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. . . fJ) ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 29, 2004 3 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 6. NEW BUSINESS C. County Road E Sidewalk Ms. Wolfe stated the Council needed to make a decision regarding the construction of the sidewalk on the County Road E bridge. This decision was needed so it could be provided to MnDOT as part of the application for Cooperativc Agrecmcnt Program funding. Specifically, the Council needs to decide on which side of the bridge to construct the sidewalk (north or south). The City Council might also choose to detcrminc whcther or not to proceed with construction of a sidewalk west ofthe bridge to Old Snelling. Ms. Wolfc noted staff had received some e-mails and messages from residents with their comments and those have been provided to Council for their review. Ms. Wolfe stated in discussions with the traffic engineers regarding safety; they indicated that basically it would be safer to not have pedestrians cross at the freeway ramps. The degree of increased safety, however, might be marginal to significant depending on other information that that they did not have, such as the number of pedestrians and final destinations. Ms. Wolfe requested the Council indicatc whether to build the sidewalk on the north or south side of the bridge and authorizc staffto notifY MnDOT of that decision and to detcrminc whcther or not to proceed with the construction of the sidewalk west of the bridge and to authorize staff to proceed with plans and the funding application process. Mr. Brown statcd he had nothing further to add, but would answer Council's questions. Councilmember Rem asked what caused the project cost to increase from the original estimate. Mr. Brown replied the initial feasibility report had a cost ranking from $60,000 to approximately $180,000. Hc noted there were a number of add-ons, such as railings, painting, pilaster, which added approximately $50,000. He stated the north/south sidewalk had also added costs to the project. He presented to Council the various improvement options that were available and the costs of such improvements. He indicated the cost of steel had also skyrocketed and the estimates had been increased to reflect that material cost increase. Councilmember Holden asked for an explanation of the state's grant process. She noted it was her understanding that one side ofthe street was more favorable in the state's opinion and the City could get grant funds if the sidewalk was put on that side of the street. Mr. Brown summarized the grant process. He indicated he had not heard anything from the State that they would prefer a sidewalk on one side or the other.