Minutes - Council Work Session - 09/28/2010

Home

Mr. Janzen stated he understood that. Councilmember Wise felt that the City would like this and may want to find a piece of property to keep doing it on. Councilmember Dehen inquired what type of noise it would be. His concern is that it all echoes across fields and the river and he doesn't want to have to sit every Friday and Saturday night listening to the buzzing of the go karts. He inquired the hours of the races. Mr. Janzen stated the time would be from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. He reiterated that the noise of the go karts is less than that of trucks on Highway #10 or the train. He mentioned that the track could be put down more and have berms and added that regardless, you will not be able to hear the karts a mile away. He guaranteed that. 2) Update on Armstrong Boulevard and TH 10 Interchange, and Discuss Draft of the Metropolitan Council Transportation Policy Plan (TPP) Director of Public Works Olson stated that the purpose of this report is to get information to the City Council relating to the transportation plan and to review the gist of the policy. He summarized that the City entered into a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with Anoka County in 2005 for construction of regional roadway improvements associated with the Ramsey Town Center. One of the projects was the upgrade of Armstrong Boulevard at Highway #10 with planned upgrades similar to those on Ramsey and Sunfish Lake Boulevards. The Armstrong upgrade was scheduled for 2009 construction; however, during the plan approval process in 2008, City Council directed staff to investigate the option of construction of an overpass instead. The City Council agreed to a JPA revision in March 2009 and the City and County staff began looking at options for an Armstrong Boulevard interchange over the BNSF railroad tracks and TH 10 with a consultant. Mr. Olson stated that as the project team was preparing for the second public open house, it was decided to place the project on hold pending the outcome of the Met Council's draft TPP, which is out for public comment through October 7. The transportation plan is focusing efforts on freeway transportation. If this plan were adopted as written, it would eliminate the ability to do the Armstrong interchange. Our population is expected to increase by 20 million people by 2030 and they want us to focus on transportation and land use elements. Their strategy is to support projects that help with increased population. He stated he could not think of another project that does that more and the City has spent millions of dollars to make that a reality. Focusing on Highway #10 — they need to realize that almost $15 million in right - of -way acquisition has been done. There were 54 businesses at the open house when the City was working on corridor mapping. Mr. Olson stated he will have the TPP comments provided in the Weekly Update. He added he will not send this out until next Wednesday and reiterated the deadline is October 7. He introduced Kate Garwood, Anoka County Multimodal Transportation Planner. Ms. Garwood disseminated maps and talked about what improvements are needed and what it would take for upgrades. She noted they have been working on this plan for ten to twelve years. She gave lane mile information relating to following their plan versus the interchange. She City Council Work Session/September 28, 2010 Page 4 of 7