Minutes - Council - 09/26/2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITIZEN INPUT There was none. PRESENTATION BY STAFF ON MnDOT'S REQUEST TO REMOVE SPEED HUMPS ON DYSPROSIUM STREET Director of Public Works Kapler stated that staff had acted upon the direction of the Public Works Committee to schedule a site visit by representatives from MnDOT to view the speed humps on Dysprosium Street and discuss other traffic calming options. He explained that the speed humps were installed in 1995, after concern from residents about the high rate of speed along Dysprosium Street. On December 1, 1999, the City received a letter from MnDOT advising the City to remove the speed humps and look into other traffic calming alternatives. After viewing the site with MnDOT, they have made it apparent that leaving the speed humps is not an option if the road is to continue to be included on the MSA system. Patti Loken, Assistant State Aid Engineer, stated that her office manages the state aid system and explained that the state aid system is a system of roads that is made up of trunk highways, county roads, and MSA roads. The gas tax and license fee is pooled and then dispersed to the City and then the City chooses which routes will be designated as an MSA street. Once a street is designated as an MSA street then there is certain design criteria that the road has to meet. MnDOT was made aware of the speed bumps along Dysprosium Street by Anoka County. Ms. Loken explained that MnDOT is not saying that the speed bumps are bad, but for an MSA route it does not meet the standards because it is not the intent to slow people down and deter traffic on an MSA street. She stated that after MnDOT was informed of the speed bumps they came out to Dysprosium Street to view the bumps and it was at that time that MnDOT made the determination that the bumps did not meet the MSA standards and for that reason the letter was written to the City informing them that the speed bumps should be removed and that MnDOT would be willing to work with the City on other traffic calming alternatives. Ms. Loken also noted that the City has used state aid funds to re-build Dysprosium street and if the speed bumps are not removed the City would have to pay the funds back to the state for the remaining life of the road. Mayor Gamec inquired if the City removed Dysprosium Street from the MSA system and designated another street in the City as an MSA street would the City still have to pay the funds back to the state. Ms. Loken replied that there is approximately three years before the 25-year, life cycle would end for Dysprosium Street and the City would be required to pay back the remaining life of the road, which is approximately $26,000. By removing Dysprosium Street from the MSA system the City would reduce their needs by $3,800. She explained that if the City removes Dysprosium Street from the MSA system, the next time the City would [equest state aid funds, the amount would be reduced by the $26,000. City Council/September 26, 2000 Page 4 of 36