HRA 07/10/1997 - 29800�
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CITY OF FRIDLEY
HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING
JULY 10, 1997
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Commers called the July 10, 1997, Housing and
Redevelopment Authority meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present:
Members Absent:
Larry Commers, Virginia Schnabel, Jim
McFarland, Duane Prairie
John Meyer
Others Present: William Burns, Executive Director
Barbara Dacy, Community Development Director
Jim Casserly, Financial Consultant
Grant Fernelius, Housing Coordinator
Craig Ellestad, Accountant
Robert Eller, Robert Eller Associates
Glen VanWormer, SEH
Cheryl Schneider, 6190 Stinson Blvd. N.E.
Mayor Nancy Jorgenson
Florence Tapsak, 6059 Central Avenue N.E.
Ralph Wedgewood, 5871 W. Moore Lake Dr. N.E.
Dr. Kay & Jeanne Ingebrigtsen, 5811 W. Moore
Lake Drive N.E.
Todd Koopman, 5851 W. Moore Lake Drive N.E.
Elizabeth Frischmon, 870 W. Moore Lake Dr. NE
Connie Metcalf, 860 W. Moore Lake Drive N.E.
Bob Cook, 5761 West Moore Lake Drive N.E.
Councilmember Steve Billings
Councilmember Bob Barnette
Mark & Laura Ingebrigtsen, 5831 West Moore
Lake Drive N.E.
APPROVAL OF JUNE 12, 1997, HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
MEETING:
Mr. McFarland noted a correction on page 10, the first paragraph
which should read, "Mr. Commers asked what happens then to the
value . . . . "
MOTION by Ms. Schnabel, seconded by Mr. Prairie, to approve the
June 12, 1997, Housing and Redevelopment Authority minutes as
amended.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON CONIl�RS DECLARED
THE MOTION C.ARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
� HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING, JULY 10, 1997 PAGE 2
INF012I�iTIONAL �'ARTNG.
1. STREET LIGHTS ALONG HIGHWAY 65
MOTION by Mr. Prairie, seconded by Ms. Schnabel, to open the
public hearing.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CIIAIRPERSON CO1�RS DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE PUBLIC �nRT*�G OPEN AT 7:32 P.M.
Ms. Dacy stated she had a presentation and a video showing some
examples of the types of fixtures in the metro area. She also
introduced the consultants who are at the meeting as resources -
Mr. Glenn VanWormer from Short Elliot Hendrickson (SEH) who is the
consulting engineering for designing the plans and specifications
for the Highway 65 intersection improvement at Lake Pointe Drive;
and Mr. Bob Eller who is the lighting consultant. Both worked
with the City 10 years ago when the project was evaluated at that
time. Representatives from the City Council are here tonight as
well as the Mayor. Councilmember Schneider, who had intended to
come to the meeting, was called out-of-town and could not attend.
� His wife, Cheryl, is present to represent him. The show is also
being taped so that he can review the outcome of this meeting.
Ms. Dacy stated this is an information hearing regarding the
Highway 65 streetlights along the causeway. The purpose of the
hearing is to review the nature of the proposal; to answer
questions from the City Council, HRA and the public; and to
receive testimony from the public. The HRA is not to be making a
decision tonight. The purpose of the hearing is to take comments
which will be incorporated into the decision-making process.
Ms. Dacy stated the proposal is to install 25-foot to 40-foot
tall, 400-watt high pressure sodium lights along Highway 65 from
the East Moore Lake Drive intersection to the area just north of
the I-694 interchange. The lights would be staggered on either
side of the causeway approximately 150 feet apart. The proposal
is to include the installation of the light standards as part of
the project to reconstruct the intersection at Lake Pointe Drive
and Central Avenue. That is planned to begin in April, 1998.
Ms. Dacy stated the history goes back about 10 years. The street
lights were included and approved as part of the intersection
improvement plan in 1987. At that time according to the file,
what was being evaluated was a 40-foot tall pole with a shoebox
fixture. In the 1980's, the City was undergoing an analysis of
redevelopment areas in a City-wide effort to improve the
n appearance of intersections primarily related to the University
Avenue area. It was out of that study that came the design and
^ HOIISING & REDEVELOPMENT AIITHORITY MEETING, JULY 10, 1997 PAGE 3
the idea to install the double ball fixtures which were ultimately
included in the East Moore Lake Drive redevelopment area and the
Mississippi Street redevelopment area. The approximate cost of
the lights as part of the Lake Pointe intersection at that time
was about $100,000.
Ms. Dacy stated the current proposal is to look at a design which
is called a shepherd's hook design which would be painted black or
dark bronze, the bulb would be fully contained within the fixture
and would have a flat glass across it. The light would be aimed
straight down toward the pavement. The pole design mimics the
globe standards used on the East Moore Lake Drive right of way at
this time.
Ms. Dacy stated one may ask why install the lights. Installation
of streetlig�hts is a typical amenity to a reconstruction or
redevelopment project. Part of the reason for the amenity is that
it helps to identify the City if the City wants to create a
certain look. It can be a decoration on the highway. It can
improve the overall image. At nighttime, the addition of light
improves the visibility and helps to improve the safety of the
^ roadway. If the City decides to install the lights, including the
work as part of the intersection work would be the most cost
effective.
Ms. Dacy stated in the last few weeks staff has researched a
number of communities to find examples which exemplify the
decorative light fixture and to find examples of fixtures which
are directly related to what is being proposed. A video was
presented showing examples of fixtures in New Brighton, Maple
Grove, St. Louis Park, and Minneapolis.
