1A, Safe Routes to School Project

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Safe Routes to School Project/DNR Project Update - 06/09/09 · Staff held a meeting with Ken Haider from Ramsey County Public Works to inquire about the possibility of utilizing existing shoulder to reduce or eliminate the need to construct a retaining wall along County Road E-2. The County was willing to work with the City on this, as long as the lane widths are not minimized. However, upon close review of the cross sections, realigning the curb in this section would not completely eliminate the need to construct a retaining wall. As a result, we did not pursue this option further. The retaining wall costs for the project are fully funded through the ARRA grant. · Michelle Olson and James Lehnhoff approached Boston Scientific shortly after the March work session to inquire if they might want to contribute toward the Safe Routes to School Project. Staff described the project and the budget concerns that had delayed the project. Boston Scientific responded that unfortunately, the Safe Routes Project does not meet the corporate guidelines to fit into their giving programs. However, they were very interested in contributing something to this worthwhile project. Therefore, they informed the City that they would like to contribute $10,000 toward the project. The only restriction on the donation is that it only be used to fund the SRTS project. Staff is planning on placing acceptance of this donation at the next City Council Meeting. · Michelle Olson also contacted Bethel University to inquire if they would be interested in contributing to the Safe Routes to School Project. Bruce Kunkel, Vice President of Student Services informed staff that they strongly support the project. However they are more interested in partnering with the City on the Old Highway 10/CP Rail Project in 2010. FINAL DESIGN Kimley- Horn has been working on the environmental aspects of this project, including wetlands, modeling, and permitting. What follows is a summary of the necessary additional storm water engineering work that Kimley-Horn has identified to get this project through final design and permitting. Permitting: Wetlands (DNR) The trail follows the south side of CR E2. Two wetlands, both identified as DNR protected waters, have been identified directly adjacent to or partially within the existing right of way. Both wetlands also have associated 100-year floodplains identified. It has been estimated that 4,000 square feet of impact is not avoidable to the eastern wetland, while impact to the western wetland can be avoided through construction of a 375 foot long retaining wall. Mitigation for the wetland will be required and can be accommodated via purchasing credits from a wetland bank at $1.50/square foot or $12,000 (2:1 replacement ratio required). Floodplain storage volume lost due to fill will also need to be replaced on-site via excavation. As a result a small amount of runoff volume needs to be directed to an infiltration or filtration area, which could be in the form of a small rain garden. Excavation of the rain garden could also provide the flood storage mitigation needed. Floodplain (FEMA) Two submittals are required for the FEMA process; a CLOMR which needs to be approved prior to project implementation, and a LOMR which is submitted after the project is completed for recording of the map change. The primary steps in completing a CLOMR include: 4