07-20-2020-WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – JULY 20, 2020 9 Finance Director Bauman replied that this version of the CIP plan had the round-a-bout pushed back to 2026. Councilmember Holmes said she didn’t think there had been a decision about whether it would be built at all. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom said last fall there was a feasibility study, and the City and the County did a study of the intersection in 2018 and that study concluded that a roundabout was recommended as an improvement. As part of completing the feasibility study for the intersection the Council would need to decide if they agreed with the recommendation or if there was another alternative they wish to pursue. Councilmember Holmes said there was in assumption that Bethel College population on their main campus would increase, but that is changing. She felt the study may be inaccurate. She said she wondered if they should do a round-a-bout in an environment where money is tight and there isn’t unanimity on having one. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom agreed that conditions have changed from what the assumptions are in the report and that could potentially change the recommendation. He thought it would be a good idea to look at the study again to verify that the recommendations hold true. Councilmember Holmes indicated the CIP says there is going to be a roundabout, not when. She felt there needs to be more consideration of whether or not it will happen. Councilmember Holden agreed. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom said the County had not requested it be pushed to 2026, it was a change staff offered for consideration to try to balance the cash flow in the PIR Fund. What was discussed with Ramsey County was if they had concerns about separating the roadway project of south of County Road E between County Road E and Highway 51 from the roundabout. The County indicated they had no objections to separating the projects. He wanted to get feedback from Council before he presented moving the date to the County. Councilmember McClung asked when can they refocus on the issue to decide how they want to move forward. Councilmember Holden wondered if the County decides to do the roundabout does the City have any way to stop it. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom stated there would need to be a cooperative agreement between the County and the City for the project to move forward. Councilmember Scott wondered if the Lexington Avenue project was still on track.