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06/22/1987 - 00011133' 1 1 ' V'V�\.%YFTI� THE MINIITES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL OF JUNE 22, 1987 The Special Meeting of the Fridley City Council was called to order at 7:40 p.m. by Mayor Nee. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Nee led the Couneil and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Fl ag. ROLL CALL: N�MBERS PRESENT: Mayor Nee, Councilwoman Jorgenson, Couneilman Schneider and Councilman Goodspeed MEMBERS ABSENT: ADOPTION OF AGENDA: Councilman Fitzpatrick MOTION by Couneilman Schneider to adopt the agenda as submitted. Seconded by Councilman Goodspeed. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Nee deelared the motion carried unanimously. Mayor Nee stated this spec3al v�eting was convened mainly to handle an item relating to the Minnesota Department of Transportation's improvement project on I-694• He stated other items may be considered, if the Council so de sires. Mr. Flora, Public Works Director, stated the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has proposed ta upgrade I-69�+ between 35W and Highway t00including upgrading the bridges at Haghway 65, Highway 47, East River Road and the Burlington Northern railroad tracks. He stated MnDOT is requesting the City approve the plans and speeifications for the first phase of the pro�ect, the improvement oF the westbound Mississippi River bridge at the East River Road interchange area. Mr. Flora stated because of the Council's concerns regarding the noise issue along a portion of I-694, east of Matterhorn Drive, this resolution was prepared which approves the plans and specifications for the portion of the project west of East River Road and identifies the coneerns of the Couneil regarding the noise barrier issue in the Innsbruck Second Addition. He stated this resolution further requests that MnDOT attempt to resolve the noise issue with the understanding if the problem is not resolved, no assuranees will be given by the City for future approvals of this improvement for the remaining phases of the project. Councilman Schneider asked if the Council will receive further resolutions for approval of the remaining phases. -1- fl,��HS' p^ . �r, `ll Y SPECIAL COUNCIL F9EETING OF JUNE 22 1987 ' Mr. Flora stated the City will have to adopt the final plans for these portions of the pro�ect east of East River Road. Councilman Schneider stated there were a number of ineetings with the residents regarding this noise issue which, basically, covered properties east of HiBhway 65 in the North Innsbruck and the Skywood Apartment areas. He stated in Deeember, 1985, MnDOT did a noise study which was repeated this last weekend and the average noise level was 67 decibels. He stated MnDOT's predictions for the year 2010 ranged from 66 to 74 decibels. Councilman Schneider stated the Federal noise standard is 70 decibels and the State standard is 65 decibels. He stated noise levels done in 1985 and this past weekend show levels substantially above the 65 decibels of the State standards. Mr. Flora stated Mr. Dave Kelso of the t•Linnesota Pollution Control Agency conducted the decibel readings this past weekend. Mr. Robert Brown, Project Engineer representing the Pftinnesota Department of Transportation, Distriet 5, thanked the Council for holding this special meeting regarding this issue. He stated a handout was passed out ta the Council containing the information presented at the informational meeting held on March 19, 1987. He stated this document included information regarding noise levels. He stated two Councilmembers attended this meeting ' and if any members of the Council wished to review the video that was presented, it is available for viewing. Mr. Brown stated the portion of the I-694 improvement project that concerns Fridley and is being considered by the Council this evemng is from the East River Road bridge westward. He stated as the pro�ect progresses, the Couneil will have further opportunities to review and approve all final pl ans. Mr. Brown stated it is 3nteresting to note that the deeibel readings taken this past weekend by the Pollution Contral Ageney are, essentially, the same as the readings the Department of Transportation took several years earlier even though there has been at least a 5� increase in traffic. Couneilman Sehneider stated the Federal standards will be exceeded for some of the homes in the Innsbruck area by the year 2010 and they are now in excess of the State levels of 65 decibels. He stated while it is true that most of the area involved signed a waiver that they don't expect noise barriers, he felt that would apply to the existing road and not the proposed improvement. He stated the fact remains there are still other single family residences that are not covered by the waiver of the noise barrier. He felt as soon as the Council approves the projeet, the City takes on the burden of resolving the noise issue, if MnDOT doesn't. Ee stated resadents would question what the City would do about the noise, if they approved a pro�ect in violation of State and Federal noise standards. He stated he doesn't � know what solution the Department of Transportation will propose, but thinks they owe it to the residents and City to resolve this issue. He stated he is comfortable with approving the portion of the pro�ect west of East River Road, but wanted a specifie plan on how this noise issue would be resolved -2- 0��'n;', �'� SPECIAL COUNCIL t�ETING OF JUNE 22, 1987 � before considering approval of the balance of the project. Councilman Schneider stated at the last public hearing, MnDOT did offer $100,000, but he didn't know how another $200,000 could be raised in order to resolve the noise issue. He felt more work is needed to arrive at a resolution to this problem. Couneilman Schneider stated he cannot see the projeet getting started and then have 3t at a standstill because the noise issue wasn't resolved. He stated he would like reasonable assurances that MnDOT is willing to resolve the issue. Mr. Duane Brown, Assistant District Engineer representing the hfinnesota Department of Transportation, District 5, stated he understands the Couneil xs interested in making sure they don't come to an impasse and delay construction. Ee stated that is important to the Department of Transportation also as a delay would have an