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Pequot Lakes - Hwy 371 North March 23, 2005 Page 2 of 10 provides "money dumps" to fund transportation projects. Along with these "money dumps" usually comes the requirement that the funds be expended in a limited time frame. It appears there is a possibility there may be another one of these"money dumps"this year.MnDOT has identified this particular project as a candidate for potential acceleration if funding is made available by the Legislature.If this were to happen,Right of Way acquisition may start as early as the summer of 2007. Exact construction staging for the whole TH 371 project is unknown at this time, however, it will begin in Nisswa and proceed north. The City needs to keep working through the various issues with MnDOT so the City knows what its costs are estimated to be(the sooner the better) and also so the project is ready when the funding is available. 5. After working with the Committee and the City,MnDOT will then present a Final Layout for City concurrence in accordance with the Municipal Consent Law. At this time, the City will once again be asked to pass a resolution to accept MnDOT's latest version of the Plan. 6. Since the City is under 5,000 population, MnDOT's policy is to cost share 90% State— 10% City on selected project items. These will need to be worked out in a cost participation Agreement between the City and MnDOT after both the State and the City approve the Final Layout. The City also needs to be looking ahead and consulting with a financial consultant on possible bond sales. Most likely there will be City costs that will have to be spread out over several years. Also, even if the City is receiving funding assistance from MnDOT or other agencies, many times a City will have to upfront these costs and will require a temporary or bridging loan during the construction phase before the permanent loan can be closed. In reviewing all of these issues and items, the City may want to create a priority list of City required/desired improvements or expenditures on this project. 7. The question was asked what was the chance of the bypass option being re-reviewed by MnDOT. MnDOT has proceeded with earlier comments, previous direction by the Council, previous input and direction by other Cities, as well as internal review and decisions by MnDOT.They are basically done with this earlier process,and to throw all this work away and to look at the bypass alignment is not an option. 8. The former Township has planted trees in anticipation that they could be used along service roads or along other portions of the project. The trees are getting to the size that they will be difficult to transplant. It is MnDOT's intent to try and work with the City on identifying locations for and using these trees as much as they can. 9. The completion of service roads before any Trunk Highway construction/access interruption begins (to enhance safety, access, and circulation during construction)will be a decision that C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLKB\032305 Council Workshop update-memo.doc