Highway 25 Coalition Meeting Minutes 10-25-2018DRAFT MINUTES
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Highway 25 Coalition
Meeting Minutes — October 25, 2018
7:30 a.m. 30
North Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Members Present - City of Becker — Tracy Bertram, Rick Hendrickson and Greg Pruszinske;
Becker Township — Brian Kolbinger; City of Big Lake — Raeanne Danielowski, Clay Wilfahrt,
Layne Otteson, and Gina Wolbeck; Big Lake Township — Larry Alfords; City of Monticello —
Brian Stumpf, Jeff O'Neill, and Matt Leonard; Sherburne County — Tim Dolan, Steve Taylor,
and Andrew Witter; and Wright County — Michael Potter, Darek Vetsch, and Virgil Hawkins.
Others Present: Claudia Dumont from MnDOT, and Stacy Morse from Congressman Emmer's
Office.
1. Call to order.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m.
2. Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
No items were added.
3. Consideration of approval of meeting minutes from meeting August 30, 2018.
Motion made by Tim Dolan to approve the August 30, 2018 Highway 25 Coalition
Meeting Minutes as presented. Seconded by Larry Alfords, unanimous ayes, motion
carried.
4. Treasurer's Report
Larry Alfords presented the October Treasurer's Report showing a cash balance of
$221,587.26.
Motion made by Tracy Bertram to accept the October 2018 Treasurer's Report. Seconded
by Tim Dolan, unanimous ayes, motion carried.
5. Highway 25 Area Study — Consideration of Preferred River Crossing Options (tabled
from 07/26/18 & 08/30/18 meetings)
Chair Danielowski reintroduced Item No. 6 that was tabled at the July 26, 2018 meeting
to allow the City of Monticello to provide data regarding Option E, and tabled again at
the August 30, 2018 meeting to allow the City of Monticello time to review Option 2 of
the SRF report dated August 23, 2018 until the next coalition meeting.
Motion by Brian Stumpf to continue the study process and complete the tasks
identified in the original scope to include additional evaluation of three of the six
alternatives specified as Option A, B, and, with the study tasks to include short term
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improvements for safety and traffic flow, identification of funding opportunities,
and an outline of key steps and timeframes from NEPA through construction of
crossing. Seconded by Darek Vetsch. Discussion followed prior to the vote. Discussion
was held on location of each option site. It was clarified that Stumpf s motion excluded
Option E. Motion failed 2-5 with Monticello and Wright County voting aye, and the
City of Becker, Becker Township, the City of Big Lake, Big Lake Township, and
Sherburne County voting nay. The motion failed because any action must have at least
one affirmative vote from both sides of the Mississippi River.
Tim Dolan clarified that Mike Potter's motion at the August 30 Coalition meeting was to
provide time for the City of Monticello to analyze option 2. Dolan asked for clarification
on what research was done by Monticello in their analysis of option 2. Stumpf stated that
they reviewed the handout distributed by SRF from the last meeting. Darek Vetsch
reviewed Ditch 33 that is located in the Option E site area and the costs they have
incurred due to collapsed drainage tile in this ditch system.
Motion by Darek Vetsch to document what has been completed in the study to date,
including the identification of the six river crossing options, with additional detail
outlining the facts of Monticello's opposition to Option E, then terminate the study
with no authorization to study or begin the NEPA process on any of the options at
this time. Seconded by Brian Stumpf. Discussion followed prior to the vote. Discussion
was held that a prior motion was to not push forward preferred options, but to let the
NEPA process determine concerns. Vetsch stressed that we should not enter the NEPA
process without a consensus. Andrew Witter questioned why the Coalition shouldn't vet
all the options. Members commented that as long as Option E remains in the project, it
appears we won't have a consensus and that we are at an impasse. Witter discussed the
option to bring this back to the Study Group for further review. The Study group consists
of a member from each entity along with planning and engineering staff. Dolan
questioned what the shelf life of the NEPA study is? Witter stated that it would be up to
the various agencies involved, and will depend on the data within the study. Claudia
Dumont noted that traffic patterns and volumes change so they would most likely need to
be redone, but that the study can sit in limbo, and if there is interest in the future to re-
evaluate it, we would start with the alternatives that were included. Discussion was held
that the Coalition should not enter the NEPA process until we have agreement to move
forward. Members discussed their concern that the motion presented is a biased position.
