Commission, recommended this Plan to the Planning Commission prior to tonight. Ms. Workin stated with regards to Anoka County, every project is different and they have had a very positive experience partnering with them on the Mississippi Street Project. That is a road the County is planning on reconstructing the next few years, and they have starting doing community engagement and outreach around that road. They had an open house back in September which was very well attended. There will be another meeting in mid-February the public will be invited to and to hear how the feedback from the first meeting has been incorporated into the Plan. As information on that meeting becomes available, they do hope the members of the Planning Commission and the general public will be able to attend. Ms. Workin stated one important note with regards to that project and with West Moore Lake is when they can do sidewalk and trail projects in conjunction with road projects, that is where they see the biggest cost savings. A lot of times if there is already work related to moving curb or storm sewer that is being done with the road project. If they can capitalize and do those both at the same time, it makes the assessment for the road project less for the resident than it would be if they were not bringing in grant funding associated with the trail to the project. Chairperson Kondrick stated the reason he brought up the comments made by people is sometimes people who are not affected by what they are talking about here, they hear this conversation about the traffic, etc. They do not understand it and so they complain. He thinks they should talk about how it will not be affecting them and make them aware so that objection/comments will not occur. Ms. Workin replied, she agrees and believes that should be an important part of their outreach of the benefits of trails and sidewalks. Also, for residents who maybe are not Fridley Planning Commission Meeting January 15, 2020 Page 13 of 18 used to driving in such situations with bike lanes and how do you do that safely with roundabouts. How does that occur safely. Commissioner McClellan stated as to Ms. Workin’s presentation mentioning the boundaries and barriers which they have, 65 and 47, which are pretty substantial. Anything going east and west in this community is a challenge, much less being on foot or a bicycle. Fridley is essentially three segments as he sees it. Is there a possibility that these improvements of these trails, sidewalks, and other means can enhance the traffic east and west in this town? Ms. Workin replied, that is something they definitely heard very loud and clear during the Highways 47 and 65 Corridor Study meetings and is something they continue to talk with MnDOT about. This Plan does reference that plan as well as the pedestrian experience. Those are really focusing on the way the intersections feel. This Plan does not specifically call out any particular pedestrian bridge or tunnel situation, but does reference the Corridor Study which does make recommendaitons related to those improvements. Those will definitely be part of a larger discussion with MnDOT. Commissioner McClellan stated he does not expect them to have the answers and have a magic wand; however, whether you are walking or biking you are almost locked into one of those three parts of Fridley. You take your life into your hands trying to navigate east of Highway 65 to the central portion of the City so whether it is exercise or recreational is sort of defined by what area you happen to be in, in the first place. He hopes there is thought, plans, consideration as to how to improve that. Ms. Workin replied, that is a very important plan. As cross streets are redeveloped, even if it is determined not to incorporate a bridge or a tunnel at that time. Looking at that intersectio with Mississippi Street, looking at the University and Highway 65 intersections to see where can they make landing areas a little more comfortable. She comes out at th University and 69every day and thinks, is this some place I would want to wait with my bicycle while I cross over to the Rice Creek Trail and the regional trail system. Can we make that a more comfortable experience. Is there a way they can work with the signaling? That is a conversation they are having with MnDOT. Looking at signaling adjustments to account for pedestrian and bicyclist safety. Those changes are definitely something that this Plan discusses with regards to Goal No. 2 of the comfortable experience, and they will be incorporating as the cross streets redevelop. Chairperson Kondrick stated of concern is adults even have a difficult time crossing those avenues, whether it be Central, University, or East River Road. A 7, 8, or 9-year old kid is more of a challenge. It is hard for them to make that decision of when to go. Those kinds of things he has a problem with as well. The County loves to hear ways to stop traffic. He Fridley Planning Commission Meeting January 15, 2020 Page 14 of 18 does not think so. They want to keep things moving. The State, too. The people in cars still rule. Commissioner Hansen stated a point to be made is their built environment is based on moving automobiles, and these corridors have always been designed around that. This Plan really contemplates trying to bring in those other avenues of mobility. Motion by Commissioner Heintz accepting the Information for the Transportation Plan. Seconded by Commissioner Hansen. