Highway 25 Coalition Meeting Minutes 02-23-2017Highway 25 Coalition
Meeting Minutes — February 23, 2017
7:30 AM
Monticello Community Center — North Mississippi Room
Members Present - Big Lake Township - Bob Hofer, and Larry Alfords; Sherburne County —
Tim Dolan, Steve Taylor, Ewald Petersen, and Andrew Witter; Wright County — Mike Potter
and Virgil Hawkins; City of Becker — Tracy Bertram, Rick Hendrickson, and Greg Pruszinske;
Becker Township — Brian Kolbinger; City of Big Lake — Clay Wilfahrt, Raeanne Danielowski,
and Layne Otteson; and City of Monticello — Brian Stumpf, Jeff O'Neill, and Jennifer Schreiber
Others Present — MnDOT — Claudia Dumont; BNSF — Justin Pearson; Tom Emmer's Office —
Stacy Morse
1. Call to order.
2. Consideration of approval of meeting minutes from meeting held January 26, 2017.
Motion made by Bob Hofer and seconded by Tim Dolan to approve the minutes
from the meeting held January 26, 2017. Motion passed unanimously.
3. Update on Highway 25 Corridor Study Request for Proposals
Andrew Witter gave a brief overview of the request for proposals and provided a
summary sheet of the three proposals that were received for the Highway 25 Corridor
Study. The three entities were SRF, HDR, and WSB/Bolton & Menk. The summary
sheet provided listed each proposal's strengths and weaknesses by evaluating the
following items: schedule; overall proposal; project management; data collection;
developed purpose and need; develop public communication plan; develop issues map;
identify environmental issues; traffic modeling; research addition river crossings;
roadibridge concepts; open houses; refine preferred option; phasing plan; and final report.
The committee which consisted of Andrew Witter, Claudia Dumont, and Virgil Hawkins
were all in agreement that SRF provided the best all-around proposal. HDR had some
good points but lacked in areas such as social media — where they would charge extra for
the service. They were all in agreement that the WSB/Bolton & Menk proposal fell short
of expectation and was disappointing. They all expressed concern that it appeared rushed
and lacked content. There was discussion amongst the group on how to proceed with the
selection. Andrew Witter, Claudia Dumont, and Virgil Hawkins, all felt comfortable
choosing SRF. Jeff O'Neill commented that he thinks the group, or a committee, should
interview the top two out of responsibility. Many in the group felt that interviewing
wasn't necessary because they trust the selection committee's choice. Mike Potter added
that SRF has done studies on the I-94 Corridor in the past and is knowledgeable on the
area and project. Tim Dolan and Raeanne Danielowski added that they didn't see a value
in interviewing the consultants.
Motion made my Mike Potter and seconded by Raeanne Danielowski to accept and
approve the SRF proposal for the Highway 25 Corridor Study. Motion carried
unanimously. Motion was made by Tracy Bertram and seconded by Tim Dolan to
authorize the execution of a contract between the Highway 25 Coalition and SRF.
Motion carried unanimously. The contract should be sent to Big Lake Township for
processing and will be provided at the next meeting. Andrew Witter added that any
questions about or to the consultant should be forwarded to him.
4. Update on Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Program.
Steve Taylor stated that the next CEDS meeting is February 27 in Becker from 2:30 — 4
p.m. There will be an update at the next meeting.
5. Transportation and related Economic Development or Land Use Updates
• Becker Township — Natural Gas Power Plant Legislation has been approved in
both the House and the Senate.
• Becker Township — None.
• Big Lake — Continued discussion has taken place with developer who has
interest in the potential rail yard site. Big Lake introduces their new City
Engineer Layne Otteson. Clay Wilfahrt commented on how single family homes
are increasing in the City.
• Big Lake Township — None.
• Monticello — Brian Stumpf noted that Monticello secured $2.1 Million grant for
the Fallon Avenue Overpass project.
• Sherburne County — Andrew Witter commented on the $1 Million grant
Sherburne County received. Steve Taylor noted that the County is seeing a
growth in housing.
• Wright County — Mike Potter relayed that the County hired BKE as their
Engineer for the County's new court system that is being built. Mr. Potter also
commented that the County is proceeding with a sales tax proposal to help fund
road projects.
6. I-94 Coalition — Corridors for Commerce Update
Mike Potter noted that there wasn't any new information for this update.
7. Status of Membership approval of recent modification to JPA enabling addition of
Becker Township and City of Becker
Members were encouraged to submit their signature page if they have not done so. Big
Lake Township will be sending out invoices for membership.
& Other.
• Brian Stumpf noted that the Monticello Orderly Annexation Area Board voted to not
allow solar in the orderly annexation area.
• Claudia Dumont stated that the bridge on Highway 10 over Lake Orono in Elk River
is being replaced. This is scheduled to begin this summer.
• Tracy Morse, Emmer's Office, recommended that cities look into grants that are
available to fund transportation issues. She also mentioned that there is a `Pancakes
with Emmer' event on February 24 at the Friendly Buffalo in Big Lake.
9. Adjourn.
By consensus meeting was adjourned at 8:30 a.m.