07-13-1987 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO COUNCIL MEETING HELD JULY 13, 1987 EXTENSION OF COUNTY ROAD 116 - PUBLIC HEARING 7:08 -8:07 Mayor Grabek explained the purpose of the public hearing to consider the request made to Hennepin County by the City of Medina to extend County Road 116 south from the Orono /Medina border on Willow Drive to Highway 12 in the City of Orono. City Recorder Peterson noted the affidavit of publication. City Administrator Bernhardson introduced Commissioner Budd Robb of Hennepin County for this area; Vern Genzlinger of Hennepin County; Ted Hoffman, Hennepin County Engineer; and Acting Mayor Scherer of the City of Medina. City Administrator Bernhardson explained that for several years the City of Medina has been looking for a route that generally runs north and south through the center of the community. Recently Hennepin County indicated that since it was their policy that County roads extend from one State highway to another, they would consider an extension from Hwy. 55 to Hwy. 12. The obvious advantage to the City of Medina would be the north /south route to be,constructed with money other than local tax money. Medina, unlike Orono, does not receive Municipal State Aid funds because they are under the 5,000 population limit. Issues for the City of Orono to consider are better intersection control at Willow Drive - County Road 6 (4 -way stop sign) and Willow Drive - Hwy. 12 (traffic signal light). Items of concern include the traffic speed limit increase and widening the road in relation to properties on the north side of County Rd. 6. The County indicated that in regard to the signal issue, they cannot make any committment to traffic control improvements pending meeting the required warrants. Ted Hoffman reported that in 1976 Hennepin County undertook a study of their overall transporation system. This study recognized the need for another north /south route between Hwy. 101 and County Rd. 19 that would extend from Hwy.12 to Hwy 55. The proposed route at issue is referred to as the Willow Drive alignment which is consistent with Hennepin County's plans, and consistent with the plans of the Met Council, City of Medina, and Orono's 1980 Comprehensive Management Plan. He reviewed the steps involved to undergo this project as follow: 1. Approval of the route alignment by the communities involved. (The City of Medina Council approved the plan on May 19, 1987.) 0