City Council Minutes 08-25-2014 SpecialMINUTES
SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING — MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, August 25, 2014 — 5:30 p.m.
Bridge Room, Monticello Community Center
Present: Clint Herbst, Lloyd Hilgart, Tom Perrault, Glen Posusta, Brian Stumpf
Absent: None
Others: Bret Weiss (WSB), Chuck Rickart (WSB), Shibani Bisson (WSB), Transportation
Advisory Committee (TAC) members
1. Call to Order
Mayor Clint Herbst called the special meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.
2. Purpose of Meeting: Discuss design options for TH 25 /CSAH 75 Intersection
Improvements, City Project No. 100009
Jeff O'Neill explained the purpose of this meeting is to present information on the
proposed intersection improvements for TH 25 and CSAH 75 and discuss options with
Council for this downtown intersection. Jeff turned the discussion over to WSB's Bret
Weiss. Bret Weiss explained that there are a number of items related to the intersection
that require coordination between the City, MnDOT, and Wright County. Fortner City
Engineer Bruce Westby coordinated the process of applying for grant funding to cover
some of the costs associated with this project. A portion of the proposed intersection
improvements were completed with the Walgreen's project, including: widening on TH
25 north of CSAH 75 to accommodate the future left turn lanes; dual right turn lanes on
westbound CSAH 75; and property acquisition within Block 34. The remaining legs of
the intersection to the west and south will be the primary focus of proposed upcoming
improvements.
The next phase of the intersection improvements is to widen TH 25 on the south side of
the intersection and reconstruction of Broadway (CSAH 75) to the west. Bret Weiss
explained that they have been reviewing options for West Broadway which would either
impact the number of through lanes or parking in the first block west of TH 25.
Recently, city staff met with county staff to discuss the options. The county is insistent
on maintaining two thru lanes in both directions. This does not match the option the city
is considering putting in place. It is necessary to snake a decision fairly soon in order to
take advantage of the grant funds that were received for the project.
Bret Weiss reviewed the preferred option which would allow one thru lane in each
direction, leave the parking as is along Broadway, and add a second left turn lane for
eastbound Broadway to northbound TH 25. This option provides a contingency that if
issues arise, parking could be removed to provide two through lanes in each direction.
The county suggested that an agreement include criteria that would indicate the need to
revert back to two lanes with a specific date for that to happen. The county also
suggested another option that would extend the current single left turn lane by
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eliminating the westbound to southbound left turn lane at Walnut Street. Brian Stumpf
spoke against this as he feels this is needed to keep traffic moving. Clint Herbst also
feels that the Walnut Street left turn should remain and he also commented that he does
not want to lose the parking along Broadway.
Bret Weiss reviewed another option that Chuck Rickart brought forward as a possible
option that might be acceptable to Wright County. This option would allow two thru
lanes for eastbound Broadway but only one westbound thru lane on Broadway west of
TH 25. This would preserve the parking along Broadway. The assistant county engineer
worked with Chuck Rickart on this option, which would be a compromise for both the
city and the county.
Bret Weiss reiterated that the county has not approved any options and is likely opposed
to the option with single thru lanes. Bret Weiss emphasized the need for the City to try to
settle on an option that is satisfactory for the county and the city and to do this in a timely
manner, so that the City can utilize the grant funding for the project. Bret Weiss noted
that if the county would agree to the single lane in each direction, crash data would be
studied to detennine the impacts of any adjustments made in the traffic lanes.
Bret Weiss verified that the wish of Council is to keep the parking along Broadway in the
blocks to the west of TH 25. In order to do this, it may be necessary to snake a
compromise on the traffic lanes.
Glen Posusta asked about the concrete medians and why they are necessary. Bret Weiss
explained that is used to align the traffic lanes across the intersection. Brian Stumpf
asked if there were any plans to make changes on TH 25 at 3'd Street or south of that
intersection. Bret Weiss indicated that is not included in this project.
Clint Herbst stated that the city should request that the parking stay in place, and the city
will continue to work on redevelopment in the downtown area. Redevelopment may
change the look of downtown and could move the parking off the street. This would
open up future changes to the traffic lanes that would likely be determined by the county.
Jeff O'Neill suggested that the city discuss some of the triggers that may impact the
agreement with the county. Chuck Rickart suggested these items to watch: traffic
stacking on week days /nights and crashes at the Walnut Street /Broadway and TH 25/75
intersections. He also suggested a ten -year window for the agreement. Clint Herbst
suggested that the city should not offer to remove parking based on a timeframe, but
rather that they are willing to accommodate parking through another design with future
development.
Bret Weiss asked what the thoughts were on the compromise option with two thru lanes
eastbound and a single thru lane westbound. Clint Herbst asked how that would impact
the funding. Chuck Rickart indicated that there would be no change in funding with this
option. Brian Stumpf asked about the signal setup and Chuck Rickart explained that it
would be designed and constructed to accommodate changes as they are made in the
future.
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Clint Herbst asked if anyone from the public had any questions or comments.
Clarence McCarty asked if there were any statistics that show a potential problem with
two vehicles in the left turn lanes moving from Broadway to TH 25 north impacted by a
vehicle turning right on red to go north from the other direction. Chuck Rickart
explained that would be a protected turn controlled by the signal lights. However, it does
not prevent a crash by someone that is not paying attention. Chuck Rickart stated that, if
it does become a problem, the signals could be changed to not allow turns on red.
Steve Johnson commented on the suggestion for a ten -year agreement term and expressed
his concern about when changes would take place that would impact the parking on
Broadway. Brian Stumpf indicated that an agreement gives the city a chance to negotiate
with the county in order to preserve the on- street parking. Steve Johnson suggested that
the city may not want to lock in on ten years and should really focus on redevelopment.
Others concurred and stated that the emphasis should be on redevelopment and not so
much on parking.
Bret Weiss asked if Council is willing to compromise on two eastbound thru lanes with a
single thru lane on the westbound side, if that is what it takes to work with the county to
maintain the on- street parking for the time being. Council concurred with that option as a
compromise.
Bret Weiss and Chuck Rickart indicated that the next step in the process is to submit a
formal proposal to the County for the city's preferred option and a request to have it
considered by the County Transportation committee (County Board committee of the
whole). Council members indicated a willingness to attend a meeting with the county to
work out an agreement.
3. Adjournment
LLOYD HILGART MOVED TO ADJOURN THE SPECIAL MEETING AT 6:19 P.M.
TOM PERRAULT SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0.
Recorder: Catherine M. Shuman
Approved: September 8, 2014
Attest: ovl�.
okfAkinistrator
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