05-23-2006 Special Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEMORANDUM TO: CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM: SANDY PEINE, CITY CLERK DATE: MAY 12,2006 SUBJECT: HIGHWAY 371 There seem to be two main issues remaining on MnDOT's proposed Highway 371 Improvements. One relates to the Council coming to a consensus on a final layout so the municipal consent process can be finalized and the second relates to comments by some about re-visiting the by-pass alternative. I'll address the latter issue first. BACKGROUND OF CITY PROCESS • February 3,2004—Council adopted a resolution recommending that the highway go through town. • January—July 2005—The City Council appointed Highway 371 committee met about two times per month to review highway issues. • September 27,2005 - The Highway 371 committee had a workshop with the Council to give its recommendations regarding the highway issues. • October 27,2005—A 4-hour Council workshop with MNDOT to discuss highway issues. INFORMATION FROM MNDOT ➢ MNDOT has stated that the highway will not go around town. ➢ A decision has been made to route the highway through town by MNDOT and the Federal Highway Administration based on the environmental impact statement which was completed in January 2005, and on input from affected Cities. Other factors involved for the whole corridor in MnDOT's decision are as follows: • Cost: The through-town route is the least costly($60 million versus $90 million)