03-27-1995 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MARCH 27, 1995 ( #12 - Highway 12 Safety Improvement and Agreements - Continued) • Callahan asked the cost of the Old Crystal Bay Road bike/hike trail for Orono. Moorse reported a cost of $235,000. Callahan asked what will happen with funding for Ferndale improvements and Co Rd 6. Moorse reported that Cook put figures together on the MSA funds which reflect these expenditures. He noted the inclusion of a $50,000 grant which was applied for to offset the cost of the trail and the possibility of other monies available. Ferndale is being shown as being improved in 1996 but could be put off until at least 1998 if funds were lacking for the CoRd 6 project. • Callahan voiced his amazement at being at the point of signing agreements with Mn/DOT for $300,000 without any priority planning having been done or attention paid to where the money was coming from. Moorse did say that two years ago, there were no plans to improve Ferndale and Co Rd 6, nor was the large cost expected for the signal, which he assumed is a high priority. Jabbour agreed with Moorse's assessment and commented on the need to address priorities on the Council agenda every six months. Jabbour said he has no intention of spending MSA funds on the bike trail at this point. Jabbour says that the Co Rd 6 project and safety improvement issues are important. He said the Council needs to assist Staff in determining the importance of these costs. A member of the public asked what would the state do if notified that there was only $75,000 in the budget and the intersection was not done. The Council reported that the light was being installed at the request of Orono for safety reasons. Council all agreed that the light was necessary, and the City did need to go ahead with the project but to keep costs down. Callahan asked if $199,000 was spent for the signal with $100,000 for Willow Drive safety improvements, if there was any more needed to make this project work. Cook responded that $300,000 is the amount needed for the signal completion. However, the amounts are estimates, and there is a possibility that the actual bids would come in at a higher cost. For example, if the $100,000 signal came in at $110,000, Orono would be responsible for 25% of that additional cost. Callahan voiced the question of whether the City must pay whatever the state says and whether the City has any control whatsoever of these costs. Moorse suggested the agreements not be signed until the final bids are in so the dollar amount is based on the actual bids. The formulas for the state aid were discussed. Moorse said that Staff has not asked the state if the formula can be changed. The various costs for sidewalks, utility improvements, and street lighting to be shared with Long Lake were discussed. Council felt that these improvements could be eliminated to save money. 11