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Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes January 19, 2021 Page 2 Committee Member Poelzer was concerned about a six-foot wide shoulder with larger vehicles passing bicyclists. She would rather do a trail and not just shoulders. She felt parents would rather have their children using a trail that is divided from the road and not just a shoulder. Committee Member Kiernan agreed and said he would strongly push for a trail. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom explained Alternative 1 was for an eight to ten-foot wide paved trail separated from the edge of the roadway. Alternative 2 doesn’t have a curb but provides for a ten-foot wide paved shoulder on the west side of the roadway. There is currently a 40-foot wide roadway. Alternative 2 would allow for an eight-foot shoulder on the east side, two 11-foot lanes and a ten-foot shoulder on the west side. If the City Council decides to go with Alternative 2, that will be the staff recommendation. Committee Member Anderson expressed that she and her children walk this road daily in the summer and nearly daily in the winter. It might be a worthwhile investment in the long term given how much the road is used. Without a curb traffic could easily veer off. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom noted that State Aid dollars are allocated out for at least five years and the cost for the project isn’t using State Aid money although the City has to comply with the design requirements. The City’s portion of the project will come from the general fund. The City assessment policy states that properties are assessed for the roadway they are addressed on and a vast majority of properties along the corridor are addressed on side streets. Committee Member Poelzer asked if they made the shoulders the same width and the travel lanes narrower, could they still have one or two crosswalks. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom said they could look for potential locations for crosswalks along the corridor. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom explained the time line. There will be a public engagement period and comments will be collected and reported to the City Council in April or May. At that time the Council will decide on which alternative to pursue. Committee Member Anderson asked about the corner of County Road E and Snelling and the proposed roundabout. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom discussed the traffic study that was done in 2018. The intersection is now a separate project from the roadway and the intersection will be restudied to see if a roundabout is justified. The road improvements are on track to be done in 2022. Public Works Director/City Engineer Blomstrom discussed project funding. Committee Member Nelson Asked if one shoulder was made even narrower and the speed limit was lowered would that solve the problem.