Minutes - Council - 11/13/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Public Works Director Olson stated that there will be V-turns allowed at the McKinley Street intersection. Councilmember Look stated that, as mentioned at the Work Session, he feels this project is ahead of schedule and not needed right now. He stated that the original plan was generated because of the expected traffic increase with the Ramsey Town Center project, which is not on schedule, and the expected overflow traffic from the Highway 47 expansion. He stated that there was information shared at the Work Session about the economic impact from access management and a study oonducted in Iowa. He read aloud a portion of the information from the study conducted in Iowa that noted that some businesses may have been negatively impacted from the access management changes. He stated that he feels there IS a clear example at the intersection of Highway 47 and Bunker Lake Boulevard that shows how businesses can be negatively impacted from this type of change. He also read aloud a portion of the access management study conducted in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He stated that this area is slated for acquisition at some point when Highway 10 expands and he feels this change is premature. He stated that as the plan is presented today, he cannot support it. County Commissioner Berg stated that he feels the reality of the situation is that this . is a dangerous intersection that needs to have safety improvements. He noted that statistics show that since 2001 there have been 84 accidents at this intersection, including 2 fatalities. He stated that this intersection has been reported as the 5th worst in the State and he feels improving this intersection is a priority. He stated that the reality of the financial situation today is that all the unsafe intersections in the County cannot be fixed immediately and noted that if the City does not move forward with the project, there are already other communities lined up asking for the funding that is earmarked for this project. He stated that the County Engineer made a compromise to allow for full access at McKinley Street after the issues were raised at the open house in April. He encouraged the City Council to, in his opinion, do the right thing and improve the safety of this intersection for the traveling public and reminded the City Council that there is federal and State money available to help. Councilmember Olson asked if a V-turn could be made at Highway 10. Public Works Director Olson stated that traffic can make a V-turn at Highway 10. Mayor Gamec stated that he would allow a few of those present in the audience to address the City Council about this project. Patrick Gaughan stated that he got involved in the Sunfish Commons development about 6 years ago as both a partner and developer. He stated that the City enticed them to develop here with TIF, but when that did not materialize, they moved ahead with the project anyway. He stated that at that time, there was no discussion about a median. He feels the information being presented to the City Council is confusing and noted that when it was originally presented at the open house in April, they were told that there were 5 accidents at this intersection. He stated that he does not understand how the information presented tonight shows 84 accidents with 2 fatalities when in April, the number presented was 5 accidents. He stated that he feels this is City Council / November 13, 2007 Page 10 of 19