Agenda - Council - 09/08/2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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C4se:lt3 APPROVAL OF A JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT WITH ANOKA COUNTY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BITUMINOUS TRAIL ALONG CSAH 5 By: Tim Himmer, Assistant City Engineer Background: City staff has been working with Anoka County on the construction of a bituminous trail along the east side of CSAH 5, from Alpine Drive to TH 47 since 2005. The first segment oftrus trail, from 150th Lane NW to Sunwood Drive, was constructed by City crews last year. The trail will be constructed off road to provide a safe alternative for pedestrians utilizing the CSAH 5 corridor, and will serve as the primary pedestrian route along CSAH 5. This trail is especially important to the children attending Ramsey Elementary School as it brings them to a safe crossing in front of the school and provides a link to their designated evacuation area at Lord of Life church, without requiring them to use the roadway shoulder. With the approval of THE MEADOWS subdivision in 2005, a trail was required to be constructed along CSAH 5 within the property limits. In lieu of constructing this trail segment the developer and City agreed to a payment of $30,000 for the future constrUction. This dollar amount reflected the actual contracted cost to install the trail segment. Since the work is proposed to be completed by City crews this $30,000 can be used to fund more than just the segment contemplated under that development proposal. Staff attempted to solicit funds last winter through the Safe Routes to School grant program, but we were unsuccessful in our application. The main hold up on the remainder of the trail segment through this corridor had to do with a property/right-of- way ownership issue. Not all of tSAH 5 is dedicated right-of-way and owned in fee. A property owner along the corridor was questioning whether a trail could be built in a County highway easement across their property. The City has submitted a permit request to Anoka County for the construction of a trail within this corridor, and the County has been supportive of the endeavor as it improves safety in their transportation corridor. On August 26, 2008 the Anoka County Board approved Resolution #2008-PW13 designating a portion ofthe right- of-way as a bicycle path, with the stipulation that the City enter into a Joint Powers Agreement. Funding: Expenditures for a majority of the trail will be paid through the development escrow from THE MEADOWS . subdivision. The t:emainder ofthe corridor will be financed through the City Trail Fund. All work as part of this project will be done by City staff. . . Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the Joint Powers Agreement for construction of a bituminous trail along CSAH 5. Council Action: Approve the Joint Powers Agreement with Anoka County for the construction of a trail along CSAH 5, subject to granting authority to the City Attorney and City Engineer to make any amendments as may be necessary in order to receive final approval from Anoka County. Attachment: County Resolution Joint Powers Agreement Reviewed by: Public Works Directo'kyer _ cc: 9/8/08/6. ~ , -127-