2019-01-02 Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the City Council Work Session
Held January 2, 2019
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a work session of the City Council, City of Mendota
Heights, Minnesota was held at the City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Garlock called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Councilmembers Duggan, Miller, Paper
and Petschel were also present.
City staff present included Mark McNeill, City Administrator; Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City
Administrator; Community Development Director Tim Benetti; Ryan Ruzek, Public Works
Director; and Lorri Smith, City Clerk.
DISCUSSION WITH MNDOT REGARDING DODD ROAD CHANGES
Molly Kline, representing Minnesota Department of Transportation, was present to review the
reasons changes were made to Dodd Road. The 2018 project included resurfacing, drainage
improvements, and pedestrian improvements to Dodd Road, from I494 to the High Bridge in St.
Paul.
Will Stein, representing the Federal Highway Administration, spoke about the safety features
incorporated into the redesign of Dodd Road. The road used to include short segments of bypass
lanes for vehicles to get past other vehicles making left hand turns in the area from Mendakota
Court to Pagel Road. The road improvements changed this configuration for safety reasons. The
improvements now include dedicated left-hand turn lanes.
Mr. Stein stated that it has been proven that bypass lanes do not work as well as dedicated left-
hand turn lanes. Bypass lanes are not being installed when changes are made to highways.
Exclusive left hand turn lanes are the safest way for vehicles to make a turn. He stated the
additional cost substantiates the safety benefits. These are proven safety countermeasures and
reduce crashes.
The pedestrian refuge (center island) that was installed at Wagon Wheel Trail is a proactive
improvement for this pedestrian crossing and improves the safety for pedestrians at this area.
Councilor Petschel stated that some residents have concerns about getting in and out of the
Friendly Hills residential area. It was noted that MnDOT has not limited any options for turns and
that traffic can still make a left hand turn onto Pagel Road or Keokuk Lane.
Comments from the public included:
Bernie Friel, 750 Mohican Lane, stated that a left hand turn lane onto Pagel Road has been
eliminated. He felt that a pedestrian refuge should have also been included at South Plaza Drive,
to be consistent with the Wagon Wheel Trail pedestrian crossing. He said that there is no data to
suggest that safety in this area has ever been a problem.
Jim Losleben, 815 Hazel Court, stated that traffic travels at 40 to 50 miles per hour in this area.
The pedestrian refuge at Wagon Wheel Trail is still not safe for pedestrians. The Keokuk Lane and
Bluebird Drive intersection is not a straight intersection and makes it hard to see oncoming traffic
traveling along Dodd Road.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 pm.
Lorri Smith, City Clerk
C -I\ tA Lj '-)�
Neil Garlock, Mayor
January 2, 2019 City Council Work Session page 2 of 2