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Home My WebLink About8A, MnDOT I-694/TH51 Improvement Project - Appeal Board Appointee�� EN HILLS Request for Council Action Prepared By: Terry Maurer, Council Meeting Date: January 10, 2011 Public Works Director/City Engineer Mn/DOT I-694 / TH 51 Improvement Project — Appeal Board Appointee Budgeted Amount: Actual Amount: Funding Source: N/A Recommendation• 'The City Council is requested to make the formal City Appointee to the Mn/DOT Appeal Board for the I-694/TH 51 Improvement Project. The City Council is also requested to give staff any further comments and/or direction regarding Mn/DOT stafis position on the City's l4 conditions. Supaorting Documents: l. Memorandum dated January 10, 2011, from Terry Maurer, Public Works Director. 2. Letter dated November 29, 2010, from Mark Lindeberg, North Area Engineer. 3. Letter dated December 13, 2010, from Commissioner Thomas Sorel. � � � EN HILLS MEMORANDUM DATE: January 10, 2011 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members Patrick Klaers, City Administrator FROM: Terry Maurer, Public Works Director / City Engineer ��- SUBJECT: Mn/DOT I-694 / TH 51 Improvement Project - Appeal Board Appointee Background Mn/DOT is proposing an improvement project for the interchange of I-694/TH51 in Arden Hills. In June, 2010, Mn/DOT submitted a Mn/DOT approved layout to the City, requesting City approval (Municipal Consent) of the layout. On August 9, 2010, the City Council held the public hearing for this project. On October Z5, 2010, the City Council adopted Resolution 2010-052 Disapproving the Final Layout of I-694/TH 51 with � Conditions. Discussion Resolution 2010-052 was sent to Mn/UOT and on December 13, 2010, the City received a response. The response in the form of a letter dated December 13, 2010, from Thomas K. Sorel, Commissioner of Transportation, (copy attached) states that Mn/DOT will be initiating the Municipai Consent Appeal Process. MnlllOT has appointed Mr. Greg Ous, Assistant Division Director for Operations Division, as their member to the three member panel. The letter asks the City to appoint their member as soon as possible. The City Council at the December 20`�' worksession briefly discussed appointing former Mayor Stan Harpstead. Once the City and Mn/DOT have appointed their members, the third member is appointed by mutual agreement between the City and Mn/DOT. If no agreement on the third member can be reached, the Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court will appoint the final member. The City may want a third member of the Appeal Board that is both technically orientated and famiiiar with the I-694 corridor. Two names staff would suggest are Mark Maloney, Pub�ic Works Director/City Engineer for Shoreview, or Mark Graham, Public Services Director/City Engineer for Vadnais Heights. �City Council Meeting \UVletro-inet\ardenhilts�Admin\Council�Agendas & Packet Information�201 l\1-IO-1 I Regular�F'acket lnformation\8A I-694 Memo.doc Page 1 of 2 After the three member Appeal Board is established, they have 30 days to hold a hearing. � At the hearing both the City and Mn/DOT will be given an opportunity to present their case to the Board. After the hearing, the Board has 60 days to make its recommendation in a written report to the Commissioner and the City. Finally, since the adoption of Resolution 2010-052 through late November, staff has been discussing with Mn/DOT staffthe I4 conditions contained in the resolution. Attached is a letter dated November 29, 2010, from Mark Lindeberg, North Area Engineer, detailing Mn/DOT's position on each of the 14 conditions. Commissioner Sorel's letter states that Mn/DOT will continue to work with the City to "narrow our differences and, I hope reach agreement on many issues prior to conclusion of the appeal process." Staff believes that conditions #I, 5, 8, 12 and 13 are adequately addressed in MnlDOT's November 29tn letter. Conditions #2 and 10 staff believes are adequate answers from Mn/DOT but require a further commitment of funding from the City for the noise wall andlor concrete sidewalk. Final}y, staff does not think conditions #3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 14 are adequately addressed by Mn/DOT's position. Council Action Requested Council is requested to formally