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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - JUNE 28, 1999 3 . Program to finance an elderly housing development project, giving preliminary approval to the project and the issuance of Revenue Bonds pursuant to Minnesota Law, and ratifYing the preparation of a Housing Finance Program (Presbyterian Homes Obligated Group Project). The motion carried unanimously (5-0). PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING rnIGHW A Y 96 RECONSTRUCTION - I-35W TO LEXINGTON AVENUE) Mr. Jim Tolaas, Ramsey County Public Works Project Manager, explained that Ramsey County and the City of Arden Hills have been working with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to develop plans for the reconstruction of Highway 96 from 1-35W to Lexington Avenue. One of the most challenging issues identified in this segment has been in the area between I-35W and US Highway 10. Conflicts with Round Lake, improved commercial access, property impacts to Arden Manor Mobile Home Park, traffic capacity, and access for future development of the TCAAP site have been addressed in the design process. . Ramsey County is working closely witll the Minnesota Department of Transportation to find a solution for putting together a funding package. The County is also trying to be sensitive to the needs of the City of Arden Hills, for the current development of the Round Lake Park area, as well as future development of the TCAAP area and the Mobile Home Park. Ramsey County has struggled to find a solution, which is acceptable to both the City of Arden Hills and the State of Minnesota. In the past, Ramsey County has been a proponent of protecting local interest as well as serving long-term regional needs, which has been a difficult task. Mr. Tolaas stated that he was present at the meeting to present one recent proposed solution, which has been through the Minnesota Department of Transportation' s preliminary layout group. The Minnesota Department of Transportation sees this as a more attractive option than the previous one as it would be safer and would set itself up well for a future interchange off of US Highway 10. This option also protects the City's long-term interest. In the short term, there would be some trade-offs for the City of Arden Hills. At previous meetings, Ramsey County had proposed a grade separation at US Highway 10 and Highway 96. This previous solution which was presented and approved by the City Council, would have provided a ramp on the north side of Highway 96 to provide access from US Highway 10 to Highway 96 for both east and west bound traffic. This option was presented to the Minnesota Department of Transportation and it was agreed that this concept did serve the intermediate access need, while at the same time setting itself up a future interchange to the north which would provide good access for the TCAAP site. . What the Minnesota Department of Transportation focused on in the final analysis of this option was, because of the openings on US Highway 10 serving the Big IOSupper Club, Scherer Lumber, Arden Manor Mobile Home Park and the TCAAP area, there would be weaving issues and safety problems with the ramp. Ramps create situations where traffic weaves across lanes to make left-hand turns, which causes congestion and serious safety issues, particularly with the high speed of traffic in the area.