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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10B - SC Hwy Program Draft 16200 Eagle Creek Avenue S.E. Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: SUBJECT: JANUARY 18, 2005 10B STEVE ALBRECHT, CITY ENGINEER CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A LETTER WITH RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE SCOTT COUNTY HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FINAL DRAFT 2005-2012 DISCUSSION: Backaround The purpose of this agenda item is to request that the City Council approve a letter with comments and recommendations regarding the Scott County Highway Department (SCHD) Final Draft 2005-2012 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). This is the final chance to offer comments in the County process of adopting a 2005-2012 TIP. The attached Final Draft 2005-2012 TIP includes many projects that are in or affect Prior Lake. Imorovement Proiects: . CR 82 from CR 21 to CR 17 in 2006 . CR 21 from CR 16 to CR 18 in 2008 . CR 44fTH 13/Main Avenue Intersection in 2008 . CR 21 from CR 42 to CR 16 in 2009 . CR 12 from TH 13 to CR 17 in 2010 . CR 44 from Prior Lake to CR 27 in 2010 . CR 42 from Boone Avenue to Louisiana Avenue in 2011 . CR 21 from CR 82 to CR 87 in 2012 As you are aware, City Staff is working on many of these projects with County Staff and consultants at the present time. In April of 2004 the County provided the City with a Draft 2005-2009 Capital Improvement Program. The project dates shown above represent some significant revisions to that Draft CIP. They are as follows: G:\Agenda\Agenda05\ScottCoTIP .DOC www.cityofpriorlake.com Phone 952.447.4230 / Fax 952.447.4245 2004-2008 Draft CIP Chanoes: . CR 82 from CR 21 to CR 17 changed from 2005 to 2006 . CR 21 from CR 16 to CR 18 changed from 2006 to 2008 . CR 44/TH 13/Main Avenue Intersection changed from 2005 to 2008 . CR 21 from CR 42 to CR 16 changed from 2007 to 2009 . CR 12 from TH 13 to CR 17 changed from 2006 to 2010 . CR 44 from Prior Lake to CR 27 changed from 2005 to 2010 . CR 42 from Boone Avenue to Louisiana Avenue changed from 2008 to 2011 . CR 21 from CR 82 to CR 87 changed from 2008 to 2012 The attached letter details the impacts of the changes to Prior Lake. Most significant is the change of CR 12 from 2006 to 2010 and the way the change came about. This County action will delay extension of utilities to the annexation area as previously planned. Staff will provide an oral overview of the projects and their status at the Council meeting. After the City Council discussion on the SCHD TIP, Council should direct staff to make changes, if needed to the attached letter, which summarizes the City's concerns identified by staff, and direct staff to send the letter. The letter addresses concerns about process, cost sharing policies and timing of projects. FISCAL IMPACT: Budaet ImDact The County is considering over $50 million in improvements to roads identified in the proposed 2005-2012 TIP just affecting the City of Prior Lake. The City's share of these improvements listed is estimated to be $10 million; including many utility improvements, which have been identified in the City's CIP. The City's funding for the road portion of the County projects is coming mainly from the Municipal State Aid Funds and the City's Oversizing Street fund. The projects are economically feasible, but will utilize a substantial amount of these funds. It should be noted the estimates done at this time are preliminary and could change significantly as the project design process is undertaken and better estimates are completed. ALTERNATIVES: The alternatives are as follows: 1. Approve the attached letter with comments regarding the Scott County Highway Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Final Draft 2005- 2012 as presented or with modifications. 2. Deny this item for a specific reason and provide staff with direction. 3. Table this item for specific reason. RECOMMENDED MOTION: Alternative 1 above. REVIEWED BY: 16200 Eagle Creek Avenue S.E. Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714 January 19,2005 Ms. Lezlie Vermillion Public Works Director Scott County Public Works Division 600 Country Trail East Jordan, MN 55352 RE: Final Draft Scott County Transportation Implementation Plan 2005-2012 Dear Ms. Vermillion: Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Final Draft Scott County Transportation Implementation Plan (TIP). Based on our review of the TIP and your presentation at our December 6th City Council Workshop we offer the following comments: . Beginning the CR 82 project from CR 21 to CR 17 early in 2006 is critical to the City of Prior Lake's infrastructure extensions to serve the annexation area. . The schedule for CR 12 has changed from 2006 in the previous Draft CIP (May, 2004) to 2010. The City has several concerns and comments regarding the proposed 2010 improvement date. o The City Council at the County's urging made several difficult decisions relating to the final alignment and design of CR 12. These decisions were made after several public meetings and two Council meetings. Throughout this process the City indicated to the public that the project would begin in 2006. Less than a week after the City Council approved the final design at their August 16, 2004 meeting our staff received indications at a meeting to discuss another project that the CR 12 project was going to be delayed. The timing and manner by which the City was notified of the potential change reflects poorly on the process. This change undermined the public's