11-16-2020-WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—NOVEMBER 16, 2020 13 City Administrator Perrault commented Director Blomstrom would be attending the meeting to listen only and would not be commenting on issues. Councilmember Holden noted the proposal for Round Lake has been in place for some time and a public comment period was held. She indicated she did not support dumping the RAB meetings on staff. Mayor Grant explained City Councilmembers could attend future RAB meetings as an individual resident of Arden Hills for listening purposes and could report back to the Council. He stated this did not require the approval of the City Council. Councilmember Scott indicated he would likely be attending the RAB meetings but this would not be in an official City capacity. Council consensus was to not appoint a City Councilmember to the RAB. G. Lexington Avenue Improvement Project Status Update Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom stated City staff was requested to add an agenda item on the work session for November 16 to discuss the status of the Lexington Avenue Improvement project. The project includes roadway and utility improvements between County Road E and 1-694, with funding participation from Ramsey County, the City of Arden Hills, and the City of Shoreview. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom explained the project delivery schedule has changed over the past two years. The project was originally scheduled for construction in the year 2020. In November 2019, the County notified the City that project construction would shift to the year 2021 due to the amount of time needed to complete the easement acquisition process. In August 2020, the County notified the City that the Lexington Avenue project construction schedule would likely be shifted to the year 2022 due to limitations on available funding as a result of COVID-19. County staff fully expects the Lexington Avenue project to be constructed in 2022 due to the limited terms of the negotiated right of way agreements. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom indicated the Lexington Avenue project requires three agreements involving the City of Arden Hills. The City Council previously approved a Cooperative Agreement for Right of Way Acquisition with Ramsey County on March 23, 2020. This agreement committed City cost participation in the estimated amount of $228,218.76 for temporary and permanent easements along the corridor. Councilmember Scott asked if the City wanted to avoid tackling Snelling Avenue and the County Road E intersection projects both in the same year Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom reported staff was recommending these projects not be completed in the same year. He stated the County was also making this same recommendation. He explained the County would prefer to shift the intersection improvements to 2023 or 2024.