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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — NOVEMBER 28, 2022 2 <br />Joey Lundquist, Ramsey County, reviewed the costs for the County Road E and Old Snelling <br />Intersection improvements project. She reported the City would be responsible for one -quarter of <br />the project, along with $400,000 in main and sanitary improvements. She commented on the <br />right-of-way acquisition costs, along with the project oversight and engineering costs. <br />Brian Johnson, SRF Consultants, discussed how costs had escalated in recent years. <br />Councilmember Radziej asked if the City utility work would be bid separately, or would this all <br />be done under one contract. <br />Mr. Johnson explained the project would be bid under one contract. <br />Councilmember Holden noted the cost for the City's portion of this project went up almost <br />$500,000. She questioned if this was due to right-of-way expenses. <br />Mr. Johnson reported this was the case. <br />Mayor Grant indicated the project costs for the City had risen 82%. <br />Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen stated this was the case. He explained staff <br />had originally budgeted $757,000 for this project and the project costs have increased $621,000. <br />Councilmember Radziej requested further information regarding the right-of-way expenses. <br />John Mazzitello, Ramsey County, commented on the necessary right-of-way easements for this <br />project and stated some were temporary in nature while others were permanent. <br />Councilmember Holden reported she did not understand how the City would come up with <br />another $700,000 for this project. <br />Councilmember Radziej suggested this project be pushed towards the park in order to lessen the <br />impact on Lindy's. <br />Mr. Mazzitello indicated this would require all four legs of the intersection to be realigned, which <br />may be the same cost as the right-of-way acquisition. <br />Mayor Grant stated the project costs were currently at $4,239,000. He questioned what the <br />County spent on Lexington Avenue. <br />Mayor Grant expressed concern with the fact this project, for one intersection, would cost about <br />one-fourth of the entire Lexington Avenue project. <br />Further discussion ensued regarding spacing standards and traffic safety for intersections. <br />Councilmember Holmes stated she would like to see the County and the City being more <br />creative with this intersection because she did not believe the proposed roundabout with the rising <br />