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City of Mounds View Staff Report <br /> Highway 10 Pedestrian Bridge <br /> February 22, 1997 <br /> Page 3 <br /> Copies of the letters in our files have been included in Appendix F; copies of the news articles are <br /> in Appendix G. The grant application included a number of letters of endorsement. A copy of <br /> the application has been provided to Council members as part of this packet (see Appendix D). <br /> The question of whether Section 8.04 Subd. 2 of the City Charter applies to the pedestrian bridge <br /> was raised at the February 10 meeting, and we have discussed this issue with the City Attorney. <br /> He has indicated that it would not apply since no portion of this project is being assessed. <br /> Projected Costs/Funding <br /> • Is the current estimate of the cost for the pedestrian bridge considered a cost overrun in <br /> keeping with the spirit and intent of Section 8.04 Subd. 3 of the City Charter? <br /> • Is there an argument that TIF funds could be used for utility modifications and <br /> undergrounding and traffic signal modifications,with or without bridge? <br /> • Is the allocation of money for the bridge from the Street Lighting Fund consistent with <br /> Section 904 of Municipal Code? <br /> • Is the allocation of money for the bridge from the Franchise Fee consistent with Section <br /> 1402 of Municipal Code? <br /> • What were costs of preliminary engineering to determine pedestrian bridge effectiveness? <br /> • Were any alternatives to pedestrian bridge considered? <br /> • Are there alternative funding sources available to pay the local share from those chosen in <br /> Resolution 4843? <br /> Section 8.04 Subd. 3:In talking with the City Attorney about this issue,he indicated that Section <br /> 8.04 Subd. 3 would not apply to this project because no part of it is being assessed under the <br /> procedure outlined in the City Charter. <br /> Use of TIF' utility modifications, undergrounding and signal modifications: TIF funds can be <br /> used for these types of improvements,and making such improvements in the Highway 10 corridor <br /> would be consistent with the priorities which have been established by City Council for use of TIF <br /> funds i.e. spending money on redevelopment of Highway 10. These utility and signal <br /> modifications will not be needed, however, if the pedestrian bridge is not built. We did obtain <br /> information from MnDOT on February 21 that the utility companies will be required to pay the <br /> cost of utility modifications and undergrounding under the permit they have to be in MnDOT <br /> right-of-way. The cost of signal modifications are expected to be much less and may be paid in <br /> part from grant funds(see discussion under cost issues.) We are now estimating the projected <br /> cost at$30,000 to$35,000 less with this new information. <br /> Street Lighting Fund: Section 904.01 states that the purpose of the street lighting fund is"to <br /> operate,maintain and improve upon the street lighting system throughout the City. It is the <br /> Council's intent to encourage this program throughout the City to promote the general health, <br /> safety and welfare of the citizens of Mounds View." From this, staff concludes it is possible to use <br /> money from this fund for lighting associated with bridge since it is located in Mounds View and it <br /> would promote health, safety and welfare for citizens using the bridge or walking or riding <br />