5. HRSR 03-07-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER KING AVENUE PARKING LOT TASK FORCE HELD AT FIRST NATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTER TUESDAY, FEBRUARY I, 2005 Members Present: Keith Holrne, property owner Kemper Drug; Steve Johnson, property owner Antiques Downtown; Fred McCoy, McCoy's Pub; John Houlton, First National Bank of Elk River Members Absent: John Anderson, downtown resident; Dr. Tony Jarmoluk, Elk Dental Center; Ty Sunderman, Dare's Funeral Service Staff Present: City Engineer Terry Maurer and Assistant Director of Economic Development Heidi Steinmetz Others Present: Lisa Raduenz of LJR, Inc., Transportation and Consultants and Planners Kin Avenue Parkin Lot Construction U date Sta ~n Schedule and Construction Issues City Enginneer Terry Maurer presented an updated list of design and construction issues for feedback from Task Force members. The first issue was relocation of electrical facilities on the site. Mr. Maurer stated that the utility boxes will be relocated from the existing southeast and southwest corners of the building to two islands to be built within the reconstructed parking lot. He also mentioned that overhead lights now mounted on the former Municipal Utilities building will need to also be relocated within the lot. Mr. Maurer said that he met the previous day with Dr. Ron Bratlie of the school district and he agreed in concept to providing a sidewalk easement along the east side of their property. Parking spots that are 'head-in' will be located in a row along this area and the City will be responsible for the sidewalk reconstruction in this area. Keith Holme asked about a line that was shown on the map of the site which Mr. Maurer used during the discussion. Mr. Maurer responded that the line depicted the edge of school district property and that the City would also have to re-stripe parking spaces in the school district's lot as well. He mentioned that this was necessary because the school district's access to King Avenue will be closed as part of the parking lot construction. Mr. Holme asked about King Avenue access to Highway 10 at the school district property edge. Mr. Maurer suggested that the group discuss access at the eastern edge of the property first, as he had further discussions with MnDOT about this access. Nir. Maurer said that MnDOT told the City that they would have to apply for a permit m order to allow right-turn only access into the lot from eastbound Highway 10 and indicated the agency would challenge the City over the granting of this access, as they believe the access would be too close to the intersection of Jackson Avenue and Hwy 10. Mr. Holme said that the problem is that traffic is akeady backed up in this area and that a driver cannot get to it until the signal changes. John Houlton asked Mr. Maurer if traffic counts had been done on King Avenue. Mr. Maurer said counts have not been done. It was the consensus of the Task Force that King Avenue at Hwy 10 should be closed. Mr. Holme stated that there was a need for access to Kemper Drug parking spaces and that people were coming to the store not because they just happened to see it but because they needed to get there for a reason. Mr. Holme said there would be a parking problem during