Minutes - Council Work Session - 10/12/2021

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City Administrator Ulrich stated he spoke with the Dayton City Administrator who indicated they do not want to be a champion of the effort, but are willing to be part of a corridor coalition and continue the discussion. Councilmember Musgrove thanked those who presented tonight and asked about the Zanzibar and Armstrong alignment and if Dayton does not have it in their CIP or long-term planning. Ms. Wiltgen answered that it is in Dayton’s Comprehensive Plan. Councilmember Musgrove stated that is good to hear. She asked in regard to the projections, what things are the Highway 10 Coalition working and focusing on. Ms. Wiltgen answered there are active community members with the Highway 10 projects and the grade separation at Ramsey and Sunfish Boulevards is moving forward. To the west of there, a planning study is being conducted on Highway 10 up to the Highway 169 interchange and some of the long-term improvements identified were focused on building out the grade separated vision for Highway 10 up to Highway 169. She stated there was an understanding that that would require a lot of effort and funding so they are looking at some mid-term implementation solutions and have a technical advisory meeting coming up. Councilmember Musgrove stated that she thought it was a good idea to get a coalition together to keep this topic going. She heard from a member of the Dayton community who said they would definitely appreciate a bridge as it takes them longer to get to the Ramsey side for family events. She asked about discussion with cities that have been presented to already related to a timeframe. Ms. Wiltgen answered she hasn’t heard any timeframes. Mr. Morris agreed and added that conversations have been at the city staff level and with a few elected officials. Councilmember Woestehoff asked about the large differential in the cost/benefit analysis, noting a cost of $89 million for the bridge was mentioned but the packet information indicates a range of $140 million to $200 million. Mr. Morris stated the benefit/cost analysis uses a 20-year horizon and all the improvements have a lifespan, depending on what it is. He noted bridges have a 75-year lifespan so 20 years is only a small portion of that and with purchase of right-of-way, they use 100 years. He explained that when you reach the end of the 20-year calculation period, you get a credit for the remaining life of that asset, which reduces the present value of costs as shown on the slides presented tonight. Mr. Morris explained the dollar numbers shown in the meeting packet are the sticker price and that is the cost to construct. Representative John Heinrich asked if a threat analysis had been done on delaying a decision and ending up with a corridor that is no longer available noting that occurred in Champlin where some areas are no longer available because of development. He asked when that would happen here. City Council Work Session / October 12, 2021 Page 5 of 13