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Special City Council Meeting Minutes <br /> August 22, 2006 <br /> Page 2 of 3 <br /> ------------------------------------------------- <br /> Craig Robinson noted that one big obstacle for the by-pass is the location of the <br /> by-pass in relation to the City's spray irrigation fields. If the spray irrigation fields <br /> were avoided, it would require the by-pass to go further north into the existing <br /> industrial park. <br /> Both Craig Robinson and Jim Hallgren noted that MnDOT, the City and the <br /> County all need to be in agreement for the project to proceed. Craig Robinson <br /> indicated that MnDOT will be open-minded regarding either route the Council <br /> chooses. However, MnDOT wants to be assured that they will not be responsible <br /> for upgrading or replacing the entire system (more than what they impact) for the <br /> City if a by-pass route impacting the spray irrigation field is selected. <br /> Discussion was held regarding the figure of$5 million dollars that has been used <br /> to represent the City's cost of the through-town route. Tim Houle noted that this <br /> figure included various costs that the City could incur from the project such as <br /> right-of-way acquisition, sewer and water extensions, aesthetics, underpass, etc. <br /> He further stated that the amount of work and money spent would be a decision <br /> of the Council. It was noted that should the City choose not to participate in any <br /> of the project, the cost would be $100,000 to $200,000 for the through town <br /> route." <br /> Discussion was held regarding the safety issue with the highway going through <br /> town. It was also noted that the Council is not agreeable with the number of <br /> accesses that have been closed due to the detrimental affect to the businesses <br /> along the highway. The amount of existing traffic on County Road 11 was <br /> discussed. It was noted that the proposed through town plan funnels even more <br /> traffic through County Road 11. It was indicated that the City has requested more <br /> than one signal on the highway and has been denied by MnDOT. Discussion was <br /> held regarding the proposed speed for the highway. MnDOT indicated that the <br /> highway through Pequot Lakes would have a design speed of 45 miles per hour. <br /> After this initial posting, they would then do a speed study of how fast the actual <br /> traffic is going and set the speed limit based on this. The Council questioned <br /> when the project was planned to take place. MnDOT indicated that it is slated for <br /> either 2013 or 2014 unless special legislation occurs which could move the <br /> project forward. MnDOT was questioned who would be responsible for storm <br /> water run off from the 371 project. MnDOT indicated that they would take care of <br /> the storm water run off created from the highway project. MnDOT did add that <br /> they are open to partnering with the County and the City on <br /> incorporating/addressing their storm water needs. <br /> Jim Hallgren presented Alternative 4 of the by-pass route from the Draft EIS <br /> study, which would be similar to, but not exactly like, the bypass now being <br /> discussed (no interchange on the south, only an at-grade intersection; no <br /> interchange at CSAH 11, a stoplight at-grade intersection for now, look at <br />