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

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being pushed through by the County because they want to spend money. He stated that he did not think the City Council can make a decision until they know that the number of accidents will be fixed by putting in a median. Mayor Gamec stated that after the meeting in April, he had asked staff to put together the accident information because he did not believe the information presented at the open house. Mr. Gaughan stated that he feels it would be a tragedy to mislead people into thinking that if a median doesn't go in people will be carried away in body bags. He stated that nobody wants people to die at this intersection. Mayor Gamec asked whether Mr. Gaughan would be willing to be assessed for the cost of improving this intersection if the City took this County road back. Mr. Gaughan stated that he questions the accident information being presented and does not think the City Council has enough information about the accidents to merit the decision to put in the median. Public Works Director Olson noted that there have been 84 accidents at this intersection since 2001. He stated that it doesn't appear that the City can improve the intersection without including the median and capture the money that has been promised from the federal government and the State. He stated that he wanted to make sure that everyone understood that he was not saying that putting.in the median will correct 84 accidents. Mayor Gamec stated that he thinks the City Council has been very open and truthful with the public and have tried to keep them informed about this project. He stated that he understands that some people may not like a decision that the City Council makes. Councilmember Look stated that there has been no information presented about the effect that the train has on the stacking distance of cars. He stated that he has witnessed traffic stacking up eastbound on Highway 10 when there is a train present and he thinks this is where many of the accidents come from. He stated that he is not convinced that having a median on Sunfish Lake Boulevard will have an impact, except adversely on the businesses. Public Works Director Olson stated that the redesign will include 2 through lanes, which will give more room for stacking when a train is present. Councilmember Look suggested that the through lanes be constructed without the median. Councilmember Elvig stated that he feels the City Council is tenacious in making sure it finds out all the information it can. He stated that the City Council turns over rocks and looks underneath to make sure they are getting truthful information before a decision is made. He stated that he disagrees with Mr. Gaughan's statement that the County is just trying to spend money. He stated that he feels the County wants to spend money in the right area and this area has a bonafide problem to fix. He stated that he agreed that the train as well as Highway 10 may have something to do with the 84 accidents that have occurred at this intersection. He stated that City Council! November 13, 2007 Page 11 of 19