Agenda - Public Works Committee - 03/19/2013

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Councilmember-Elect and EDA Chair Riley advised this has been on the EDA' s radar because it has a direct impact on businesses. The EDA has discussed this issue but not the funding. He noted that one by one, accesses are being removed from businesses. Chairperson Backous stated if this cut is not made then it takes the EDA out of it. Councilmember Elvig noted this is looking at improving TH 47 and 116 and he supports moving ahead and to "shake a stick" at Anoka County. He stated if there is an impact based on the speed limit, then he would like to look at that option. Councilmember Elvig stated this study will bring forward that information and staff has indicated this is the approach that should be taken to move to the next layer. Councilmember McGlone pointed out the City has already heard from the two agencies that own the roadway that they are not interested in participating in this study so he does not want to waste the City's the money. Motion by Councilmember Elvig, seconded by Chairperson Backous, to recommend that the City Council accept the proposal of WSB in the amount of $24,082 for the Highway 47 and CSAH 116 intersection study plus an additional $3,840 for traffic counts contingent upon the City of Anoka agreeing to pay one-half of the costs and EDA approval of funding. Further discussion: Chairperson Backous stated he does not like to consider a motion prior to EDA consideration and prefers that the motion be contingent upon that consideration. Interim Engineer Nelson stated it is proposed to complete the study in a three-month time frame and it is better to do traffic counts when there is not inclement weather. Mayor Ramsey cautioned the Council that if this cut is approved, then the one at 142nd will go away with this study. Chairperson Backous noted the study will not automatically close 142nd, the last life -blood of those businesses. Mayor Ramsey stated it has been discussed before. Interim Engineer Nelson stated the WSB study does not include an accident study but accident repots will be compiled from the Ramsey Police Department and Anoka County Sheriff' s Department. Councilmember Wise stated if doing a study that is based on safety, and if that is not included, what is being studied. Interim Engineer Nelson stated the study is of stacking distance. Chairperson Backous asked if there is ramification to delaying this study until springtime so the City can work with Anoka County during the interim. Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated the City would want the high school to be in session. Chairperson Backous asked about putting together a plan to meet with the State and Mn/DOT. He stated he is leery about not supporting the motion and losing momentum but he does agree with Councilmember McGlone. Councilmember McGlone reviewed the City' s success in obtaining design build authority for a bridge project and indicated he thinks there is nothing different with this consideration. He found this to be a legislative issue and the City needs to get the Legislators to agree. Chairperson Backous stated it definitely goes to Mn/DOT but maybe not the Legislators. Councilmember Elvig stated the City has been talking about this project for two years or more and now staff has prepped this report. He doubted there was a way to get something started by asking the Legislature to spend its money and even if the cuts are not approved, the serious problems that exist need to be addressed. Public Works Committee / November 20, 2012 Page 6 of 8