ADMINISTRATION - Jon Haukaas, Director of Public Works
Title
Title
Resolution Supporting 2022 State of Minnesota Local Capital Budget Requests for Trunk Highway 65 Construction Funding
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Executive Summary
The City of Blaine has made several 2022 Local Capital Budget requests for consideration in the next state bonding cycle as grants toward the TH65 intersection improvements. These requests require the local agency to provide a resolution in support of the projects and a listing of preferred order of priority.
Background
The City of Blaine has been planning improvements along the TH65 corridor for several years with a recently completed Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study. Current Phase 1, Environmental Review and Preliminary Design, efforts are focused on Segment 2 from 99th Ave through 117th Ave.
With this application, the City of Blaine is seeking funding for construction of grade separated intersections on Trunk Highway 65 at 99th Avenue and at 117th Avenue. These are the two city intersection for this section of TH65. The City is also, through a separate process, supporting Anoka County’s work on the 109th Ave intersection.
The overall Trunk Highway (TH) 65 Improvements Project (Project) will improve the flow of traffic, expand access for multiple modes of transportation, and improve safety through the City of Blaine by constructing grade separated intersections and improving connections to frontage roads, as well as safe bike and pedestrian passage.
Strategic Plan Relationship
This action relates directly to three priorities in the City of Blaine Strategic Plan:
• Item 5 - TH 65 Improvements
o Project Funding Alignment
• Item 3 - Financial Health
o Well managed Capital resources
• Item No. 6 - Well Maintained Infrastructure.
o High Quality street surfaces
Board/Commission Review
N/A
Financial Impact
The City has contracted with the HDR Engineering, the firm awarded the design phases of the project, to assist in developing the necessary data and writing the application for these grants as additional services.
The entire cost to improve the TH65 intersections from 99th Ave to 117th Ave is estimated to be in excess of $120M. Therefore it is critical to look for funding from a multitude of sources.
The City has approved $2,000,000 in its Capital Improvement Plan as a local match toward the necessary intersection improvements on TH65. We also have commitments from Anoka County and MnDOT to contribute additional funds. Grants of over $20M have been secured so far. We have submitted for several federal grant opportunities and the Senate’s congressionally directed funding program and will continue to apply for more opportunities as they come up.
Public Outreach/Input
The overall project has been the focus of a major public outreach throughout its initial Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study. As the projects continues through the design phases, additional outreach will be part of the process.
Staff Recommendation
By motion, adopt the following resolution supporting the City’s applications for 2022 state bond funding.
Body
WHEREAS, Trunk Highway 65 is a principal arterial located within the Twin Cities metropolitan area in Anoka County, Minnesota, and is a vital link for traffic traveling between the Twin Cities’ urban core and northern suburban and exurban communities. The roadway is a four-lane divided configuration serving between 40,000 and 60,000 vehicles per day, similar to Interstate 35W; and
WHEREAS, The City of Blaine has been planning improvements along this corridor for several years and is nearing the end of a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study for it. The full set of improvements planned for TH 65 in Blaine extend from its intersection at 97th Ave to its intersection at 117th Ave through central parts of the city.; and
WHEREAS, this is the first project in Minnesota to follow the Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) process to improve communication and outreach prior to a major improvement and so it is critical that this be a successful project and be a model for future projects; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Blaine acts as the legal sponsor for the TH 65 Access Improvements project and requests funding from the State of Minnesota for construction funding of these projects.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Blaine has made several requests with the intersection of TH65 at 99th Ave as its highest priority and the intersection of TH65 at 117th Ave as its next highest priority.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, the City of Blaine has committed up to $2,000,000.00 towards the local match requirement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that upon approval of its application by the state, the City of Blaine may enter into an agreement with the State of Minnesota for the above-referenced project(s), and that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations as stated in all contract agreements.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Manager or their successors in office, are hereby authorized to execute such agreements, and amendments thereto, as are necessary to implement the project(s) on behalf of the city of Blaine.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 8th day of September, 2021.