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STAFF REPORT <br />DATE: May 7, 2024 <br /> REGULAR <br /> <br />AGENDA ITEM: Approve Resolution of Support for the Trunk Highway 36 and County Highway <br />17 (Lake Elmo Avenue) Interchange Project <br /> <br />SUBMITTED BY: Jack Griffin, City Engineer <br />REVIEWED BY: Clark Schroeder, Interim City Administrator <br /> Clarissa Hadler, Finance Director <br /> Marty Powers, Public Works Director <br /> Jason Stopa, Community Development Director <br /> Chad Isakson, Assistance City Engineer <br /> <br /> <br />ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: Should the City Council approve a Resolution of Support for the Trunk <br />Highway 36 and County Highway 17 (Lake Elmo Avenue) Interchange Project? <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: Washington County is leading an intersection improvement project at TH36 and Lake <br />Elmo Avenue to improve safety, capacity, and operation of the intersection and surrounding area. The <br />project is planned to begin construction in March/April 2026. <br /> <br />The County is working through a comprehensive agency and public engagement process to achieve <br />community acceptance and meet the long-term transportation goals of MnDOT, Washington County, and <br />the Cities of Lake Elmo and Grant. The County has completed initial stakeholder goalsetting/online <br />engagement meetings, prepared a project Purpose and Need Study, held multiple open houses for public <br />input, and has worked through a three-step alternatives evaluation process to identify and select the 3 most <br />viable alternatives, with one of these alternatives to be advanced into final design. <br /> <br />PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: Washington County attended the March 13, 2024 council workshop <br />and presented the Overpass with Buttonhook Ramps alternative as the County recommended layout for the <br />Project (see the attached exhibit showing the proposed improvements, dated April 25, 2024). County staff <br />will be in attendance to make a brief presentation on the project, to answer questions, and to request <br />Municipal Support for the recommended layout. <br /> <br />FISCAL IMPACT: The anticipated cost participation by the City of Lake Elmo has not been determined. <br />The County has indicated that the City’s costs will be based on Washington County’s Cost Participation <br />Policy. The attached resolution of support indicates that Washington County will present the City with a <br />Cooperative Agreement for the cost sharing of the improvement prior to advertising the Project for <br />contractor bids. The City’s Capital Improvement Plan shows a budget amount of $5,000,000 in 2025. <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION: Staff is recommending that the City Council approve a Resolution supporting <br />Washington County’s recommended layout for the Trunk Highway 36 and County Highway 17 (Lake Elmo <br />Avenue) Interchange Project. The recommended motion for the action is as follows: <br /> <br />“Move to approve Resolution No. 2024-051 Approving Municipal Support for the Trunk Highway 36 <br />and County Highway 17 (Lake Elmo Avenue) Interchange Project.” <br /> <br />ATTACHMENTS: <br />1. Resolution Approving Municipal Support for the Trunk Highway 36 and County Highway 17 <br />(Lake Elmo Avenue) Interchange Project. <br />2. TH36 and CSAH 17 County Recommended Project Layout, dated April 25, 2024.