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8.e) Staff Report-Log House Landing-Part 1BOILTON &- M E N K , INC® Consulting Engineers & Surveyors 12224 Nicollet Avenue • Burnsville, MN 55337 Phone (952) 890-0509 • Fax (952) 890-8065 www.bolton-menk.com MEMORANDUM Date: February 12, 2015 To: Mayor and City Council Copy: Kristina Handt, City Administrator From: Ryan J. Goodman, P.E. Katie Warner, P.E. Subject: Log House Landing — Quinnell Ave N. Funding Options Enclosures: MnDOT's Design Element Variance Justification Checklist, City of Scandia Resolution for Variance, Memo to Washington County —Log House Landing Reallocation of State Park Road Account Funds, CMSCWD February 11, 2015 Meeting Minutes(unofficial) for Log House Landing Items, CMSCWD Staff Report Log House Landing Cost Participation At the January 20, 2015 meeting City Council authorized Staff to begin the variance process for the Log House Landing Project (205°i Street N). The project proposes to construct a 13 -foot wide road from Quinnell Ave. N. to Quint Ave. From Quint Ave. N. to the river the road is proposed to be 13 -foot wide with 2 -10 -foot wide, 50 -foot long pullouts along with parking. This deviates from the requirements outlined in the Minimum Geometric Design Standards for New/Reconstruction State Park Road Account Projects. The variance is required for the City to be able to utilize the State Park Road Account Funding it was awarded on this project because of the deviation. Staff has had discussions with MNDOT and Washington County, the project's sponsor, to confirm the variance process. We were notified February 6, 2015 in an email from MnDOT Metro District State Aid Engineer that an administrative variance will not be granted for the proposed project. The variance request will need to go through the Minnesota Department of Transportation Variance Committee. We were also advised that it is unlikely the committee will grant a variance for the proposed project. Based on the information we received from MNDOT staff we recommend the City review the following two options for the next steps on this project. The first option continues the process to seek a variance from the variance committee and the second is to work with MNDOT, MNDNR and Washington County to repurpose the funding the City was awarded to Quinnell Ave. N.. Continue to seek Variance Option The steps that need to be taken to continue to seek the variance are detailed on the attached Design Element Variance Justification Checklist. The following summarizes the tasks that remain to be completed: • Adopt the attached resolution identifying the project and the proposed deviation from the rules. • Preparation of a memo that discusses the following: o Proposed project. o Needs of the users. DESIGNING FOR A BETTER TOMORROW Bolton & Menk is an equal opportunity employer Lo _ o Effects of designing to the rule. o Identifying the critical elements to the design. o Cost implications to deviate from the rule. o Safety mitigation for the deviation from the rule. o Existing speed limits and traffic data. o Modification of the graphic to align with the requested information. Compile and submit to MNDOT by February 27, 2015. The Variance Committee will review the submitted request, and we would have to present he variance request at the March 19, 2015 meeting. Renuroose Funds Option Based on the information that the Variance Committee will likely not grant a variance for the proposed project, staff prepared the attached memo requesting the funds be repurposed for improvements to Quinnell Ave. N. The memo was sent to the Washington County Engineer on February 10, 2015 to review with MNDOT, which describes the details of repurposing the funds to be used on Quinnell Ave N. This option allows the City to use local funds for the improvements on 205'" Street N and won't be required to obtain a variance to construct the project the City desires. Staff is seeking direction whether to continue with the variance request knowing the project must go before the Variance Committee or to continue efforts to work with Washington County, MNDNR and MNDOT to find an appropriate project to reallocate the funds to. Staff recommends the City Council to direct staff to work with the Washington County, MNDNR and MNDOT to reallocate the funds. Carnelian Marine Saint Croix Watershed District (CMSCWD) Update On February 11, 2015 at the regular meeting of the CMSCWD there were three items that action was taken regarding the Log House Landing Project as shown on the attached unofficial transcribed meeting minutes prepared by Jim Shaver. The first action was to make a recommendation for the Administrator