01-09-2002 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES Ct1'Y COUNCIL JANUARY 9, 2002 The foregoing resolution was duty seconded by Scalze. Ayes (5) Fahey, Scalze, Montour, LaValle, Anderson. Nays (0). Resolution declared adopted. I-694 The Public Works Director informed the Council that he has been ARCAITECTUKALserving on the I-694 Architectural and Aesthetic Design Guidelines ANll AESTHETIC Committee that has been working on developing an architectural and DESI(>N Aesthetic design theme for the I-694 corridor. The Committee will be ISSUES making a recommendation for a theme that will be reflected in the appearance of bridges, railings, fences, retaining walls, and noise walls that will be constructed throughout this corridor. The Director reported that the Edgerton Street bridge is a part of this project and will be the first bridge that is reconstructed. It is anticipated that bids for the project will be let in May of 2003. The Director reported that given there will be 6 lanes of traffic in each direction, and the bridge span that is needed for this width which results in the need for a higher bridge, it will be necessary to either raise the bridge or lower the highway. The Director repotted that MN DOT is looking at raising the bridge by two to four feet. The impact to grades on Edgerton Street will extend for 500 to 1,000 feet north and south of the bridge on Edgerton Street, and 500 feet east on west on County Road D. The Director reported that the option of lowering the highway may increase project costs by $1 million. Anderson pointed out the existing steep grades on Edgerton Street, and expressed concern about the impact raising the street would have. The Director reported that MN DOT will have to address the impact that raising the street will have on drainage, the City's sewer and water lines, as well as individual driveways. He pointed out that the matter is in the discussion stage. There will have to be involvement of property owners in the planning for this project as it progresses. The City Administrator pointed out that MN DOT feels it will be Tess expensive to raise the bridge rather than lower the highway. The Administrator pointed out that if properties along Edgerton Street are severely impacted by the raising of the street, MN DOT would have to acquire those properties at fair market value plus relocation costs. Fahey pointed out that if properties are acquired by MN DOT and are not re- established, the City will lose tax revenue. Fahey felt that raising Edgerton Street would result in unhappy property owners and a loss of tax revenue for the City. Fahey felt that the rest of the State should absorb the cost of lowering a