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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 21, 1992 11 Mayor Johnson indicated that once they have come to a resolution that would be satisfactory to the property owners, MnDOT would come before the City Council with their proposed project. 8. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS: Councilman Hunt explained that some of the conditions such as a parkway system and 45 mph speed limit that he had wanted to see are not in the improvement project for 10th Street. He understands the County's design does not include a bridge over the wetlands, plantings in the center and the speed limit is 55 mph. Councilman Williams referred to Steve DeLapp's letter which raises a number of significant issues and requested the Council think about what do we really need there for now and for 10 or 15 years. We do not need a 4-lane divided highway because the traffic counts do not support it now and the projections of M. Herold are vastly overestimated. Both communities would be very well served by upgrading the existing road to two good lanes and 2 paved shoulders. 4th Street would take this hypothetical Woodbury to Oakdale traffic off of 10th Street. This is an important alternative that the County Engineers admitted they hadn't thought of. Williams suggested the City send a letter indicating we have significant concerns, that ground work needs to be done before the County goes too off in one direction. Councilman Mottaz indicated he would like to see a traffic count for 120/Century Avenue and for consideration of this kind of design and stay away from a 4-lane. Would like to know the traffic count on State Highway 5 because the State feels a 2-lane can handle a certain amount of traffic. We said if it is going to be a 4-lane divided highway we want 45 mph parkway, curves, and plantings. Councilman Johnson noted this Council would not have gone to the County and stated we have a problem with 10th Street and request a 4-lane divided highway. Until I see what the plan the County is proposing and what the City of Oakdale is willing to give, I would be willing to hear the process out. Mayor Johnson stated we allowed the County to begin the process on the basis that the plan should be cut back from what was proposed, and we requested the state allow us a 45 mph parkway arrangement. He asked the vote be postponed until the January 28th meeting so they can review the December 17th minutes as to what was agreed upon. The Mayor also suggested we formally ask the State for traffic counts on Highway 5 and for accident stats at County Road 15. He is particularly concerned with County Road 17 where we have been asking for a stop light.