City Council Work Session

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES Tuesday, April 02, 2024 at 5:45 PM Baxter City Hall, 13190 Memorywood Drive, Baxter, MN “A Growing Community” CALL TO ORDER Mayor Olson called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Darrel Olson and Council Members Connie Lyscio, Zach Tabatt, Jeff Phillips, and Mark Cross were present. Assistant City Administrator Kelly Steele, Parks and Trails Supervisor Alex Hondl, Public Works Director Trevor Walter, Community Development Director Josh Doty, Finance Director Jeremy Vacinek, and Police Chief Jim Exsted were present. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. T.H. 371 (Nisswa to Baxter) Corridor Study Presentation Tom Cruikshank, District 3 MnDOT principal planner, introduced the corridor study and explained the purpose of the study is to gain an understanding of transportation needs, identify potential future improvements, and determine how and when these improvements should be implemented. The study will include an analysis of traffic safety, land use and demographics. Bob Rogers, with Bolton & Menk, a transportation planner consultant for MnDOT, presented the study. Mr. Rogers explained MnDOT is looking at ways to make the corridor safer and more efficient. The study looked at HWY 371 /Mississippi River bridge crossing in Baxter as the southern limit and HWY 371/County Road 18 intersection in Nisswa as the northern limit. The study will also consider improvements to the local county and city supporting roadways. The final report is scheduled to be completed this summer or fall. The report will provide the framework to seek funding and municipal support for improvements to the HWY 371 corridor. MnDOT’s community engagement process was very successful. An online survey resulted in 1,867 responses and over 5,500 interactions on the project website. The top three priorities were safety at intersections, vehicle flow, and congestion/delays at intersections. Between 2018-2022, there were 614 crashes in the study area, with 90% occurring within the City of Baxter. Rear end crashes were the most common crash type. The 2022 average daily traffic volumes on HWY 371 in the Baxter area range from approximately 11,900 to 31,000 daily trips. During a typical day, all intersections operate at acceptable levels of service. However, AM and PM peak conditions do result in lower levels of service for multiple side street approaches. Forecast traffic volumes in the study area are expended to increase .5 to 2% annually. Mr. Rogers explained elements that make up some key decision points in the selection of a recommended corridor improvements. 4/2/2024 City Council Work Session Minutes Page 2 HWY 371 currently lacks adequate pedestrian/bicycle facilities along and across the highway. The study will look at ways to make improvements. MnDOT staff and consultants, city council members, and city staff gathered around a map of the highway corridor and discussed the findings of the study. ADJOURN The council ended the work session discussion at 6:59 p.m. Approved by: Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ Darrel Olson Kelly Steele Mayor Assistant City Administrator