Minutes - Public Works Committee - 10/17/2000

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closer proximity of the highway traffic to the public trail and their backyards. Residents had suggested a three-foot retaining wall, a six-foot screening wall, or both be considered as mitigation measures to alleviate their concerns. Staff has sent a letter to MnDOT requesting a response to the suggestions. A preliminary phone conversation regarding the issues indicated that in regards to the proximity of the road to the bike path and backyards, MnDOT stated that they have established "clear zones" which is a certain distance from the closest travel lane and in this situation the right-of-way is well beyond the "clear zone" which makes the probability of a vehicle conflict very minimal. MnDOT had also indicated that they would probably be willing to participate in extending the distance of the wall, but would not participate in the construction of a retaining wall. It has been estimated that the 785 meters of wall between 149th Avenue NW and the wetland will cost approximately $100,000. So an additional 270 meters of wall in the Willow Ridge area could cost approximately $35,000. The cost of a three-foot high retaining wall through the Willow Ridge area is estimated to cost approximately $50,000 based on current unit prices for the project. Councilmember Hendriksen inquired if the cost was a total cost and then the City would participate with 20 percent of the cost. City Engineer Jankowski replied yes. Councilmember Hendriksen stated that at the September Public Works meeting, the Committee gave direction to the staff to meet with the affected neighbors and get a consensus of how many people wanted the wall. He questioned the results of that meeting. Director of Public Works Kapler replied that everyone who attended the meeting was in favor of the mitigations, but would prefer to have both the retaining wall and the sound wall. There was no opposition voiced at the meeting to either of the two options. Councilmember Hendriksen requested, since staff will be in the process of finalizing the costs of both options, that they send out a mailing requesting input from all the affected residents regarding the options in order to make sure that everyone receives a fair chance to voice their opinions. City Engineer Jankowski noted that the supplemental agreement the City received from MnDOT only addressed the construction of the sound wall. The issue of maintenance would have to come from another section of MnDOT. Councilmember Hendriksen inquired as to what the maintenance costs would be on the sound wall. City Engineer Jankowski replied that he was not sure, but could check with other municipalities that already have sound walls. Councilmember Connolly inquired if anything has been proposed for landscaping along the wall. Public Works Committee/October 17, 2000 Page 2 of 6