HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-18-2020 Worksession Packet 0
City of Oak Park Heights Worksession
Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Oak Park Heights City Hall
1. Call to Order
2. In House Discussion Only: Receive City Engineer Report / Staff Update Related to
Washington County Frontage Road/Discuss Letter from Washington County
Commissioner Gary Kriesel Dated August 10, 2020
3. Employee Recognition Event—Set Date and Details
4. Adjourn
Washington Board of Commissioners
Fran Miron, Chair, District 1
m,
County Stan Karwoski, District 2
Gary Kriesel, District 3
Wayne A.Johnson, District 4
Lisa Weik, District 5
August 10, 2020
Mayor Mary McComber
City of Oak Park Heights
14168 Oak Park Blvd.N.
Oak Park Heights, MN 55082
Dear Mayor McComber,
First I want to thank you again for meeting with me and County Board Chair Fran Miron on Friday to
discuss the 58th Street Extension project between Manning Avenue and Stillwater Boulevard. I
appreciate your time and willingness to allow for more discussions on this important connection that has
been part of the long-term plans of both the city and county.
Similarly, last week, members of our county staff met virtually with your city administrator and city
engineer. Your staff shared their concerns related to city costs, impacts to city utilities and potential
economic impacts of the project, which are similar to the concerns that were raised in our meeting as
well. Our county staff is also preparing a letter to your staff that will include an update on the project
plan and the opportunities to ensure the city and existing local businesses and residents have an
opportunity to weigh in on this project.
As I mentioned in the meeting, the county is requesting an opportunity to meet with the city council to
provide information on the project and get city input. We would be prepared to participate in a
workshop at the city's next meeting on August 25th, or at either of your city meetings in September
(September 8 or 22).
We also know there are a number of important projects to both the city and the county, including the
frontage road project at Norell and Highway 36, the frontage road project at Osgood and Highway 36,
the future of the King Plant, and the Manning and Highway 36 interchange. A meeting with the council
could also include a short discussion recognizing our joint interests in these projects as well.
Finally, as we discussed and as county staff has communicated to city staff, it is very important for the
county's application to the Met Council for regional funding to be successful to reduce the cost of this
project to both the city and county taxpayers. Regardless of when the workshop with the council is held,
I would request the city withdraw its resolution of opposition. I would hope that the county's
willingness to meet,to address the city concerns, and ensure any extension of 58" Street is completed
only after a thorough vetting by all interested parties, would provide the city the comfort and ability to
withdraw its opposition. We believe this project will score very well and compete well on a regional
basis for these funds and we all agree it is important to see federal and state funding coming to
Washington County and its communities to help with our infrastructure needs.
Government Center•14949 62nd Street North•P.O.Box 6•Stillwater,MN 55082-0006
Telephone:651-430-6001 •Fax:651-430-6017•TTY:651-430-6246
www.co.washington.mmus
Washington County is an equal opportunity organization and employer
Washington
'County
Please feel free to have city staff reach out to our deputy county administrator Jennifer Wagenius to find
a suitable date for a city council workshop.
Sincerely,
tLD
Gary Kriesel
Washington County Commissioner
District 3
Cc: Fran Miran, Board Chair
Kevin Corbid, County Administrator
Jennifer Wagenius, Deputy County Administrator
Government Center• 14949 62nd Street North•R O. Box 6•Stillwater,MN 55082-0006
Telephone:651-430-6001 •Fax 651-430-6017•TTY:651-430-6246
www.co.washington.mn.us
Washington County is an equal opportunity organization and employer