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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—OCTOBER 24, 2011 3 preservation of streets recently rebuilt and slow down reconstruction of the remaining streets to an every other year schedule. Public Works Director Maurer stated that there are a few projects that have been discussed as possible 2012 projects. Staff would need direction to move forward soon if any of these are to be ready for construction in 2012. These projects are: 1. Old Snelling Avenue from County Road E to TH 51. A preliminary scoping document laying out options was prepared in December 2010. Preliminary survey work and soil borings were completed at that time. This street is eligible for the use of Municipal State Aid (MSA) funds for improvements that meet MSA standards. 2. The Mounds View High School trail has been discussed. In order to move forward in 2012 with construction, topographic information should be gathered prior to snowfall so design can proceed through the winter months. MSA monies could be used to fund this proj ect. 3. Council and staff have heard from several residents on Edgewater Avenue between Asbury Avenue and Ridgewood Road about the condition of their street. Its PCI rating is 34 and it is clearly one of worst condition streets in the City. Public Works Director Maurer stated that staff is recommending a discussion regarding the balance between street reconstruction and maintenance/preservation activities. Staff would also appreciate direction on potential upcoming projects and/or additional information the Council would like to see at a future meeting. Public Works Director Maurer also explained that he was just at a Mn/DOT meeting and learned that $33 million had been placed in a bridge bonding account and $24 million is unallotted. He contacted Kimley-Horn, the engineering firm that had done the bridge analysis on Old Snelling, and it would take about $30,000 - $40,000 to design plans to submit to the state for a portion of the bridge-bonding funds. He added that Old Snelling is a State Aid route so bridge bonding would pay 50 percent of the cost. The Old Snelling bridge replacement project is estimated to be a $500,000 project and if the Council is interested staff can move forward to get a firm quote from Kimley-Horn to get the plans to an approval level and submitted to the State. Councilmember Tamble stated that the City would need to do this engineering regardless. Public Works Director Maurer stated that the City has $950,000 in the State Aid account and will get$180,000 in 2012 in construction funds. In a year or two, if the City doesn't use the State Aid funds, it will be penalized by the State, but if it's spent down, the City becomes eligible for an interest-free loan for four times the amount of the City's annual allotment, not to exceed $3 million. Arden Hills would qualify for approximately an $800,000 loan amount, interest free. Eligible State Aid projects include: Old Snelling, costs associated with the US 10/Highway 96 interchange, certain portions of the B-2 district, the County Road E bridge, the Mounds View High School trail, and the trails adjacent to streets as shown in the Valentine Park concept plans. Councilmember Tamble questioned if retaining walls would be eligible.