Transportation Advisory Commission Agenda 01-08-2015AGENDA
MONTICELLO TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Thursday, January 8, 2015
7:30 a.m.
Academy Room
Monticello Community Center
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of minutes of November 13, 2014 TAC Meeting
3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda
4. Fallon Avenue Overpass
a. Alternative Discussion
5. TH 25 at CSAH 75
a. Wright County Agreement Update
6. School Blvd Extension Alignment — 90th Street to Dalton Avenue
7. Future Interchange Planning Study
8. TH 25 Corridor Coalition Update
9. Other project updates
10. Approve next meeting date and time (Thursday March 12th, 2015 @ 7:30 AM)
11. Adjournment
DRAFT
MEETING MINUTES
MONTICELLO TRASNPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Thursday, November 13, 2014 — 7:30 a.m.
Academy Room, Monticello Community Center
Members Present: Luke Dahlheimer, Charlotte Gabler, Clint Herbst, Lloyd Hilgart, Bill
Tapper
Members Absent: Rich Harris, Don Roberts
Other Attendees: Chuck Rickart, WSB & Associates; Jeff O'Neill, City Administrator,
Steve Johnson
1. Call to Order.
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 a.m.
2. Consideration of approving minutes of the September 11, 2014 TAC Meeting.
BILL TAPPER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR TAC
MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2014. MOTION SECONDED BY LLOYD
HILGART. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, 5 -0.
3. Consideration of adding items to the a1zenda.
A. Regional Transportation Task Force: This item was discussed in Item 8. Other
Project Updates.
B. Mountain of dirt: Bill Tapper voiced concerns about the enormous dirt pile leftover
from the I -94 project by the contractor. The amount of material leftover is about
double than what was expected visually. Chuck Rickart said that the material will be
used during the Fallon Avenue overpass project but in the meantime he will talk with
Shibani Bisson and have her check with the contractor on the amount of material and
if it is more than what was originally agreed upon.
4. Fallon Avenue Overpass.
A. Bridge Design: Chuck Rickart reviewed the three design alternatives for the Fallon
Avenue Overpass and noted that the grades, bridge angle and to the south on all three
alternatives are the same. Rickart asked for thoughts on moving forward with a
preliminary bridge design as that is a process which needs approval from Mn/DOT so
once the decision is made on the north end, the bridge design could be approved and
done quicker.
TAC —November 13, 2014 Page 1 of 4
Clint Herbst brought up concerns about cocking the bridge and said that if the City
purchases the entire parcel from the Church of St. Henry's then the bridge could run
straight across which would be a significant cost savings. Jeff O'Neill said one of the
reasons it was cocked in the first place was because the church wanted more visibility
from the freeway. Herbst suggested that the City could negotiate with the Church
about rather than them paying the costs to cock the bridge they could adjust the price
of the land somewhat to offset that cost. This bridge change would not impact the
south side at all. Rickart said that the bridge has to be spanned as a column cannot be
put down on the Freeway. Herbst suggested asking Mn/DOT to help offset the cost
of spanning the bridge. Rickart said that he will have a new design prepared with the
bridge straight across as suggested and bring back to the next meeting for review.
Rickart inquired about the situation with the Church and O'Neill said they seem to be
following the framework of the original agreement and are supposed to be in the
process of getting another appraisal. Rickart asked if there's a deadline for the
Church to get back to the City with the appraisal. O'Neill said he will call Pat
O'Donnell with the Church of St. Henry's and find out where they're at. Further
discussed possible condemnation if the City and Church cannot come to an
agreement; Herbst said he's unsure about the ability to condemn church property but
Rickart said that if the property is on the tax roll then it can possibly be condemned.
The consensus is to review the redesign bridge alternative at the next meeting and
then meet with the Church thereafter.
5. TH 25 at CSAH 75.
A. Wright County Agreement: Chuck Rickart said that Wright County has come to an
agreement with the City. Rickart reviewed the Funding Participating & Construction
Agreement for the CSAH 75 & TH 25 Intersection Improvements, along with the
Final Intersection Concept Plan. The agreement allows for the phase plan which
would reduce CSAH 75 to one travel lane west of TH 25 to maintain the parking on
CSAH 75. However, the County will not contribute financially until the two travel
lanes are restored in each direction on CSAH 75. Rickart noted that originally Wright
County committed to $90,000 in funding but they are now revoking that funding
without the dual lanes. He said that they will continue to work with the County on
committing to the funding as this is a county road and the funding is equivalent to a
mill and overlay. Rickart said there is time to work with the County as the plans
don't need to be signed until February.
