City Council Minutes 05-26-2015 Special (School&Fallon)MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, May 26, 2015 — 5 p.m.
North Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Present: Brian Stumpf, Charlotte Gabler, Lloyd Hilgart, Tom Perrault, Glen Posusta
Absent: None
Others: Jeff O'Neill, Angela Schumann, Shibani Bisson, Chuck Rickart (WSB), Bill
Tapper (EDA/TAC)
1. Call to Order
Mayor Brian Stumpf called the special meeting to order at 5 p.m.
2. Purpose of Workshop: Discussion of the following items was announced by Mayor
Stumpf.
A. Alignment of School Boulevard West extension to County Road 39
B. Options for alignment of Fallon Avenue Overpass
3. Review of potential alignment options for School Boulevard West extension to
County Road 39
Angela Schumann introduced this item and indicated that the presentation will provide an
explanation to Council about the proposed alignment for the extension of School
Boulevard West to County Road 39. Schumann indicated there are two conceptual road
alignments and displayed those on a map. Schumann talked about the Bertram Chain of
Lakes Park and the coordination between the City and County to develop the park land.
That design does not include a road through the park. The City's Transportation Plan
shows the School Boulevard extension as an "Area to be Studied" and does not specify a
particular alignment for School Boulevard to CR 39. Angela Schumann turned the
discussion over to Shibani Bisson and Chuck Rickart.
Shibani Bisson explained the proposed road alignments that were considered in 2006
when Karlsburger Foods was developed and the Heritage development was proposed.
Staff evaluated both Chelsea Road and School Boulevard, which serve as primary
collector routes south of I -94. One of the conceptual alignments presented for School
Boulevard extended through the northeastern portion of the YMCA Camp Manitou
property. The other alignment at that time would have connected with existing Dalton
Avenue.
Chuck Rickart explained that there is a study being done for potential sites for a future I-
94 interchange in the area of County Road 39 or Orchard Road. This would likely impact
traffic on Chelsea Road, 90'h Street, and School Boulevard.
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Brian Stumpf asked whether Alternative 2 would adversely impact the ability to develop
the Spike property that would be intersected by the proposed road alignment. Shibani
Bisson explained that has been discussed and should not be an issue.
Glen Posusta asked why this road extension is being discussed at this time. Angela
Schumann explained that the County and City are applying for a grant for another section
of Bertram Chain of Lakes parkland and they need to know if the future road extension
might go through the parkland. If a road would bisect the parkland, that would have to be
indicated in the grant application. Glen Posusta expressed his concern about choosing an
alignment at this time when future development is not likely to take place for quite some
time. Jeff O'Neill stated that the City has been successful in defining collector road
alignments in advance and using those plans to guide developers when they make
inquiries. In this case, the future alignment was identified to go through the parkland and
city staff felt it would be beneficial to change that identification now rather than later.
The actual road construction would not take place until driven by development.
Chuck Rickart mentioned that there are a variety of options to align School Boulevard if
the decision is made to avoid routing it through Bertram parkland. Angela Schumann
noted that Council could elect to not make a choice for an alternative realignment with
Dalton Avenue, but instead just make a decision not to extend School Boulevard through
the park and determine a new alignment at a later time.
Bill Tapper from the EDA commented that Luke Dahlheimer of Dahlheimer Distributing
expressed concern about an alignment with Dalton Ave as he felt there would be negative
traffic impacts for the businesses in that area.
Brian Stumpf indicated that he would like to see a final decision for alignment deferred to
a future time. He would like to see School Boulevard terminated at the Spike property
and not at Dalton Avenue. However, he does understand that Council should provide
direction for the grant application.
Brian Stumpf stated that Council will be asked to take action at the regular Council
meeting.
4. Review of preferred option for Fallon Avenue Overpass alignment
Jeff O'Neill introduced this item and indicated that the options for the Fallon Avenue
Overpass alignment have been discussed in detail over many months by the City's
Transportation Advisory Committee. The meeting was turned over to Chuck Rickart
from WSB who has been working on this project. Rickart noted that some land
acquisitions need to take place before construction is started and discussed the easement
on the north side of the freeway that has been identified but not yet acquired from Street
Henry's Church. The main right -of -way has been acquired and platted; there is some
additional right -of -way to acquire for slope and pathways. Chuck Rickart talked about
alignment option 3A which incorporates two roundabouts on the north side of the
freeway. He pointed out small areas that will need to be acquired for each of the
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roundabouts. This road alignment for 3A makes a connection at Washington Street,
which would be valuable if there would ever be a second river crossing at Washington
Street. This alternative was approved by the Transportation Advisory Committee
although not unanimously. If option 3A is selected, the project could be done in phases.
Glen Posusta asked if there was a way that the project could be done to keep the roadway
open to traffic during construction. Chuck Rickart explained that it would have to be
closed at times. Glen Posusta suggested that the project be phased over one time frame,
rather than part now and part in another year, so as to limit the length of time that traffic
would be impacted by street closures.
Chuck Rickart reviewed alignment option 5 which utilizes one roundabout on the north
side of the freeway. The small section of Fallon Avenue on the north side of the freeway
would link Washington and 7t' Street with a roundabout at the confluence of four street
segments. The Malone property would be affected and would need to be acquired with
this option. The Busch's (Rand Mansion) and Malone's are not in favor of this option.
Chuck Rickart noted that this alternative would have a slightly higher cost than option
3A.
Chuck Rickart commented on the traffic interactions and how they could be impacted by
either of these two alternatives. Option 5 would have more traffic interaction because
eastbound traffic from 7th Street to Washington would need to go further east to enter and
exit the roundabout. That traffic would have a slight interaction with traffic coming
across the Fallon Avenue overpass and entering the roundabout.
Bill Tapper, member of the EDA and Transportation Advisory Committee, explained his
reasons for preferring the Option 5. With option 3A, he is concerned about the slope of
7t' Street as eastbound traffic approaches the roundabout at the Fallon Avenue overpass.
Tapper stated that he personally likes roundabouts and would prefer to see a roundabout
at the intersection of Fallon Avenue and Chelsea Road when the overpass is constructed.
Brian Stumpf asked Chuck Rickart to talk about timing on the construction of the
overpass and street alignments. Chuck Rickart stated that there is no state funding
available so it would need to be funded with local funds and possibly some state aid
money. Chuck Rickart noted that there is a requirement for the city to construct the
Fallon Avenue overpass before any further interchanges are added within city limits. It
was suggested to do some traffic counts in the 7t' Street area. Chuck Rickart commented
that the project could be started as early as 2016, provided that land acquisitions and
alignment decisions are completed.
Brian Stumpf indicated that this topic will be on the regular council agenda for a short
presentation and decision by Council on the alignment.
Chuck Rickart also noted that, on the south side of the freeway, the Fallon Avenue
overpass will need some type of traffic control at the intersection with Chelsea Road.
Glen Posusta asked which type of intersection would move traffic the best. Chuck
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Rickart indicated that traffic studies show that roundabouts would serve to keep traffic
moving at each of the designated sites in the design of both options.
Jeff O'Neill commented that the single roundabout option ( #5) was the original
preference of the Transportation Advisory Committee. However, once they weighed the
options and comments from landowners, they chose option 3A.
5. Adjournment
TOM PERRAULT MOVED TO ADJOURN THE SPECIAL MEETING AT 6:03 P.M.
CHARLOTTE GABLER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0.
Recorder: Catherine M. Shuman rjOW
Approved: June 8, 2015
Attest:
mimstrator
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