Highway 25 Coalition Meeting Minutes 03-30-2017Highway 25 Coalition
Meeting Minutes — March 30, 2017
7:30 AM
Monticello Community Center — North Mississippi Room
Members Present - Big Lake Township - Bob Hofer; Sherburne County — Tim Dolan, Dan
Weber, and Andrew Witter; Wright County — Virgil Hawkins; City of Becker — Tracy Bertram
and Greg Pruszinske; Becker Township — Brian Kolbinger; City of Big Lake — Clay Wilfahrt,
Raeanne Danielowski, Hanna Klimmek and Layne Otteson; and City of Monticello — Brian
Stumpf, Jeff O'Neill, and Jennifer Schreiber
Others Present — MnDOT — Claudia Dumont;
1. Call to order.
2. Consideration of approval of meeting minutes from meeting February 23 2017.
Motion made by Raeanne Danielowski and seconded by Tracy Bertram to approve
the minutes from the meeting held February 23, 2017. Motion passed unanimously.
3. Update on Highway 25 Corridor Study
Andrew Witter provided an update on the draft agreement with SRF for the Highway 25
Corridor Study. He is in the process of arranging a project management team. Some
members of the board expressed interest in attending the project management team
meetings. Those interested were to contact Mr. Witter. There will be a standing update
of these meetings at each coalition meeting.
The group discussed the draft agreement and its review by an attorney. Jeff O'Neill
stated that Monticello City Attorney Joel Jamnik, Campbell Knutson, would review the
agreement.
The committee also discussed execution of the agreement. There was consensus to allow
the City of Monticello execute the agreement as Mayor Stumpf is the Chair of the
Coalition.
Motion made my Raeanne Danielowski and seconded by Bob Hofer to recommend
that Brian Stumpf direct Campbell Knutson to review the Highway 25 Corridor
Study contract with SRF. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Update on Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Program.
Dan Weber updated the group on the CEDS program and noted that they are holding their
third public meeting on March 29. There will be one additional meeting held and
documents will be drafted. There is concern that the Federal government may cut
funding to this program, however, it remains a benefit to have a plan completed.
S. Update on Monticello Downtown Planning Study
Jeff O'Neill provided an update on the Monticello Downtown Planning Study. A plan
should be adopted in the next couple of months. Discussion ensued on the Highway 25
corridor and the plan to improve the appearance and experience for motorists.
6. Transportation and related Economic Development or Land Use Updates
• Becker Township — Tracy Bertram commented that Northern Meadow
Recycling is relocating to Becker from Minneapolis. There will be a study to
gage which roadway should be used to access Highway 10. Greg Pruszinske
noted that a stakeholders meeting is planned for discussion on County Road 8
realignment.
• Becker Township — No update.
• Big Lake — Raeanne Danielowski reviewed the following: The industrial park
was permitted for fiber; 80-100 single family homes will be constructed this
year; Lisi Medical is doing an expansion; and a new dental building and a Casey
general store are being constructed.
• Big Lake Township — A portion of County Road 5 is closed until June 15.
• Monticello — Brian Stumpf commented that there will be construction on the
Highway 25/7th Street intersection beginning in April with completion by July 1.
He also mentioned that the Fallon Avenue overpass project is moving forward
and set to begin next year.
• Sherburne County — Dan Weber stated that Sherburne County is the fastest
growing County in the State. Andrew Witter noted that the County is releasing
an RFP for their long term transportation plan. Local communities are able to
review and comment. The process will take approximately 16 months to
complete.
• Wright County — Virgil Hawkins commented on Wright County's NE
Transportation Plan. The County is in the process of reaching out to local
partners to participate in the RFP process, which is scheduled to be released this
fall. He also mentioned that the County is setting a public hearing on a local
option sales tax which will be used to fund road construction projects.
7. I-94 Coalition — Corridors for Commerce Update
Claudia Dumont, MnDOT, provided an update on the I-94 Coalition. MnDOT is
currently in the process of developing traffic layout piece of Albertville to St. Michael.
There have been unsuccessful attempts made to get information on time line for the Sony
amusement park being developed in Albertville.
& Legislative Updates
Claudia Dumont expressed that there is a concern about transportation bonding. Ms.
Dumont commented that excessive bonding is not beneficial for MnDOT.
9. Adjourn. By consensus meeting was adjourned at 8:14 a.m.
Minutes approved June 29, 2017 (JS)