City of Blaine Anoka County, Minnesota - File #: RES 13-101

• File #: RES 13-101
• Version: 1
• Name: Harpers Street Widening, Trail and Sidewalk Improvements
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Passed
• File created: 6/6/2013
• In control: City Council
• On agenda: 6/6/2013
• Final action: 6/6/2013
• Title: INITIATE PROJECT AND ORDER PREPARATION OF FEASIBILITY REPORT FOR HARPERS STREET WIDENING, TRAIL AND SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS, IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 13-13
• Sponsors: Dan Schluender
• Related files: WS 13-20

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
6/6/2013	1	City Council	Adopted	Pass

ITEM:       12.3            ADMINISTRATION - Daniel Schluender, Assistant City Engineer

Title

INITIATE PROJECT AND ORDER PREPARATION OF FEASIBILITY REPORT FOR HARPERS STREET WIDENING, TRAIL AND SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS,

IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 13-13

Background

At the March 7, 2013 Council Workshop, Council considered several potential Harpers Street area improvement projects north of 125^th Avenue.  The improvement projects discussed include a regional storm sewer system, street widening with installation of sidewalk and trail, and intersection improvements at 125^th Avenue.

In 2002, Harpers Street was designated as a Municipal State Aid (MSA) route in accordance with the Northeast Area Plan.  In 2006, the first section of Harpers Street was constructed to meet Blaine's standard of 29 feet back to back of curb with parking on both sides.  To meet MSA standards, the street needs to be signed on both sides with parking restrictions.  There are four new homes with driveways on the east side of Harpers Street and four future homes that will front on the west side of Harpers Street in the same area.  Council directed staff to bring back information on widening Harpers Street to allow parking on the east side with parking restrictions placed on the west side.  There is not an immediate need to add parking on the east side, but the first time MSA funds are requested on this route, the road will have to be widened to allow parking on one side or the entire street signed with parking restrictions.

With the original concept plan, trail was proposed on the west side of Harpers Street and sidewalk on the east side.  With the economic downturn, no trail or sidewalk was installed and no developer funds remain to construct these improvements.  The trail and sidewalk could be installed with MSA funds if the Council considers initiating a project.

Staff recommends that the City Council initiate a project to widen the east side of the street to allow for parking directly on Harpers Street, sign the west side of the street with parking restrictions, and construct the trail on the west side of Harpers Street and sidewalk on the east side of Harpers Street from 126^th Avenue north to the Harpers Street Woods 2^nd Addition.  

Recommended Council Action

By motion, approve the Resolution.

Body

WHEREAS, the City Council is aware of the need to implement Harpers Street widening, trail and sidewalk improvements; and

WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that it is in the public interest to implement Harpers Street widening, trail and sidewalk improvements; and

WHEREAS, the City Council proposes to initiate a project of Harpers Street widening, trail and sidewalk improvements in the City of Blaine.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Blaine that the proposed improvements are hereby referred to the City Engineer to provide the Council with a Feasibility Report and to advise the Council in a preliminary way as to whether the proposed improvements are necessary, cost-effective, and feasible, and the estimated cost of the improvements as recommended.

PASSED by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 6th day of June, 2013.