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City Administrator Schroeder announced that it was because of Councilmember Zimmerman's request that this is charged automatically in the development agreement. Councilmember Zimmerman commented that most of the developers are glad to have this topo mapping. Case #4: Status Report on Trunk Highway #47 Corridor Study City Engineer Jankowski reported that at the last Road and Bridge Committee meeting, he presented a draft copy of the scope of services he had prepared to define the scope of the Trunk Highway #47 Corridor Study. He sent a copy of it to MnDOT, Anoka County Highway Department, and the Metropolitan Council for comment. He felt it important to solicit input from these organizations prior to proceeding with the process of interviewing and selecting a consultant to perform the study. Mr. Knutson of MnDOT has advised Mr. Jankowski that the department is rethinking its organizational goals in terms of its new policy focus of "preserve, manage, and expand" the existing system, and has essentially placed a moratorium on corridor studies until 1996. Mr. Jankowski emphasized the great importance of this study to the City of Ramsey and made him aware how imperative it is that some action be initiated immediately. Mr. Knutson agreed to reconsider and discuss internally MnDOT's participation level. Mr. Jankowski reported that he has not yet heard back from any of the other organizations. He explained that it will be necessary to have MnDOT, Anoka County Highway Department, and the Metropolitan Council work directly with the consultant during the study process. The level of involvement with the Council, Planning Commission, Economic Development Commission, and local citizens is an issue which offers a greater variability. At one extreme, this study could be viewed as a largely technical exercise with minimal need for involvement of these parties. This seemed to be the direction of the Road and Bridge Committee at the last meeting. Mr. Jankowski stated that although he concurs with the desirability of that approach, transportation issues are seldom strictly technical. He feels, in order to achieve some balance between technical and policy aspects, it is necessary to have some interim study reports. He also felt that this plan should be considered a part of the Comprehensive Plan and should receive a public hearing prior to final adoption. Councilmember Zimmerman commented that, last time, the Harming Commission and the EDC got into a disagreement. He felt if we keep this one in perspective to begin with, we will be better off. We have to have more involvement on the State level. Mr. Jankowski stated he was hoping there would not be a lot of detail on the traffic but to try to identify existing intersections and to try to focus it pretty much to the alignment of the roadway (Highway #47) itself. City Administrator Schroeder inquired if this would react to land uses at all and added isn't it basically an engineering study. The public hearings ought to occur but keep it to the engineering part of it. Mr. Jankowski stated that development is reason to do this - access onto Highway g47, etc. Mr. Schroeder inquired aren't we really just attempting to get the State to approve accesses. He stated what he is hearing Councilmember Zimmerman say is that we should hold whatever public hearings are necessary from time to time, however, it should be left as a MnDOT engineering study. Councilmember Zimmerman stated that is exactly what he is saying. Road & Bridge Committee/May 23, 1995 Page 4 of 5