4.6. SR 06-18-2001River
MEMORANDUM
Item
~t 4.6.
TO:
Mayor and City Council
FROM:
Pat Klaers, City Administrator
DATE: June 18, 2001
SUBJECT: Consider Resolution Supporting River Crossing Study
Anoka County is the lead agency in getting a group of local government units together to
study a river crossing alignment. Attached for your information is a letter to the Mayor
regarding this study. A number of our neighboring communities have already approved the
attached resolution which supports the study and which agrees to have city representatives
participate on the committees.
Requested Action
It is recommended that the City Council approve the attached resolution supporting the
northwest corridor river crossing study and appoint Mayor Kdinzing to the policy advisory
committee and Pat Kdaers to the technical advisory committee.
C
OUNTY OF ANO
Office of the County Board of Commissioners
GOVERNMENT CENTER
2100 3rd Avenue · Anoka, Minnesota 55303-2265
(763) 323-5700
May 21, 2001
DENNIS D. BERG
County Commissioner
District #1
The Honorable Stephanie Klinzing
Mayor, City of Elk River
248 Railroad Drive NW
Elk River, MN 55330
Dear Mayor Klinzing:
Anoka County would like your support and cooperation as we begin study of a north-south corridor to relieve current and
future traffic congestion crossing the Mississippi River. While it is not news that traffic congestion crossing the river has
been on everyone's agenda in recent years, it is news that funding has become available for an initial study of a future
crossing. Thanks to Mn/DOT's current focus on interregional corridors, priorities have shifted to provide funding for this
'st step of a study.
As part of that first step, we are seeking to engage the support and cooperation of the policymakers and other leaders of
your community as this study unfolds. Each community will likely have information that should be considered as part of
the study. This may include formal documents, such as your adopted land use and transportation plans, but it may also
include informal information, such as the traditions of downtown areas or other historic facts that should be taken into
consideration as part of the study. These can only be included with your cooperation and support.
Toward that end, I am asking you to consider the enclosed resolution at your next available council meeting. The
resolution indicates your community's support of the study effort as we examine the options for a Northwest Metro
Corridor and River Crossing alignment. As a follow-up to your action on this resolution, we are asking you to consider
appointing an elected official or staff member to the Policy Advisory Committee (PAC), and a staff member to the
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to participate in the study effort. The roles of the PAC and TAC will be to advise
and support the study to assure key information about your community is introduced and that key interests are
represented.
I look forward to your support and active participation in this study. Meanwhile, if you have questions, please contact
Jon Olson, County Engineer, at 763-862-4213. I'm certain you will agree that this is an important study for our northwest
communities. I look forward to working with you toward possible solutions.
Sincerely,
Dennis D. Berg
Anoka County Commissioner
DB:bi
Enclosure
cc: City Manager
FAX: 763-323-5682
Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer
.~,
TDDFFTY: 763-323-5289
RESOLUTION NO. O1-
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING NORTHWEST CORRIDOR RIVER CROSSING STUDY
AND AGREEING TO PARTICIPATE IN POLICY AND TECHNICAL
COMMITTEES SUPPORTING THE STUDY
WHEREAS, the city of , located in the northwest region of the Twin Cities
Metropolitan Area, is part of an area, experiencing growth in population and employment; and,
WHEREAS, a consequence of growth in this part of the region, and in adjacent areas, has been
significant traffic increases along the TH 101, TH 169, TH 10 and 1-94 corridors, causing
substantial delays at the individual corridor crossings of the Mississippi River during the rush
hours; and,
WHEREAS, this increased traffic congestion along these corridors has been recognized as a
regional priority in the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) Metro Division 2005 -
2025 Transportation System Plan, Metropolitan Council's Transportation Policy Plan; and,
WHEREAS, the An0ka County Comprehensive Plan, the Hennepin County Transportation Systems
Plan, and the Comprehensive Plans of the cities of Ramsey and Dayton contemplate the
expansion of a Northwest Metro roadway connection, involving a Mississippi River crossing
between Ramsey and Dayton; and,
WHEREAS, Mn/DOT, Anoka County, and Hennepin County have expressed a willingness to
finance and participate in a Northwest Metro Corridor and River Crossing Study to consider a
long-term option to address the relief of the highway corridors and river crossings; and,
WHEREAS, the City of acknowledges that it is in the best interest of the City to study
the potential for a future river crossing and to examine the impacts of options on the cities,
counties, and properties in the northwest metropolitan area:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY/COUNTY OF
FOLLOWS:
AS
That the city of supports Anoka County, Hennepin County, and Mn/DOT in their
study of a northwest corridor river crossing; and,
That the city of agrees to participate in Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) and
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) engaged as part of the study.
ADOPTED THIS DAY OF 2001.
ATTEST: SIGNED: