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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWK December 12, 2000 CITY of ANDOVER 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W,· ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304· (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 Special City Council Workshop Anoka-Hennepin School Board Representatives/ Anoka County Commissioners Tuesday, December 12, 2000 Conference Room A Call to Order - 7 :00 PM n'¡¡;:rll~<;:.;nn Ttpmo;;: 1. School Transportation Issues 2. Other Business Adjournment ..-.. ." CITY of ANDOVER Special City Council Workshop Anoka-Hennepin School Board Representatives/Anoka County Commissioners Tuesday, December 12,2000 Conference Room A Call to Order - 7:00 PM niC:l"l1<;:<;:;nn Ttpm<:: 1. Introduction Scott Erickson - City of Andover 2. Brief Overview of Andover High School Traffic Study Glen VanWormer- SEH ~. Discuss Proposed Improvements Todd Blank - SEH 4. County Update on Upgrades to Crosstown between Hanson & Andover Boulevard Jon Olson - Anoka County 5. Discuss CostslFunding ofImprovements Todd BlanklDiscuss Adjournment CITY of ANDOVER SPECIAL ANDOVER CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP - DECEMBER 12, 2000 MINUTES A Special Workshop of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jack McKelvey on December 12,2000,7: 15 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Counci1members present: Don Jacobson, Mike Knight, Ken Orttel, Julie Trude Councilmembers absent: None Also present: City Engineer, Scott Erickson Acting City Administrator, Dave Carlberg Anoka County Commissioner, Dennis Berg Anoka County Commissioner, Dave McCauley Anoka County Engineer, Jon Olson Anoka-Hennepin School Superintendent, Roger Giroux Anoka-Hennepin School District, Tom Durand NCI, consultant to the School District, Dick Nybeck SEH, Todd Blank SEH, Glen VanWormer Mayor-Elect, Mike Gamache Others INTRODUCTIONS Mr. Erickson explained the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the traffic report for the high school and road improvements to be made based on that report. Introductions were then made of those present. BRIEF OVERVIEW OF ANDOVER HIGH SCHOOL TRAFFIC STUDY Mr. VanWormer reviewed the traffic study their firm did for the high school which was completed in October, 2000. The 1400 to 1800 students at the school will generate approximately 33,000 trips per day. There are four peak periods to consider where there will be a huge surge of traffic: the morning traffic, the afternoon dismissal period, around 5 o'clock for after-school activities and for special events. He reviewed the expected traffic patterns for buses and students, noting about 80 percent of the student traffic in the morning will be coming down Round Lake Boulevard to either 161 st A venue or to South Coon Creek Drive until Andover Boulevard is extended west to Round Lake Boulevard. Mr. Durand then presented proposals of the school district boundaries. - . .-.. . - ,- ,-, Special Andover City Council Workshop Minutes - December 12, 2000 Page 2 (Brief Overview of Andover High School Traffic Report, Continued) Mr. VanWormer reviewed the four different scenarios created for the traffic study and the two different road scenarios on the operation of the streets. The primary concern is the intersection of Andover Boulevard and Crosstown Boulevard, which will be a problem during peak periods from school with a lot of back up as people want to get out. There would even be that back up with a four-way stop. With stop signs, traffic on Crosstown Boulevard has to stop even when school is not in session. He stated a traffic signal provides the positive control needed for pedestrian use at the intersection and manages the peaking of traffic better. It also has the ability to keep the traffic moving on Crosstown Boulevard when there is limited traffic on Andover Boulevard. A signal at that intersection will not meet warrants when the school initially opens; however, their recommendation is that the signal be installed with the initial road improvements. Even if a traffic control officer is used, they would recommend a signal for safety and flow of traffic. He doubted the speed limit could be reduced on that road, as that is set by MNDot. They also looked at the number of lanes needed. DISCUSS PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS Mr. Blank reviewed the recommendation for a signal at Crosstown Boulevard and Andover Boulevard, aright-turn lane on Crosstown Boulevard for school buses on the north end of the school site which is included with the district's site work, and improvements at the intersection. He pointed out the total estimated cost of the improvements comes to $447,400, with $250,300 of that being the cost for the traffic signal. The remaining costs are for widening Crosstown Boulevard, mostly to the north about 900 feet, plus some minor restriping to the south of that intersection. The widening of Andover Boulevard to the west and east is included in the City's improvement when extending Andover Boulevard west to provide access to the school site. The widening of Crosstown Boulevard to the north would provide right and left turn lanes in each direction plus a through lane, and it would be tapered back to the existing roadway. No parking is proposed on Crosstown Boulevard Mr. Erickson stated the City's utilities will be run under Crosstown Boulevard and continue up the new Andover Boulevard to the west. They are also looking at trying to get a sidewalks along the north side of Andover Boulevard between Crosstown and Hanson Boulevards. There will be a trail along Andover Boulevard to the west. There has been discussion by the Park Board about the possibility of a trail on the east side of Crosstown Boulevard, but that hasn't been determined yet. COUNTY UPDATE ON UPGRADES TO CROSSTOWN BETWEEN HANSON AND ANDOVER BOULEVARDS Mr. Olson stated when the county proposed reconstructing Crosstown Boulevard six or eight years ago, the City requested they do another road instead. So they did an overlay with an anticipated life -.-...~-----~-....- - .. - ... .-- Special Andover City Council Workshop Minutes - December 12. 