Ms. Dacy stated the theory is to design the height, wattage and
location of fixtures so it provides enough light for the highway
itself so that as you move away a distance the brightness
significantly decreases. You can see the fixture on the horizon
and you can see the bulb, but it is not like a floodlight. An
example of lighting along Hiawatha Avenue may be good because on
the east side there is a string of industrial properties. A
number of these properties have wall packs so there was more
ambient light in that area.
Ms. Dacy stated, from Highway 65, the first home to the west is
200 feet from the intersection. As you proceed north along the
west side of the lake, the distance increases to 1,350 feet at the
north edge of the 5800 block. To the east, the first house on
Central Avenue is approximately 300 feet with the distance
^ increasing to about 800 feet near the beach house. During the
evening hours when driving along the causeway, you see a very nice
� SOUSING � REDEVELOFMENT AUTHORITY MEETING, JULY 10, 1997 PAGE 4
reflection of the Shorewood sign and some of the parking lot
lights. There are lights on the Moore Lake parking lot and the
tennis court. At East Moore Lake Drive is the standard decorative
light with a similar design to what is being proposed.
Ms. Dacy stated another question is what will be the lighting
impact. The height and wattage are designed to show enough light
to immediately illuminate the area. The taller the pole, you can
have fewer poles with more space between. If you decrease the
wattage, you need more poles to adequately illuminate the area.
It is important to provide uniform spacing between the poles so
you don't get light spots and then dark spots. The proposal at a
40-foot height at 400 watts puts enough light on the highway, but
away from the highway there would not be a significant impact or
glare into the homes. The bulbs are not exposed. Although you
will see the lights and reflection in Moore Lake, it will not
impair the operation of the homes or the enjoyment the homeowner
has during the evening hours.
Ms. Dacy stated the cost involved with this proposal is
approximately $120,000 with the shepherd's hook design. An
n executive style shoebox design is approximately $100,000. It has
been suggested the City and HRA share the costs equally. There
will be an annual electric charge to the City of between $6,000
and $8,000. The City will have to store extra bulbs in case of
damage in order to replace in the future.
Ms. Dacy stated the first step is to complete the hearing tonight.
Then the City Council and the HRA will have to decide whether to
include the installation of the lights as part of the intersection
improvement. The City Council will meet July 28. The next
meeting for the HRA is August 14. If the City Council and the HRA
were to approve this in the project, they would include the street
lights as an option in the bid specifications to find out the
exact cost. If the City and the HRA decide to proceed and all of
the other steps go smoothly, then installation would begin in
concurrence with the intersection work to be done in the spring of
next year. Mr. Eller, the lighting consultant, and Mr. VanWormer,
SEH, are available. Mr. VanWormer has information on traffic
accident issues pertaining to Highway 65.
Mr. VanWormer stated there is quite a bit of accident information
that is available. It is limited in scope. The information
requested comes out in a tabular form. This information has to be
pulled out of the MnDOT computer which lists all the accidents and
sorts them by location. They have three years of accidents from
January 1993 through December 1995. This information is for a
� section of road from north of East Moore Lake to south of Lake
Pointe Drive. They take the intersections from 500 feet north to
� HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUT80RITY MEETING, JULY 10, 1997 PAGE 5
500 feet south and call it intersection related. The data
includes the two intersections plus the causeway in between which
they call non-intersection. In those three years, there were
about 136 accidents in that corridor. 76 accidents were at Lake
Pointe, 36 at East Moore Lake, and 25 on the causeway in between.
Mr. VanWormer stated they can pull out a lot of different
information. The basic information is that about 40% of the
accidents were at night or 10 out of 25. That is a little bit
higher than normal night to day ratio of accidents on this type of
roadway. All were rear end or they did not have the type of
accident recorded. Accidents at the intersections were about the
same proportion of day/night accidents. Again, the highest number
of those accidents were rear end accidents. MnDOT has a system of
trying to evaluate whether or not they would install lighting but
it is tailored toward their capital improvement program. They
look for a higher than normal amount of nighttime accidents
relative to daytime on the same roadway, as well as volumes,
speeds, etc. There are also a number of different formulas that
you can get nationally from the Federal highway administration or
the national research board, etc. All formulas are geared towards
^ giving you an idea of whether the rate is higher than the normal
nighttime accidents relative to the day. With only 25 accidents
in three years, it would be hard to say that this is more than
normal. The only way to get more information would be to pull all
136 accidents which would be a substantial amount of work and
probably would not yield a lot more information.
Mr. Eller stated there have been various studies that show that
lighting does have a good effect on stopping accidents at night.
The type of fixtures being considered project light almost
straight down. People will not be looking at a direct light
source with these fixtures. They will see some distant visual
brightness. The fixtures being considered are excellent.
Mr. Commers asked what that means in terms of the homes that are a
few hundred feet from the lighting source.
Mr. Eller stated they will see the lighted area. He has does
quite a bit of work with other cities on light trespass,
particularly used car lots and the like. Those fixtures are
tipped up so that people can look up and actually see the bulb.
That is a bad light trespass situation. These fixtures are
straight down. They will see visual brightness but really that is
all.
Mr. Commers opened the meeting for public comment.
.--.
�� Mr. Cook stated he took issue with the recommended standards.
