11-28-2012 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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MAYOR Bill Blesener COUNCIL Rick Montour John Keis Michael McGraw Shelly Boss 515 Little Canada Road, Little Canada, MN 55117 -1600 (651) 766 -4029 / FAX: (651) 766 -4048 ADMINISTRATOR www.ci.little- canada.nm.us Joel R. Hanson MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Blesener and Members of the City Council FROM: Joel Hanson, City Administrator DATE:November 24, 2012 RE: MnPass Municipal Consent Hearing Attached is the notice of public hearing for MnDot's proposed MnPass project from Little Canada Road to Maryland Avenue. As you know, staff has prepared a list of possible conditions to be considered relative to granting municipal consent. (A revised listing of potential conditions is attached.) That list was reviewed at a workshop meeting with MnDot representatives on November 19th. While significant progress was made, a couple of critical issues remain. One of those issues relates to the recovery of the city costs advanced to replace the railing (fencing) and repaint the Little Canada Road Bridge over I -35E. The City spent $76, 961.20 as our share of the project. From the City's standpoint, one can argue that this bridge should have been addressed as part of the Unweave the Weave project and not cost us anything. Staff has discussed this issue with Ramsey County Public Works in terms of identifying other areas this money could be applied that would generate a return to us. The other big issue relates to the impact this project will have on Rice Street, especially the delay in reconstructing the portion from County Road B2 to Market Place Drive. Staff will be meeting with Ramsey County, Maplewood, and St. Paul concerns on Monday, November 26th to ensure we are taking a unified approach to this issue. In terms of addressing municipal consent, we have 90 days from the hearing to approve or disapprove the project layout. (Information relative to the Municipal Consent process is also attached.) Staff believes we should take some additional time to give us the best chance to resolve some of the remaining issues. This will also allow adequate time to re- survey the Viking Drive neighborhood to verify their desire to forego a sound barrier and to make them aware this is the last opportunity for such an improvement in the foreseeable future. We can also gauge their interest in alternatives (plantings) if they remain firm in their intent to oppose the sound barrier. Staff recommends we hold the hearing and take no other action at this time. 1