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City Council Minutes October 21, 2024 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no public hearings. 8. GENERAL BUSINESS There was no general business. 9. MOTION TO ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING Page 3 of 5 Moved by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Wagner to adjourn the meeting of City Council. Motion Carried 5-0. The regular meeting adjourned at 6:03 p.m. Mayor Dietz called the work session to order at 6:06 p.m. 10. WORK SESSION —UPPER TOWN CONFERENCE ROOM 10.1 MNDOT Highway 10 Access Discussion Tod Sherman, MnDOT Planning Director, was present to answer questions. He discussed plans for including Reduced Conflict Intersections including "J-turns." The Council discussed their desire to find a safe access point for the Plants and Things Recreation Complex, commercial and industrial truck traffic, and future housing developments along the Highway 10 corridor. Councilmember Westgaard commented that it is nearly impossible for trucks to access Highway 10 going eastbound and the reduction of signals along Highway 10 has removed any breaks in traffic where vehicles could have previously merged or turned. Mr. Sherman stated that MnDOT's goal for Highway 10 is to increase mobility. Councilmember Wagner expressed her concern that removing signals from Highway 10 would divert traffic away from small businesses in downtown Elk River. She added that many inexperienced teen drivers are in that area due to the athletic fields. Councilmember Beyer added that there are plans to expand the athletic fields area, which would further increase traffic. The Council asked if MnDOT would consider an acceleration lane heading westbound near the proposed Specht Family Farm development area for resident traffic to get up to speed on Highway 10. Councilmember Westgaard added that it is hard to see the final effects of traffic patterns on Highway 10 until Highway 169 is completed. The Council agreed that they would have to wait until the Traffic Impact Study was completed to have further discussion. They invited Mr. Sherman to return and discuss additional solutions once the study had been received. The study may take six months. Steve, representing Capstone Homes, asked Mr. Sherman about the potential for funding if signals were needed. Mr. Sherman stated there may be some federal dollars depending on the impact on safety.