Jeff O'Neill reiterated that Option E will damage the Monticello Community. Raeanne
Danielowski stressed that all Coalition members have things that they could identify that
would potentially damage their specific communities, noting that the study would have
allowed the opportunity for these concerns to be vetted out properly. Vetsch stated that he
feels SRF put too much stock in the study group process. Dolan stated that it is obvious
that we are not going to reach any kind of common ground. Dolan also stressed the need
to close out the study without locking in future elected officials. Limiting language in the
study will handcuff future officials. Rick Hendrickson reconfirmed that the Coalition has
a consensus on everything except option E. Dolan stressed the need to maintain the
integrity of the study. Vetsch stressed the need for Wright County to have more time to
review Ditch 33 and the Nuclear Plant site. Vetsch reconfirmed that they want to close
out the study with all original options, noting Monticello's opposition to Option E and
not enter into NEPA. Motion failed 2-5 with Monticello and Wright County voting
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aye, and the City of Becker, Becker Township, the City of Big Lake, Big Lake
Township, and Sherburne County voting nay. The motion failed because any action
must have at least one affirmative vote from both sides of the Mississippi River.
Clay Wilfahrt asked for discussion on how we can move all options forward. Matt
Leonard discussed the need to know all the specifics to have a successful grant
application. Discussion was held that if opposition is accepted by one entity, then all
entities should be given the opportunity to declare opposition on the various options.
Wilfahrt noted that declaring opposition at this point, would make the study biased, and
would weaken the integrity of the study. Danielowski discussed that if opposition was
going to be taken at this point, then each community should have probably just done their
own study. Dolan clarified that no option is going to serve each community equally. The
goal of the group was to relieve congestion and promote safety. The NEPA process was
where each option would be thoroughly studied. O'Neill stated that for Monticello, it is
very easy to measure the expense they have already incurred for infrastructure
improvements in the Option E area. These are investments they have already made, and
O'Neill further stated that they are biased as they have real dollars invested that would be
wasted.
Hendrickson stated that the City of Becker's position is that we need to let the process
play out, noting that we are done here today if we cannot come to a consensus.
Hendrickson stated his concern that we could potentially walk out of the meeting without
accomplishing anything. Larry Alfords reviewed where we are in the process of the
study, questioning how we take it to the next level. Vetsch stressed that going into the
NEPA process will be very expensive, noting that Wright County doesn't want to invest
any more dollars in the Option E area. O'Neill stated that the process requires that this
Coalition vote on options. Dolan reiterated that substantial economic drivers could
change the minds of future officials. Danielowski stated that she is concerned that
Monticello isn't going to be interested in any option other than Option A. Discussion was
held that every day that goes by is devaluing the study. Members again discussed how the
Coalition can close out this study so that we leave with something of value. Danielowski
stressed her frustration that she feels two entities have bullied their way into defining the
process. Stumpf and Vetsch stated that they are trying to protect their investments. Dolan
asked for clarification on where there would be harm to Monticello in closing out the
study as it sits, stating that Option E has been sitting on the map since the inception, and
that Monticello isn't even willing to close out the study unless it is on their terms. Alfords
clarified that issues would come out in the next level of the study, and is not certain that
there is that much harm in that. Dolan reiterated that by removing any options at this
point would pollute the study. Wilfahrt asked if the Coalition members would be willing
to allow all entities to submit comments on any option. O'Neill stated that Monticello is
open to Options A, B, and D only. Virgil Hawkins reviewed that Option 3 in the report
provided by SRF at the August 30 meeting would provide a draft study, questioning if a
draft study would maintain the integrity of the study. Witter noted that it would handcuff
us as far as seeking grant opportunities. Members questioned if having input from