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HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUT80RITY MEETING, JULY 10, 1997 PAGE 6
Item #4 on page 3 states, "The standard enhances the "identity" of
the City and makes a statement that the City is committed to
quality development and improvements." The only thing he can
think that the lights will do, besides the smell of the lake, is
that they will also be able to see the weeds. You have money for
lighting but nothing for the lake itself which does not make sense
to him.
Mr. Commers stated the condition of the lake is a different issue
and that is not before the HRA.
Mr. Cook stated he knew that. It is still tax money. Since it is
tax money, let us beautify the lake and make it more handsome so
that people who would like to build over at Lake Pointe can come
down to the lake and spend some time instead of wearing noseclips
when they come to work. The last time he checked the neighbors
were willing to kick in but the state won't pay for their footage
on the road.
Mr. Koopman stated he would like to thank Councilmember
for bringing this issue to their attention, thanked the
having the informational meetings so the residents can
�� their concerns and thanked the residents for attending
to express their concerns. He asked for an explanation
role of the HRA and City Council.
Schneider
HRA for
express
the meeting
of the
Mr. Commers stated the HRA is an independent non-profit public
body. The members are suggested by the City Council and appointed
by the courts. Members serve according to a charter that directs
the types of activities in which the HRA may be involved. This is
before the HRA because of the HRA's work in rehab and
redevelopment, and we are in the process of redeveloping the
intersection. That is what has presented the issue.
Mr. Koopman stated he opposes the lights along the causeway. In
the five years that he has lived there, he felt that he had enough
light pollution coming into the environment surrounding his yard.
He can sit in his den and see the lights and the traffic or he can
sit down in his backyard and get the lights from the traffic or
the lights from the buildings. In the evening, he can see lights
coming down the road toward the beach house, lights from the beach
house, the neon sign from the Shorewood, lights from the health
club, and lights not from the church but from the funeral home
across the street. The only reason he does not see lights from
the rest of the East Moore Lake development is that there is the
island. He feels he has enough light coming in. He understands
that the lights were in the original proposal for the causeway.
Just because the idea was there does not mean it was a good one or
that it should be executed.
n HOUSING 6 REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING, JULY 10, 1997 PAGE 7
Mr. Koopman stated, regarding the accident history, the ratio of
accidents between day and night was the same on the causeway, a
non-intersection area, as it was at the intersections. That tells
him that the lights are not a large impact on those accident
ratios because there are lights at the intersections.
Mr. Koopman stated he does support beautifying the entrance into
the City. He thought that was very important. He has seen the
lights across the bridges on the freeways and thought they were
very attractive. He does support decorative lights at the
intersections where he feels they are needed, where the vast
majority of the accidents are, and where traffic is most congested
and crossing. Those areas have to be improved and he supports
that. He does not think lights add to the beauty of the causeway
itself. Let the lake add beauty to the causeway. Let the lake
itself be the signature point into the City. He would support
spending funds on beautifying the causeway where they have that
impact - either new railings, although he thought that was MnDOT's
responsibility, or landscaping. He supports those efforts and
thought that was important; however, he supports the standards at
� the intersections. When he looks at the map, he thought the six
lights at the south end and the five lights at the north end could
have a nice impact on those intersections. When he tells people
where he lives, they say, "Oh, the lake with the weeds." If we
are going to spend money on beautifying and creating an image for
Fridley, then spend money on weed control and make that better not
just for the passerby or commuters, but for the many people who
use the park on the east side.
Mr. Wedgewood stated essentially his comments echo the two
previous speakers. He thought the lights were decorative and the
so-called safety issue was contrived justification because the
decorative issue is not sufficient to carry the day on the lights.
He wished that Mr. Cook, a former police officer, had perhaps
provided some insight into safety and traffic problems over the
two decades he was a policeman. He thought the lights would
create as much problem for casting shadows as illuminating the
road bed. He thought it an unnecessary and intrusive urbanization
project. Why does it need to lit up as bright as Hennepin Avenue?
If he is not mistaken, sodium lights cast a yellow light which
would be particularly offensive. If you impose this on the
residents along Moore Lake, he thought they could have a more
appealing light.
Mr. Wedgewood stated, again if you are going to spend money, he
has tried to get the weed issue addressed. When he was dealing
7,.� with the City, you have to get so many signatures from all the
residents and you have to pay $25. By the time you get all those
n HOUSING & REDEVEI.OPN�NT AUTHORITY N�ETING, JIILY 10, 1997 PAGE 8
signatures, it is practically fall. If the City can spend money
on improving Locke Lake, spending chump change to eliminate weeds
is a major production. Perhaps the City Council can be more
sensitive to that entire waterway.
Mr. Commers asked Mr. Eller if there was a color to the light.
Mr. Eller stated the lights are high pressure sodium which is very
strong in the yellow spectrum. A metal haylight such as those
used in baseball fields pretty much appears white. The reason
they use high pressure sodium for street lighting is because it is
the most energy efficient. You get much more light per watt.
Ms. Schnabel asked Mr. Eller if he had any idea or if there were
any statistics to suggest that sodium light cast on water would
have an effect on aquatic life in the water. Does the light have
any effect on increasing weed growth in water?
Mr. Eller stated mercury street lights increase growth. it is not
quite so true of high pressure sodium because of the lack of
ultra-violet light. Mercury lights have a lot of ultraviolet
^ light which encourages growth. There is no ultraviolet light in
high pressure sodium so it should not increase the weeds. It is
almost a bug light in itself because bugs cannot see high pressure
sodium.
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Ms. Schnabel asked if these lights have any effect on aquatic
life.
