04-12-2010 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 12, 2010 7:00 o'clock p.m. (3. HIGHWAY12 TURNBACKPROCESS, Continued) years from when the Commissioner of Transportation turns control over the road to Hennepin County. Grube indicated he expects that to happen sometime in October of this year. Grube stated those funds will allow the cities to rebuild or improve the road over the next 15 years. If the cities are looking at rebuilding Highway 12, those funds would be available, but if there is a desire to do some additional work along the side of the road, such as street lights, trees, landscaping, the state generally will not pick up the cost of that. Grube noted that major highways generally remain for approximately 40 to 60 years, which requires some long -term planning and vision. As it relates to this particular project, the envisioning process has been undertaken with Long Lake and Orono. Grube pointed out that Hennepin County will not force any improvement project down either city's throat but representatives will be available to the two cities to discuss the future of the road. The cities have the right of refusal to improve the highway and there are also laws which will allow the counties and cities to go through an arbitration process if there is not mutual consent among the parties. i rI If Orono and Long Lake are to rebuild Old Highway 12 from County Road 6 to Wayzata Boulevard, the cost would be over 12 million. Hennepin County is willing to start the discussion process with the two cities to envision what the road will look like in the future and how the project will happen. Hennepin County has no formal plans for rebuilding the highway. Grube stated that items not typically covered will generally cost the cities around 10 percent, which on a $20 million project, would be roughly $2 million. • Hennepin County is here to assist with the rebuilding of Highway 12 and would like to engage in an open conversation with city officials, businesses, and residents. Once a vision is arrived at, Hennepin County will determine how the project should be constructed and will keep the residents informed during that design process. The first step following the discussion phase would be to retain the services of a consultant, followed by becoming actively engaged in discussions with the city councils, city staff, and residents at neighborhood meetings and public meetings. Grube indicated Hennepin County is looking for consent from both cities to start that discussion process. McMillan asked what kind of time commitment they are looking at. Grube stated generally there will be meetings held in the evening or late afternoon. A project advisory committee consisting of property owners, business owners, city staff will be formed and they will meet approximately once a month for two hours. Murphy indicated Mr. Grube has been a wonderful person to work with at Hennepin County and that the New Highway 12 project was a long, arduous process. Murphy commented that Mr. Grube took a hands -on approach and was readily available to discuss the various aspects of the project. Grube stated local government consists of the school board, city council, and the county board of commissioners and that they realize what people have to endure when there is a project being undertaken so they try to avoid surprises and not fail the people. Grube commented there are lots of moving parts to a project and occasionally something will get dropped but they will do their best to make sure that the issues get resolved. • White noted he also has had the pleasure of working with Mr. Grube on the Lake Street project. Page 2 of 15 i