2002-09-11 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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JOINT COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 30, 2002 Mr. Amebeck stated the communities and counties have to come together and develop a plan for the future. When improvements are done in an expansion area, MnDOT does look to share the costs with the community. Funding is an issue at this time. The interchange may be eligible for federal funds. However, federal funds do go into the MnDOT budget. MnDOT does not order the studies for projects. The cities and/or County should initiate the study. A consultant can be hired if the cities' staffs can prepare the studies. Councilmember Reinert clarified that the Councils should look at the zoning of available right-of-way while Staff is preparing studies to work with the County to request plans from MnDOT Mr. Amebeck stated the first thing to do is set up a meeting with the involved cities planning staff, MnDOT planning staff and the counties' (Anoka and Washington) planning staff. From there an assessment can be done regarding how much of a study will be needed. Facts and data are needed and then a recommendation can be made to 'each City Council. Councilmember Haas stated it seems that if there is a collaborative effort the project may be moved up on the priority list. The City Councils need to identifY the land and set it aside for future plarnilng. Mr. Ray Vandaveer, State Representative, noted there is also a fund that may reimburse communities for a portion of the project that is done. City Administrator Waite Smith inquired about the reimbursement program and asked if you know about reimbursement before the project is done. Mr. Arnebeck stated there is strong competition for the reimbursement program and the city is taking its chances on reimbursement if the project is not planned for ahead of time. He stated that MnDOT can quickly look at safety issues and other issues once the study is completed. Those issues will determine how high priority the project is. Mayor Swedberg stated Anoka County just completed a traffic study of the interchange and asked ifMnDOT will accept that He also asked if it is appropriate to have a letter from all the agencies involved showing support for the project. Mr. Arnebeck stated MnDOT will accept the plan that was just completed by the County. He stated a resolution from all the cities and counties indicating there is a problem and the agencies will work together would be very helpful. It was the consensus of the Councilmembers present to approve a resolution showing support for the project and forwarding that to MnDOT. 3