Minutes - Public Works Committee - 03/20/2007

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Elvig, Councilmembers Olson and Dehen. Voting No: None. COMMITTEE BUSINESS Case #1: Report on Contingent Offer for Property Facilitating the Neon Street Connection between 157th Lane & 157th Avenue City Engineer Janl(owski reviewed that during the course of the approval process for the Rum River Meadows townhome development, the City Council directed staff to secure a first right of refusal for a property north of this subdivision to allow for a future street connection to 157th Lane. The options for reducing the length of the cul-de-sac for the street serving this development were severely limited since the areas south and west of this development are wetlands. At the January 2007 Public Worl(s Committee meeting it had been brought to the attention of the Committee that the parcel identified as being best suited for this connection was being advertised for sale. Staff was directed by the City Council at the February 13, 2007 meeting to make a contingent offer for the purchase of this property. The purpose of this case is to report on the progress made pursing the acquisition of this property and addressing the status of the contingencies which included; (a) a traffic study favorable to the mal(ing of the connection; (b) an appraisal validating the listed purchase price of the property. Mr. Janl(owski stated Council also directed that the immediate neighborhood be notified of the City's intent to pursue this street connection. The following items are included in the Committee's pacl(et: 1. Appraisal prepared by David C. Hughes 2. Traffic impact study report 3. Informational open house resident notification letter 4. Open house notification area 5. March 7, 2007 neighborhood meeting attendance sheet 6. Vicinity maps City Engineer Jankowsl(i indicated a contingent offer has been made to and accepted by the property owner of 5860 157th Lane in the asking price of $282,900. An appraisal of this property has been received from David C. Hughes, a certified residential appraiser which supports the value of the City's offer. A traffic analysis evaluating the impact on this street connection on the area has been prepared by Bolton & Menl( Consulting Engineers Inc. dated March 7, 2007. Mr. Jankowsl(i provided an overview of the following conclusions of the traffic analysis: 1. The connection will increase the volume of traffic using 157th Lane west of TH 47 by approximately 90 vehicles per day (9%). 2. The traffic on Potassium Street will likely decrease by 50 vehicles per day. 3. This connection will allow local neighborhood traffic to access TH 47 without using Alpine Drive, Nowthen Blvd., or 158th Avenue, traffic on these routes will decrease slightly. 4. The intersection should be controlled as a thru-stop, with the north and south legs stopping for east-west approaches. City Engineer Janl(owsl(i advised staff would conclude that the results of this study are favorable to the making of the connection. He stated staff notified 89 residents who would be affected by Public Works Committee / March 20, 2007 Page 2 of 14