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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />AUGUST 28, 2024 <br />STAFF REPORTS <br />UPDATE ON PROPOSED LITTLE CANADA ROAD IMPROVEMENTS <br />The City Engineer presented details on the Little Canada Road improvements including the need for <br />the project, project layout, delivery timeline, and estimated costs and funding. He provided details on <br />the early/key property owner meetings that have been completed and advised of upcoming broader <br />public engagement opportunities. <br />Mayor Fischer acknowledged that this would put a lot of effort on the west side of the freeway. He <br />asked if the addition of two roundabouts on the west side would cause backups on the east side of the <br />freeway. The City Engineer replied that the two are fairly unrelated. He stated that the two signals at <br />the interchange are also scheduled for replacement and therefore with that improvement and this <br />project, the entire area should function better. He commented that these improvements should not <br />have an impact on the east side. He stated that the modeling has shown that they can improve the <br />timing of the interchange. <br />T. Miller asked if there is information on the website for this project. The City Engineer replied that <br />there is a website for the project but there are not many details as of yet. He confirmed that this <br />presentation could be shared on the website. <br />The City Administrator stated that there is one more funding cycle opportunity for the federal funding <br />opportunity, and they have not yet searched for direct funding from the state. The City Engineer <br />confirmed that those are the two opportunities left to explore for additional project funding. <br />Gutierrez asked where fencing or potential barriers may be placed to mitigate property interruptions. <br />The City Engineer noted that there would be a likely fence along Country Drive where there are <br />steeper embankments and therefore fencing could be added on the back of the sidewalk as a safety <br />measure. <br />Mayor Fischer provided an opportunity for the public to provide input. <br />Bruce Bester, 179 Little Canada Road E., commented that he is also a board member for his Fleur <br />Royale condominium community. He stated that representatives from his condominium community <br />had the opportunity to meet with staff in one of the preliminary outreach opportunities where they <br />expressed opposition to the project because it would change the character of the neighborhood. He <br />stated that they expressed concern with the east roundabout and would like that moved as far east as <br />possible to minimize the impact on their property. He stated that the project would also propose to <br />take a portion of their property to the southeast, which is the welcome home drive in for their residents. <br />He stated that the lights that will shine into the property from the traffic will impact their quality of life <br />and was unsure how a berm or other element could mitigate that. He looked forward to the listening <br />session that will be hosted at the condominium in September and asked the Council to attempt to <br />minimize the impact on these residential units to the extent possible. <br />Mike Strub, 179 Little Canada Road E., stated that he came to the City Council in 1999 and again in <br />2015 to express concern with the expansion of sporting activities and the resulting noise and light <br />E <br />