Loading...
6.5. SR 06-23-2003Howard R, Green Oompany Item June 18, 2003 File: 230000M-0325 Honorable Mayor and City Council City of Elk River 13065 Orono Parkway Elk River, MN 55330 RE: CITY COUNCIL/COUNTY BOARD JOINT MEETING TRANSPORTATION ISSUES Dear Council Members: In reviewing my notes and the minutes of the joint City Council/County Board meeting on May 27, 2003, there were a few transportation issues that need further attention. These would include the following items: County Road 33 (CR 33)/County Road 77 (CR 77) Realignment Dave Schwarting, County Engineer, discussed the County plan to realign CR 33 tO the south and to realign and lower CR 77 (Proctor Avenue) over the next several years. Mr. Schwarting indicated that Proctor Avenue might be closed as early as this fall for two years to allow the gravel companies to mine the aggregate material under the road. Sherbume County has received a TEA 21 grant for paving the road in fiscal year 2006. The question Mr. Schwarting posed to the City Council at the joint meeting was whether or not the City ever envisioned the new road alignment that had been shown previously on the City's transportation plan going between Elk River Country Club and Woodland Trails Park to meet up with County Road 1. Mr. Schwarting's concern is if this read will never be constructed, he would like to change his design to have CR 33 to be the through movement in the realignment of CR 33 and CR 77. Currently CR 33 would be a temporary stop condition at a "T" intersection. Mr. Schwarting asked that the City Council give him an answer on this issue by the end of July 2003. County Road 33 alignment east of TH 169 There was discussion at the joint meeting regarding the potential realignment of CR 33 to the southeast to line up with County Road 22 in Anoka County. The City Council has previously sent a resolution to Sherbume County dated September 23, 2002, asking the County to undertake an Alignment Study of this portion of CR 33. There was no consensus at the joint meeting relative to whether or not the County would undertake such a study. There was some discussion about the County cost participation policy that states the City is responsible for the acquisition of right-of-way for County read projects. It seems the City could either undertake the study themselves with the intent of ultimately constructing a City read on this alignment or try to work jointly with Sherbume County to undertake the study and official mapping of this right-of-way. Ltr-061803-City Council 1326 Energy Park Drive · St. Paul, MN 55108 ° 651/644-4389 fax 651/644-9446 toll free 888/368-4389 City Council June 18, 2003 Page Two County Road 40 (Cleveland Avenue) The County has officially mapped the right-of-way for County Road 40 as acknowledged by Rhonda Lewis, Assistant County Engineer, at the joint meeting. City Council has previously gone on record and indicated they are unwilling to acquire the necessary additional right-of-way to reconstruct this road in fiscal year 2004 when Sherbume County has a TEA 21 grant available for this road construction. Mr. Schwarting indicated that he will ask MnDOT to postpone the federal project one year. This will give the City some additional time to see if development in this general area will provide an opportunity for acquiring the right-of-way with little or no cost through the platting process. If the City is able to acquire enough right-of-way to have this project moved forward, the one issue that will need to be discussed further is whether or not this road should be constructed to an urban standard versus the rural standard that the County currently plans for the reconstruction. As the City Council actions stand right now, we would do nothing other than wait to see if platting activities would allow for the acquisition of some of this property. If it does not, the TEA 21 grant Sherburne County has will likely go away, and the road will go unimproved until some point in the future. If the City Council would like staff to take any further action on this issue, we would request specific direction. County Road 44 (Upland Avenue/Meadowvale Road). Sherburne County indicated that the upgrading of this road is on their 2004 program but indicated they will have a hard time delivering the design with their staff. Dave Schwarting, County Engineer, discussed the potential of allowing the City to lead this design and construction project with the County providing funding for their portion of the construction cost and a set percentage for the overhead cost. They would then continue jurisdiction over road after construction. Mr. Schwarting indicated he would have to get County Board action to extend this offer to the City of Elk River. We should discuss this issue and be ready to respond to Sherbume County's offer when it is presented to the City Council. These are the four items I have from my notes and the minutes of the joint meeting relative to transportation issues that may require further discussion and/or action. If you have any questions regarding any of these issues, I will be in attendance at your June 23, 2003 City Council meeting. Sincerely, Howard R. Green Company Terry J. Maurer, P.E. TJM/akc Ltr-061803-City Council Howard R, Green Company