11-04-2019 Park Board Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Draft October 7, 2019 Page 7 $200,000 and it’s not really going to get anywhere (nice for that little stretch of Apollo) but asks if at this point if dollars are better spent some place else given the added costs associated with this project and the fact that it is not going to connect to what they thought it would. Pat Huelman, Park Board Chair, stated the intent was to get at least all the way to Sunset. He recognized the safety concern trying to get everyone over to the commercial development and other recreation opportunities. He went on to state that it was a bit concerning how much they would be spending to get to Sunset and stated/asked if that corridor is a high priority how will they get funding. Levi stated that he agreed with what Huelman stated about constructing the trail on the south side as that seems like the more dangerous side. The gas station going in and out, then the bank, and open lot. There is not traffic like there is on the south side. DeGardner stated that is why they originally wanted to construct it (the trail) on the north side to avoid trail users conflicting with vehicles at the gas station. He stated it may not be practical. He thinks the signal upgrades might be more than we think. Levi asked if the City would have to come up with the money for the signal upgrades and DeGardner stated he believed it was up to a 50% match, assuming Anoka County has funding for it. He said that if they build on the south side there is an existing pedestrian crossing there but it isn’t the ideal location. DeGardner went on to state that there are some funds in the Park Dedication Fund for this project however, if the Park Board would like to have the discussion about whether the funds could be better used for a different project that is a discussion they can have with the City Council. DeGardner did state that he still thought that this trail was an important connection to get people off that busy road, but stated that there were some good points and that ideally the intent was to get the trail all the way down to Lilac and make that a complete connection, but that won’t be happening anytime soon. This is all something for the Park Board to consider as more information about the cost comes in. Huelman stated at this point, it seems like Lilac is way off. He stated that if Lilac could be filled in it would be nice to eventually have this trail on the north side with no crossing? DeGardner stated that then the crossing would just be at the 4-way stop at Lilac and Apollo. Levi asked if everyone (Anoka County and the City of Lino Lakes) signs off and they have the money for the signal upgrade if the upgrade has to happen prior to the trial going in. He stated he assumes so. DeGarnder stated that their permit allows them (the City) to construct the trail up to the bank entrance and then stop. John Nordland, Park Board Member, asked if it was correct that if they rebid the project in the Winter/Spring that the cost would go down. DeGardner said “correct” and went on to state that in the past projects the Spring is usually cheaper because construction crews do not have a full schedule as of yet, but by the fall they are filled up and trying to finish projects so they come in with higher bids because even if they don’t get it they still have a lot of work, or at least that is what the engineers had been saying. Abby Haworth, Park Board Member, clarified if the City would be getting a bid for the south side trail. DeGardner stated that they are working through the design phase to see what that would look like and get some quotes to what that might cost. But first they will find what the signal upgrades will be and then submit everything to Anoka County for