05/13/03 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

FC CASE # AUTHORIZATION TO CONTRACT FOR T.H. #10 CORRIDOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY By: James E. Norman, City Administrator Background: The City has been working with The Tinklenberg Group to serve as consultants for the City in a variety of transportation issues. During the course of The Tinklenberg Group's work, it was determined that it would be in the best interest of the City to complete the environmental work on the T.H. #10 Corridor Study (AUAR) in order to move into official mapping for the corridor. It was estimated that the project costs for environmental work would total approximately $45,000. The City will contract with The Tinklenberg Group, who will in turn sub-contract the technical portion of the AUAR with CH2M Hill. Council may recall CH2M Hill performed the corridor study for the Northwest Metro Corridor and River Crossing Study over the Mississippi River and it is also important to note that the principal engineer who worked with the Highway #10 Corridor Study performed by The Howard Green Group now works for CH2M Hill. The completion of the environmental work allows for official mapping for the Corridor which will in turn allow the properties north of Highway #10 to be eligible for reimbursement from the Revolving Acquisition Loan Fund (RALF) through the Metropolitan Council. Completing the environmental documents help safeguard against claims that the State Environmental Laws were not followed in the event of an appeal. This does not, however, take into account Federal requirements, which at some point may need to be addressed. The AUAR process and official mapping assist in enabling the City to preclude development. It would likely jeopardize future T.H. #10 transportation improvements in terms of right~of-way acquisition and cost. The Tinklenberg Group has initiated dialogue with Anoka County and the Metropolitan Council and has been able to initiate a sharing of costs for the environmental work. Anoka County has requested a joint powers agreement be drafted that would allow the City to serve as lead agency and they would contribute $20,000 for the environmental work. The Metropolitan Council would be willing to contribute $5,000 toward the project leaving the City to finance the remaining $20,000. Committee Action: Motion to recommend the City Council enter into contractual agreement with The Tinklenberg Group to perform an AUAR Study on T.H. #10, as well as other outreach and funding source oversight activities concerning T.H. #10. and - Motion to recommend the City Council enter into a joint powers agreement with Anoka County and Metropolitan Council for completion of the AUAR of T.H. #10 process with the City of Ramsey serving as lead agency. Reviewed by: City Administrator Finance Officer FC: 05/13/03