04/15/1996 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL WORK SESSION APRIL 15, 1996 Council Member Bergeson said he liked MnDOT's proposal because it makes the roadway the most important aspect of the project, not how it benefits the proposed middle school. Mr. Schumacher explained safety is probably the first issue and this proposal appears to address this concern. Mr. Ahrens explained that it appears that some children will have to cross Lake Drive to get to the middle school. Other children will have to cross Elm Street. He will review the pedestrian study that is being prepared by OSM to determine where to place trails leading to the school. Mr. Schumacher explained that Centennial School District owns a parcel of land located west of the extension of Fourth Avenue north and fronting on I -35W which is zoned Light Industrial. Mr. McClellan has proposed swapping this parcel for some property that will contain the new alignment of Elm Street. This will keep the cost of the improvement down since there will not be a need to acquire street right-of-way. Council Member Kuether expressed concern because parcels acquired by the Centennial School District would not be taxable. Mayor Landers asked if the City Council will get copies of all road options at the Wednesday Council work session. Mr. Ahrens said yes. Council Member Kuether suggested that since the Centennial School District is paying the major portion of the improvements, the City Council should consider their options first and then throw out all options that do appear to be viable. Mayor Landers noted that option B requires the construction of a half -street. Mr. Ahrens will ask the City's consulting planner what a half -street is. Mr. Schumacher said that he wanted to be sure that the City Council knows what option they support. Each option will be evaluated on Wednesday including the options supported by Centennial School. He suggested that street options be narrowed to two or three. Council Member Bergeson noted that Elm Street will soon be the jurisdiction of the City of Lino Lakes. If the street is realigned as proposed by MnDOT, there will be a savings when the roadway is improved. Council Member Kuether suggested that when Elm Street is improved, it could be improved in sections. The first section would start where the extension of Elm Street goes to Lake Drive west to Second Avenue. The balance of the street could be improved at another time. Council Member Kuether suggested that when a road alignment is approved, the approval should contain the dollar amount that will be the responsibility of the City. Mr. Schumacher explained that the continued public hearing on this matter is scheduled for Monday, April 22, 1996. The City Council should take public input and then close the public hearing. There will be no other action on this matter at this time. PAGE 2