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<br />Mr. Fischer stated this is probably the property that is most adversely affected by this project; it <br />is the only movement that is precluded from entrance as well as exit. He reviewed possible <br />traffic patterns entering and exiting the property. He indicated the project that had been laid out <br />showed a hard median through the McKinley Street intersection. A design change has been <br />, made where the median will end at McKinley Street with a left turn lane at that location that <br />would allow a u-turn at McKinley Street. That is a short term solution; when they proceed with <br />the project to the north it would need to be revisited. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jeffrey pointed out the statistics provided regarding the businesses affected by <br />the median on Bunker Lake Boulevard, with Super America having sold 37% fewer gallons of <br />gas and diesel in the first five months of 2007, compared to the first five months of 2006. He <br />stressed that access should be provided to the shopping center. <br /> <br />, Mr. Fischer stated his responsibility as County Engineer is to move traffic safely and efficiently. <br />He does not want to harm businesses in the process. He stressed that the County has a 20 year <br />plan in place showing the planned road improvements that is available for anyone's review. He <br />stressed that the Sunfish Lake Boulevard improvements have been in the County's system for a <br />long time and pointed out the following additional information that has been available regarding <br />the plans for Sunfish Lake Boulevard: 1) plat review completed in 2002 stating that access to <br />Sunfish Lake Boulevard would be limited to right-in/right-out; 2) Ramsey Town Center (RTC) <br />Memorandum of Understanding for transportation improvements related to RTC with Sunfish <br />Lake Boulevard identified as a four lane highway. <br /> <br />Mr. Fischer stated this project is proceeding because the federal funding came through recently <br />to complete the railroad improvements. People adjust to the road improvements. The County's <br />point of view is that the crash data is unacceptable. Something needs to be done and this project <br />is their solution. He understands that the Council and the businesses have many concerns, but <br />this is a real issue and is what the County is trying to respond to. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated he spoke with Mr. Fischer on the phone with regards to the location <br />at Highway 65 and the East Bethel Theater. There is a two lane highway going each way on <br />Highway 65 with a cross over, and Mr. Fischer's response to him had been that these are being <br />closed throughout the system. Councilmember Look stated those cars are doing 60 plus mph, <br />and on Sunfish Lake Boulevard they are lucky to be going 30 mph. He does not believe that cars <br />crossing over two lanes of traffic out of Sunfish Commons and heading north on Sunfish Lake <br />Boulevard will be colliding with each other on a regular basis. He does not buy the hard <br />channelization. He asked what position the County will take if the Council does not approve this <br />project based on the channelization. <br /> <br />Mr. Fischer replied there are a couple of routes that can be taken. Municipal consent is needed <br />for federal and state funded projects. If the municipality does not provide that consent, there is a <br />remedy where they can go to dispute resolution with each side presenting their case. There is a <br />cost share involved with this project, and the County could not compel the City to cost share in <br />the project with the exception that there is a Joint Powers Agreement (JP A) between the City and <br />County for all of the transportation improyements relating to Ramsey Town Center, and in that <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / June 26, 2007 <br />Page 5 of 10 <br />