City Council Work Session

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 6:15 PM Baxter City Hall, 13190 Memorywood Drive, Baxter, MN “A Growing Community” CALL TO ORDER Mayor Olson called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. ROLL CALL Mayor Darrel Olson and Council Members Connie Lyscio, Zach Tabatt, Jeff Phillips, and Mark Cross were present. City Administrator Brad Chapulis, Assistant City Administrator Kelly Steele, Assistant City Engineer Trevor Thompson, Community Development Director Josh Doty, and Finance Director Jeremy Vacinek were present. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Presentation of Amended Feasibility Report for Cypress Drive Connection to Woida Road Improvements & Cypress Drive and Clearwater Road Full Depth Reclamation and Trail Improvements, City Project Number 4128 Neil Heinonen, with SEH, presented the amended feasibility report for the Cypress Drive connection to Woida Road and Cypress Drive and Clearwater Road full depth reclamation and trail improvements. The proposed improvement is to improve connectivity across TH 210 and the railroad crossing, and to provide parallel supporting roadway to TH 371 to better serve local and regional trips. The current roadway network in Baxter is constrained by a lack of continuity of north-south collector roadways, which limits local mobility and access. The lack of a supporting parallel roadway places heavy local traffic demand on TH 371. The proposed improvement will also improve non-motorized connectivity within the city and to local and regional trail systems. The improvement will also extend streets and utilities for development. The proposed street improvements include the extension of Cypress Drive to Woida Road. The existing segment of Cypress Drive and Clearwater Road is proposed to receive a full depth reclamation. A trail is proposed on the north side from Golf Course Drive to the Paul Bunyan State Trail and on the south/west side from Golf Course Drive to the existing trail near Excelsior Road. A new trail is proposed along the north side of Clearwater Road. The proposed improvement will include sanitary sewer and water main improvements as well as street lighting. The total estimated improvement cost is $10,974,991.65. Assessments are estimated at $2,391,189 with the city covering the balance of $8,583,802.65. The project timeline is intended to be 2026 or later, pending funding. 4/16/2024 City Council Work Session Minutes Page 2 The project will require land acquisition. Future recommendations include finalizing traffic studies, reviewing the outcomes of the corridor study, and considering an operational level traffic study of TH 371 and Woida Road intersection. 2. Review Novotny Road Traffic Impact Study Justin Anibas, with Widseth, presented the findings of the Novotny Road Traffic Impact Study. The study is also on the regular council agenda for acceptance. The study looked at intersections at Edgewood Drive and Pine Beach Road, Edgewood Drive and Novotny Road, Edgewood Drive and Woida Road, TH 371 and Pine Beach Road, and TH 371 at Woida Road. A traffic impact analysis for the 64-unit apartment complete, The Lofts at Novotny, was completed in August 2022. Novotny Road was extended approximately 680 feet in 2023 as part of The Lofts at Novotny, which will have access on Novotny Road. There is a 3-lane roadway with a two-way left turn lane and a 3- way stop at Edgewood Drive. A proposed future extension of Novotny Road and Lake Forest Road was not included in this study. The study was completed due to a proposed future gas station planned for Novotny Road and Edgewood Drive. The gas station is estimated to generate 3,460 daily trips. The trip generation estimates were provided by the developer. The developer conducted their own trip generation study at 86 gas stations of similar sizes in similar areas. The proposed gas station will generate very few new trips. Approximately 60% of the trips will be a trip that is already passing the gas station and stops at the gas station. The study analyzed five scenarios of existing conditions or no build conditions now and in 2025 and 2030. Each future scenario included the trips from the new apartment complex. Under all scenarios, each intersection and approach operates at LOS D or better. Overall, the proposed gas station did not have a significant impact on overall traffic operations in the area. No roadway or intersection improvements are needed to accommodate the trips generated by the proposed gas station. The gas station has two proposed accesses at approximately 330 feet and 490 feet west of Edgewood Drive. The easternmost driveway aligns with The Lofts at Novotny’s driveway. The extension of Lake Forest Road and Novotny Road will be triggered by future development. At a minimum, Lake Forest Road and Novotny Road should be connected when the next development to the west occurs. ADJOURN MOTION by Council Member Cross, seconded by Council Member Tabatt to adjourn at 6:54 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Approved by: Respectfully submitted, 4/16/2024 City Council Work Session Minutes Page 3 _____________________________ Darrel Olson Kelly Steele Mayor Assistant City Administrator