04-28-1997 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Elk River City Council Meeting April 28, 1997 Page 2 will be responsible for submitting a design concept for the fence and MnDOT will provide the design for the lighting. The fence and lighting will be bid as one project with construction in late summer 1997. Terry explained there is some concern with the visual impact of the fence on businesses along Highway 169, and discussed MnDOT's concerns with placing the fence in the right-of-way. He noted it may be possible for MnDOT to grant a 10' variance for the location of the fence. The City Administrator explained a letter has been received from Jim Rogness, owner of J.R. Tech, requesting that this item be placed on the agenda, along with a petition from businesses along Highway 169. Since receiving the petition, the city has received requests from the owners of Abra Auto Body and Elk Hills Restaurant, that their names be withdrawn from the petition. The request from Dr. Eng to have his name removed from the list was included n the background material. Mayor Duitsman opened the meeting to the public for comments. Mr. Rogness explained he and other businesses along Highway 169 were not aware the fence was proposed to be constructed south of School Street. He felt the obstructed visibility of the fence would impact his business more than any other business. Mr. Rogness stated there are other safety issues that need to be addressed, such as painting crosswalks for pedestrians on Highway 169, reducing the speed, and Mr. Rogness also noted the garbage problems associated with a fence. He felt teenagers would jump over the fence and suggested offenders be sentenced to cleanup detail along the fence line. He also felt it would be helpful to provide a pamphlet to all students, making them aware that crossing the highway was illegal except at the crosswalks and the consequences if they were caught. Mayor Duitsman questioned whether Mr. Rogness would still object to the fence it were placed further down into the MnDOT right-of-way. Mr. Rogness stated he would be more receptive to such a compromise. Terry Maurer stated that if MnDOT was not willing to grant variance, the issue could be discussed further with the business owners and hopefully, they could reach a compromise. Mike Twaddle, 18994 Zane Street, reviewed the history of the public campaign to address these safety concerns which began with a petition of 1,100 signatures after his son was killed on October 16, 1996 crossing Highway 169. Mr. Twaddle indicated he has attended a total of 19 meetings to address safety issues associated with Highway 169. The following needs have been identified: 1 ) speed limit reduction, 2) lighting and fencing, 3) warning flashers before the semaphores, and 4) improved crosswalks. Mr. Twaddle expressed his concern for the "eleventh hour" opposition to the proposed fence, since no objection from the businesses was heard at any of the previous meetings. Mr. Twaddle stated that 8 of 13 business owners on the petition after hearing explanation of the issues, have indicated they have no objection to the fence. Mr. Twaddle expressed his support for Mr. Rogness' proposal to assign cleanup detail to offenders caught illegally crossing the highway. He stated his family would be willing to commit to keeping clean the portion of the fence on the west side of Highway 169 between School Street and 193rd Avenue.