name a City appointee to the Appeal Board. Staff would also request direction regarding the 14 conditions and the staff analysis of Mn/DOT's responses and/or direction regarding further negotiation with Mn/DOT staff � prior to the appeal process beginning. City Council Meeting � \�Metro-inet\ardenhil}s\Admin\Council\,Agendas & Packet Information�2011�i-10-11 Regular\Packet lnformationt8A I-694 Memo.doc Page 2 of 2 ;.altESpT a�w' tyo �F � �'�F �APc� u � � Minnesota Department of Transportation Metropolitan District 1500 West County Road B-2 Rosevilfe, MN 55113 November 29, 2010 Mayor Stan Harpstead City of Arden Hilis 9245 West Highway 96 Arden Hills, MN 55112 RE: Conditions for Municipai Consent of I-694(TH 51 Layout Dear Mayor Harpstead: 1 am responding to the city of Arden Hills' letter of October 27, 2010, concerning the Arden Hilis City Council resolution disapproving the final layout for the I-694 at TH 51 and TH 10 project that was submitted by Mn/DOT. !n that letter, Arden Hitts denied Municipal Consent with 14 conditions_ Mn/DOT intends to confrnue working with you and Arden Hilts cify staff to at least narrow our differences and reach agreement on many issues. In doing so, 1 am going to address the 14 conditions to initiate the negotiation process. Conditions from Arden Hills: 1— The City requests that the revised traffic data outlined in the MnDOT letter dated September 14, 2010 be added to the app�oved layout. Mn/DOT response/statement — Mn/DOT has added the revised traffic data reques#ed. Mn/DOT sees this condition as being met. 2— The City requests that MnDOT show the beginning and ending points of the possible noise wall on the proposed layout. MnDOT has estimated the construction cost at $1,525,000 with MnDOT funding $ 9, 050, 000 and the City fundrng $475, 000. The City requests that MnDOT commit to paying any construction cost over the estimated $1,525,000. !n the event that the construction cost is less than estimated the City requests that their share be prorated. Mn/DOT response - Mn/DOT has shown the possible noise wall on our final layout_ The funding of the noise walf can be established as a lump sum agreement where the city pays $475,000 towards the design and construction of the noise wall, or Mn/DOT and Arden Hills could agree to use a"Schedule I" breakdown of costs for the noise wall. Arden Hills would then be responsibte for An Equal Opportunity Employer : .; . ` � ,.� <: , _ _ �_ . — V��1 � � �.�_ � � whatever the cosis are above and beyond the $3250 per decibel per benefiting resident. This option has much more uncertainty to the city than does the lump sum option. Please be aware that the installation of approximately 2000 feet of the 3000 foot noise watt wiq impact exisfing trees in the area. Some of these trees are mature Oak trees and other areas are very dense clusters of trees. So, the impacts will be very large. 3— The City requests that MnDOT commit that fifl ge»erated on the project will first stay on the project and be used for sound mitigation berming in all areas where noise walls are not proposed. Addifional fill material, if it exists, should be used for berming along both sides of I-694 west of the project limits_ Mn/DOT response — MnlDOT has investigated potential berming areas on the project. In looking at berming areas, it is necessary to took at areas that would allow berming within the existing R/W_ The only area where berming can be constructed within the existing R/W is on the south side of I- 694 west of old TH 10. Mn/DOT is able to berm in this location while avoiding the area needed for ponding. The 6erm will be constructed meeting Mn/DOT design standards for clear zone setbacks, � drainage requirements and wetland impacts. There will be impacts to mature trees with this berming. MnlDOT will identify these impacts and requests that these impacts be discussed and agreed to by Arden Hills. 