Mr. Eller stated he has never seen such a study.
Ms. Metcalf stated she thought she was representing her neighbors
on the north side of the lake. She agrees with the previous
comments. She thanked Councilmember Schneider for providing them
this opportunity. It seems that frequently buildings go up or
lights are put in and the taxpayers do not have knowledge that it
is coming.
Ms. Metcalf stated she was concerned with the increased use of
electricity. She is perhaps old fashioned. She thought they were
becoming increasingly dependent on nuclear power and she
personally has a fear of that. She did not believe you could
store nuclear residue in the mountains forever. She thought they
needed to conserve on electricity. When she sees more Christmas
lights going up on the homes around her and the profligate use of
electricity by the cities for such things as lighting, she is
concerned about that. She thought they might realize how this
does multiply. Staff is saying the lights will enhance the entry
to the City. She would prefer to have the lake improved. In the
n HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AIITHORITY MEETING, JULY 10, 1997 PAGE 9
longer term, perhaps it would be wiser for the City and for
us to try to limit use of electricity. She hopes that the
Councilmembers would consider limiting the use of lights on
tennis courts. This can be done by a switch.
all of
the
Ms. Metcalf stated, when Ms. Dacy spoke about the 200-foot
distance of the spread of this light, that is a considerable
distance. She talked about reading a paper at that distance which
was not possible but as she approached the light she could. This
means the spread will be considerable and she thought it would
affect the aesthetics for those living on the lake. She enjoys
watching the scenes of the lake which are beautiful. It is a
beautiful setting. Seeing more lights there and cars going by are
fun to watch, but she is opposed to fixed lighting. If safety is
a factor at the intersection, we have to accept that and that
would temper her opposition somewhat. She thought the lights
along the lake would not enhance the approach to the City.
Mr. Commers asked Ms. Dacy to review the distances from the
causeway to the homes on Moore Lake. How far away are those homes
on Moore Lake Drive as compared to those living on Old Central?
^ Ms. Dacy stated the first home at West Moore Lake Drive is the
closest at 200 feet. As you move north, the distance increases to
1,350 feet. On the east side, the home on the corner at Central
Avenue is about 300 feet. As you move north on Central Avenue
where the beach house is, it is about 800 feet. As you go north,
the distance increases to about 1,100 feet. The Nelson home is
about 900 feet. Along the northwest side is about 1,300 feet on
the aerial photograph. The church because of the size and the
island screen the northern residents from the lights.
Ms. Tapsak stated she lives just past the park area. She likes
the idea of fixing up the intersections but she does not see
accident-wise why there are so many lights needed on the causeway.
She likes the other idea. They have lived in their present home
about 13 years. They have lived in Fridley about 24 years. The
intersection is very bad there, and she thought fixing that area
up will help with the accidents. She did not see a lot of
credibility for lights on the causeway.
Ms. J. Ingebrigtsen stated she lives on the southwest side of the
lake near the intersection. She asked how far away they were from
the lights.
Ms. Dacy stated they were approximately 450 feet to 500 feet.
� Ms. Ingebrigtsen stated she had written down two words - intrusive
and identity. She thought the City was trying to seek an
n HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING, JULY 10, 1997 PAGE 10
identity. When she thinks of an identity, she thinks of Paul
Bunyan. She thought Fridley could come up with a different
identity than this. She feels sorry for the people on the east
side of the lake who have a beautiful view of the sunset and they
will be looking at these spokes.
Ms. Ingebrigtsen stated she agreed with the comments given.
Instead of doing what everyone else did, she started scribbling
the following:
For more than 40 years or so, she has asked for trees to shield
the shores from blinking and ambulances, 'til suddenly this song
and dance. Who wants this shore outside our door destroying the
view we are paying for? Are you so blind and cannot see how much
you do distresses me? What next I ask, a kangaroo. You're
bringing the light, making a zoo. This isn't what we bargained
for. You changed the meaning of our shore. Take note that lake
should be serene, a change of pace from one that is mean. A
charming place of peace, a park. Not Disneyland. It isn't pomp
and circumstance that designates a city. For if it were we all
would move and that would be a pity. We need a place of
^ peacefulness where good folks live not under stress.
Ms. Metcalf asked, when talking about distance, has there been
concern about the reflection in the water.
Ms. Dacy stated there will be some reflection in the water, but is
it going to go all the way across the lake. The fixtures point
down toward the pavement.
Mr. Eller stated he did not have an absolute answer. He did not
think it will be as much as some light reflected but he really did
not know. He has not seen it. He is a boater on Lake Minnetonka.
He boats at night and does not see lights bouncing up off the
water.
Mr. Commers asked if there were lights such as those being
proposed around any of the lakes in Minneapolis.
Mr. Eller stated there are similar lights by the Lake of the
Isles.
Mr. Commers stated those were a low-type lighting along the
walkway.
Mr. Eller stated those types of light scatter the light�more than
what is proposed.
� Ms. Dacy stated the light along the Camden bridge over the
�..., HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY N�ETING, JULY 10, 1997 PAGE 11
Mississippi River may be an example to investigate.
Mr. Eller stated his personal experience is that he has not
noticed light bouncing off the water and illuminating something
else. You can see a reflection.
Mr. Koopman stated what he heard commented on was that light
spreads in a comb but it is not the street itself that is going to
be lit, but quite a distance out into the lake itself. As you
look out toward the causeway, it is not just the causeway that
will be lit, but a fairly substantial portion of the lake on
either side of the causeway itself.