impact on the entire pro,7ect. Mr. Brown stated he wasn't aware, until this morning, that the Pollution Control Agency had taken decibel readings. He stated they will have to look at these readings and refine and review their assumptions. He stated ha doesn't lmow what sites the Pollution Control Agency monitored, but they can certainly monitor each home and possibly some of the areas located further away from the roadway. He stated they do not want a del ay as even losing two or three weeks, at this point, would jeopardize the construction season. ' Mr. Brown stated he hears what the Council is saying th at they would consider adopting this resolution, however, they want the noise issue to be resol�ed. He stated the Department of Transportation would work with the City staff to schedule some meetings with the residents. He stated they would eonduct some additional monitoring and calculations to make sure their ass�ptions are correct in order to review different ideas on what can be done. He stated he is sure the Council recognizes their concern on how monies are expended. He stated there are other areas where funds are badly needed so they have to be prudent. Mayor Nee stated he moderately shares Councilman Schneider's view. He stated he doesn't want the Couneil in a position where they would be giving approval for MnDOT to break the law, if they don�t meet the decibel standards. He stated in another instance, MnDOT advised a Fridley resident that the City Council had given their approval, which was not the case, and this makes him angry. He stated he didn't want the City involved if the Department of Transportation was in violation of the law. Mr. Flora stated the State standards are 65 decibels and the Department of Transportation�s projection is for noise levels to reach 73 decibels by the year 2010. He stated in meetings earlier this year, MnDOT advised there was only a tkiree decibel variance so a noise barrier wasn't warranted, but it seems they are now looking at an eight decibel differenee. 1 Mr. Robert Brown stated the Federal Highway Administration and the Pollution Control Ageney both approved this project. He stated what the City approves is the layout as far as rig�t-of-ways and lanes. He stated there are actual environmental bodies that rev3ew and approve the project. He stated as far -3- 0��'�� '� ; SPECIAL COIINCIL MEETING OF JUNE 22, 1987 � as violation of the standards, he stated they do not use State standards, hut Federal standards because it is a Federal interstate system. He stated State law provides that Federal standards apply along the Federal interstates. Mayor Nee requested the Department of Transportation provide this information in a letter to the City Council. Mr. Robert Brown stated the "dba" is a decibel average which has been weighted to be consistent with the ability of a human to hear noise. He stated doubling of traf£ic wi.11 not double the noise. He stated a three "dba" increase is at the threshold of notieeability, as outlined in literature published by the Federal Government. Mr. Brown stated 73 decibels is a minor infractivn of the 70 decibel Federal standard and a rather high expense is involved for the protection of three or four homes. Mr. Shelley, 1�114 W. Danuhe Road, stated this project would affeet other homes in the area. He stated one riome in the area didn't sell because of the noise and it is now being rented. He stated if readings were taken on the back deck, they would exceed Federal standards. He stated the decibel readings were taken at ground level and he felt this doesn't give a true reading of the noi:z level. � Mr. Robert Brown stated this would be part of their further review and monitoring. Mayor Nee stated, truthfully, he doesn't know the answer to this problem and it may be MnDOT settling with these home ownera for damages. He felt the Department of Transportation has some time to come to some kind of resolution to the noise problem. Couneilman Schneider asked the representatives of the Department of Transportation if they would be willing to provide a status report in six months or a.n a reasonable time. Mr. Brown stated they would provide such a report. Councilman Schneider requested a meeting be scheduled in about six months for a report from MnDOT and residents be notified of the meeting. The representatives of the Department of Transportation stated they had reviewed the resolution before the Council meeting this evening. Councilman Schneider reviewed some of the highlights of the resolution which provides that appropriate noise abatement measures are to be included ira the areas identified in the MnDOT Environmental Assessment of the pro�ect, and no plat covenants exist precluding the installation of noise walls adjacent to Innsbruck North Second Addition. He stated this resolution further outlines that the improvement of I-694 will be accomplished in several phases and that plans and special provisions for the first phase within the westerly corporate limits of Fridley and extending eastward to East Rzver ' Road is approved including the elevations and grades as shown and consent given to any and all changes in grade oecasioned by this construction. Councilman Schneider stated the resolution states that the Commissioner of - Transportation will attempt to resolve the outstanding noise issue concerns -4- ' F rZ1.^ ��9�s�� �,s SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 22. 7987 � with the City and affected Innsbruek North Second Addition neighborhood with the understanding if a resolution is not achieved, no assurance is made by the City for future approvals of the improvements for the remaining phases of the construction project on I-694. MOTION by Councilman Schneider to adopt Resolution No. 51-1987. Seconded by Councilwoman Jorgenson. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Mayor Nee declared the motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: MOTION by Councilman Goodspeed to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Councilman Schneider. Upon a voice vote, a11 voting aye, Mayor Nee declared the motion carried unanimously and the Special Meeting of the Fridley City Council of June 22, 1987 ad�ourned at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, "'"�'�C''�C— '"sY,�<.s� ��j�/V�{�VI� / v — `�.. Carole Haddad, William J. Ne Secretary to the City Couneil Mayor � Approved: � -5-