4.6. SR 09-10-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Howard R, Green Qompany Item ~ 4.6. September 6, 2001 File: 811471J-0060 Honorable Mayor and City Council City of Elk River 13065 Orono Parkway P.O. Box 490 Elk River, MN 55330-0490 RE: 171ST AVENUE SIGNAL MODIFICATION Dear Council Members: This letter is intended to provide some clarification to a couple of issues that were raised by the City Council a few meetings ago when Mr. Scott Powell appeared before the Council to discuss the funding for the modification of the traffic signal at 171st Avenue to allow a fourth leg for his Mississippi Ridge development. During the discussion of that item, the City Council asked two questions. First, what was the percentage paid by MnDOT and the City of Elk River for the existing signal at 171st Avenue, and also what is the proposed payment plan for the anticipated signal at the intersection of VVaco Street and TH 107 The existing signal at 171st Avenue was constructed in 1999. It was justified due to the development of the Morrell and LeFebvre trucking operations on 171st Avenue. At the time the signal was installed, obviously there was a 3-legged intersection with MnDOT controlling the two legs of TH 10, and the City of Elk River controlling the leg of 171st Avenue. MnDOT's cost participation policy states that the cost of the signal is prorated based on the number of legs entedng the intersection. At the time of the odginal construction, MnDOT paid two-thirds of the cost and the City of Elk River paid one-third of the cost. The other question that was asked in the eadier discussion was about the funding scenario for the Waco Street/TH 10 signal project. At this point in time, MnDOT has not given final approval to the Signal Justification Report; therefore, the discussion of when to proceed with the signal and how to fund it has not occurred at the City Council level. We have bdefly discussed this item at a staff level because there are concerns about how the City will fund their 50% of that project. In the past, the City has used Municipal State Aid funds or developer contribution for their portion of signal installations. The City's Municipal State Aid fund currently has a zero balance due to advanced borrowing for improvements in East Elk River. We anticipate that funding for this signal will be an item for discussion before the City Council in the near future. It is not too late for the City Council to consider some type of assessment or cost participation from the developable land near the Waco Street/TH 10 intersection. Ltr 09-06-01 Co~ncil 1326 Energy Park Drive · St. Paul, MN 55108 · 651/644-4389 fax 651/644-9446 toll free 888/368-4389