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AGENDA RECOMMENDATION |
Consent Calendar 5.B.
City Council Regular Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 06/22/2026
Agenda Item:
Resolution authorizing the submission of application for the Mankato/North Mankato Area Planning Organization (MAPO) Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP).
Recommendation/Action(s):
Adoption of attached resolution.
Summary:
The Mankato/North Mankato Area Planning Organization (MAPO) has announced that projects are being requested for suggestion for the 2027 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). City staff have identified a Monks Avenue Pedestrian Crossing Study as a strong potential candidate.
The City of Mankato has received interest in evaluating the pedestrian safety along Monks Avenue, particularly at intersections with a high number of pedestrian and bicycle crossings. Advancing this study aligns with the request received late last year from the Student Government at Minnesota State University, Mankato requesting a review and consideration of pedestrian safety improvement on Monks Avenue. Staff have been in contact with MSUM officials on our planning efforts.
City staff are working on the Community Investment Plan (CIP) with the goal of performing pavement resurfacing on a portion of Monks Avenue in 2028. The intention would be to incorporate recommended pedestrian safety improvements as a part of that future project. Multiple Pedestrian Crossing Studies have been completed within the City of Mankato previously, including separate studies for Balcerzak Drive and Stadium Road. However, in both studies the study area did not include Monks Avenue. Staff is recommending that the proposed Pedestrian Crossing Study extend for the full length of Monks Avenue, including all intersections within city limits. This study would look at what, if any, improvements can be made to improve pedestrian safety and roadway crossings.
Monks Avenue (CSAH 8) is a county road south of Stadium Road (CSAH 60), which is also a county road and, as a result, a letter of support/concurrence will be required from Blue Earth County. Staff have been coordinating with Blue Earth County Director of Public Works, who has expressed email support for this request and indicated that the County is not planning to pursue any individual applications. The County has offered to provide a formal letter of support prior to the required submittal deadline.
Applications are due by 4 pm on Friday, July 17, 2026, with scoring and ranking to follow. The MAPO Policy Board Bylaws require that a request for a study be made by Resolution of the governing body. Completion of the study is expected by the end of next year.
Staff is recommending the Council consider this request to submit an application and adopt the attached Resolution.
The City of Mankato has received interest in evaluating the pedestrian safety along Monks Avenue, particularly at intersections with a high number of pedestrian and bicycle crossings. Advancing this study aligns with the request received late last year from the Student Government at Minnesota State University, Mankato requesting a review and consideration of pedestrian safety improvement on Monks Avenue. Staff have been in contact with MSUM officials on our planning efforts.
City staff are working on the Community Investment Plan (CIP) with the goal of performing pavement resurfacing on a portion of Monks Avenue in 2028. The intention would be to incorporate recommended pedestrian safety improvements as a part of that future project. Multiple Pedestrian Crossing Studies have been completed within the City of Mankato previously, including separate studies for Balcerzak Drive and Stadium Road. However, in both studies the study area did not include Monks Avenue. Staff is recommending that the proposed Pedestrian Crossing Study extend for the full length of Monks Avenue, including all intersections within city limits. This study would look at what, if any, improvements can be made to improve pedestrian safety and roadway crossings.
Monks Avenue (CSAH 8) is a county road south of Stadium Road (CSAH 60), which is also a county road and, as a result, a letter of support/concurrence will be required from Blue Earth County. Staff have been coordinating with Blue Earth County Director of Public Works, who has expressed email support for this request and indicated that the County is not planning to pursue any individual applications. The County has offered to provide a formal letter of support prior to the required submittal deadline.
Applications are due by 4 pm on Friday, July 17, 2026, with scoring and ranking to follow. The MAPO Policy Board Bylaws require that a request for a study be made by Resolution of the governing body. Completion of the study is expected by the end of next year.
Staff is recommending the Council consider this request to submit an application and adopt the attached Resolution.