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Councilmember-Elect and EDA Chair Riley advised this has beenonthe EDA’sradar because it <br />has a direct impact on businesses. The EDA has discussed this issue but not the funding. He <br />noted that one by one, accesses are being removed from businesses. <br />Chairperson Backous stated if this cut is not made then it takes the EDA out of it. <br />Councilmember Elvig noted this is looking at improving TH47 and 116 and he supports moving <br />ahead and to “shake a stick” at Anoka County. He stated if there is an impact based on the speed <br />limit, then he would like to look at that option. Councilmember Elvig stated this study will bring <br />forward that informationand staff has indicated this is the approach that should be taken to move <br />to the next layer. <br />Councilmember McGlone pointed out the City has already heard from the two agencies that own <br />the roadway that they are not interested in participating in this study so he does not want to waste <br />the City’s the money. <br />Motion by Councilmember Elvig, seconded by Chairperson Backous, to recommend that the <br />City Council accept the proposal of WSB in the amount of $24,082 for the Highway 47 and <br />CSAH 116 intersection study plus an additional $3,840 for traffic counts contingent upon the <br />City of Anoka agreeing to pay one-half of the costsand EDA approval of funding. <br />Further discussion: Chairperson Backous stated he does not like to consider a motion prior to <br />EDA consideration and prefers that the motion be contingent upon that consideration. Interim <br />Engineer Nelson statedit is proposed to complete the study in a three-monthtime frame and it is <br />better to do traffic counts when there is not inclement weather. Mayor Ramsey cautioned the <br />nd <br />Council that if this cut is approved, then the one at 142will go away with this study. <br />nd <br />Chairperson Backous noted the study will not automatically close 142, the last life-blood of <br />those businesses. Mayor Ramsey stated it has been discussed before. Interim Engineer Nelson <br />stated the WSB study does not include an accident study but accident repots will be compiled <br />from the Ramsey Police Department and Anoka County Sheriff’s Department. Councilmember <br />Wise stated if doing a study that is based on safety,and if that is not included, what is being <br />studied. Interim Engineer Nelson stated the study is of stacking distance.Chairperson Backous <br />asked if there is ramification to delaying this study until springtimeso the City can work with <br />Anoka County during the interim. Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood <br />stated theCity would want the high school to be in session. Chairperson Backous asked about <br />putting together a plan to meet with the State and Mn/DOT. He stated he is leery about not <br />supporting the motion and losing momentum but he does agree with Councilmember McGlone. <br />CouncilmemberMcGlone reviewed the City’s success in obtaining design build authority for a <br />bridge project and indicated he thinks there is nothing different with this consideration. He <br />found this to be a legislative issue and the City needsto get the Legislators to agree. Chairperson <br />Backous stated it definitely goes to Mn/DOT but maybe not the Legislators.Councilmember <br />Elvig stated the City has been talking about this project for two years or more and now staff has <br />prepped this report. He doubted there was a way to get something started by asking the <br />Legislature to spend its moneyand even if the cuts are not approved,the serious problemsthat <br />existneed to be addressed. <br />Public Works Committee / November 20, 2012 <br />Page 6of 8 <br />