ADMINISTRATION - Jean M. Keely, City Engineer
Title
AUTHORIZE SUBMITTAL OF APPLICATION TO THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (MNDOT) FOR LOCAL ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FUNDS
Background
Anoka County is turning back 105th Avenue (CR 87) from TH 65 to Radisson Road (CSAH 52) to the City on May 1, 2015. As a result of the County turnback, the City will be submitting a request to MNDOT for designation of 105th Avenue as a Municipal State Aid (MSA) route. This route is in need of reconstruction as the pavement is failing along a majority of the route and it carries over 9,500 vehicles per day. City Council authorized a contract with a consulting engineer firm on October 16, 2014 for design services for the reconstruction of 105th Avenue. Proposed funding sources for the reconstruction project include MSA funds (if the route is approved by MNDOT), Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds, County turnback funds, and water utility funds.
The National Sports Center (a state facility) has significant frontage on both the north and south sides of 105th Avenue and has informed the City Council that they have no funding source to assist in financing the street reconstruction project. The Metropolitan Airport Commission (MAC) (also a state facility) owns frontage on the south east portion of this project. A potential funding source for a portion of this project is the Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) through MNDOT. To apply for these funds, the project must be in an area of a route of regional significance. This is a competitive application process for projects that will have a construction contract award by June of 2016. The 105th Avenue reconstruction project has a tentative contract award date of July of 2015. The maximum request for LRIP funds is $750,000.
If the City Council authorizes the submittal of an application for $750,000 and MNDOT approves the funding request, it will assist in funding the road reconstruction that directly serves two adjacent state facilities of regional significance - the National Sports Center and MAC property.
Recommendation
By motion, approve the resolution.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Blaine has proposed the reconstruction of 105th Avenue from TH 65 to Radisson Road (CSAH 52) with Improvement Project No. 14-11 in 2015/16; and
WHEREAS, the National Sports Center is a State of Minnesota facility of regional significance that has frontage on both sides of 105th Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Airport Commission is a State of Minnesota facility of regional significance that has frontage on the south east side of 105th Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the National Sports Center has informed the City Council that they do not have funds to participate in the reconstruction of 105th Avenue adjacent to their property; and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) is accepting applications for Local Road Improvement Program funds for routes of regional significance; and
WHEREAS, 105th Avenue provides access to two state facilities of regional significance - the National Sports Center and the Metropolitan Airport Commission (Blaine's Soccer Complex and Airport Park on airport property) which host over four million visitors a year; and
WHEREAS, the City of Blaine has completed the required application form to submit to MNDOT for consideration of the maximum amount of Local Road Improvement Program funds of $750,000 to assist in financing the reconstruction of 105th Avenue.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Blaine hereby supports an application to MNDOT for consideration of Local Road Improvement Program funds in the amount of $750,000 for the reconstruction of 105th Avenue in 2015/16.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 4th day of December, 2014.