www.cityofpriorlake.com Phone 952.447.4230 / Fax 952.447.4245 RE: Final Draft Scott County Transportation Implementation Plan (TIP) 2005-2012 January 19,2005 confidence in the accuracy of what the City and County have been telling them for almost 2 years regarding this project. Additionally there are concerns that even though the proj ect alignment has been approved, changes in elected officials and residents between now and 2010 could result in a complete reexamination of these matters in the future at additional taxpayer cost in time and money. o Access Management Funds in the amount of $860,000 designated by MnDOT for access control on TH 13 as part of the CR 12 project in 2007 will most likely not be available in 2010. The City strongly encourages the County to undertake a sub-project for CR 12 by 2007 from TH13 to Walnut Avenue that would encumber these funds before they are lost. o The City has approved the Preliminary Plat for Stemmer Ridge, which will involve realignment of a 2,500-foot segment of CR 12 in accordance with the approved alignment. The City Council has approved a letter of understanding with the Developer that could save the City and County an estimated $960,000. The Council has authorized City Staff to work with County Staff to prepare a Cooperative Agreement for reimbursement of costs associated with the realignment of CR 12. The City will look for County Board support of this Cooperative Agreement. o Based on nearly 2 years of working with the County on CR 12 the City has invested a substantial amount of time and money planning for utility extensions in CR 12. The City's Orderly Annexation Agreement with Spring Lake Township for 3,000 acres is predicated upon extension of utilities in CR 12 right-of-way. Information based on the County's 2006 timeline for this project has been provided to property owners for the past 2 years. This change has undermined the confidence of property owners in Spring Lake Township in the annexation information that has been previously provided to them. A considerable amount of private investment has been made based upon the 2006 time schedule. . The corridor improvements shown in 2012 for CR 21 from CR 82 to CR 87 will have a significant impact to Prior Lake. The current study undertaken by the County for this segment of roadway has caused a great deal of concern in our downtown area. The County should continue to review this study and keep the City and residents informed of the potential time line for this project. While the City understands the need for the study we want to emphasize the importance of public involvement at the correct time in the process. Because of the distant timeline for this project several contentious issues may have been more appropriately discussed in the future. The City and County should continue to discuss the Fish Point Road/CR 21 intersection improvements as an interim project will be needed at that location to address safety and traffic concerns in the next year or two, which is considerably sooner than the proposed 2012 improvement date. G:\County\2005-20 12TIP .doc - 2- RE: Final Draft Scott County Transportation Implementation Plan (TIP) 2005-2012 January 19,2005 . Continue to include the City in the EIS and extension design process for CR 21 from CR 42 to CR 16. We have concerns about the lack of proposed access to areas in Prior Lake adj acent to this segment. The 2008 and 2009 construction schedule should be maintained. . County staff has indicated to the City that many of the changes are driven by escalating right-of-way (ROW) costs. The City recommends the County closely review its proposed Scott WMO Rules, as the proposed rules will be a major factor in escalating ROW costs as written. The City would welcome the opportunity to discuss this issue with County Staff and has included comments in our review of the Scott WMO Rules furnished to Dr. Dawn Tracy on November 29, 2004. . The City also has questions about the limited cost participation of smaller communities whose growth and future annexation are driving some County road improvements. The proposed CR 2 project in Elko/New Market is caused by "expected development in the area" and is costing the County approximately $12.6 million. However the Cities of New Market and Elko are contributing less than $500k combined. The City of Prior Lake has been required to fund $125k and more for one intersection due to development. Please provide some additional information on the cost share proposal for this project. We would like to discuss why small cities undergoing development pressures are treated differently than large cities undergoing the same development pressures. The City understands the financial constraints that have driven the changes in the plan. However we hope that the County will understand our concern when project dates are drastically changed without involvement of the City. The City is a partner in these projects and is often the direct link to the public. For that reason it is imperative that the County keep City staff apprised of potential changes. This will allow the City and County's partnership to be as effective and productive as possible. In summary the City of Prior Lake supports the County efforts in improving the highways in the County as identified in the Final Draft 2005-2012 TIP with the modifications noted above. If you any questions regarding these matters, please contact me at 952-447-9831. Sincerely, Stephen A. Albrecht City Engineer CITY OF PRIOR LAKE cc: Mayor and City Council Bud Osmundson, Public Works Director Frank Boyles, City Manager G:\County\2005-20 12TIP .doc - 3 -