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3. Public Disclosure Statement. Scott Hickok, Community Development Director, stated this may look even funny to be on the agenda as many of them have been on the commissions for years and have probably seen these disclosure forms. He thought what better way to inform the public about something that may be invisible to somebody watching from the outside. Mr. Hickok stated they have in their packet before them a disclosure form which says they, as commissioners, do not have conflicts of interest out in the community. They do not own a business or a large percentage of business(es) they are making decisions about and that type of thing. This is something for auditing purposes. It is one of those things they do very well in Fridley and that is they are transparent about what it is they are doing. If there is a conflict, it is identified through a process; and they do what they can to avoid or eliminate any conflict that may exist. Mr. Hickok stated this item is just a very quick item meant to demonstrate to the public that, one, this is a process they do and, two, he asked the Commisisoners to hand over theirs to him before the night was over. Finally, it is something they do routinely that is certainly a protection that is built into their process for fairness and for transparency. 4. Update on the Highway 65/University Avenue Project. Mr. Hickok stated Planning staff thought this was important to bring to them. They had such tremendous input from Fridley citizens and businesses. They want to certainly keep it out in the open and being discussed as to what is happening. Many of them attended the meetings they had on University which is also referred to as Highway 47 and then Highway 65 corridors. They astutely mentioned even in their discussion this evening, and he thinks it is very good, to remind folks that what they did in those studies is talk about Fridley Planning Commission Meeting January 15, 2020 Page 15 of 18 things like those east/west connections. The City of Fridley aptly is a city that is very proud of its community, a community that wants to go out there, be energetic, and do things. It is also a community that is kind of cut in vertical ribbons. Not only by the highways but the railroad. Mr. Hickok stated when they look at the City’s infrastructure and now they look at the modern world we live in, they want to make sure folks in the east and west are also safe but they have opportunities to cross whether in their car or they are on a bicycle or on foot. They want to make sure the City is doing all it can as a local government, working with the County and State, to make sure those roadways are improved. Not only beautified but done in a way where people feel safe crossing and they are proud of imagewise also. Mr. Hickok stated he does not have a formal presentation for them tonight other than to tell the Commission their discussions have gone very, very well. The State was willing and able to provide for the City funding to replace the chain link fence they have long talked to the State about. That was one of the aesthetic things that exists out there they could improve upon in the 2020 funding package. They do have the funds to be able to replace that fence, to take out fence where they need to, and to in some cases, not replace fence but place some sort of a border (rose bushes, landscaping, a pond swale, or a combination of landscape and a pond swale). Mr. Hickok stated along the segments of the corridor staff has now talked with property owners who, in some cases own a business, that have a fence in front. Or in some cases, such as Bona Brothers, they have a frontage road in front of their property which for many years they tried to have it vacated. The City was enthusiastic about it as well. Frankly, it harkened back to a time when there were frontage roads which came out at a very close juncture with University Avenue itself and leaving an unsafe condition where the roads meet. Mr. Hickok stated there was an interest several years ago for the City to help them take out the frontage road and provide a safer condition there. At the time there was not as much enthusiasm or interest on MnDOT’s part. Now after their safety study they did, and a priority would be to take out that frontage road. We now have an atmosphere of great enthusiasm on MnDOT’s part also so that the frontage road will be taken out in the very near future. If you think of that combined with the authorization to take out really most all of the chain link from that property all the way to City Hall on the east side, it makes a very different corridor. One, the City does not have to trim underneath. They do not have papers lying against the fence or weeds that do not quite get trimmed because it is hard to get a weed whip underneath the fence. You will have a clean, mowed path. Fridley Planning Commission Meeting January 15, 2020 Page 16 of 18 Mr. Hickok stated in the case with the Bona Brothers there will have a new landscaped plan likely staff will work on cooperatively with them. It gives Bona Brothers more of a front yard, a more impressive appearance. Mr. Hickok stated the City has had great interest from the Fridley Market folks about the possibility of replacing the 1960’s vintage chain link fence on that property. It is interesting in that becomes federal fence as it comes up along the on-ramp to 694, and it is a bit different discussion than just State right-of-way there. There are some other things