Minutes - Council Work Session - 01/27/2015

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it is up to local entitles to fund those Highway 10 projects so the intent is to seek grants in partnership with Anoka County and Mn/DOT. Councilmember Riley asked if 2017 is a reasonable estimate for the timeline. City Engineer Westby stated that is also part of the implementation plan within the Highway 10 Access Planning Study. He explained that funding will be the driver of when the projects occur. Councilmember Riley stated in 2016, the CIP indicates that $5.5 million will be spent on the Bunker Lake extension in The COR. He asked if that project has to be done. Finance Director Lund stated it is part of the Anoka County Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) in the amount of $3.5 million and $2 million for the Bunker Lake Boulevard Extension, west of Armstrong; timing will depend on when development occurs, and it may be funded from TIF District #14. City Administrator Ulrich stated it could also be a developer's expense or funded by tax increment from a new project coming in. Councilmember Riley referenced the lists of costs related to the water treatment plant. He stated at the last Public Works Committee, there was an enlightening presentation on this topic. Councilmember Riley felt the water treatment plant did not need to be in the CIP for the next couple of years as it is not an immediate need and could be pushed to a future year as a placeholder. City Engineer Westby explained it is a placeholder at this point in time and discussions on need continues to occur to get a better understanding of when this improvement will be needed, how much will be local costs, and how much will be the cost of regional partners. Finance Director Lund stated this project has been in the CIP since 2004. Councilmember Riley suggested placing the water treatment plant on a supplemental list, as was done with future park improvements. Mayor Strommen supported not changing the placement of this project in the CIP based on current discussion on groundwater availability and moving cities to dual sources or regional systems. Mayor Strommen noted the justification language should include the more pressing issue of water availability, especially considering what is happening in the northern and western suburbs. She supported retaining this project in the CIP as it allows Ramsey to be proactive. City Administrator Ulrich stated this project has already been pushed back several years as the property was scheduled to be purchased this year. He noted that in the not too distant future, a decision will need to be made to either dig a new municipal well (at a cost of several hundred thousand dollars) or go this route. City Council Work Session / January 27, 2015 Page 3 of 8