to apply for other grant funding for the improvements to the boat ramp at the Log House Landing. The second motion was in regards to the amount of cost participation they would contribute to the project. They agreed to a 25% cost participation up to $85,000 contingent on DNR grant funding for the project. The attached staff report was prepared and shared with the CMSCWD Board which addresses the 25% cost participation. The third was authorizing funds for a study to be conducted that would determine the amount of erosion and how big of the solution needs to be. A $10,000 budget was allocated to the study. Funds for the Log House Landing project are to be withheld until the study is complete. DESIGNING FOR A BETTER TOMORROW Bolton & Menk is an equal opportunity employer. STATE AID FOR LOCAL TRANSPORTATION Rev.Aug 2011 DESIGN ELEMENT VARIANCE JUSTIFICATION CHECKLIST Page 1 of The planning, scoping, design, implementation, operation, and maintenance of roads should reasonably address the safety and accessibility needs of users of all ages and abilities. The needs of motorists, pedestrians, transit users, and vehicles, bicyclists, and commercial and emergency vehicles moving along and across roads, intersections, and crossings should be consideration in a manner that is sensitive to the local context and recognizes the varying needs in urban, suburban, and rural settings. A request for a variance to the design elements required by State Aid Operations Rules Chapter 8820 should contain the following as applicable: 1. As required by the Rules: a certified resolution from the responsible city council or county board which identifies the project by location and termini, cites the applicable Rule and chapter, cites the standard for which the variance is requested, and describes what is proposed in lieu of the standard. If applicable, cite the relevant guidance provided in the latest edition of "A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets", from AASHTO. For projects in urban areas, if applicable, cite the relevant guidance provided in the latest edition of the "Context Sensitive Solutions in Designing Major Urban Thoroughfares for Walkable Communities" from the Institute of Transportation Engineers. 2. Location map and typical section (in-place and proposed). 3. Describe adjacent land uses (agricultural, residential, commercial, etc). 4. Describe the needs of motorists, pedestrians, transit users, and vehicles, bicyclists, and commercial and emergency vehicles moving along and across roads, intersections, and crossings should be consideration in a manner that is sensitive to the local context. If applicable, cite the relevant guidance provided in the Institute of Transportation Engineers' "Context Sensitive Solutions in Designing Major Urban Thoroughfares for Walkable Communities". 5. Describe effects of designing in accordance to Rule versus proposed non-standard element on adjacent properties, pedestrians, bicycles, motoring public, and emergency vehicles. 6. Define the critical design element involved (i.e. not "Design Speed"): horizontal alignment (radius or degree of curvature), vertical alignment, grades, lane width, shoulder width, bridge width, structural capacity, stopping sight distance (horizontal and vertical), cross slope, super -elevation, clearance (horizontal and vertical). 7. Estimate the cost/impacts to construct to the standard, the cost to build to the proposed element, and information that logically explains why the particular proposed design was chosen. For instance, if the radius and sight distance for a horizontal curvature is proposed at 35 mph instead of 55 mph, include cost/impacts for 50 mph and 40 mph radii and sight distance. STATE AID FOR LOCAL TRANSPORTATION Rev.Aug 2011 DESIGN ELEMENT VARIANCE JUSTIFICATION CHECKLIST Page 2of2 8. Include available accident data in detail that indicates the resulting damage (property damage/injury/death), contributing causes, and location. The Minnesota Crash Mapping Analysis Tool (MnCMAT) is available thru the SALT Traffic Safety website at hftp://www.dot.state.mn.us/stateaid/trafficsafety.html. Note that access to the MnCMAT application requires approval of the city or county engineer. Questions on gaining access or use of the application can be directed to mcmat.dot(&state.mn.us. 9. Include existing and projected traffic counts. 10. Include legal, posted, and/or safe speed of abutting roadway sections. 11. Indicate if future improvements are planned on the roadway or on adjacent property. 12. Describe safety mitigation considered, such as signing in accordance with MMUTCD, side -slope flattening, etc. 13. Any other pertinent factors.