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Thursday, September 02, 2010
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| | Email this article • Print this article | New Hwy. 95 bridge components chosen by council, North Branch Safe Routes to Schools being finalized
BY DENISE MARTIN
How do you get five people to agree on design features for a major project? "Baby-steps," that's how North Branch City Engineer Julie Dresel described the action she sought from North Branch City Council Monday night at the regular meeting.
The baby steps included identifying the lighting fixture style and light pole material to be included into plans on the rebuild of the Highway 95 bridge and related improvements east and west off the freeway interchange. Council signed off on black poles with "capped" double light heads along the bridge deck, and single lights atop similar poles in the Hwy. 95 corridor on either side of the new bridge.
Consulting engineer Derek Schmidt told council "everything's on schedule" with the project and bid letting should take place in time for a fall construction start.
Council also approved a Joint Powers Agreement with Chisago County, designating the city the main responsible government entity for this project, that also involves work being done to the county road west of the Outlet Center.
Council member Peter Holmes was absent and Kathy Blomquist was late in arriving.
Prior to her entering the council chambers the council approved a variance for an accessory structure closer to the road than the front of the house, for David Ehret on Eleanor Ave. The council also okayed a CUP for a two-family dwelling in a residential zone. The permit, with conditions, is at 7026 St. Croix Trail. The vote rezoning a portion of ESSBY Business Park was tabled because a super-majority is required and at the time there were three council members available.
The council also okayed sending written notice to ESSBY bondholders that the city seeks to "renegotiate" terms. Bond payments come due at the end of this year, according to City Administrator Bridgitte Konrad and staff has advised meeting with the involved parties to see what can be worked out.
The council also authorized WSB Engineering to move forward on final work on the Safe Routes to School multi-project layout. WSB estimates the work at $40,000 which is less than the required bid threshhold. The safe routes projects were awarded federal funding through MnDOT, and it's hoped work will actually get underway this summer. Council approved the agreement with the state to receive the funds.
City staff have also been working with legislators on requests for funding in the state's 2010 bonding bill. Dresel and Konrad asked council for consensus on submitting the northwest "old town" roads and sewer/water project and the Flink Avenue extension for state funds. Council agreed. In order to be put into the bonding bill to be considered the projects must be submitted by the end of this month, Konrad mentioned.
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