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Case #2: Extension of 153rd Avenue N.W. Between Variolite Street N.W. and County Road #83 City Administrator Schroeder stated the map of the City presented by City Engineer Jankowski is showing the proposed roadway and related traffic counts. The City recently completed an extension of 153rd Avenue N.W. The final leg connection would be from the east side to the west side of the City. He stated the City has been interested in this construction between 10 and 20 years and it appears there is dollars in the MSA funds to initiate this project with 1992 or 1993 construction. He stated the intent of this case is to get the City Council's feeling as to whether this project makes sense to complete now or in the future. He stated that all the landowners along the project, and Mr. Greg Smith who's been active with regard to this project, have been contacted. City Engineer Jankowski handed out a cash flow analysis and a list of what other MSA projects he is contemplating which would fight against this project for funding. He stated the City recently completed 153rd Avenue extension over to Ramsey Boulevard and are looking at completing a leg between Variolite Street N.W. and Armstrong Boulevard N.W. This would complete the arterial from the western boundary to Highway #47. He stated that traffic counts recently completed on the new section of road showed that between four and five hundred vehicles use that roadway per day. He stated the majority of MSA roads have between five and thirteen hundred vehicles per day. He stated that all MSA roads are eligible for funding out of the $455,000 the City receives a year. The City would be receiving this approximate amount for the next four years. Certain amounts of MSA funds can be allocated each year for maintenance also. Mr. Jankowski stated that the Cit.y is fortunate to have good County roads; however, it is lacking in the east/west connections. Councilmember Peterson stated the original reason for the extension of 153rd Avenue N.W. was to allow emergency vehicles more rapid access across the City. Greg Smith, 15250 Iguana Street N.W., Ramsey - stated that a few years ago, the North Fork developers came in with an idea for a golf course, a man made lake, etc., which caused 600 tracks a day going past his house. He stated he watched the sl~eets crack, the driveways being ruined and the children having to change their bus routes. On MSA roads, the City can't control the weight limits, the speed limits, etc. He stated to the north we have an incinerator plant and Ramsey has the landfill; an east/west corridor just makes it easier for those trucks to go through. He added that the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Game and Wildlife and the Area Hydrologist Department have reviewed the plans and all of them say this area, as well as the surrounding area, is a Type Four Top Priority Wetland which is heavily protected by the State. He stated the area was donated as a park and was not supposed to be developed. He added he was initially told there would be no connection and he feels the City has gotten by for 100 years without an east/west corridor, there is no reason it needs one now. He feels it is a waste of money. Mr. Wayne Knutson, owner of one of the subject properties, expressed his agreement with Mr. Smith. Upon inquiry, Fire Chief Griffin stated that from an emergency standpoint, possibly five or six minutes could be "shaved off' of response time with the connection. Mrs. Smith, 15250 Iguana Street N.W., Ramsey - expressed her concern with regard to the increased traffic and the children in the area. Mr. Jankowski stated that MSA roads are built for higher levels of traffic, built to nine ton standards and that truck traffic has to be allowed. With regard to the speed limit, studies are conducted by the Department of Transportation and the limits are set by them. With regard to the wetlands, the City would be required to mitigate the impacts on them. Mr. Smith stated the trucks were overweight and the City can't govern that. The only way to govern this is to stop it before it starts. Budget Committee/September 24, 1991 Page 2 of 5