4— The City requests that MnDOT prove thaf the traffic modeling for the I-694/TH 51 improvement considered the entire region and the effect the proposed grade separated intersection of TH 10/CR 96 with the loss of some movements will have on the entire transportation system. Furthermore, the City wants MnDOT modeling to documeni that the proposed improvement wil cause no harm and actually provide benefit to the county and local road system beyond Hamline Avenue, County Road F, Lexington Avenue, County Road E and Lexington Bridge over /-634. Mn/DOT response — Mn/DOT can confirm thaf the traffic modeling for this project has considered the entire region and fhe effect the proposed grade separated intersection of TH 10/CR 96 has on ii. In addition, Mn/DOT wiN prepare an exhibit showing the 2010 tra�c counts for the local roadway system for both the no build and fhe build condition. This exhibit wilt show the locat tra�c conditions resulting from both projects. 5— The City requests that MnDOT commit that there are no city costs associated with the proposed improvements necessary on inferstate, county or locai system (including changes that might be required on County Roads E, F, Hamline Avenue, Lexington Avenue or fhe junctions � An Equaf Opportunity Employer ....��31f � , � " '• .y 'xi�,r`5' S �' � T _ � ' � ' � .. � � ��.�� . '�� • � 4 �l � �:. �. . � �,. .. . �, � between) to construct the 1-594/TH 51 interchange shown on the proposed layout with the exception of noise walls. Mn/DOT response — Based on the MnJDOT construction project, the costs that will be associated to Arden Hills will be due to requests made by the city. The city, in addition io the noise walt costs, will be responsible for paying for the cost of construction of the 6' concrete sidewaik from Floral Drive to County Road F. The signa! that is being constructed at Hamline Avenue and County Road F wilt have caunty cost participation. Mn/DOT is unable to state what the Ramsey County cost participation is_ There may be city participation in the signat. Also, Ramsey County will be looking at future roadway improvement projects in the area. The county cost participation policy will be implemented on these projects. Ramsey County should be consulted on their cost participation policy. 6— The City requests that MnDOT work with Ramsey County staff to identify necessary improvements to the Lexington Avenue/County Road F intersection, assist in estimating the costs of such improvements and encumber funding from the Cooperative Agreement funds or other � appropriate fund source in a year agreed to by the County in consuJtation with the cities of Arden Hills and Shoreview. Mn/DOT response — Mn/DOT has already mef with Ramsey County to discuss this area and fhe possible imp:evements. !t has beer, agreed ;.sN�n !hat Mn/DQT :�,rc!! ��^tinue to work :•�;th Ramsey County in assessing possible improvements. Mn/DOT will work with the county in the submittal of a Cooperative Agreement project. The Cooperative Agreement process is a very timely process that aliocates money within the same year as the application. If successful, this may allow for a project to be completed shortly after the completion of the f-694lTH 51 project. 7— The City requests that MnDOT agree to work with Ramsey Caunty to identify any potential changes that could be made to the Lexington Avenue Bridge and adjoining intersections that would improve their operation and make such improvements prior to the completion of the I-694 interchange. Mn/DOT response — Mn/DOT has already discussed this issue with Ramsey County. Mn/DOT has confinued to provide data to Ramsey County as they fook at the possible improvements for the area. This would be a county lead project with Mn/DOT providing assistance in any way possible_ Potential construction would occur some time after compfetion of the 1-694 bridge reptacement project_ � An Equal Opportunity Employer �{ s, , . _ _ �� , � � n � � - � �� , _ � • • �1 �l - �� ,, .,��-� �� _ � � 8- The Crty requests that MnDOT change the layout as necessary to provide the required spacing and appropriate (barrier) separation for a 10 foot �nride bituminous trai! on the west side of old Snetling Avenue%Id TH 90 as it passes under l-694. MMDOT response -In the development of the layout, Mn/DOT work with the Minnesota Rules to design fhe appropriate traii crossing under a bridge. 9- The City requests that MnDOT construct a non-motorized/pedesfrian bridge across TH 10 to connect North Snetling Avenue to the trail connection under I-694 identified in #8 above. Mn/DOT response - The development of a TH 10 non-motorizedlpedestrian bridge crossing is a project that should be developed using the Federa! STP proeess. This project would compete with other projects in the region with the best projects being selected for funding_ Building connecting facilities to the project would benefit the City by enhancing the proposed pedestrian bridge project submittal. 