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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes <br />August 8, 2006 <br />Page 2 <br />A. Silver Lake Road Proiect. <br />3 Mr. Craig Twinem, Hennepin County, reported on the Silver Lake Road project. He stated the <br />4 original project was scheduled to begin construction in 2007. He informed the Council the <br />5 County identified funds for a consultant design in the 2006 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). <br />6 With the development of the 2007 CIP, stated Mr. Twinem, it became apparent there would not <br />7 be enough funding for the property acquisition and the construction in 2007. Mr. Twinem <br />8 reported the construction funding for the project would be moved to 2008, with the right of way <br />9 acquisition still scheduled for 2007. <br />10 <br />11 Mr. Twinem reported consultants Bolton & Menk, Inc. are on schedule with the design to the <br />12 point that discussions with property owners would begin early 2007. Mr. Twinem indicated, <br />13 with the new eminent domain laws, the County would like to settle with as many residents as <br />14 possible before implementing condemnation. <br />15 <br />16 Councilmember Stille stated he knew it would take lightning speed to get it done in 2007. He <br />17 asked Mr. Twinem if plans for 2008 were definite. <br />18 <br />19 Mr. Jim Grube, Hennepin County Engineer, confirmed the 2008 date. Mr. Grube provided a <br />20 historical perspective on the Silver Lake Road project to date. Mr. Grube reported he had a five <br />21 year Capital Improvement Program of which he is responsible for the County highway system. <br />22 He stated he submits his five -year plan to the County Administrator in June of every year. Mr. <br />23 Grube explained to the Council how construction money was moved into 2008. <br />24 <br />25 Mr. Grube informed the Council the Twins Baseball stadium is an item onto itself and did not <br />26 delay the project, as it is not in the Highway Department's five -year program. Mr. Grube stated, <br />27 in terms of the overall County budget and capital expenditures, the County Board of Commission <br />28 received a proposal for a $50 million library program upgrade across many different libraries <br />29 within Hennepin County. <br />30 <br />31 Mr. Grube went on to say, in terms of the plan being 30 percent complete; one gets a good idea <br />32 of the impacts but not the costs until the design is two- thirds to three quarters complete. Mr. <br />33 Grube stated he brought this up because it gives Hennepin County one more opportunity to <br />34 adjust the budget to bring it into perspective. <br />35 <br />36 Councilmember Thuesen asked Mr. Grube if the Silver Lake Road Project would happen, <br />37 regardless of factors that could impact it such as rising fuel costs. <br />38 <br />39 Mr. Grube restated it is important to get one more chance to adjust the budget to make sure <br />40 Hennepin County can meet 2008 plans. He stated the key is once Hennepin County starts <br />41 purchasing property for the right of way and negotiating with individuals, it is an extreme <br />42 commitment to continue forward. <br />43 <br />