On a separate note, Rickart said he is in the process of doing the project memorandum
for the environmental that needs to be completed for the future building demolition
on Block 34. This Phase 1 must be in by December 1St. Charlotte Gabler said that
once the buildings are down and the area is cleaned up it should generate a lot of buzz
as people will be excited about the potential of a new business coming in.
TAC —November 13, 2014 Page 2 of 4
6. Future Interchange Planning Study.
Chuck Rickart explained that as part of the Transportation Plan quite a few years ago the
City looked at options for interchanges and how they would impact the transportation
system. Rickart reviewed the old interchange design options on Orchard Road which was
driven by the proposed Heritage Residential Development. Interchange designs were
also prepared for CSAH 39 West. Rickart said the criterion Mn/DOT looks at is one mile
between interchanges for urban areas but ideally they like to see two to three miles
between interchanges.
Rickart said the I -94 Coalition is looking for the City to identify where future
interchanges will be along with some configurations so that when the state eventually
comes through with a third lane on I -94 then they can plan around where they would need
extra width for points of access. Rickart noted that if the City is looking 40 -50 years
down the road then maybe an interchange at both CSAH 39 West and Orchard Road
should be considered.
Jeff O'Neill said that there isn't anything budgeted for 2015 for interchange designing;
however, it is on the bubble and could possibly be included. Rickart will get some
pricing on preparing the interchange designs.
7. TH 25 at 7th Street LRIP Funding Application.
Chuck Rickart said there is grant funding available through the Mn/DOT Local Road
Improvement Program. Funding of up to $750,000 is available for each project
statewide. Rickart noted that Monticello meets the eligibility requirements for addressing
a transportation deficiency, and a resolution will be brought to the City Council on
December 8th to move forward with the grant application process. Grant applications are
due on January 2, 2015, and the grant awards will be announced in March 2015.
Rickart said that with the application they will be proposing the addition of a right turn
lane on westbound 7th Street to go north on TH 25, doing the left turn phasing (flashing
yellow) on 7th, and potentially adding right turn lanes in both directions on TH 25. The
improvements will be included with the 2016 Street Reconstruction Project.
Clint Herbst noted that the issue right now is during peak traffic times, cars attempting to
make a left turn on TH 25 are backing up nearly two blocks on 7th Street. While the
dedicated left turn lane is there, there is not a dedicated left turn arrow. The consensus
from the TAC is to add the dedicated green left turn arrow as soon as possible. Rickart
said that he will work with Mn/DOT on upgrading the signal light to include a dedicated
left turn arrow.
TAC —November 13, 2014 Page 3 of 4
8. Other proiect updates
A. TH 25 Expansion to 85`h Street: Jeff O'Neill said the City has given consent to the
Mn/DOT to build it the way they want to build it and the City will obtain some
funding from Featherstone and they have agreed to pay for it over time. As for the
township, Chuck Rickart said they found agreements that indicate 85th Street is the
City's responsibility to maintain even though it is a township road. State aid funding
will be utilized and Featherstone will be paying the City back for state aid funds over
time. The road will be widened for proper turning at the intersection, along with the
addition of signal lights and the City will be responsible for 25% of the cost of the
signal light. O'Neill noted that while it is premature to improve the road at this time,
it is less expensive to make those improvements now rather than in the future. This is
on the timeline for Mn/DOT improvements in 2015.
B. Regional Task Force: Jeff O'Neill said that the Regional Transportation System
Task Force has their next meeting scheduled on November 25th. Chuck Rickart
noted that the biggest thing that has come out of the meetings is everyone agreeing
that the connection between Highway 10 and I -94 needs to be improved, including
looking at TH 25, the Mississippi River crossings, railroad crossings, emergency
vehicle access between the two cities, etc.; and at the next meeting they are going to
brainstorm about how to improve the connection between 94 and 10. O'Neill said it
will be important to look at a formal structure to keep the task force moving ahead
such as establishing it as a formal coalition or possibly institute a joint powers type of
agreement.
9. Approve next meeting date and time.
The next TAC Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 8, 2014 at 7:30 a.m. in the
Academy Room at Monticello City Hall.
10. Adiournment
Meeting adjourned at 9:07 a.m.
Recorder: CSFDah CVreen
Administrative Assistant
Approved:
Attest:
Jeff O'Neill, City Administrator
TAC —November 13, 2014 Page 4 of 4