Ms. Commers stated that is what they are trying to determine. It
sounds as though the fixtures direct the light straight down.
Mr. Koopman stated, if the lights are spaced 150 feet apart
alternating, that tells him that the spread of any individual
light is somewhere between 75 feet and 150 feet.
Mr. Commers asked Mr. Eller if there was overlap in the light.
^ Mr. Eller stated the light pattern from these lights is not a
perfectly round circle. It is a asymmetric light pattern more
like a kidney shape. The lights are designed so the light behind
the light will shine on the roadway and practically to the edge of
the lake. There will be some light going 5 or 6 feet into the
water. The light is coming down 40 feet but only 8 to 10 feet
behind it.
Mr. VanWormer stated, with the old cobra-style light, the lighting
pattern is more out front than it is behind. It comes out on the
roadway for a distance but not behind. The newer lights are even
more dramatic.
Mr. Ingebrigtsen stated, when he got the notice, he thought what
is going on here. He looked through the information because he
thought there must be a safety reason. From what he is hearing
tonight, he did not see a safety reason to put in the lights. It
amazes him that someone thinks they are going to beautify the
entrance to Fridley and Moore Lake simply by putting lights there.
He has lived on Moore Lake for 42 years. If he was a few years
older, he would have fought the road through the lake in the first
place. Now we are here 43 years later wanting to accent that
folly from years ago by lighting it up. He did not agree with
that at all. It is not just the homeowners, but anyone who has
spend time at the beach area or the west side has seen light
reflecting off. .It is not going to be a natural light which is
�� what a lake is all about. He is amazed. If there are no safety
�,-� HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING JULY 10, 1997 PAGE 12
reason for doing this, why we are even considering doing this?
Ms. J. Ingebrigtsen asked if there had not been any alternative
ways to handle what they conceive as a problem along the causeway.
If they are concerned about traffic, out west they use reflectors
which seem to do a good job. She thought reflectors could do a
good job there. She has a hard time conceiving the reason for
this. She thought the City was doing this because they have the
funding and that is too bad. She felt there was something else or
some place else the city could make some grand improvement rather
than lights across the lake. She wished someone in the City could
come up with a grand improvement. This would not be where she
would go. She has pictures of when this was done in 1965 and the
residents had nothing to say about it.
Ms. Dacy stated she wanted to clarify. Although the city has
received Federal funds to help defray the cost of reworking the
intersection, the decision of whether or not to install the lights
is not the case of having an excess amount of funds. If the City
Council and HRA views the streetlights as an important amenity,
there is a window of opportunity to install and save as much money
^ as possible during the intersection improvement. There is always
going to be a consequence to the HRA budget and to the City budget
if they decide to proceed with the project. There is $60,000 on
either side that some other issue may not get funded. When doing
a budget, the City must weigh the pros and cons of each type of
project and to identify a priority. This is an ongoing decision
process. Tonight there has been a number of comments about what
the priorities are - is it the streetlights, is it controlling the
weeds in the lake, is it placing plantings along the highway, is
it doing a decorative guard rail as opposed to the standard issue,
etc. She wanted to clarify there are other issues the City
Council and HRA have to take into account when making decisions.
Mr. Commers stated it is true that there is not a lot of free
money available to do this project. The money and assistance
received is limited to the intersection itself on the Federal
funds. This would be something that would have to come out of the
HRA and City budgets and would interfere with some other projects.
Ms. L. Ingebrigtsen stated she thought it interesting tonight to
see that many of the people here are on the west side of Moore
Lake. We have the experience of lighting on that side of the lake
already. They see lights from the Shorewood, the health center,
the funeral home, the church, etc. They not only get to see the
lights once, they get to see it twice. Even though they have been
told these lights will not reflect, she thought they would. She
�...1 finds it interesting there is only one person from the east side
' of the lake at the meeting. She is also concerned about the weeds
n HOUSING & REDLVELOPMENT AIIT80RITY MEETING, JULY 10, 1997 PAGE 13
in the lake. She is concerned with Mr. Eller's comment that he
was not sure whether this lighting will create more weeds or
inhibit growth. If further study is done and it is found that it
does create more weeds, it is not a good thing there.
Mr. Commers stated he understood there was no ultraviolet light
with these high pressure sodium lights so that growth of weeds
would not occur as with other types of lighting.
Ms. L. Ingebrigtsen stated it would be great if they cleaned up
that side of the lake. She agreed with the comments already made.
Mr. Cook stated years ago, when the aerator was first put in, the
Lions put iri a fountain. There was a very marked difference
between the east and west sides of the lake after the aerator was
installed. The east side was a beautiful color. The west side
was crappy. At that time, the Lions Club offered to buy aerators
for the west side of the lake. The engineer at that time said it
would not be worthwhile. It was dramatic to see the change. Back
then, you could get an aerator for about $15,000. For this amount
of money, the City could install three aerators and save money on
^ electricity.
Mr. Ingebrigtsen stated it was clear to him that anyone living in
the area is going to look at the lights as highlighting that
highway going through there. It will take away the peacefulness
and serenity of a lake with wildlife. People driving through may
like the looks of the highway they are driving on. But for the
residents who live in that area, he cannot see one good thing
about looking at that highway. Then it doesn't just have cars, it
will be highlighted and have more light out there. It is clear
that it is not a peaceful, beautiful thing.
