Minutes - Council - 10/28/2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Pro Tem Backous, Councilmembers LeTourneau, Johns, Kuzma, Riley, and Tossey. Voting No: None. Absent: Mayor Strommen. 7. COUNCIL BUSINESS 7.01: Consider Adopting Resolution #14 -10 -204 Supporting the Highway 10 Access Planning Study Initiated by the Minnesota Department of Transportation Community Development Director Gladhill reviewed the staff report and recommendation of the Economic Development Authority, Planning Commission, and Public Works Committee to adopt the Highway 10 Access Planning Study with needed areas of further analysis as identified in the draft resolution. Chris Chromy, Bolton & Menk, presented the Highway 10 Access Study initiated about two years ago to address Metropolitan Council's support of an interchange at Armstrong Boulevard and Highway 10, even though considered a `leapfrog' intersection to find low cost/high benefit solutions. Mr. Chromy reviewed past consideration of the Highway 10 Access Study and presented a video describing strategy needs, 18 -22 fundable -scale projects, funding allocations, immediate priority projects, short-term and mid -term priorities, and opportunity- driven priorities. Mr. Chromy described their approach to use greater focus on specific problem areas and how to rectify those problems, funding strategies, stakeholder involvement, and outreach including agency staff. Mr. Chromy stated this approach focused on the most problem areas first, determined how to address each to achieve safety and relieve congestion on Highway 10. It also shows flexibility to agency partners by packaging projects or breaking projects in smaller pieces depending on available funding. He pointed out the property acquisition costs alone are 60 -80% lower than the previous traffic plan. Paul Jung, Mn/DOT North Area Engineer and Mn/DOT Project Manager with the Highway 10 Access Planning Study, presented a table depicting the current and proposed signalized intersections, other public intersections, private access, grade separation of Highway 10, grade separation of roadway, and parallel frontage roads. He stated Ramsey can expect focus on frontage road construction, and consolidation of and removal of traffic signals. Mr. Jung explained how grade separation projects within Anoka will result in benefit to Ramsey by eliminating 60% of the congestion on the corridor. In addition, grade separation of the railroad crossings in Ramsey is also a priority and being championed by Anoka County to improve safety and mobility. Mr. Jung presented next steps to continue partnerships between Ramsey, Anoka County, and Mn/DOT and commented on available funding to improve pedestrian safety. He stated the cities of Ramsey and Anoka will need to be partners to help Mn/DOT move projects forward as there will be some local funding match. Mr. Jung described funding opportunities and asked the Council to adopt a resolution in support of the Highway 10 Access Planning Study. He advised of agency letters of support as contained in Appendix F of the Study. He clarified that approval of the Study does not commit the City to funding for every project within the Study but the Study does set the direction and gets all of the agencies on the `same page.' Mr Jung thanked Community Development Director Gladhill for his assistance in facilitating positive dialogue between property owners and the Metropolitan Council and Bolton and Menk and stated his commitment to continue good communication with all parties involved. City Council / October 28, 2014 Page 5 of 10