Agenda 09-22-1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Steering Committee Minutes Page / September 22, 199441/‘ 2 y are needed and which ones could be eliminated, and also, signalization needs. Terry Maurer indicated that they hope to complete the study in 8-9 months. Waco Street Bridge - High priority--there currently are plans to acquire land in this area for access. Terry Maurer explained the need for an access to funnel traffic from this area north to Highway 169 bypassing the downtown area. Also this bridge will provide a quicker emergency response time to the area north of Elk River. Terry stated that they will possibly use State Aid funds to identify right-of-way, and they are working with Mn/DOT on the bridge issues to locate funding. East Highway 169 Frontage Road - The City Council has authorized a study of commercial traffic flow east of Highway 169 from Main Street up to 197th Avenue. Terry stated he will have a response back to the Council some time next month. Other Issues Current Municipal State Aid IMSA) System Terry Maurer explained that MSA is a method whereby gas taxes are funneled back to cities with populations over 5,000. Larger cities have traffic that uses the roads but does not pay taxes there. The gas tax helps fund roads adequate in size to carry the traffic. The City is allowed to have approximately 20 percent of its total mileage on the system. As the City grows in population, more streets are added. He cited the following streets with MSA designation: 221st Avenue, Tyler, • Fillmore, Waco, the Snake Trail, 173rd, Orono Parkway to Joplin, the Industrial Park, School Street and Highland Road. Terry explained that when the Transportation Plan is finalized, the designation of some of these streets may be changed. Terry Maurer explained that the goal of the MSA system is to end up with an integrated system of trunk highway all the way down to municipal streets. Terry further explained that an MSA street must begin and end on either a trunk highway, a County State Aid road, or another Municipal State Aid Highway. He noted that the City of Elk River receives approximately $350,000 per year in gas tax. There are approximately 221/2 miles of streets in the City's MSA system. Each year this is increased due to new developments. Nine percent of the State' s gas tax is funneled back to the approximately 110 cities in the State with populations over 5,000. One-half of the 9 percent is distributed to the cities per capita, and the other half is based on needs. Need is determined by the dollar amount that would be needed to bring MSA streets in a particular city up to MSA standards. Dick Hinkle questioned whether it was true that the City must assess 20 percent of road construction costs in MSA projects. Terry Maurer stated that the 20 percent rule applies to bonding for improvements. He explained that 20 percent must be assessed, or a referendum must be held. Also, he stated that if 50 percent is assessed and the other half paid by tax dollars, a referendum is not required. Further discussion followed regarding the need for arterial roads. Terry Maurer explained that the City hopes to work with Sherburne County on a plan so that arterial roads running through the City of Elk River can be connected to arterial • roads through other parts of the county. Chair Minton asked for more detail on the plans for the east-west arterial road, identified as "A". Terry Maurer explained