10 - The City requests that MnDOT show on the approved layout a 6 foot wide concrefe sidewalk • on the west side of Hamline Avenue from Flora! Drive to County Road F and on the south side of County Road F towards Lexington Avenue to the existing and/or planned sidewalk. Mn/DOT rssponse - Mn/DOT is showing the 6' wide concrete sidewalk a(ong Hamline Avenue from Floral Drive to County Road F. Mn/DOT is willing to construct any additional sidewalks that the City requests, but Arden Hills is responsible for the costs of the sidewalks, and Arden Hilts will need to provide the required R/V1/. 91 - The City requests thai MnDOT include as part of the proposed bridge structure crossing 1-694 a non-motorized/pedestrian facility that wil! provide for movements from the west side of Hamline Avenue to the west side of TH 51. Mn/DOT response - First, the bridges that are being constructed will be able to be widened in the future to accommodate a trail. The development of an I-694 non-motorized/pedestrian bridge crossing is a project that should be developed using the Federal STP process. This project would compete with ofher projecfs in the region with the best projects being selected for funding. Part of the projecf development shoutd include working with the l-694 pedestrian crossing committee that will be formed fo analyze pedestrian crossings of I-694 from 1-35W to 1-35E. The committee may include representatives from Arden Hifls, Shareview, Ramsey County, MnlDOT, FHWA and the Met Council, but not limited to this group. � � An Equal Opportunity Employer � �. �� /� •` � � � � C; -� - � � ,' ' - � f � • • `�` � - -��_ . �' � ,.� - �.� V � ._� � . , , _ .: . ,�.,,- - _...- �,_____ _ . _ . _ _ _. ,._ __. .. ; � 12 — The Cify requests MnDOT clearly state that the existing area on TH 51available for non- motorized/pedestrian movemenfs will not be lessened in the future with ihe propased improvements. Mn/DOT response — The sxisting bridge structures have less width for non-motorized/pedestrian movements than the proposed b�idge structures. 13 — The City requests that MnDOT commit to inctuding the design standards laid out in the Architectural and Aesthetic Design Guidelines for the I-694 Corridor from fhe Mississippi River Crossing in Fridley to the 1-694 Interchange in Oakdale, July 2002 Mn/DOT response — Mn/DOT commits to using the Architectural and Aesthetic Design Guidelines for the I-694 Corridor from the Mississippi River Crossing in Fridley to the 1-6941nterchange in Oakdale, July 2002. This document has been given to the bridge design consultants and is 6eing used by the Mn/DOT bridge design unit in the development of the bridges for the project_ � 14 — The City requests that MnDOT affirm the intentions for 2095 reconstruction of County Road E bridge over TH 51 and consider the possibility of moving this construction up in time to match fhe balance of the regional construction (for bid economies of scale and logistics). The City may be able to advance ths funds r.ecessary f�r t,h6s ccnstructior, g6�se.n a firm repaymen: in 209�. Mn/DOT response — Mn/DOT will continue the development of the CR E bridge project in partnership with the County and City. The current Mn/DOT scoping document has been shared with Arden Hills and Ramsey County_ This proposed project cou(d move up if a funding source can be found_ Mn/DOT appreciates A�den Hills' continued involvement with this project. Please fet me know if you have any questions. f am available at 651-234-7722_ Sincerely, � ark J. Linde erg North Area Engineer Minnesota Department of Transportation �1 U An Equal Opportunity Employer rt$ - : � '� � ..r � � — � � .., �� :� _ g �I �1 � i � , � � a..'%:.'<� ", .. . . � ..� .. . ' _ . �.: .. ';`, ' �.3:... . , . ' . . .. _� , . . . . . .... _...... ..... , �...�. .. . :. . .. .. .. .. .. .... ... . � . . . .. . . . . . .. ... .. . ._. .. ..._. ..�4 ....- .. . . .. , . . . ..... . .. ' ...- . � .: .. : � cc: Thomas O'Keefe Wayne NoRis Patrick Klaers Terry Mau�er Jim Tolaas � • An EqualOpportunity Employer - � x � � : �� `( �� n � Y � . ? �� ; +9 � " .,. . .,...__... . . �....