1998.07.29 CC Minutes - Joint meeting with Lino Lakes & White Bear Township

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JOINT COUNCIL MEETING JULY 29,1998 MnDOT will be repaying Vadnais Heights. This is one way to get the improvement when it is needed in the city. Ms. Carlson asked for a copy of the map showing Options A & B on the Hugo transportation plan. A gentleman in the audience asked if Hugo had plans for any other east/west route. Mr. Museus said the City is looking at another residential access to Lino Lakes. However, this is not in the transportation plan at this time. A gentleman asked why a north County Road J/1 -35E access is not a concern at this time. Mr. Wessel said it is under consideration, however there is not much interest for Lino Lakes to go north. It is included in the Lino Lakes transportation plan. White Bear Township Board Member Ford explained that it should be a concern to Lino Lakes as Mr. Weisenburger pointed out earlier. She suggested that the cities get together and present a "united front" insofar as this intersection is concerned and to look at other areas of cooperation. Council Member Bergeson asked if Lino Lakes and White Bear Township had an interest in completing the County Road J/1 -35E intersection, what would the process be. Mr. Kern said that the city has identified this as a concern in its transportation plan and will start addressing the need locally and then address it with MnDOT. Showing local coordination means a lot to MnDOT. He noted that there is some funding each year but the cities would have to use fixed criteria and prepare a clear understanding of how it would benefit the communities. Mr. Wessel said he thought it should be started by forming a coalition of the cities and the counties. The process could be started by using the I -35E study prepared by Mr. Short. . The final comments were as follows: Mr. Ahrens noted strong concerns about the proposed Option A which directs Hugo traffic into a Lino Lakes residential road. Mr. Kern agreed with Mr. Ahrens. He said that the Hugo will have to decide if they want a street crossing Clearwater Creek. Mr. Short supported crossing Clearwater Creek. Mr. Sand said that one of his concerns was hunting on Bald Eagle Lake and goose control. He noted that the traffic volume on Highway 61 in Hugo is much higher than it was before the construction of the freeway. It is a busy road and will get busier. Mr. Sand said he would support a north interchange on County Road J and the freeway. Mr. Weisenburger said his concern is the movement of traffic and would support light rail transit and/or bus. He felt that this would be a benefit to all of these communities. PAGE 12