2025.12.15 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Meeting Minutes for December 15, 2025 Page 9 of 11 Mayor clarified the project is intended to repair a deteriorating road before full reconstruction is needed, and it is not an effort to increase traffic on the road. He stated that every road in the City is driven on by residents, and he questioned Lessard why he should not be responsible for an assessment. Lessard replied that 99% of the traffic is industrial and that is why it is deteriorating. He said the assessment is not equal to the increase in the value of his house but instead probably decreases it because of safety and traffic issues. Weidt explained that the assessment represents a small portion of the total project cost and benefits the community overall. John Squires, 5336 140th Street North, talked about the lack of maintenance on the trails and amount of traffic. He said between 5:45-6:45 a.m., he witnessed 71 cars and 23 big trucks coming and going. He said he believed the road was fine, and he objected to the assessment. Alex Altstatt, managing partner of three industrial properties including Western Spring, said the roads serving the industrial area are heavier rated roads, and he talked about the impact of the cost to them which is over $50,000 saying 99% of their customers don’t care about the project. He said he appreciated the City’s communication. He questioned what an industrial park tenant would gain by a bike path. Mark replied that assessments are for road improvements only. The trail is the County’s responsibilities and is a cost share between the County and the City. The roadway is not being prematurely reconstructed because of industrial traffic. It is 30 years old. It was built to industrial standard and will be redone to a 30-year standard. He did not understand how improvements would increase truck traffic. Altstatt agreed it would not increase truck traffic to his businesses, and he asked about the streetlights. Erichson replied that the majority of them are not functioning, and Xcel’s 12-year program has expired. He said the lights do not affect the assessment amount. Altstatt said he would prefer more light for security reasons, and he thought it was a good project. Mike Worrel, 14003 Fenway Avenue North, had the opinion that the road was fine. He said he has lived there for 21 years and does not recall it ever being patched. He said his house rattles from the big trucks, and that is what is doing damage to the roads. Galen Carlson, 5451 140th Street North, owner of North County Auto Body, said the project is needed. He questioned if there would be any elevation change to his driveway; he would like to see the road raised. Erichson said the curb and gutter would remain, and he will follow up with Carlson on any existing issues.