-r_. � .,. . . . - ,. . . _ .. . . . . ' . `�� ; r ,. �� ' ��.� ¢ p �� . • • f £ � � ^u�� .. � . t -'_ - ;i i� .... _ ��' � _ . ... _ . ., =. :.:. ., :.... :i; ..:;. _ _. _ ; r �O��NNESp�,9y0 � D � � r F y� �� pl, � � Minnesota Department of T�ansportation Transportation Buitding 395 John irefand Boulevard Saint Paul, Minnesota 55 1 55-1 899 December 13, 2010 Mayor Stan Harpstead City of Arden Hilis 1245 West Highway 96 Arden Hilis, MN 55112 RE: Municipal Consent for fnterstate 694 at TH10 8� Snetling Ave Dear Mayor Harpstead: I am responding to the city of Arden Hitls' letter of October 27, 2010, concerning the Arden Hills Ciiy Council resolution disapproving the finaf {ayoui for the I-694 at TH 51 and TH 10 project that was submitted by Mn/DOT to the city for municipat consent under Minnesota Statutes, sections 161.162 —161.165. Mn1DOT appreciafes Arden Hills' participation in the proposed l-694 bridge replacement project. Arden Hilts has cooperated with and assisted Mn/DOT in the development of the geometric layout. The city's contribution has improved the project to its current design_ The proposed f-694 at TH 51 and TH 10 project is critical to future mobility in one of the state's busiest interstate corridors_ The project will eliminaie one of the region's most notorious traffic bottlenecks; improve tra�c flow and safety; eliminate mainline weaving movements and provide system continuity on 1-694, TH 51 and TH 10. This project wif! reconstruct nine bcidges on I-694 from west of Victoria Street to west of CSAH 76 in Arden Hills. Given the importance of the 1-694 project to the region and the state, MnlDOT will pursue actions necessary to keep the project on schedule for beginning construction in 2011 _ Wth this letter, Mn/DOT initiates the municipa( consent appeal process as outlined in state law, by submitting to the city MNDOT's appointee, Mr_ Greg Ous, Assistant Division Director for Operations Division, to the three member municipal consent appeal board. Please identify your appoirrtee so the appeal process can move forward as quickly as possible. Consistent with Mnnesota Stafutes, section 161.164, we intend to focus the appeal process on the city's spec�c requests for modifications to the projeci's final layout_ The law provides that the third member of the Appeal Board wilt be selected by mutual agreement between the city and Mn/DOT_ 1f we cannot agree, MNDOT will ask the Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court to appoint the third member. The law requires that the Chief Justice An Equal Opportunify Employer � t+af opp . � e� ; � � � �� . _ ''f.7` .� �:: � .:-, < _ � u appoint the third member within 14 days of that request. Once the Appeal Board is established, Mn/DOT will refer the final layout to the Board. The Board must hold a hearing within 30 days after referrat of the fina{ iayout_ The law provides that the city and Mn/DOT may each present its case to the Board. The Board must make its recommendation in a written report io the Commissioner and to the city within 60 days of the hearing. In initiatirig the appeal process, l want to stress to the city and the region that 1 beiieve our cammon interests and goals for the I-694 corridor are greater than our differences. 1 am hopeful ihat, with mutuat cooperation, resotution of all issues wiA be achieved quickly. As with any municipality raising concems �efevant to municipal co�sent, MNDOT will continue to work with Arden Hills to naRow our differences and, I hope, reach agreement on many issues prior to conclusion of the appeal process. 1 am encouraged by progress already made by our. respective staffs to better define, scope and address many of the city's requested layou# modfications. Mn/DOT stands ready to continue these discussions. Mn/DOT appreciates Arden Hills' continued involvement with this project. If you have any project specific questions, please continue to work with Mark Lindeberg, the project manager or Wayne � Norris, the No�Eh Area Manager. Please !et me know how I can assist you at any point in this process_ Sincerety, �-- � Thomas K. So�et Commissioner Minnesata Department of Transportation CC: Khani Sahebjam Scott McBride Betsy Pa�icer Sue Mulvihilt Greg Ous Tom O'Keefe Wayne Norris Mark Lindeberg Steve Ryan � An Equal Opportunity Employer ..� : � `�� r� -v .� . . � ; ►� �