City Council Meeting Date: October 3, 2023
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Sean Simonson, Engineering Manager
David E. Bennett, PE - Public Works Director/City Engineer
Subject:
TITLE
Consider Accepting Feasibility Report and Authorizing Plans and Specifications for the 2024 Jefferson Parkway West Mill and Overlay and Mill Towns Trail Improvements Project (STRT2024-A78).
BODY
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves the attached Resolution Accepting Feasibility Report and Authorizing Plans and Specifications for the 2024 Jefferson Parkway West Mill and Overlay and Mill Towns Trail Improvements Project (STRT2024-A78).
Summary Report:
A recorded PowerPoint presentation is attached. There will be no formal presentation at the City Council Meeting.
The feasibility report has been completed and finds that the Jefferson Parkway West Mill and Overlay and Mill Towns Trail Improvements Project is necessary, feasible and cost effective. A link to the Feasibility Report is below:
<https://www.northfieldmn.gov/1598/Jefferson-Parkway-West-Mill-Overlay-and->
(See Attachment 2 for clickable link)
City Council Ordered the Preparation of Feasibility Report for the Jefferson Parkway West Mill and Overlay and Mill Towns Trail Improvements Project Feasibility Report at the May 16, 2023 City Council meeting, which includes the following Street Segments (Attachment 3):
• Jefferson Parkway from TH 3 to TH 246 (Mill and Overlay & Mini Roundabout Installation)
In addition to the Street Segments listed above, Staff referenced the approved Northfield Pedestrian, Bike, and Trail System Plan and the approved Pedestrian and Bicycle Analyzation Report for any proposed Sidewalk, On-Street Bikeways, Crossing Improvements, or Off-Street Trail/Path recommended in the plans. Staff will be including the following Walking and Biking/Pedestrian/Crossing Improvements in the Feasibility Report:
• TH 3 from Riverside Park to Jefferson Parkway & Jefferson Parkway from TH 3 to TH 246 (Mill Towns Trail Installation)
• Spruce Court from Jefferson Road to Northfield High School (Sidewalk and Trail Improvements)
• Jefferson Parkway and Roosevelt Drive West (Crossing Improvement)
• Jefferson Parkway and Jefferson Park Trail Crossing (Crossing Improvement)
• Jefferson Parkway and Bridgewater Elementary (Crossing Improvements (2))
Staff held a neighborhood meeting on Wednesday August 23, 2023 to discuss the project as a whole. At this meeting, Staff requested feedback on the options listed above. Staff also mailed out a questionnaire with the Neighborhood meeting invitation requesting feedback about the upcoming project, which is included in the Feasibility Report.
Staff also discussed the project at the September 12, 2023 City Council work session. At that meeting, the following issues were brought forth for additional clarity:
Spruce Court Sidewalk/Trail
The design engineer looked at both options of sidewalk on the east and west sides of Spruce Court. The east side of the cul-de-sac was the recommended option due to this alignment having less tree impacts, and a direct access to the trail without having to cross through the middle of the cul-de-sac. In addition, drainage concerns for the trail were noted as well during the City Council work session. The existing area is served with a storm drainage system, and will be utilized during design to manage the drainage in the area.
Finally, the connection to the School property was noted. Staff will engage the Northfield School District in a pedestrian striping plan for the trail connection to the parking lot.
Roosevelt Drive East Intersection
Staff was asked about the difficulty in making a left turn (westbound) from Roosevelt Drive East onto Jefferson Parkway. Staff is suggesting that the intersection be studied further to see if any improvements can be made to alleviate this issue.
Raider Drive Intersection
Council requested that the possibility of a Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacon (RRFB) be analyzed for this intersection. Staff has added an RRFB at this location due to the proximity of multiple schools in the area.
In addition, the vehicle queue was discussed for the eastbound turn lane from Jefferson Parkway onto northbound Raider Drive. Staff referenced the 2016 traffic study of Jefferson Parkway, and it noted to better accommodate the needed queue length during the AM and PM peak traffic periods, the study recommends the east bound turn lane be extended to 300 feet in length.
Alternative Options:
The City Council could delay this project; however, the street pavements in the area will require repair work in order to keep this area in a marginal condition for traffic.
Spruce Court - Council could eliminate the sidewalk on spruce court and have the trail connection to the High School and/or the trail that connects to the High School could be changed to a 6 foot sidewalk.
Financial Impacts:
This project will be funded through a variety of sources including bonding, and enterprise funds - Storm Fund, Sanitary Fund, and Water Fund. Below are the estimated project costs, and funding tables at the time of the Feasibility Report, which include the 1% for the Arts.
Tentative Timelines:
See the attached project process (Attachment 4) which details the timeline for the Jefferson Parkway West Mill and Overlay and Mill Towns Trail Improvements Project.