Monticello and Wright County would distract from the value of the study moving
forward. Witter stated that he is not sure how the NEPA process would see it, eliminating
options would most likely cause some issues. Dolan stressed that Sherburne County does
not want to invest in the NEPA process with elimination of any options. O'Neill stated
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that we can't just turn away from inaccurate information. Discussion was held on concern
that Monticello and Wright County will use the study for their benefit at the expense of
the other Coalition members. Dolan stated that we need a clean process when we go to
the next step. O'Neill responded that it would only be clean if every jurisdiction is
comfortable with it. Danielowski reminded the members that everyone came to the table
with a full cooperative spirit to let the study guide the direction, noting that Monticello
should have voiced their concerns with SRF's process at the beginning. Dolan stated that
he feels Monticello and Wright County have thrown SRF under the bus. Wilfahrt
discussed what the next step of the process should be if there was a consensus, asking
what SRF would be looking at. Discussion was held that the next step would be to dig
deeper into each option focusing on economic and environmental factors, and enter the
NEPA process. It was asked if the study could include a column listing all community
concerns and challenges with specific options. Vetsch stressed the need for the Coalition
to take time to address all local community concerns. Dolan restated that listing out
concerns at this stage would jeopardize the integrity of the study. Hawkins noted that
SRF has already indicated that all options will be studied during the NEPA process
regardless. Wilfahrt asked if we could close out the study and include community
comments as an ancillary document instead of listing out concerns within the actual
study. Dolan stated his concern that listing concerns at this point could hamstring us in
the future. O'Neill stressed that they do not want to hide their comments. Vetsch felt it
best to discuss the concerns now, instead of in the future when we are lobbying against
each other. O'Neill stated that he wants the comments included as part of the study,
noting that a draft study is still valuable. Dolan asked for comments from elected
officials. Stumpf stated that he wants to move forward with Monticello's concerns
documented in the study. Vetsch discussed the possibility of including a reference in the
study that the ancillary document exists. O'Neill stated that he feels that including
Monticello and Wright County's concerns won't get the study tossed out. Dolan stated
that Monticello nor Wright County are willing to give a guarantee that it won't be tossed
out. Steve Taylor suggested including meeting minutes as attachments to the study as
they clearly show past concerns identified by Monticello and Wright County.
Motion by Darek Vetsch to table item no. 5 until January 2019 to allow time for
Coalition Members to provide concerns on any of the options. Seconded by Tim
Dolan, unanimous ayes, motion carried.
6. Consideration of Approval of the 2019 Highway 25 Coalition Work Plan and Budget
(tabled from 07/26/18 & 08/30/18 meetings)
Brian Kolbinger motioned to table item no. 6 (Consideration of Approval of the
2019 Highway 25 Coalition Work Plan and Budget) until the January 2019
Coalition meeting. Seconded by Tim Dolan, unanimous ayes, motion carried.
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7. Consideration of Authorizing Expenditure for Development of Highway 25 Coalition
Website (tabled from 07126118 & 08130118 meetings)
Tim Dolan motioned to table item no. 7 (Consideration of Authorizing Expenditure
for Development of Highway 25 Coalition Website) until the January 2019 Coalition
meeting. Seconded by Brian Kolbinger, unanimous ayes, motion carried.
S. Transportation and Related Economic Development/Land Use Updates — No reports
given.
9. 194 Coalition Update
Claudia Dumont reviewed the October 12, 2018 I94 Coalition Meeting discussing the
approval for improvements to the I94 corridor from Monticello to Clearwater that is
expected to be an $80M investment.
Chair Danielowski apologized to the City of Monticello and Wright County for terms she
used during the meeting.
10. Other Updates — No other updates given.
11. Adjourn
Motion made by Tracy Bertram to adjourn the meeting at 9:13 a.m. Seconded by Tim
Dolan, unanimous ayes, meeting adjourned.
The next meeting is scheduled to be held on Thursday, January 31, 2019 at 7:30 a.m. in
the North Mississippi Room at Monticello City Hall.