Highway 25 Coalition Meeting Minutes 06-24-2016Meeting Minutes
Highway 25 Coalition
June 24 2016
Members Present - Big Lake Township - Bob Hofer, Larry Alfords, Sherburne County - Dan Webber,
Steve Taylor, Ewald Petersen, John Bogart, Wright County — Mike Potter, City of Big Lake — Clay Wilfahrt,
RaeAnne Danielowski, City of Monticello — Brian Stumpf, Jeff O'Neill, Jennifer Schreiber
1. Address organization/operation topics
Jeff O'Neill initiated the meeting by opening nominations for Chairman. Brian Stumpf volunteered to
serve as Chair. There being no further nominations Mike Potter moved to name Brian Stumpf as chair.
Motion seconded by RaeAnne Danielowski. Motion passed unanimously
Mike Potter noted that Wright County has signed on to be part of the group but a representative from
Wright County has not yet been named. O'Neill noted that under the bylaws a quorum is present and a
4/5 super majority is need for a vote to pass, therefore the group can conduct business without a formal
representative from Wright County, however for any vote to pass today with only four members
available to vote, a unanimous vote will be needed.
Brian Stumpf asked for nominations for the position of Secretary. Motion by RaeAnne Danielowski and
seconded by Brian Stumpf to appoint Jeff O'Neill to serve administratively as secretary. Motion carried
unanimously
RaeAnne Danielowski volunteered to serve as Vice Chair. Brian Stumpf made a motion to appoint
RaeAnne Danielowski as Vice Chair, motion seconded by Mike Potter. Motion carried unanimously.
Brian Stumpf requested a volunteer to serve as fiscal agent for the organization. Larry Alfords stepped
forward saying the Big Lake Township would be happy to serve as fiscal agent for the organization.
It was determined that the regular meeting for the group will remain at 7:30 on the last Friday of the
Month at the Monticello Community Center.
Liability Insurance. The group briefly discussed the need for liability insurance. A final recommendation
on whether or not to purchase insurance will be provided at an upcoming meeting.
2. Discuss work plan and budget for 2016/2017
The group discussed approaches for selecting a traffic engineer to provide ongoing service. After
discussion it was determined that identification of the engineer to be utilized on an ongoing basis will
likely stem from the selection process associated with finding an engineer to conduct the initial traffic
study.
The group went on to discuss development of a request for proposal process for selecting a traffic
engineer to conduct a traffic study. Material on this subject provided by Claudia Dumont was
presented to the group. After discussion it was determined that the County Engineers should meet to
develop a refined scope and bring it back to the group for review and incorporation into the request for
proposal documentation. The goal for the next meeting is to have a request for proposal process format
ready for review by the Coalition with distribution to Engineering firms to occur soon thereafter.
For the purpose of establishing a work plan and budget for 2017, the group then discussed the scope of
the study in general terms and reviewed a cost estimate provided by Claudia Dumont: Primary
elements of the study to likely include:
• Establishment of base line traffic data
• Preparation of traffic model utilizing base traffic data and land use information
• Identification of trends and congestion projections
• Formulation of strategies and identification of improvements needed over time as the area
develops
O'Neill forwarded thoughts from Claudia Dumont on the cost to complete a comprehensive traffic study.
In her email to O'Neill, Claudia Dumont mentioned that the last two traffic modeling contracts she
administered came in at $82,000 and $94,000. She went on to note "These contracts were for freeway
traffic modeling. Depending on how large a network gets modeled for TH 25 — I would expect the cost to
be higher, especially since there are a number of local roads that would be key components of the
model. I would budget for $150,000 and hope the estimates come in for less."
Mike Potter noted that conducting a complete and comprehensive study is a critical factor in developing
credibility. The group will be listened to when lobbying for funding if we have reliable traffic planning
data and information. RaeAnne Danielowski stated that people are dismayed by the traffic situation and
expect us to act to solve problems. Development of this information will help us in that regard. It was
also noted that perhaps MNDOT will be interested in shouldering the expense. Brian Stumpf asked for a
motion.
Mike Potter made a motion to approve a work plan as follows In 2016, conduct a request for proposals
process and select an engineer to complete a comprehensive traffic study. In 2017, complete a
comprehensive traffic study at an estimated cost of $150,000. Motion seconded by RaeAnne
Danielowski. Motion carried unanimously.
It was the consensus that lobbying activities will be identified as the need arises and specific goals were
not included in the work plan. Dan Webber said that a representative from David Turch and Associates
has been invited to attend an upcoming meeting to discuss providing lobbying services to the Coalition.
3 Monticello/Wright County - update on improvements to Highway 25 Intersections at CSAH 75 and
7th Street.
Brief discussion. It was noted that the worst is over on the Highway 25/75 project with major portions
of the project now complete.
3. Sherburne County Transportation topics of interest
Clay Wilfahrt indicated that a meeting with the developer and MNDOT regarding the intermodal hub
development will be held in the next few weeks. Members from the Highway 25 Coalition will be invited
to attend.
4. 194 Coalition information and update — other legislative updates
Mike Potter provided an update noting that it is not likely that a special session will be called with light
rail funding being the sticking point
There being no further discussion meeting adjourned at 8:25.
MINUTES APPROVED 7-29-16