Ms. Schneider stated they had received several calls in the last
week from both sides. People who called have stated they would
like the intersection fixed but they would not like lights. They
received calls from Mr. Nickrad who is also angry that, if you are
going to fix something, he would appreciate it if you would fix
the lake first.
Ms. Schneider stated they have a boat. When they are out in the
water, the only way they can see is if they turn all of their
lights off. The lights create a terrible glare. They cannot
leave the lights on in their lower cabin when they are out there
at night. The lights they do have in the front they cannot see
when they are turned on. They cannot see where they are going or
if there is anything out there. It just glares. She is curious
� how that would work on that road. She and her husband have tried
to see on that road late at night but the Shorewood sign glares on
n HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY N�ETING, JULY 10, 1997 PAGE 14
the road and makes it hard to see. She thought these lights would
do the same.
Mayor Jorgenson provided copies of a letter from Bob and Gloria
Gilstad stated July 9, 1997, regarding their concerns about the
proposed lighting along the causeway. She asked that this letter
be included in the public record. The Gilstad's live on Hackman
Avenue behind the gas station which is probably the closest
residential area to the lake. She had ar� opportunity to speak
with most of the neighbors on the east side of Moore Lake in the
last few weeks. Some of the questions they asked have already
been answered. She stated she would present those questions which
had not yet been answered. The first was, "Are any of the
previously named or city-like roadways shown on the videotape a
state highway?"
Ms. Dacy stated the street in New Brighton is a local street and
the size of the standard established for that was a 20-foot tall
standard. It is a different type of fixture with a different
intent. The bulbs on the luminaires are 150 watts. In Maple
Grove, she was not sure if that was or was not a state highway.
^ The standard was the typical 35 to 40-foot tall standard with a
shoebox fixture. This was shown to serve an example of that style
of fixture, and the consultant has recommended this style as
acceptable for this particular stretch. In St. Louis Park, she
did not believe Excelsior Boulevard was a state highway. It may
be a county road. Those lights were installed as part of a
redevelopment project adjacent to Highway 100. The Camden Avenue
bridge is not a state highway. It was shown to depict the lights
and the shoebox style. The Hiawatha Avenue corridor is the same
as Highway 55. She was not certain if this was a state highway.
The north part is under construction so they have a lot of
temporary poles up, but the part as videotaped has lights that she
thought were recently installed.
Mayor Jorgenson stated another question is, "Why isn't the
Minnesota Department of Transportation providing the lighting?"
Ms. Dacy stated her understanding is that MnDOT standards are that
they install their cobra lights along major freeways and
interchanges. They have a minimum threshold before they install
lights. In MnDOT's eyes, there is a difference between a Highway
65 and an interstate. They will only place their lights along the
interstate freeway.
Mayor Jorgenson stated the funding source for lighting is proposed
to be covered as $60,000 by the HRA and $60,000 by the City with
annual maintenance and electrical charges covered by the City. Is
n this correct?
�-•1 HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTSORITY MEETING, NLY 10, 1997 PAGE 15
Ms. Dacy stated this was correct.
Mayor Jorgenson asked if this funding source has gone through the
budgeting process.
Ms. Dacy stated, if approved, the City portion would be programmed
into the 1998 budget which is in the process of being prepared.
The HRA prepares its annual budget toward the end of each year and
that would be incorporated into the 1998 budget.
Mayor Jorgenson stated Mr. Commers had stated earlier that any
funding that would be spent on this would be taken from other
projects.
Mayor Jorgenson asked how many of the accidents were related to
poor lighting. What is the current safety rating for the
intersection and causeway? Have there been any traffic studies on
highway speed with increased lighting? Does the highway speed
increase with the increased lighting, stay the same or is it less?
Are there any proposed sidewalks or walkways on the highway to
^ coincide with the lighting?
Ms. Dacy stated she is not aware of any bikeway/walkway proposals
along this stretch of highway. With the right-of-way there and
Moore Lake, you need a certain amount of clearance and she did not
know if they would be able to do that without additional filling.
Mayor Jorgenson asked if the proposed lights are the same wattage
as those at the health club.
Ms. Dacy stated the building plans for the health club are
currently checked out. She had tried to determine that. As
another example, she checked the height and wattage of other
commercial developments. Wal-Mart has a 40-foot tall standard
with 400-�fatt bulbs. She cannot answer for certain on the health
club lights, but she will find that out.
Mayor Jorgenson stated the person who asked the last question
suggested that the HRA stand on the Fridley Executive Center site
on the southeastern portion and look at the reflection of the
lights coming from the health club, the Shorewood, the beach and
the tennis courts to determine what type of reflective glare they
are going to be getting from those Tights along that causeway.
Mr. VanWormer stated MnDOT has a policy for lighting. There are a
number of criteria that they use. The general policy is that they
,.� try to light freeways which have total access control primarily
because they have higher speed exits and maneuvers that are made
�
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HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING, JULY 10, 1997 PAGE 16
at higher speeds so they concentrate on those. They also are
limited by how many dollars they can spend on lights. They have
been lighting I-694 but it is not continually lit through several
areas. They just recently lit Highway 36 through Roseville which
became a freeway. Their policy is probably that they cannot light
everything they would like to. As far as nighttime accidents
caused by poor lighting, he would have to pull all of the accident
reports to determine whether on this specific roadway and
intersections there is a correlation between lighting or lack of
lighting and the accident itself. Conversely, he can say that the
nighttime accident rates are higher to daytime accident rates
given the lower volume and the higher number of accidents. He did
not think that was isolated to the lighting or lack of lighting.
