5.15. SR 06-07-2004 oward R, Green Company
Item ~5.15.
June 2,2004
File: 819310J-0325
Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of Elk River
13065 Orono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
RE: COUNTY ROAD 40 TURNBACK
Dear Council Members:
At the last monthly meeting between Sherburne County and the City of Elk River, during the
discussion of County Road (CR) 40 reconstruction between CSAH 12 and CSAH 13, the issue of a
turn back from Sherbume County to the City of Elk River was bdefly discussed. Dave Schwarting
indicated that Sherbume County had tded to place CR 40 on their County State Aid system. The
MnDOT State Aid Engineer rejected this request. His comment, according to Dave Schwarting
was that CR 40 would be better served on the Municipal State Aid (MSA) system. I indicated at
the last monthly meeting that I would present some initial information to the City Council to
determine whether or not there was any desire to have continued discussion with Sherbume
County regarding the possible turn back of CR 40 to the City of Elk River.
Generally when speaking of a County Road turn back, there are a number of potential positives,
along with some obvious negative ramifications. I will now try to summarize them as factually as
possible. The issues I see, pre and con, are as follows:
According to the MSA rules, when a City takes back a County Road, the City is allowed
to place the County Road on their MSA system above and beyond their allotted
mileage. CR 40 is approximately 1.6 miles long; therefore, the City of Elk River would
be allowed to place the 1.6 miles immediately on their State Aid system above their
normally allotted mileage. In 2004, the City of Elk River received $14,831 of MSA
allotment per mile of roadway on the system. Therefore, Elk River could expect
approximately $23,700 in increased annual allotment if CR 40 were turned back to the
City.
There is a federal TEA 21 grant for the reconstruction of CR 40 in fiscal year 2006.
That grant is in the amount of $719,104. I have talked with the MnDOT State Aid
Engineer, who has indicated if the road were turned back, the grant would be passed to
the City of Elk River. He also indicated that if necessary, he feels the grant could be
pushed back an additional year to fiscal year 2007. Any reconstruction of CR 40 would
be first funded by the federal dollars available. Construction costs above and beyond
the federal grant would be then divided between the City and the County, according to
the County's Cost Participation Policy. This agreement would have to be negotiated as
O:~ROJ~819310J~0325~tr-O60204-Cou ncil.doc
2550 University Avenue West · Suite400N · St. Paul, MN 55114 · 651/644-4389 fax651/644-9446 toll free 888/368-4389
City Council
June 2, 2004
Page Two
part of the turn back of the County Road, to ensure that the County had funds available
when the City wanted to reconstruction CR 40.
Sherburne County would provide the average amount of maintenance dollars spent
annually per mile to the City of Elk River for two years after the turn back is complete.
Dave Schwarting has indicated that the County average maintenance expenditure on
their road system is $2,816 per mile. Therefore, the City of Elk River could expect to
receive approximately $4,500 for each of the first two years after the turn back is
complete.
The obvious negative in considering a tum back is that the City would be responsible for
operations and maintenance on 1.6 miles of additional roadway. This would include
items such as snow plowing, sweeping, crack filling, and seal coating.
With this general framework as background, I am looking for direction from the City Council as to
whether or not you would want me to continue the conversation with Sherburne County about the
conditions of an agreement for the turn back of CR 40 to the City of Elk River. If you have any
questions, please call.
Sincerely,
Howard R. Green Company
Terry J. Maurer, P.E.
TJM:sw
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Howard R. Green Company