Minutes - Council Work Session - 10/25/2005

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Councilmember Strommen stated with only one through-lane from Highway 10 onto TH 47 the traffic cannot be stacked. There have been times when she has been sitting at the ramp and only one car is able to turn right on the green light because the traffic is so backed up. Councilmember Elvig expressed concern that traffic is stacking all the way onto Highway I0 and there is not time for drivers to slow down for the off ramp. He requested that the Council be provided with MnDOT's list of warrants for the southbound left turn turning eastbound. The Council further discussed the traffic patterns and problems resulting from the improvement project. Mayor Gamec directed staff to keep up to date on the improvements and to keep in touch with Representative Jim Abeler regarding this issue. Assistant Public Works Director Olson suggested MnDOT be allowed to complete the project with the new signal prior to judging the performance of the intersection. He indicated he received an email from the City of Anoka that stated that the Anoka City Manager had talked to Representative Abeler who thinks there should be two lanes in each direction all the way through the Schwartzman property. He responded to the email that the City of Ramsey would be in full support of that, but he did not think it was an option. Councilmember Elvig indicated he asked Chris Roy of MnDOT what precipitated the southbound to eastbound left turn lane and was informed it was a request from the City of Anoka. He also discussed the possibility of signalization to allow a longer southbound session following a train and Mr. Roy felt this could be accomplished. Mr. Olson advised the cost of an advanced preemption signal at Ramsey Boulevard was approximately $1.3 million. This type of signalization at this intersection would not be a small fix. Councilmember Elvig explained the signalization he described was only to make the southbound light cycle longer following the train. Mr. Olson indicated Mr. Roy is more than willing to meet with the Council. He suggested this meeting be scheduled at a work session in December when the new signal is operational. He will request that Mr. Roy provide traffic count numbers and that there also be someone in attendance to explain the warrants. I) Senior Center Assistant City Administrator Nelson explained as staff continues to work on issues related to vacating the current Municipal Center in 2006 there is a need to provide for future accommodations for the existing seniors program, which is currently based in the lower level meeting room. In addition to providing space for monthly meetings in the new facility's Training/EOC Room, staff has been exploring the idea of what a "Senior Center" might look like and what services might be provided if the City had the opportunity to develop the facility and/or programming from the ground-up. She explained the proposed Crest View senior housing project in Town Center brings with it the opportunity to evaluate the existing senior program and consider options for providing more than a meeting room. There is the potential to incorporate a Senior Center into the Crest View project at Town Center. She reviewed the following City Council Work Session / October 25, 2005 Page 2 of 4