Regarding highway speeds, he cannot site any specific studies. He
has been in the business for over 30 years and has monitored a lot
speeds. He has never seen lighting increase speeds. There are
also many variables on that. He did see that speeds went up on I-
694 when they installed lighting and went to six lanes.
Mr. Commers asked what the speed limit was on Highway 65.
Mayor Jorgenson stated the speed limit from I-694 to Highway 65 is
40 miles per hour until the causeway where it jumps to 50 miles
per hour.
MOTION by Ms. Schnabel, seconded by Mr. Prairie, to close the
public hearing.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, AI�L VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON CO1�Il�RS DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE PUBLIC �'nRTNG CLOSED AT 8:55 P.M.
CONSENT AGENDA:
2. REVENUE AND EXPENSES
Mr. Commers stated Mr. Ellestad has distributed copies of
additional expenses needing approval as outlined in his memo dated
July 10.
MOTION by Mr. Prairie, seconded by Mr. McFarland, to approve the
consent agenda and the additional expenses as outlined in Mr.
Ellestad's memo dated July 10, 1997.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON CO1�Il�RS DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
ACTION ITEMS•
3. CONSIDER CHANGE TO PROCEDURES FOR SELLING HRA LOTS
� 80IISING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING, JULY 10, 1997 PAGE 17
Mr. Fernelius stated, as background information, the old system
they were using required that the lots were sold to the highest
bidder using a sealed bid process. We advertised for proposals,
established a deadline, took bids, and then reviewed thos�e with
the HRA. The bidder then would execute a development contact with
the HRA and had six months to construct a house. The consequence
of that often was that they were building on speculation because
they did not have a buyer lined up. That was a rather risky
process for the builder and translated into a lower lot price.
They also provided a letter of credit as some security for the HRA
and provided a mortgage to the HRA for the land costs which would
be paid upon completion of the project.
Mr. Fernelius stated, under the system being proposed, the lots
would be sold on a first come, first serve basis. Staff will
market the sites in the newspaper, in different trade publications
and put signs out to create interest in the properties. Staff
will establish a minimum price and see if the market will respond.
Staff is recommending to only allow buyer/builder teams be
permitted to purchase these properties. This process would begin
^ with a builder working on behalf of a buyer that has already
contacted them, paying a fee of $500, and executing what is called
a participation agreement. That would provide the builder with a
60-day time window to work with the buyer as well as an architect
to develop plans for the actual house. Once that is completed,
the HRA would be presented with the plans. If acceptable, the HRA
would enter into a development agreement with the builder. At
that point, the builder would start the construction process which
could take up to six months.
Mr. Fernelius stated the advantages to this approach is that it
reduces the risk to the builder. The advantage to the HRA is that
this means a slightly higher lot price. The buyer/builder team
approach prevents the speculator from coming in, purchasing a
site, and then not doing anything with it and tying up the land.
The design guidelines are identical to what has been proposed in
the past. This is a single family program. We are requiring that
it be new construction. They will not allow moved in or
manufactured housing to be constructed on these sites. The
standard of a minimum of two bedrooms is to be provided. Larger
homes are desirable. A two-car detached garage is required.
Designs would encourage minimizing the garage door mass. They are
looking at low maintenance siding materials. The house and
building lines along with door and window placement should present
a pleasing view and should try to fit in with the surrounding
neighborhoods. The sites also have to be fully landscaped upon
� completion. The HRA has the opportunity to review all the plans
to make sure these properties are what is intended for the program
^ HOUSING � REDEVELOPMENT AUT80RITY MEETING, JULY 10, 1997 PAGE 18
and that they will improve the neighborhood. The security
agreements are the same as in the past.
Mr. Fernelius stated Mr. Casserly has looked at some of the other
Richfield documents of which staff had obtained copies. Their
development agreement is slightly different so we are in the
process of evaluating the adoption of some of those components.
That is something staff would present to the HRA in the future.
Mr. Fernelius stated the following properties are for sale: 530
Hugo Street, 540-550 Hugo Street, 5925 Main Street, 5857 Main
Street, and 5800 Second Street.
Mr. Fernelius stated the recommendation is to approve the new
procedure for selling the vacant lots and adopting the design
guidelines. Staff would then begin marketing the sites
immediately.
Mr. Prairie asked how staff determine the minimum price.
Mr. Fernelius stated that is based on the appraisals done on the
properties when they were acquired. It is based on the appraised
n value of the property at the time of initial purchase.
Mr. Commers asked if there was any problem in limiting the
purchasers to a combination buyer/builder team. Is there a
discriminatory issue there?
Mr. Casserly stated this is part of the HRA's role in the housing
program so the HRA has the ability to assure the level of quality
and diversity. This program is attempting to do that so the HRA
can put limitations on it in order to achieve just that. It is
not discriminatory to do that.
/"1
Ms. Schnabel stated she was interested in reading the statements
about trying to make the new housing compatible with the existing
housing in the neighborhood. It struck her that if the garages
were separate and detached that this would be a desirable feature.
Is this now going to be a requirement?
Mr. Fernelius stated under the current code the City does not
allow detached garages for new construction so it would have to be
an attached garage. In terms of the building fitting into the
neighborhood, they want the new construction to match with the
parcels around it. They are trying to minimize the new
construction being intrusive on the other properties. Even though
the designs are modern, there are things Richfield wanted to part
from and encourage designs that are more sensitive. Richfield
requires buyers to work with architects and designers to come up
with designs that are more sensitive.
