03-09-2015 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, March 9, 2015 7:00 o’clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 4 of 43 (4. BOY SCOUT BRIDGE, HENNEPIN COUNTY BRIDGE ENGINEER JAMES ARCHER, continued) foundation will be removed to channel bottom and made wider. At this time the architectural finishes are undetermined. Retaining walls may be incorporated into the design, but at this point it is uncertain how much exposed concrete there will be. Archer indicated they typically do not incorporate architectural features for walls under four feet and that component still remains to be determined. Archer displayed a picture of an existing section of the bridge and noted that the new bridge would be approximately eight feet wider than the existing structure. Archer indicated Hennepin County is working with City Staff on holding an open house at the end of March at Orono City Hall. The mailing area will include everyone along Tonkawa Road and up to Bayside Road. The residents on the south side of North Arm Bay will also be notified to get their feedback on whether the inside of the bridge should be lit and other aesthetic features of the bridge. It is anticipated the mailing will go out sometime this week. Archer noted this project will be eligible to receive federal funds as well as funds from Hennepin County. The City of Orono is not expected to contribute any funds to the project. Bids are expected to be open in August and the project will commence next summer. The overall length of the project is anticipated to be two to three months. Archer indicated he has also been in touch with the Water Patrol and that he will be contacting the LMCD at some point in the future. Archer stated he can either get city approval tonight or come back later once the plans are more detailed. In addition, the residents will be able to sign up at any time on the website in order to get news releases and information on the project. Archer noted another bridge replacement is being planned on CSAH 146 near the intersection of Fox Street. That project will also be receiving federal dollars. Archer noted that project will be smaller than this project and have fewer impacts to the residents. Council Member Levang stated she happens to live at the bottom of Tonkawa Road where it intersects with Bayside and that last fall someone towing a very large boat missed turning left or right and landed in her driveway. Levang noted no one was hurt in that incident and that Hennepin County has now erected a sign with arrows showing that they have to turn. Levang stated she would like to ensure that that area is looked at carefully since it is not the first time that cars have missed that intersection and have landed in her driveway. Levang indicated there is a very steep landing on either side and that when someone is driving down Tonkawa, it is a very steep incline. Levang stated if someone is not familiar with the road, they can fail to turn and land in her driveway. In addition, the incline can become very slippery when it is raining or snowing and the visibility is not that good. Levang stated that area has the potential for accidents to happen if traffic is diverted that direction and that extra attention needs to be paid to that. Archer stated that will be part of the detour but that this project will not require any construction in that area. Archer indicated he will make sure additional signage is added as well as perhaps implementing temporary speed limits prior to the project commencing.