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City Council Study Session Monday, September 17, 2007 Page 11 Councilmember Roe, with Council consensus, requested more de- tailed costs for the City Council prior to adoption of the Final Budget and Levy in December, for a more accurate determination of actual costs. Councilmembers, also by consensus, concurred that workplace safety for employees was paramount. Staff was requested to provide the City Council with more specific dollars on equipment needs, based on inspection results and depart- ment needs, for final budget consideration. d. Discuss Opportunity for Snelling Avenue/County Road B Area In- tersection Improvements Public Works Director Duane Schwartz, Interim Community Devel- opment Director Mike Darrow, and City Engineer Debra Bloom were available for presentation of background information, and possible opportunities for Snelling Avenue and County Road B area intersec- tion improvements, as part of a 2008 Minnesota Department of Trans- portation (MnDOT) project. Staff noted that this discussion had been prompted by a land use application (PUD Amendment) from HarMar, currently being reviewed by Planning Department staff. Mr. Schwartz provided a history of improvements in the area, specific to the intersection of Snelling Avenue and County Road B, safety concerns, and ongoing operational problems, with a 1999 State Farm Insurance analysis listing the intersection as one of the ten (10) most dangerous in the State of Minnesota. Ms. Bloom reviewed potential project costs; proposed improvements; and MnDOT's intent to go out for bid in January of 2008 on this com- prehensive 2008 construction project. Ms. Bloom noted that some identified improvements had been accomplished with the Target re- build: closure of the Target/HarMar crossover median east of Snel- ling, and realignment and closure of the NE frontage road. Ms. Bloom noted that MnDOT would be adding a northbound through lane as part of the proposed 2008 construction project, and addition of some right turn lanes for some legs of the intersection; in addition to proposed closure of the SW frontage road at County Road B, and sig- nal timing improvements at intersections. Ms. Bloom advised that