Minutes - Council Work Session - 08/10/2021

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funds could be applied. He noted it is his recommendation to continue with the application and find ways to redefine the project to use or reallocate extra funding. Acting Mayor Riley asked whether the Ramsey Gateway project is fully funded. Mr. Tinklenberg stated he believes the project is fully funded, with regard to current cost estimates. He added cost overruns have not been identified at this point. Acting Mayor Riley asked whether the Gateway project could be expanded 5 or 6 miles to the east. Mr. Tinklenberg stated he is unsure, as there may be some challenges with that. He added, however, funding would come from the State, and there is some flexibility in terms of how the project is defined and how funds are used. Councilmember Heineman stated, at the last City Council meeting, Mr. Tinklenberg stated that MnDOT is backing the project. Mr. Tinklenberg confirmed this, adding MnDOT is a big supporter of the project, and has helped secure funding. He noted, under the Trunk Highway Bond Projects, the number one project is Ramsey Gateway. Councilmember Heineman asked what will happen if costs increase and there is insufficient funding, whether MnDOT would withdraw from commitment to the Gateway Project. Mr. Tinklenberg stated MnDOT would find a way to fund the project, as there is already too much funding allocated from the federal government which will have to be relinquished if construction does not begin in 2023. He added there may be opportunities for additional funding to reduce the City’s commitment to federal funding. Councilmember Specht requested feedback and comment from the County representatives. Anoka County Commissioner Matt Look thanked the City Council for their hard work and efforts on this project, which has been 16 years in the making. He added one of the contributing factors to the success of the proposed project is that local communities understood the significance and came together to form the Highway 10 Coalition. He noted this effort attracted positive attention, and led to decisions regarding a sequence of projects, including Armstrong Boulevard, Fairoak/Thurston, and Third Lane in Coon Rapids. Commissioner Look stated support for the 3rd lane project is the next project in line. He added now that Ramsey is fully funded and a partner in the Highway 10 Coalition, the projects are competing with each other, and it becomes a reputational issue. Commissioner Look stated the City of Ramsey has already committed $4 million to this project. He added he was happy to see this support from the City for a federal project but hopes to reduce that number to $2 million through cost savings. City Council Work Session / August 10, 2021 Page 3 of 13