02-13-2006 CC MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Minutes February 13, 2006 Page 2 5. Worksession . 5.1. Council Open Forum Nothing discussed. 5.2. Street Department Office Expansion Through a PowerPoint presentation, Phil Hals illustrated a floor plan to add office space to the street department through the conversion of bay one of the garage area into a receptionist area, sign making shop, four offices and an expansion area with a mezzanine above for additional break room space and storage. He explained that the existing office could be converted into locker rooms and conference room. He explained that he estimated the cost to be $250,000 - $350,000. Council directed staff to study the office space issue, keeping the garage bay for use as originally intended, and to consider ways to get the most for the net dollar amount. 5.3. Authorization to Contract with Sherburne County to Include Pedestrian Tunnel for Great Northern Trail Under CR 33 Bill Maertz explained that the plans for the Great Northern Trail are to pave from Elk River to Princeton making it a premier regional trail with anticipated heavy use. The opportunity exists to contract with Sherburne County Public Works to include a pedestrian tunnel under CR 33 during reconstruction this summer. To wait and add this tunnel in the future after road reconstruction could potentially double the cost. He suggested amending the 2006 Parks Budget to do this project. . Councihnember Motin inquired if Sherburne County has been asked to pay a portion for the tunnel. Mr. Maertz stated that the county is willing to do the engineering but since this is not part of their mission the county has said no to financial help. He stated that if the city doesn't fund this project, the tunnel will not be built. \ Councilmember Farber stated that he feels this is a necessary project and is disappointed with the county. MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER FARBER AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER GUMPHREY TO APPROVE THIS PROJECT. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.4. Staff Direction Regarding Funding a Trail Along CR 33 and Pedestrian Tunnel Under CR 1 Bill Maertz explained that CR 1 and CR 33 are scheduled for reconstruction this year. He stated that there is a potential to include a trail along CR 33 at an estimated cost of $40,000. However, it is believed that constructing this trail without constructing a pedestrian tunnel at the CR 1 crossing would create a serious safety hazard since the CR 33 trail would route people to a high-speed roadway with an uncontrolled crossing. He stated that without the pedestrian tunnel and CR 33 crossing, residents of northwest Elk River would not have a safe pedestrian access to the Great Northern Trail which provides access to Woodland Trails Park, the schools, and downtown Elk River. Preliminary cost estimates for the pedestrian tunnel are $425,000 which includes the land acquisition. .