2000 Page 3 (County Update on Upgrades to Crosstown between Hanson & Andover Boulevards. Continued) of 12 to 15 years. The upgrade of that road has since been put on the 2040 list, so they don't anticipate any improvements to that section in the next 20 years. Their plan includes $430 million of projects of which about $176 million have higher priorities than this particular road section. They typically receive about $6 million per year for roads from state aid funds and the county levy, plus they have been fairly successful in getting outside money. In October 2002 to September 2003 they have included the upgrading of the intersection of CoRd 18 and Hanson Boulevard. With recent concerns about turning movement problems on Andover Boulevard, they have revisited their original plans and are considering restriping Hanson Boulevard as four lanes from Bunker Lake Boulevard north to about 161st, which would then expand the scope of the project at CoRd 18 and Hanson considerably. They are hesitant to lengthen the right turn lane on Hanson to Andover Boulevard thinking it would encourage straight-through traffic to jurnp into the right lane to pull ahead at the stop sign. Mr. Olson stated the county's position on the upgrading of Crosstown Boulevard at the high school site is that it would be the impact of the development and the development should pay for those improvements. DISCUSS COSTS/FUNDING OF IMPROVEMENTS The discussion was then on the funding of the improvements. Mr. Olson stated the county does not participate in signals that do not meet warrants. Even if it did meet warrants, the county's share would only be about 38 percent of it. Mr. Durand stated the school district budgeted $210,000 for right-turn lanes for traffic coming down from the north which would certainly be due to their activities. He wasn't sure if that included the right-turn lane for the buses. Mr. Erickson stated the improvements are a joint benefit to everyone, and it is hoped to get a consensus on who is responsible for what costs between the City, county and school district to make this improvement. Andover is bonding its state aid money for several years into the future and investing over $1 million for the extension of Andover Boulevard to the west plus some improvements to the east of Crosstown Boulevard. He doubted the City had any more bonding capacity to include the traffic signal. Commissioner Berg questioned the cost for the traffic signal, thinking it is very low. Mr. Erickson explained there is only one leg. Also, there is no need to purchase right of way for this project as it is already in place or is being dedicated by the school district. Possibly a small piece of property will need to be purchased on the corner of the intersection, but it is very minimal. Mr. Durand asked if a signal is absolutely needed from the start. Mr. VanWormer stated in his opinion it is very necessary. It isn't the volume of traffic as much as the peaking, plus the history of driving by that age group. That intersection may meet warrants in a number of years, so he suggested having the state look ahead to approve funding for this project. A temporary signa) is not recommended, as the cost savings is very minimal. - __ _0 .________._.~..-- .. , .. - Special Andover City Council Workshop Minutes - December 12, 2000 Page 4 (Discuss Costs/Funding of Improvements, Continued) Mr. Erickson noted if the school district is able to contribute $210,000, the signal is just about paid for. There is still the rest of the Crosstown Boulevard improvements to pay for. Councilmember Orttel pointed out this project came up fairly quickly and now they are reacting to make this a safer site. To add that kind of traffic on Crosstown Boulevard without the lanes would be really dangerous. There is no question it has to be done. When such items come up, they are brought to the County Board. Councilmember Jacobson stated all that needs to be done is to have some youth killed on that comer, and then something would be done immediately. He didn't want it to happen that way. It is better to put in the light before there is a death. He understood the County Highway Department budget has been set, but he asked if there was anything the County Board could do to help in funding these improvements. Commissioner Berg explained two overlay projects have been scheduled in Andover over the next year or two, County Roads 7 and 9. A possibility would be not to do one of them and divert the funds to the improvements on Crosstown Boulevard. Mr. Olson stated that would mean falling even further behind in their road maintenance. He also had some concerns with the way the improvements were laid out north of the intersection. When the lane tapers, immediately there is the right turn for 146th. Mayor McKelvey stated the intent has been to close 146th at Crosstown. Mr. Olson stated if so, there would be no problem. The other concern is the entrance for the buses. In discussing a speed study for this portion of Crosstown Boulevard, he predicted the study would result in increasing the speed limit, not lowering it. Overall he supported the proposed improvements, stating that is what is needed there. Mr. Durand stated the school is scheduled to open the fall of2002. Mr. Erickson stated they would try to include the Crosstown Boulevard improvements with the Andover Boulevard extension project to be bid in early spring of2001. It would be more expensive to spread out the improvements over two years. The City does have a state aid designation over the top of Crosstown Boulevard. Mr. Olson agreed it would be better to do all of it at one time. Commissioner McCauley stated the more time the county has, the better opportunity they have to find the money to participate. In this time frame, it is hard to find some opportunity they can take advantage of financially. Councilmember Orttel suggested possibly the City could do the project and then get reimbursed by the county in the next two to three years. Commissioner McCauley stated that would give them some wiggle room. Mr. Erickson wasn't sure that cost could be added to the City's bond because it may already be at the maximum amount, but he will check on it. Commissioner Berg agreed to try to figure out how they could contribute to the project financially. Their highway committee meets January 2, 2000, and their budget is set for next year. He understood there is about $237,000 of improvements that would need to be paid for by the City and county. He couldn't give an answer now on the county's participation, but wanted to review the numbers and try to make it work. He agreed to get back to the City after their January 2 meeting. - ' -,- .. -- -- "- Special Andover City Council Workshop Minutes - December 12, 2000 Page 5 It was generally agreed there is no need to have another joint meeting. Mr. Erickson stated Staff will keep the City Council informed. Motion by Orttel, Seconded by Jacobson, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:54 p.m. Respectfully submitted, \~~~L Marcella A. Peach Recording Secretary