Res 1991 - 87 Rejecting the MN Dept of Transportation's Cost Split for the Construction of Storm Sewers as Part of the Mendota Interchange Project, & Request for Redesign & Re-evaluationCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 91- ��
RESOLUTION REJECTING THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION'S COST SPLIT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF
STORM SEWERS AS PART OF THE MENDOTA INTERCHANGE PROJECT,
AND REQUEST FOR REDESIGN AND REEVALUATION.
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDot)
intends to construct a project known as t�e Mendota
Interchange complete with storm sewer improvements; and
WHEREAS, MnDot staff has pre�ared a cost split between the
State of Minnesota and the City of Mendota Heights for the
storm sewer improvements; and
WHEREAS, the proposed cost split was based on MnDot policies
used for typical projects which lack the extraordinary
conditions of the Mendota Interchange project including but
not limited to: extreme changes in grade, alteration of
established flow patterns, construction that will be below
bedrock in areas, construction in an area with contamination
problems, construction in an area with over 45 acres of
Cemetery property, construction in an area with historical
buildings, and construction along the Minnesota River Bluffs;
and
WHEREAS, these extraordinary conditions have increased the
cost of constructing the storm sewer, and have eliminated
options and alternatives available to the City of Mendota
Heights; and
WHEREAS, The desi�n of the Mendota Interchange is based on
the needs and desires of the State and MnDot, and the Mendota
Interchange will provide a benefit at the regional and State
level; and
WHEREAS, the MnDot design is �rimarily intended to address
MnDot drainage issues and minimize MnDot costs, and Mendota
Heights commissioned BARR Engineering Company to examine the
proposed design and propose enhancements and methods of cost
reduction; and
WHEREAS, BARR Engineering came up with several options which
would significantly reduce the Mendota Heights portion of the
costs, and BARR Engineering proposed additions to the Mendota
Interchange storm sewer system which would eliminate the
possibility of future storm water problems in Mendota
Heights; and
WHEREAS, the cost split performed by MnDot included over 45
acres of tax exempt property in the City of Mendota Heights
contribution. This tax exempt property, being primarily
cemeteries, provides a regional rather than local service,
and there is no mechanism by which Mendota Heights may
recapture these costs; and
WHEREA5, MnDot typically pays for cross culverts, but due to
the complexity of this project no cross culverts are
proposed; and
WHEREAS, MnDot now intends to try to complete the Interchange
project between 1992 and 1994.
NOW THEREFORE IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, by the City of Council
of the City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota as follows:
1. The Cit� of Mendota Heights is in favor of a rapid
completion of the Mendota Interchange project.
2. The City of Mendota Heights rejects the storm sewer cost
split proposed by MnDot.
3. The City of Mendota Heights will participate in funding
of the MnDot storm sewer if an equitable split can be
reached and the following issues addressed:
a) Options 1 and 3 of Stage One as discussed in the BARR
Cost Reduction Study, and other possible changes need
to be examined for potential cost savings to Mendota
Heights and elimination of future drainage problems.
b) Option 2 of Stage 1 construction, as described in the
BARR Engineering Cost Reduction Study, discusses
possible cross culvert savings. These cross culverts
and other similar cases should be examined and either
implemented, or a credit be given to Mendota Heights
because cross culverts can not be installed due to
extreme grade changes by MnDot.
c) As Mendota Heights receives absolutely no benefit from
the storm sewer serving the tax exempt parcels in this
project, the cost split should reflect this fact.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Mendota Heights
this Third Day of December, 1991.
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
A�' EST : By r"`' `"'�'' 2� �%('�� '�
��r,v�Lo�.� C arles E. Mer enso o,
thleen M. Swanson, City Clerk Mayor