09.05 - Resolution of Support for State Bond Funds

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Local Government Capital Budget Requests Page 4 MnDOT is continuing to move forward on improving TH 371 north of Nisswa from two lanes to a four-lane divided highway. Highway 371 is designated by MnDOT as an Interregional Corridor — a roadway that is essential to enhancing the economic vitality of the state and of this area. These Highway 371 improvements are of regional significance. However, the proposed 4-lane highway ir�nprovements will be going through the middle of the City's WWTF's disposal (spray irrigation) field and around the eastern edge of its downtown core. While there are State and County cost sharing policies for highway projects, there will be related improvements that the City will have to pay for themselves. At a minimum, the City will have to replace their spray irrigation field (the wastewater is initially treated in aerated stabilization ponds and then used as irrigation water and sprayed on fields' cover crops) — this being the public purpose to properly dispose of their wastewater. The City will also have to make improvements to various City streets due to changes in traffic from this regional highway project. They will also have to cost share on State highways and County roads that are turned back to them. The City is not of the size to receive State Aid monies. Also, the City's maintenance operations will be increased. This process is on-going and there is not presently an estimate of cost, or of assistance needed, for these improvements. The City has been saving a little money each year, but with the combination of the size of the City budget and the level of improvements that will be required, the City needs outside funding assistance. While the Highway 371 project is planned for 2018, the City needs to design, go through the proper regulatory and permit processes, construct, and make operational this wastewater project well before the highway improvements even start. There are other funding assistance programs for this work that the City will be pursuing. However, this Highway 371 project is of regional significance, as are its impacts, and thus this bonding bill assistance request. It is presently estimated it will cost $500,000 for a series of smaller pivot spray irrigation systems. The City believes, through its own funds / savings and possibly from other funding assistance, that it can contribute $250,000 towards the cost of this project. 8) Square Footage: For new construction projects, identify the new square footage planned. For remodeling, renovation or expansion projects, identify the total square footage of current facilities, the square footage to be renovated, and/or the new square footage to be added. The present land for the City's spray irrigation field is about 4.53 million square feet, or 104 acres. The proposed Highway 371 improvements will use about 0.87 million square feet, or 20 acres, through the middle of the City's land. The land remaining for the City to use for spray irrigation — in a west parcel and a separated east parcel — totals about 3.66 million square feet, or 84 acres.