02-27-1989 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 27, 1989 COUNTY ROAD 116 CONTINUED • rural and urban standards. It is unknown whether there will be a four -way stop at Willow and County Road 6. At the intersection of Willow and Highway 12, a stoplight is possible if traffic counts warrant that. County Commissioner Jude questioned what was the driving force behind this project. He was informed that Medina was pushing for the road for a north /south corridor for emergency vehicles. It was County Commissioner Jude's opinion that the Road was going through Medina because Medina wanted it; the Road was stopping at Highway 12 because Orono did not want County Road 116 to go beyond that point. He commented that if Orono really pushed, the Road probably would stop at the border. Counci lmember Callahan did not believe that an emergency vehicle access was the main reason for the Road. It was his opinion that the Road was being constructed solely for the purpose of enhancing access to Lake Minnetonka and County Road 15. He indicated that if an emergency vehicle access was their main purpose, Tamarack Drive would lend itself much better to that cause. Callahan concurred with Mr. Coward in that it may be a bit premature to construct County Road 116 due to the uncertain future location of Highway 12 and other such issues. It was his belief that the County was going about this backwards. Councilmember Nettles recollected a previous meeting wherein three representatives from the County were present. As he • recalled, the emergency vehicle access purpose of the Road was discussed little, but the "grid layout" of the County road system was mentioned several times. The need for a major north /south road was needed for purposes of form. There was no other justification for constructing the Road other than some of the Medina citizens were requesting it, and there was a desire to have another access to Lake Minnetonka. County Commissioner Jude stated that he would be meeting with a group of concerned Medina citizens. It was his belief that the County would act according to the desires of the Cities of Medina and Orono. He said that he would be happy to represent the position of Orono on both the County Road 51 and County Road 116 issues. Mayor Grabek expressed his belief that there was political pressure motivating the County for construction of County Road 116. County Commissioner Jude reiterated his belief that the majority of Medina was in favor of the Road. Mayor Grabek said that the opinions he had heard from Medina citizens were in opposition to the Road. However, the Medina City Officials were in favor of it. County Commissioner Jude said that he had not been aware of any opposition until just recently. Mayor Grabek asked County Commissioner Jude to keep himself, the Council and City Administrator Bernhardson apprised of any • information he may obtain from upcoming meetings or otherwise. County Commissioner Jude agreed to do so. 9