02-13-2013 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL FEBRUARY 13, 2013 without negatively affecting the rest of the corridor. Keis agreed. Read pointed out that $300,000 will provide a substantial amount of landscaping. The City Administrator continued his review of the Municipal Consent Resolution as well as the details that will be included in the Memorandum of Understanding with the City. The Administrator noted that Item #1 relative to turn lanes at Little Canada Road and Edgerton could be deleted from the Municipal Consent document. Discussion then focused on the Rice Street Phase II project, with the City Administrator indicating that the County has not yet determined how address surface deficiencies on Rice Street in light of this reconstruction project being delayed to accommodate traffic re- routing associated with the MN PASS project. Norris indicated that MN DOT would likely partner in temporary improvements on Rice Street to address traffic demand. However, the County has not identified these locations. Once they are identified, they will be incorporated in the design /build project. McGraw pointed out Norris' response to Item 11 in his February 12111 letter wherein Norris indicates there will be little impact to traffic operations or increased traffic volumes on Rice Street in 2013. Norris also states that by having an official detour signed for heavy commercial vehicles, little additional damage to Rice Street is expected. McGraw pointed out that MN DOT requested that the County delay its Rice Street Phase II project due to the MN PASS project, but is now saying it will not provide funding to overlay Rice Street to keep it in good condition during the MN PASS project. Norris stated that MN DOT will not pay the County to overlay Rice Street. McGraw pointed out that the citizens of Little Canada will have to put up with poor road conditions on Rice Street for two or more years due to MN DOT's request that the County delay this project. Norris did not feel the MN PASS project would dramatically increase traffic on Rice Street. Norris explained the staging of closing ramps on 135E and Highway 36 and how this will work so that drivers are not seeking Rice Street as an alternate route. Norris indicated that the County will review the condition of Rice Street and will made whatever repairs necessary to ensure Rice Street performs adequately Blesener indicated that essentially what Norris is telling the City is that there is no need for the County to delay the Rice Street project. McGraw agreed and suggested that MN DOT withdraw its request to the County. Norris stated that at the time MN DOT made the request, it did not have the studies relative to the staging of the ramps. The City Administrator pointed out Items 2 and 3 in the Memorandum of Understanding. He indicated that while Tolaas feels there will be traffic 6