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<br />Assistant City Engineer Himmer stated that he has been in talks with the MPCA to acquire the <br />necessary easements to complete the watermain looping. He stated in looking at this situation, <br />he found other possible changes that could be made, such as a trail connection and roadway <br />connection to eliminate the long cuI de sac at Gamet Street. He stated that he is looking for <br />Council direction on. whether to pursue these connections at the same time as the watermain <br />looping is completed. <br /> <br />Chair Elvig asked if the MPCA has given permission for these connections to be made. <br /> <br />Assistant City Engineer Himmer stated that in the meetings, the MPCA has indicated that they <br />will not contest the eminent domain action necessary for the connections and will grant the <br />necessary easements for the watermain looping. He stated that another thing for the Council to <br />consider is the potential construction of an access road and limited parking facilities for the skate <br />park at Alpine Park which could be done as part of this project also because it would be within <br />the alignment. <br /> <br />Chair Elvig questioned whether more traffic would be created through neighborhoods if this <br />connection was completed. <br /> <br />Assistant City Engineer Himmer stated that he does not see that happening because of the way <br />traffic needs to move to get out of the neighborhoods. He stated that if this moves forward and <br />the roadway connection is made, there is an existing home that could be moved and 2 new lots <br />could be created. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated that he would like to know what the priority level is for this <br />proj ect. He stated that he understands the watermain looping concept, but wonders where the <br />other projects fall in the City's list of priorities. <br /> <br />Assistant City Engineer Himmer stated that the watermain looping was the first priority and it <br />evolved into getting the trail and roadway connection since the City was going to be working <br />there. He stated that it provides a way to get access to trails without crossing private property <br />and provides the road connection for emergency vehicles. He stated that these other 2 proj ects <br />do not need to be done, but while the City was there, he felt it made sense to consider doing <br />everything all at one time. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated that while he appreciated that thinking and supports getting things <br />done in one swoop, he is not sure that he agrees with the access for the emergency vehicles. He <br />stated that he lives on Bowers Drive which is 1 mile long with only one way in. He stated that <br />he thinks there is increase technology and houses aren't burning down like they used to. He <br />asked if this is the highest priority project for Parks and Utilities. <br /> <br />Assistant City Engineer Himmer stated that the City would not consider the roadway connection <br />project unless the MPCA was open to the idea. He stated that there will be additional cost~ for <br />acquisition and construction costs, but this would create a remnant property that can generate <br /> <br />Public Works Committee / March 18,2008 <br />Page 2 of 10 <br />