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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – APRIL 13, 2020 2 <br /> <br />Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom stated the Metropolitan Council recognizes <br />that there are many road improvement needs. He explained that the Transportation Advisory <br />Board has made previous decisions to prioritize funding for roads that serve a regional purpose, <br />and funding has been available for approximately half of the projects submitted during past <br />solicitations. <br /> <br />Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom indicated project sponsors are able to <br />construct projects early via “Advance Construction”. This would allow the City to have their <br />project programmed in the Transportation Improvement Program in 2024 and construct with local <br />funds early. The federal funds would be reimbursed in 2024, or earlier if there are additional <br />federal funds available. He commented further on the proposed grant and requested direction from <br />the Council on how to proceed. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes asked if the Snelling Avenue North Trail Extension from County Road <br />E to Highway 51 was the same project the Council looked at last fall. <br /> <br />Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom stated this was the same project that was <br />reviewed in the fall. He reported staff had a schematic layout for the trail. He noted the trail <br />would be ten feet wide in most places, and a small portion would be eight feet wide. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes did not believe this project had been vetted enough to move forward. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden questioned if a link would be made into the Roseville trail system. <br /> <br />Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom reported this would be the intent for future <br />connection to the trail system in Roseville. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden stated she would rather see the City spending its trail dollars on a <br />regional trail from E2 to County Road 96. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung indicated this was his preference as well. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden commented on items that were being considered in the State’s bonding <br />bill. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes asked if it made sense to make the water line a higher priority than the <br />trail. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden stated the Council had voted on this. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes supported the Mounds View High School trail and questioned if the <br />Council also wanted to think about the E2 to County Road 96 trail. <br /> <br />Further discussion ensued regarding the City’s share for the trail projects. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden stated she would recommend the City pursue the Mounds View High <br />School trail. She noted there would be another grant for this next year.