07-02-1984 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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~ City Council Minutes July 2, 1984 Page Two 6. Highway 10/Main Street Improvement Project The City Administrator briefly reviewed the discussion and results of a meeting conducted on June 27th with representatives from Mn/Dot regarding detouring plans for the Highway 10/Main Street improvement project. The Administrator indicated that at the June 27th meeting, significant concerns were expressed by the downtown merchants in having both Main Street and Jackson Avenue closed for north bound traffic through- out the duration of the project. Downtown retailers were largely satisfied with the access provided to the southerly downtown streets. The Administrator informed the Council that while the problem of north bound access could not be resolved at the meeting, on the next day after conversations with Mn/Dot, Mn/Dot had agreed to provide for access for traffic north on either Jackson or Main Street at all times during the project. The City Administrator also briefly reviewed the status of the Highway IIlO/Main Street improvement project and problems with the MSA eligibility and funding for the project. The Administrator indicated that the staff and engineer felt that it would be necessary to have a variance approved by the City Council in order to make the project eligible for MSA funding as originally anticipated by the City. As the project has been designated, it apparently does not meet Mn/Dot standards, even though the design work was completed by Mn/Dot engineers. The Administrator reviewed the cost breakdowns contained in his memorandum to the City Council of July 2, 1984 and also possible solutions contained in the memorandum. After general discussion by the City Council, COUNCILMEMBER DUITSMAN MOVED TO APPROVE RESOUUTIGlN 84-9, A RESOLUTION REQUESTING A VARIANCE FOR THE MAIN SYREET AND HIGHWAY 1110 INTERSECTION FROM CURRENT MSA STANDARDS IN ORDER TO MAKE THE PROJECT MSA ELIGIBLE. COUNCILMEMBER ENGSTROM SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION PASSED 4-0. The Administrator proceeded to review detailed costs and proposed assessments for the Main Street improvements included in the Highway 10/Main Street improvement project. The Administrator indicated that it was proposed to assess only street and storm sewer assessments at this time. Councilmember Duitsman expressed a concern that water improvements being constructed in the Highway 10/Main Street improvement project also be assessed to some degree to benefited properties. The Administrator indicated that the complete cost of water trunk could not be assessed to the properties affected, inasmuch as the line was a trunk line and only limited benefit could be shown to the affected properties in question. Councilmember Duitsman also had concerns regarding the elevation of the Burlington Northern Rail- road tracks at Main Street and asked if something could not be done to correct the situation or keep the railroad from making the situation worse. The City Administrator indicated that he was aware of no way to deal with the problem at the local level or that Mn/Dot could deal with the problem. General discussion followed on possible assessments and possible methods of assess- ments for water trunk crossing associated with the Highway 10/Main Street project The City Council agreed that when the project was advertised for public hearing, that the right to assess water improvement costs be reserved for the City, in the event the City Council determines that an assessment is appropriate.