there they have to consider. One of thE interesting pieces of that was, as they talked to the State, the State said, well, if the shopping center for example, wanted to do something that was an acceptable exchange for a chain link there and they were going to do it kind of like the City did its ornamental fence along University Avenue, there might be an appetite for that. All of that inside on their property line and in a way that guards against people running across the way the chain link fence would. Mr. Hickok stated staff has talked to the Fridley Market folks, the owners, a large investment group; and there is an appetite, an interest, and it comes down to how much it will cost. However, there was an appetite and an interest going on with the hotel as it was developing. They are in early discussions there also to see if they can have their partnership in doing something different and possibly something more ornamental along that segment. They continue to talk with landscape folks. Ms. Workin has done a nice job recently of reviewing a landscape plan that has come back from the State landscape person who is responsible for roadways like this and suggesting landscape and that, too, is a bit of a volley over the net each direction. The City has received a plan back and is making comments and sending it back. Mr. Hickok stated things like medians. One of the big things they may recall in discussions and that they are reminded of every time they exit 694, at University going north, there is this funny looking median that had bumpers in there and it had weeds growing up and it is not a very friendly entrance to a very friendly city. MnDOT took a look at it with the City. By the way what is that bumper doing out there? Come to find out there used to be an overhead sign the bumper was protecting. The overhead sign is now long gone. The bumpers could go away, and we can landscape and have a much more impressive boulevard just in that tiny little space. Mr. Hickok stated as this has started to really unfold and evolve and they are having these discusisons, they are finding that some of the fixes are really quite simple. Some of the fixes are things where when they put their heads together are fairly simple solutions, maybe fairly inexpensive solutions, but things that will really improve the corridor appearance along the way. Fridley Planning Commission Meeting January 15, 2020 Page 17 of 18 Mr. Hickok stated staff will continue to bring back to the Commission updates. It is his hope this year the Commission will see a vacation, for example, of the Bona Brothers (he calls it this because it is in front of them) frontage road. It belongs to the City and part of it is still State, but now they are hearing the City and the State are very interested in having that vacated and working with the Bona Brothers property to integrate that into a site plan that works well for them. As they get these pieces, they will certainly bring them forward. Mr. Hickok stated staff wants their audience who was so enthusiastic here at all those meetings to know that because it is quiet, does not mean there are not things going on. The City is working hard behind the scenes, and a lot of these things take discussion. As they move forward, they are going to bring the victories they are seeing and hearing out there. Mr. Hickok stated they will also see some physical improvements as they are able then to decide on the landscape plan and the fence, remove the old fence, and start doing the improvements the State has really given the City the authority. In kind of an interesting and unique way, the State has also allowed the City to take the lead on the removal of the fence because the City’s public works director felt that maybe Public Works has some techniques that does not require as much cutting and clear cutting as the State might have done to take out fence which would have changed the character of some of these long- standing screening devices and fences and planting materials that have grown up. Mr. Hickok stated sure it takes on some responsibility, and even some controversy for people who say, I love those three trees that were there. However, it does allow the City opportunity to work very careful to pluck out fence posts, take out that fence screen, so that the City can disrupt as little as it wants to disrupt; but then it can really make it what it wants it to be in the areas where they are open and free to do that. Mr. Hickok stated it is not anymore complicated than that this evening. He just wanted to let the Commission and audience know that good things are happening. They are not sleeping on this at all and are very, very busy behind the scenes. Ask any questions tonight or feel free to give him a call with any. Commissioner McClellan asked can they expect to see any changes in 2020? Mr. Hickok replied, yes. It is staff’s hope that the fence and much of the landcaped pieces relative to border landscape vs. fence will be worked out in detail. Staff will bring back the public before they would make those improvements and give them an opportunity to see, hear, and understand it. Staff is quite confident that will happen in 2020. Fridley Planning Commission Meeting January 15, 2020 Page 18 of 18 ADJOURN: Motion by Commissioner Oquist to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Heintz. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:10 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Denise M. Johnson Recording Secretary