2016.01.12 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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January 12, 2016 Page 3 of 10 attendance and had a presentation for the Council. Jerome Adams, MnPASS Lead Representative for WDOT, discussed the proposed MnPASS project in further detail with the Council. It was explained one lane of traffic would be added to 35W in each direction from Highway 36 to Lexington Avenue. He explained the roadway would be completed in concrete. He reviewed the proposed sound wall locations and estimated the project would cost $190 million. MiMT anticipated the project would begin construction in 2019. He spoke to the process that will be followed for sound walls and the informational meetings that will be held. Council nember Strub asked if the properties along Cleveland would be included. Mr. Adams explained MnDOT would be willing to work with the City regarding the prolx)sed locations for sound walls. Councilmember Burg questioned how MnDOT determined the sound wall locations and sked if noise would be deflected to the opposite side of the roadway once erected. Mr. Adams described how MnDOT had determined the proper locations for noise walls. He explained that noise walls were not typically erected in front of commercial properties. He reported that sound reflection did not occur once a wall was constructed on one side of a roadway. Councilmember Bauman requested further information on the voting process for the sound walls. Mr. Adams described the voting process that would be followed by MnDOT. Mark Lindens -&ng, MnDOT, updated the Council on the proposed improvements for 1-694. He noted a third lane was being proposed for both directions of 1-694 from 1-35W to Rice Street. He explained the project has been awarded to a contractor and construction would begin this spring. He anticipated the project would take two years to complete. Mayor Johnson questioned how the public could provide their opinions to MnDOT regarding the proposed improvements for 1-694. Mr. Adams encouraged residents to bring their concerns to Mr. Schlichting at City Hall. Councilmember Bauman discussed how traffic came to a standstill every evening on 1-694. She appreciated the fact that 1-694 would not have a MnPASS lane but rather an expanded lane. She indicated she was not a proponent for MnPASS lanes and suggested MnDOT consider opening the MnPASS lanes for all traffic during peak traffic times. Mr. Adams discussed the MnPASS data that has been collected by MnDOT. It was his opinion that the MnPASS lanes were moving more people than genes -al purpose lanes. He believed that if MnPASS lanes were turned into general purpose lanes, congestion would be increased and there would be no guaranteed travel times. Mayor Johnson thanked Mr. Adams and Mr. Lindenberg for their presentations. 2. Annual Report from the Public Safety Commission. City Manager Lotter reported Chair Robert Allen of the Public Safety Commission had a presentation for the Council. Chair Allen thanked the Council for their time. He reviewed the members currently serving on the Public Safety Commission (PSC) and discussed the purpose of the group. He reported the primary responsibilities of the PSC were to advise the City Council, address human rights issues, review traffic calming concerns, serve as an advisor to the Allina EMS and to the New Brighton Citizen Corps Council. The commission accomplishments completed in 2015 were discussed with the Council. He provided further comment on the Allina EMS activity in the City. He congratulated the City ofNew Brighton on receiving 1 " place for our population category in the nation for National Night Out. He appreciated all of the volunteers that make this community great and noted YIPS was always seeking additional help. He was pleased to report the Public Safety Department received a grant for a full-time DUI officer, which was renewable for four years. He was proud of the fact the City's crime rate was the lowest it had been in 26 years and commended the Public Safety Department for their diligent service to the community. Mayor Johnson thanked Chair Allen for his thorough report and for his dedicated service to the City. ® Councilmember Staub explained he served as the Council Liaison to the PSC. He appreciated each of the commissioners in this group and was impressed by the work they were completing on behalf of the City. Councilmember Bauman asked how many years Chair Allen had served on the PSC. Chair Allen indicated he has served on the PSC for the past six years. 2. Annual Report from the Public safety Commission.