09-20-2011 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 20, 2011 4 City Engineer Griffin said the narrow time frame where weather would be suitable for an outdoor construction project this year was likely a culprit in deterring proposals from other contractors. He didn’t think that waiting would guarantee lower bids and would bring on additional costs because staff would have to repeat the process of soliciting bids and meeting with contractors again. MOTION: Council Member Smith moved to go out for bids for the entire sidewalk maintenance project next spring. Council Member Pearson seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-2 (Council Member Park and Mayor Johnston voting against.) Trunk Highway 36 Corridor – Discussion on Access Management Planning and the Mn/DOT Hilton Trail Interchange & J-Turn Projects City Engineer Griffin gave an overview on the City’s long term TH 36 corridor access management plan. The City Council received a presentation by MnDOT representatives Adam Josephson and Paul Kachelmyer on the Trunk Highway 36 Corridor including a status report from Mn/DOT on the Hilton Trail Interchange project, and an explanation on a proposed J - Turn project. The J-Turn project is a proposed interim solution to provide better access for the Highlands Trail and DeMontreville Trail intersections at Trunk Highway 36. Mayor Johnston commented on his dislike of the backtracking that comes from the J - Turn but didn’t see a better option in the interim. Council Member Smith asked that the short term solution be exactly that and asked MnDOT to work on a long term solution of installing a frontage road. She also asked for advanced warning lights for the stop light. Mr. Josephson responded that accident rates go up with warning lights and they are phasing out these lights. Council Member Emmons asked if MnDOT would help fund the activity of a frontage road. Mr. Josephson stated that City, County, State and Federal funds would all have to be considered. Mr. Josephson asked that the City define what Lake Elmo wants to see for the Trunk Highway 36 Corridor Plan and insert this plan in the City’s Comprehensive plan. Update Re: Library Service Considerations Administrator Messelt provided library considerations for Council discussion. The Council was in favor of the offer the State Librarian and Director of MELSA to facilitate discussion between Washington County and Lake Elmo regarding cooperative arrangements that would advance other organizations’ of efficient and affordable library services for their respective citizens. The Council requested the Mayor send a letter to the State librarian indicating Council’s acceptance of such offer.