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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, October 13, 2008 Page 25 Mr. Paschke noted that the request had received Planning Commission support based on a 5/1 approval; and that the applicant had held a public open house, with no citizens in attendance, prompting the applicant to attempt additional outreach opportunities to the community to solicit public input. Applicant representative, Pat Jones, Metropolitan Council Mr. Jones reviewed receipt by Metropolitan Transit of federal funding through the Urban Partnership Agreement and as part of Federal Transit Authority initiatives for design and construction of four such facilities, two in Lakeville, one in Blaine, and this proposed facility in the Twin Lakes area, to provide infrastructure im- provements and address transit needs and options along the I-35W and Cedar Avenue corridor. Mr. Jones provided an overview of the project, including new technologies for the facility and surrounding area with informational real-time signage to indicate availability of space in the ramp; and comparisons of timing for vehicular versus transit bus times to downtown Minneapolis. Mr. Jones noted the critical and aggressive timeframe for the project, based on the UPA Agreement, with construction required for completion by September 30, 2009 after legislative approval was granted in May, and planning initiated in July of this year; with proposed construction to begin early 2009. Applicant representative, Karen Erickson, Civil Engineer with Bonestroo Ms. Erickson addressed engineering aspects of the site, including a right turn lane on Cleveland Avenue as required by Ramsey County; infrastructure construction costs for Iona Lane paid for by the applicant; paved and concrete areas surround- ing the site; construction of a temporary bus pick up area if Mount Ridge Road is not constructed by the time the parking ramp is ready to open; stormwater mitiga- tion strategies, based on requirements of the Watershed District for solid under- ground system due to contaminated soil on the site from previous industrial uses; and continued work with the City's Engineer to ensure all requirements were met. Applicant representative, Matthew Kreilich, Julie Snow Architects, Land- scape Architect Mr. Kreilich reviewed proposed planting areas and types of materials; security considerations of the building through vegetation and building materials; location of the main waiting area and bicycle parking and locker storage considerations; and provided a sample of proposed materials. Discussion among Councilmembers and the applicant included accommodation of additional bicycle storage as indicated; installation of a passive security camera on site; and the applicant's research, as brought forward by a citizen at the Plan- ning Commission's Public Hearing, for materials to deter birds flying into the transparent glassed tower.