�
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HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING, JULY 10, 1997 PAGE 19
Ms. Dacy stated staff is also evaluating amending the zoning code
to allow detached garages as part of the new construction. Some
people may ask how can anyone want a detached garage in Minnesota.
However, some of the current designs being built in Richfield and
in housing in general are leaning toward a breezeway connection to
a garage and access to a rear alley. Staff are looking at
allowing that flexibility. Another design issue is the ability to
expand the front of the home into the 35-foot setback. She
thought it may be time to look at the zoning code to update and
encourage people to remodel, and look at the traditional suburban
designs and re-evaluate them.
MOTION by Mr. McFarland, seconded by Ms. Schnabel, to approve the
process for selling vacant lots and to authorize staff to begin
preparing the necessary documents and marketing the sites.
Mr. Casserly stated the motion is to adopt the design criteria. On
page 3G, item #10, the first sentence reads, "The builder shall
provide a Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the cost of the
improvements (construction costs)." He thought it would be better
phrased to state, "The builder shall provide a Letter of Credit or
equivalent security to guarantee performance." There are other
things we are trying to achieve. This would be more in keeping
with what we are trying to do.
Mr. Commers asked if this would also apply to the land mortgage.
Mr. Casserly stated no. It depends on how we actually do it. We
need to sort out the mechanics. He is not too worried about the
land mortgage. If we have a closing, we will probably not receive
our money until the developer/builder sells to the homeowner.
Whether we want to accrue at 5o interest, he was not sure. That
is something they will have to sort out.
Mr. Commers stated that is the way we have been doing it.
Mr. Casserly stated there is nothing wrong with leaving the
provision there. He is trying to achieve a certain level of
security. It may be redundant.
Commission members agreed to the change in wording as presented.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON CO1�RS DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIID UNANIMOUSLY.
INFOR1�iTION ITEMS •
4. UPDATE ON FRIDLEY EXECUTIVE CENTER
HOUSING & REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING, JULY 10, 1997 PAGE 20
Ms. Dacy stated she had no additional information to provide.
5. LETTER REGARDING THE FRIDLEY OFFICE PLAZA
Mr. Commers stated the letter had requested No Parking. He
presumed that since they did not hear from us by June 20 they went
ahead.
Ms. Dacy stated they had not completed that yet. The person
writing the letter is not working on this particular project.
They may not have had the opportunity to make the arrangements.
She had no objections to the request.
6. LOAN PROGRAM SUMMARY SHEET
Mr. Commers stated the information shows $224,000 in citywide
loans and only $12,000 in Hyde Park. It is hard to figure why
that is going so slowly when we have the bulk of the people in
Hyde Park.
n Mr. Fernelius stated he did not know how to respond. Staff will
be releasing another Hyde Park newsletter in the next week or so
promoting the programs and talking about some of the other things
that are going on in the neighborhood. Hopefully, that will
generate some interest. Staff may do some direct marketing in
late summer.
Ms. Dacy stated staff have received some phone calls regarding the
status of the Frank's Used Cars site. Staff ordered a minimal
paint job to improve the appearance. That eliminated the signage.
The cost was $850 to $900. She had been receiving calls asking if
the HRA intended to lease this. Staff thought it may be better to
have a single color. The Councilmember for that area had also
received calls.
Mr. Commers asked if it was an issue that this building was
standing vacant.
Mr. Dacy thought at this time it was fine. During the last six
months, staff have been working on the Linn project and 57th
Avenue. The plans for the next 18 months are to revisit a
redevelopment plan for that area. If a TIF district is to be
established, then that building does establish the right criteria.
So far, we have been maintaining it on a regular basis. Staff
intends to go back to the neighborhood in the next six months and
initiate some type of process.
� Mr. Commers stated they would like to carry forward with the
� SOUSING 6 REDEVELOPMENT AUTEORITY NMEETING, JULY 10, 1997 PAGE 21
original idea for more activity in Hyde Park. This report is a
little disappointing in that regard.
ADJOURNMENT •
MOTION by Mr. Prairie, seconded by Ms. Schnabel, to adjourn the
meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CEAIRPERSON CONIl��RS DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE JULY 10, 1997, HOUSING AND
REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:18 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
C�,�) � . �1
Lavonn Cooper
Recording Secretary
�'�1
/"'1
�'� Bob & Gloria Gilstad
930 Hackmann Avenue NE
Fridiey, MN 55432
571-6875
July 9, 1997
Dear City of Fridley Officiais,
We are writing today about our concerns regarding the proposed lighting alcmg
the Moore Lake Causeway on Hwy 65.
• The brightness of 26 - 400 watt lights coming across Moore Lake will cause
our yards to be lite up all night. Our bedroom window faces Hwy 65 and thus
would be exposed to this lighting.
� The Moore Lake Park closes at 10 PM and this lighting would tempt people
to continue to use this park after dark.
� • The commercial development along this strip is minimal with adequa#e .
current lighting. Those most affected are the residential homes facing Moore
Lake.
• If you desire some type of lighting along this stretch, why not consider a
dimmer decorative style that would not illuminate the neighbofiood so much.
Thank you much for listening to our concems. We are sorry that we are unable
to attend this meeting due to a business trip, but would be glad to visit with
anyone interested in our views.
Sincerely,
C�-�,- -� ��^-�.
Bob & Gloria Gilstad
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8 I G N- I N 8 H E E T
HOIISING AND REDEVELOpMENT AIITHORITY MEETING, July 10, 1997
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