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HomeMy WebLinkAbout#13 High Priority for CSAH 15MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMUNICATION DATE: 11/17/15 REGULAR ITEM #: 13 MOTION AGENDA ITEM: High Priority for CSAH 15 SUBMITTED BY: Julie Fliflet THROUGH: Clark Schroeder REVIEWED BY: Clark Schroeder SUGGESTED ORDER OF BUSINESS: - Introduction of Item .................................................................................................... Staff - Report/Presentation .................................................................................................... Staff - Questions from Council to Staff ............................................................ Mayor Facilitates - Public Input, if Appropriate ................................................................... Mayor Facilitates - Call for Motion .............................................................................. Mayor & City Council - Discussion ..................................................................................... Mayor & City Council - Action on Motion .................................................................................. Mayor Facilitates PUBLIC POLICY STATEMENT POLICY BEING SET, REQUEST STOP LIGHT AT 50TH AND COUNTY ROAD 15 BACKGROUND AND STAFF REPORT: As part of its annual budget process, Washington County prepares a five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The CIP includes the county’s tentative plans for roads, bridges, parks, land, trails, and public facilities. The first year of this plan will be included in the county’s 2016 budget. The County invites Cities to send comments to be considered when developing the final CIP. Those comments must be received by November 20 and a public hearing will also be held on December 15 prior to adopting the final document. During 2015, State Highway 5 that runs through Lake Elmo was turned over to Washington County so the County now controls the improvements to Hwy 5. Under the County’s control, the road is now called CSAH 14. At the May 19 City Council meeting Wayne Sandberg from Washington County spoke regarding the turnback of Hwy 5 to the County, and noted that the County would be looking to work with the city of Lake Elmo regarding improvements for this stretch of road. He also said during the meeting that a stoplight between the high school and the Manning Ave intersection was on the priority list for 2016, presumably that it would be at the intersection of Hwy 5 and 50th Street, or possibly at the Carriage Station entrance. In speaking with Wayne Sandberg and Frank Ticknor, it was confirmed that the number one comment and concern they hear regarding this stretch of road that has now been turned over to the county is the need for a stoplight at the 50th Street intersection. Since 50th Street is the only connecting road between Hwy 5 and Lake Elmo Avenue it is heavily traveled. It can be very difficult to turn onto Highway 5 at this intersection, especially during the busier times of the day. Traffic is highly affected by the traffic from the high school and rush hour traffic. It is not uncommon for it to take 5 minutes or longer for a car to make a left turn onto Hwy 5. There have been many accidents at this intersection, and in recent years three people were killed at this intersection. In speaking with the County staff, they have indicated that it is important for the City Council to make it known what their concerns are regarding this stretch of road that is now under the control of the County. The Council is being asked to pass a resolution in support of a traffic signal at the intersection of CSAH 15 and 50th Street, making it known that the Lake Elmo City Council would like this to be the number one priority as part of the transfer of Hwy 5 over to the County. This resolution can be submitted to the County during the comment period for their 2016 CIP. RECOMMENDATION: Resolution: The Lake Elmo City Council would like by matter of resolution to support a traffic signal at the intersection of new CSAH 15 and 50th Street and make it known that the city would like this to be the number one priority for the County for this stretch of roadway recently turned over to the County from the State of Minnesota previously known as State Highway 5.