Highway 25 Coalition Meeting Minutes 06-29-2017Highway 25 Coalition
Meeting Minutes — June 29, 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, 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, and Raeanne Danielowski; and City of Monticello — Brian Stumpf,
Jeff O'Neill, and Jennifer Schreiber
Others Present: MnDOT — Claudia Dumont; Congressman Tom Emmer's Office — Stacy Morse
1. Call to order.
2. Consideration of approval of meeting minutes from meeting March 30, 2017.
Motion made by Bob Hofer to approve the minutes of March 30, 2017. Raeanne
Danielowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Update on Highway 25 Corridor Study
Andrew Witter, Sherburne Count, provided an update on the study. SRF has reviewed
traffic counts, crash analysis, origin/destination data, and current and future land
development. The group is currently working on 3D models for potential river crossings.
Next steps include further data collection, baseline traffic data, and a purpose and needs
statement. The final product will take approximately one year to complete.
Mr. Witter distributed a Highway 25 Coalition flyer that was created as a marketing tool
for the group.
4. 2018 Work Plan Ideas — Discussion
Jeff O'Neill, Monticello, presented an overview of work plan ideas. These items were
listed in the agenda. Discussion ensued in regard to the listed items. Many members
expressed that they don't want to lose focus of the study and the river crossing. Too
many items included in a work plan may not be beneficial to the group. There was a
consensus to keep all items on the list, but currently focus on the study. The items listed
are general items for future consideration. The work plan will be brought back to the
July meeting for approval.
5. Budget Discussion
After some discussion, it was decided that the budget amount allocated for 2018 will be
the same as 2017.
6. Update on Monticello Downtown Area Study
The study is near adoption and the impact to Highway 25 is benign.
7. Transportation and related Economic Development or Land Use Updates
• Becker Township — None.
• Becker Township — A transportation study is being prepared in regard to the
realigning of Hwy 25 at intersection of Hwy 10.
• Big Lake — 1) Completed County Road 5 project which included new
sidewalks/trails; 2) Significant growth in single family and multi -family
housing; 3) Development of new Casey's General Store; and fiber is being
installed to industrial park, school, and police station.
• Big Lake Township — Noted that the balance of funds for the coalition is
$124,000.
• Monticello — Brian Stumpf noted that the Highway 25/71h Street intersection
project will be completed by July 10. Jeff O'Neill commented on: 1) Fallon
Avenue overpass project; 2) new mini storage facility; 3) Fleet Farm opening in
August; and 4) development of potential new car dealership.
• Sherburne County — Andrew Witter noted that the county selected WSB for
long term transportation plan. Sherburne County will reach out to border
communities for input. The process will take approximately 12-14 months. A
RFP on the rail feasibility/impact study is being sought with the help of the
Initiative Foundation. Steve Taylor added that the county is seeing significant
growth. He also mentioned that the county hired a Media/Communications
Specialist to provide guidance on new website and rebranding.
• Wright County — Virgil Hawkins stated that 16 projects are being funded by the
new sales tax. These projects were not originally funded prior to the sales tax.
8. I-94 Update
Claudia Dumont gave an update on the bonding bill. MnDOT recently hired a consultant
to develop a selection process which will include some type of scoring criteria. There is
hope for positive impacts in this area, but won't be known for approximately six months.
9. Legislative Updates
Stacy Morse provided information on the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA)
Grants which improve an existing grant program established in the FAST Act. There is
$1.5 billion available.
10. Adjourn.
Raeanne Danielowski moved to adjourn the meeting. Andrew Witter seconded the
motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes approved July 27, 2017 (JS)