Minutes - Council Work Session - 07/16/2019 - Special

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Acting Mayor Riley stated that he would not support that option. Councilmember Heinrich stated that she would like to leave the option on the table. Acting Mayor Riley stated that option is a"you can't get here from there" option where it would cause a driver to take additional turns to get to where you are attempting to go. Councilmember Musgrove provided a similar example off Highway 100 and noted that it works well in practical use, although it is not a direct on and off. She stated that the flow of traffic moves easily. She noted that if MnDOT were to come back with that alternative she may be able to support it. Acting Mayor Riley commented that option would not be helpful for businesses. Community Development Director Gladhill noted that all of those concepts would remove the businesses on the north side. Councilmember Musgrove stated that perhaps there is no bridge across at Ramsey Boulevard and just an option to exit off at Ramsey Boulevard with full ramps available at Sunfish and Armstrong. Community Development Director Gladhill noted that was considered as an option but would cause additional pressure at Sunfish and Armstrong. He noted that the option was also considered for Sunfish but added even more pressure on Ramsey Boulevard and Armstrong. Councilmember Heinrich stated that she sees the need for both interchanges being completed and to keep the momentum going. She stated that there is support from Anoka County as well. She asked for additional information on the other option for Ramsey Boulevard and the number of businesses that would be impacted. Ms. Bersaw noted that all of the options would remove those businesses. Acting Mayor Riley asked the remaining number of businesses that would be impacted. Community Development Director Gladhill noted that the City did acquire a few businesses previously and reviewed some of the businesses that would be impacted. He stated that this is a high-level planning study and the overall alternative could be chosen. He explained that the frontage road scenario could be added back in the future to the actual design. Ms. Bersaw stated that she and Community Development Director Gladhill met with MnDOT staff to further discuss the process. She stated that MnDOT reinforced that funding is limited and they are having a hard time reconstructing what is already in place. She stated that MnDOT is supportive of the process and what the City is doing but the more likely the costs can be kept down, the more likely this could occur. City Council Work Session/July 16, 2019 Page 2 of 6