12-07-2009 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION December 7, 2009 APPROVED CITY OF LINO LAKES 2 MINUTES 3 CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION 4 5 DATE : December 7, 2009 6 TIME STARTED : 5:30 p.m. 7 TIME ENDED : 9:20p.m. 8 MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Members Gallup, O'Donnell,Reinert, 9 Roeser, and Mayor Bergeson 10 MEMBERS ABSENT : none 11 12 13 Also Present: Acting City Administrator Dan Tesch; Director of Public Safety Dave Pecchia; 14 Community Development Director Michael Grochala; Economic Development Coordinator 15 Mary Alice Divine; Finance Director Al Rolek; City Engineer Jim Studenski; City Clerk Julie 16 Bartell 17 18 1. I-35W Noise Wall Discussion—Community Development Director Grochala recalled 19 that the city council received a petition from area residents requesting installation of a noise wall 20 on the south side of I-35W (across from the wall that was installed in 2009 on the north side of 21 the highway). He introduced staff present from the Minnesota Department of Transportation 22 (MnDOT): Mark Lindeberg,North Area Engineer and Peter Wasco,Noise Abatement 23 Supervisor. Mr. Lindeberg reviewed the history of MnDOT's Noise Abatement (Noise Wall) 24 program. Program activities are guided by studies conducted in the area and findings in those 25 studies that include recommendations based on methodologies for the best and most effective 26 approach to noise abatement. He noted that the study materials used right now, however, only 27 apply to development through 1998. Based on study information, a priority list of projects has 28 been developed. The criteria used for ranking is basically possible decibel reduction and density 29 of homes. He also noted that there are generally two types of projects—those classified as Type 30 1 (noise abatement as part of a larger project) and Type 2 (individual projects). He indicated that 31 the area in question this evening is ranked 105 on the Type 2 priority list. 32 33 The council discussed cost and funding resources. MnDOT staff estimated the cost at 34 approximately$5 million. State funding for Type 2 projects allows for only about 2-3 projects 35 per year. Other options would be government dollars other than the state or assessment of costs. 36 When the council asked if the availability of a portion of the necessary funding would move a 37 project up the priority list,Mr. Lindeberg replied that there is not a process that would allow that. 38 There has, however,been a general program change requiring local government to contribute 39 10%to the project. Mr. Wasco did point out that the priority list is actually somewhat in flux 40 since projects do sometimes drop off. He added that if the city were to provide funding for the 41 project, MnDOT would provide design and contract administration services. 42 43 When asked if the installation of a noise wall can increase noise on the side of the road opposite 44 the wall, the MnDOT representatives replied that they have not found a case where any increase 45 can be determined. They recognize that in Lino Lakes, residents are reporting an increase in 1