6.16. SR 04-17-2006
City of Elk River
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Agenda Section Meeting Date
En ineerin A ril 17, 2006
Item Description
TH 169 Environmental/Geometric Study
Item Number
6.16.
Prepared by
Ter Maurer, Ci
Reviewed by
Introduction
District 3 MnDOT has been planning for some time to undertake an Environmental/ Geometric
Study ofTH 169 from Highway 10 in Elk River to Highway 95 in Princeton. This study is the
next step in advancing the Inter-Regional Corridor (IRC) Plan for TH 169. However, MnDOT
Central Office has recently pulled the funding for this study and several others around the State.
Because of budget constraints, planning monies are only being spent on highways with
programmed projects in MnDOT's 20 year plan. MnDOT is currently programming all of its
money for preservation and or/ safety projects. TH 169 is considered an expansion project.
Therefore, it is unlikely this study will be funded in the foreseeable future.
Discussion
Staff has had an opportunity to discuss options regarding this TH 169 Study and to review them
with MnDOT officials during our recent spring tour. It is staffs opinion that this is a very
important study to the City for a number of reasons. First, it will provide a framework for future
development along TH 169, allowing the City to understand exactly what areas are needed to
preserve for future interchanges. Second, it will advance the TH 169 Corridor projects to the
point that if future administrations provide bonding money or other types of additional money to
MnDOT to advance projects, the TH 169 Corridor projects will be able to compete for that
money. Currently, with just the IRC Study, projects along TH 169 are not considered for money
made available to MnDOT.
In discussions with MnDOT, we believe it would cost approximately $1 million to undertake an
environmental/ geometric study of TH 169 within the City of Elk River. MnDOT has already
selected a consultant and negotiated a contract which currently is on hold due to funding being
pulled. If the City Council were to fund this study within the City of Elk River, they could use the
MnDOT selected consultant and the contract recently negotiated. MnDOT has indicated their
willingness to act as the lead undertaking this study and to provide manpower to oversee the
study. We have also talked with MnDOT regarding the ability to use Municipal State Aid Funds
to pay for the study.
Financial Impact
It appears that the study would cost approximately $1 million which should be fundable with the
City's Municipal State Aid Funds. One million dollars is approximately 1 Yz years annual
allotment of Municipal State Aid Funds.
Attachments
Resolution indicating the City of Elk River's conditions under which they would consider
funding a TH 169 Environmental/Geometric Study
Action Requested
Discussion regarding the City's willingness to fund an Environmental/Geometric Study along the
TH 169 Corridor within the City of Elk River, given certain conditions such as the ability to use
Municipal State Aid Funds to pay for it, MnDOT's willingness to provide personnel to coordinate
and direct the study, and MnDOT's willingness to give the City of Elk River consideration on
future construction projects for money spent on the study. If the Council is agreeable with staff
on this issue, adoption of the resolution would be appropriate. If this resolution is adopted, staff
would negotiate further with MnDOT and their selected consultant to fIrm up this proposal and
bring it back to the City in the form of a cooperative agreement.
Council Action
Motion by _
Second by _
Vote
Follow Up
S: \EngineerImprovProj \2006 Improvement Projects \ 1B 169 Study \ 04 03 06 CC memo. doc
RESOLUTION 06-
A RESOLUTION FOR THE CITY OF ELK RIVER
A RESOLUTION INDICATING THE CITY'S SUPPORT
FOR AN INVIRONMENTALjGEOMETRIC STUDY
OF TH 169 AND A WILLINGNESS TO FUND THE STUDY
WHEREAS, MnDOT has completed a Highway 101/169 Corridor Management Plan dated
April 2002; and
WHEREAS, MnDOT District 3 had planned to initiate a TH 169 Environmental and
Geometric Study between Elk River and Princeton in 2006; and
WHEREAS, the City of Elk River was enthusiastically anticipating the Environmental and
Geometric Study to further defme developments adjacent to the TH 169 Corridor;
and,
WHEREAS, MnDOT District 3 has recently informed the City of Elk River that funding for
the TH 169 Environmental and Geometric Study has been cut from the budget.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Elk River,
Minnesota:
1. The City of Elk River will consider funding the TH 169 Environmental and Geometric
Study within the City of Elk River, anticipating that the cost would be approximately $1
million.
2. The City funding the TH 169 Study is conditioned upon the ability to use City of Elk River
Municipal State Aid Funds to pay for the study.
3. The City funding is also conditioned on MnDOT providing their staff to coordinate and
participate in the TH 169 Study.
4. The City would like MnDOT to give the City of Elk River due consideration for funding
the Study after MnDOT canceled funding for this study when future improvements along
TH 169 are constructed.
Passed and adopted this 17th day of April, 2006.
Stephanie A. Klinzing, Mayor
ATTEST:
Joan M. Schmidt, City Clerk
S:\EngineerImprovProj\2006 Improvement Projects\TH 169 Study\Resolu City fund study. doc