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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-30-09-WS ~ ~ILLS Approved: May 11, 2009 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING MARCH 30, 2009 6:00 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Stan Harpstead called to order the City Council Work Session meeting at 6:00 p.m. Present: Mayor Stan Harpstead; Council Members David Grant, Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, and Dave McClung. Absent: None. Also present: City Administrator Ron Moorse; Public Works Director Gregory Hoag; Finance Director Susan Iverson; Civil Engineer Kristine Giga; Community Development Director James Lehnhoff; Ramsey County Jim Tolaas, and Bolton & Menk, Inc Chris Chromy. 1. AGENDA ITEMS A. Ramsey County US 10/CR96 Upgrade Separation and CSAH 96 Improvements - Proiect Update Jim Tolaas, Ramsey County introduced himself to the Council and explained the County was completing an environmental study and preliminary layout for Highway 96. He indicated the primary driving force for this project was the grade separation at Highway 10. Mr. Tolaas indicated that the County was working with Bonestroo as the project consultant. In the process of the original layout options, the State of Minnesota was uncomfortable with level of service at some of the potential congestion at the ramps at 35W and Highway 96. He further reviewed the preliminary plans complete with access points with the Council. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - MARCH 30, 2009 2 Mr. Tolaas explained that round-abouts have been suggested to reduce congestion at intersections at the ramp terminals. He stated the State helped fund the terminal evaluation, which evolved into the round-about option, along with an additional round-about at the first intersection west of Highway 10 to reduce congestion. Mr. Tolaas indicated a public informational meeting was held March 3rd to present the layout and that both alternatives have been tightened up and that the impact on the mobile home park was being minimized. He noted with the proposed alternatives two homeowners would be displaced. Mr. Tolaas reviewed the traffic modeling for both the signalized intersection and the round-about configurations with the Council. He stated both options would work and that the round-abouts were slightly higher in cost. Mr. Tolaas explained that he was waiting to hear if MnDOT was in a position to fund the additional costs associated with the round-abouts at the ramp terminals. He indicated MnDOT was in support of round-abouts and reviewed several concerns related to the number of round-abouts along this portion of the road way. Councilmember Holden questioned if Arden Manor would be able to access Highway 10. Mr. Tolaas indicated this access would continue to be open and would be 800 feet north of the off ramp. He explained that these were temporary connections and would be removed at such time as the TH 1 0 local access interchange would be developed. Councilmember McClung expressed concern about the local access related to Highway IO. He indicated the City needed access back into the neighborhoods for those who work on the St. Paul side of town. Councilmember McClung indicated that he would like to see an access from westbound Highway 1 0 to eastbound Highway 96. Mr. Tolaas indicated that the traffic numbers at this time do not warrant this local access option based on the current modeling. Discussion ensued regarding the ramp layout along with the proposed round-abouts and signalized intersections and the impact on local drivers. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - MARCH 30, 2009 3 Mayor Harpstead stated overall the regional system was well balanced with options for traffic to flow through the area. He asked for comments from the Council on the proposed round-abouts and signalized intersections. Mr. Tolaas reviewed the size and scale of the proposed round-abouts indicating they would be complete with medians. He stated one concern on the County's behalf was making people aware of the round-abouts and their proper use. Councilmember McClung questioned if there was an area within the State that had four round-abouts in such close proximity as is being proposed within this project. Mr. Tolaas stated he was not aware of such a project, which could be cause for concern. He indicated the use of round-abouts was on the rise. Councilmember Holden asked how much more the round-abouts were than a series of signalized intersections. Mr. Tolaas stated the proposed temporary signals would be wooden poles with spanned wire running $250,000. He explained the round-abouts would be a permanent solution to handle the traffic flow and would cost roughly $800,000, but that the State of Minnesota would need to assist in this expense. Mayor Harpstead indicated the round-abouts would assist with the bridge rebuild. Councilmember Grant stated he was in favor of the temporary signals. Councilmember Holden had issues with the proposed round-abouts and that they were not pedestrian friendly and posed major safety concerns. Mayor Harpstead indicated he did not want to encourage high-speed traffic making difficult maneuvers through the proposed four consecutive round-abouts. Mayor Harpstead stated he would be in favor of signals versus what was currently being proposed in the drawings with an additional round-about near Arden Manor. Councilmember McClung expressed concern about having six semaphores in this small proximity as well. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - MARCH 30, 2009 4 Mr. Tolaas stated MnDOT was well aware of the number of signals being proposed and explained the signal opposite North Heights Church would be installed as part of this project, which would become the gateway to TCAAP. Councilmember Holmes questioned the timing for this project. Mr. Tolaas indicated if the signalized option were chosen the configuration of the ramp signals would be part of the I 0/96 project with the signal at North Heights being done at the same time. He explained the only signal not part of the project was at Old Highway 8. Mayor Harpstead indicated this intersection was significant due to the continuous flow of traffic from Old Highway 8 to the southbound 35W ramp. Mr. Tolaas stated this has been discussed, but that at this time, this intersection was not going to be completed. Mayor Harpstead asked for further direction from Council between the two options and if there was a preference. Mr. Tolaas stated this would be beneficial, as he would like to come back in several weeks and finish up the environmental work along with getting the layout process underway. Councilmember Holmes stated she was in favor of signalized intersections. Councilmember Holden questioned if the round-abouts created a smoother traffic flow versus the signals. Mr. Tolaas indicated the traffic models do show that even with the complex movements with the round-abouts, they do appear to operate at a higher level of servIce. Councilmember McClung asked if the round-abouts would give more capacity in the long run. Mr. Tolaas stated this was the case and that they appeared to manage congestion better than signalized intersections. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - MARCH 30, 2009 5 Councilmember Holden questioned who would bear the brunt of the expense if the Council were to choose round-abouts. Mr. Tolaas stated that enough impact would be saved on the right of way to manage within the budget the round-abouts near Highway 1 O. He indicated MnDOT would be asked to provide funding for the terminal round-abouts. Councilmember Holden indicated she was in support of the signals for this project. Councilmember Grant commented that he would be in support of the signals as this would best serve the community, along with addressing future traffic growth and TCAAP impacts. Councilmember McClung indicated he had questions regarding both options but that the number of round-abouts in this project was a concern. He added that six stoplights in this area could also pose concerns. Councilmember McClung stated if funding assistance were granted for the round-abouts it could be an attractive option for the City. He indicated that at this time he would not support either option until he had additional information on the use of five or six round-abouts "vi thin a single project. Mayor Harpstead reiterated that he was in support of the signals as they addressed pedestrian access and that the expense would be less as well. He indicated the round-about configurations could cause great confusion. Mr. Tolaas thanked the Council for their time and comments. 2. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS There was nothing additional at this time. . tan Harpste Mayor