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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,November 25, 2013 Page 6 study in an attempt to remain consistent with their past turnback agreements with municipal jurisdictions. Pedestrian Facilities/Safety Mr. Schwartz noted that, of major concern to those giving testimony at the PWETC meeting was the lack of any pedestrian facility along that road. Mr. Schwartz noted that this had been a request from that neighborhood for at least ten (10) years; and went beyond when County Road B had been disconnected from Highway 280, as a result of the I-35W bridge collapse. Mr. Schwartz noted that a signed petition from a high percentage of neighbors to that affect had been re- ceived for an off-road facility as part of that earlier plea. In anticipation of this discussion coming forward tonight, Mr. Schwartz reviewed some options that could address a pedestrian facility, and challenges or obstacles in accomplishing that goal. Those options included a separated sidewalk or tail from the existing pavement or widening of the shoulder with a buffer zone. Mr. Schwartz noted that obstacles for a permanent separate facility affecting feasibil- ity at this time included drainage and topography creating the need to install some retaining walls. Mr. Schwartz note that while those remained concerns, without waiting for a road reconstruction project, some issues could be mitigated by shift- ing the roadway and therefore shifting impacts; with the goal for a separated facil- ity at some future date. If the City Council desires to look at improving pedestrian safety along County Road B in this area, Mr. Schwartz suggested it consider widening the shoulder fa- cility, estimating that this could be accomplished at a cost less than $120,000, ex- cluding stormwater mitigation, in addition to $30,000 to $50,000 of City staff time, as he would anticipate using City staff for some of the prep work and any other in-house options to reduce costs, while contracting out concrete work, pe- destrian ramps, and paving to a private contractor. Possible Schedule for Completion Mr. Schwartz provided a very preliminary and tentative timetable for the work to be accomplished if so directed by the City Council: March 1, 2014: Complete turnback negotiations at the staff level Spring of 2014: City Council turnback agreement approval Spring of 2014: Petition MnDOT Commissioner to lower speed limit, or as soon as the road comes under City jurisdiction Summer of 2014: Complete pedestrian improvements during summer construction season Mr. Schwartz advised that staff met today and talked about potential dollars for a pedestrian improvement, noting that the Parks bonding funds had earmarked $2 million for trail improvements; and while there was more than enough projects to go around, a good share of that money had been earmarked for a pathway con- struction and/or improvements along County Road B-2 and Victoria Street. Due