CC_Minutes_2011_0711 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday,July 11,2011 Page 8 City Manager Malinen noted that, in the past, the City had used TIF funds for in- frastructure in the Twin Lakes Area, with sufficient funds available to meet the City's required match. Johnson moved, Willmus seconded, adoption of Resolution No. 10913 (Attach- ment B) entitled, "Resolution Supporting Application for Surface Transportation Program—Urban Guarantee Funds for Twin Lakes Infrastructure." Mayor Roe noted that this primary connection improvement was dealing with County Road C, Cleveland Avenue, and Twin Lakes Parkway as a regional inter- section and for I-35W to get traffic off other streets and make them more effi- cient. Mayor Roe acknowledged that, as intersections were installed, pedestrian issues needed to be taken into consideration. Councilmember Johnson noted that the existing north/south connection to Cleve- land Avenue is very confusing, and opined that this improvement should correct those issues. Mayor Roe noted that there would still be geometrical design and size issues of the cloverleaf, opining that it was less than an ideal design if MnDOT was to de- sign it by today's standards. However, with the constraints due to storm water ponding and existing roadways, from his perspective, Mayor Roe opined that this was the best solution available. Councilmember McGehee questioned if MnDOT had done the design. Mr. Schwartz advised that the design had been done by a consultant paid by the City;but that the design had been approved by MnDOT. Councilmember McGehee opined that the existing intersection wasconfusing; but further opined that the new design didn't appear to correct that confusion; and suggested that the entire design needed further review. Mr. Schwartz advised that City staff could work with MnDOT to see if they had any recommendations for any additional improvements; however,he expressed concern from the City's and MnDOT's perspective, in moving additional traffic onto County Road C, since both County Road C and Cleveland Avenue were al- ready challenged. Mayor Roe noted that there may be further consideration given to the entire re- gional area and I-35W issues, depending on future development in the near future in northern suburbs. Roll Call Ayes: Willmus; Johnson; and Roe.