10-05-2015 Council Work Session Minutes

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION October 5, 2015 APPROVED 45 Mr. Nelson explained that the YMCA Board remains committed to working with the city; 46 if there are ideas and they can help, they want to hear them. The council mentioned the 47 rec center land — there's always interest in getting things going there that are low 48 maintenance (a dog park and hiking were mentioned). Also mentioned was the land 49 donated to the city on Rice Lake — the council would welcome energy and involvement in 50 finding a way to utilize that land. There is also the Legacy at Woods Edge land adjacent 51 to the YMCA facility — it's rough but there's room to run. 52 53 3. County Highway 12 (109th Av NE/Apollo Drive) and County Road 53 (Sunset 54 Av) Intersection Improvements — City Engineer Hankee and Community Development 55 Director Grochala introduced Andrew Witter, Assistant Anoka County Engineer. Mr. 56 Grochala explained that city staff is working with both Anoka County and the City of 57 Blaine on this improvement project. 58 59 Mr. Witter provided an overhead view of the intersection and vicinity. The current 60 situation at the intersection is undesirable and so possibilities for change have been 61 studied. A design has been sought that will minimize impact to the surrounding property 62 owners. The plan proposed uses mostly vacant land. Mayor Reinert expressed concern 63 that impact on property owners be minimized and City Engineer Hankee added that the 64 county did hold a public open house to provide information to people and address 65 concerns. Mr. Witter noted that there is a gas pipeline running through the area that 66 complicates somewhat. Drainage will be dealt with in the Meadow Court area. He 67 explained a proposed construction schedule that would begin in 2016. He also noted a 68 trail plan that will include walking areas around the round -about to facilitate movement 69 that they have found is already occurring but isn't necessarily safe. Looking ahead, there 70 is a regional trail that is planned to connect to the area. He noted an added right hand turn 71 lane to Meadow Court. When Council Member Rafferty asked if the schedule is realistic 72 considering that the Centerville Road project took much longer, Mr. Witter said this is a 73 much different project with better soil, less sewer issues and said he's confident that this 74 will not be a two year construction project. 75 76 The council discussed the funding plan with Mr. Witter. He explained that the funding 77 would follow the standard cost sharing between cities and the county; the county doesn't 78 actually have a cost sharing policy for round -abouts as yet. Mr. Grochala noted that the 79 city portion would be paid from the city's storm water and trail and lighting funds. 80 81 Council Member Rafferty asked about what would be put in the middle of the round - 82 about and Mr. Witter said it would be some type of low maintenance landscaping. 83 84 Mayor Reinert noted that the presentation to the council is informational at this point and 85 he is grateful to receive the information up front. He sees the proposal generally as a 86 good solution to a long-standing problem intersection. 87 88 Mr. Witter clarified that the city will see a joint powers agreement for consideration in a 89 couple of months. 2