Adopt Resolution Approving Revisions to the City's Municipal State Aid (MSA) Street System

The MSA street system consists of collector roadways which are designated by the City, and reviewed and approved by the State Commissioner of Transportation at MnDOT.  These designated roadways are eligible for funding from state gas tax revenues, for both construction and maintenance activities.  In 2012 the City will receive $1,070,753 as its total apportionment.  We currently elect to receive $374,764 (35%) of this allocation for general maintenance purposes, $117,500 for bond interest on previous projects, and $578,489 for construction.

The total allocation the City receives each year is dependent upon two factors; population and the estimated amount of dollars needed to bring the designated MSA street system up to the required standards.  In 2012 participating cities will receive $19.76 per person and $13.72 per $1,000 of documented need, which is based upon a MnDOT formula for computing needs.  The needs for each city participating in the program are updated annually and submitted to MnDOT for review and approval.

On March 20, 2012 staff presented a case to the Public Works Committee to discuss potential modifications to the MSA street system that fit the planned transportation system and development scenarios of the City.  The Committee agreed with staff's recommended revisions and forwarded it to the City Council for ratification on April 10, 2010.  The report from Public Works on the City Council agenda for that date included the required resolution for adoption, which was approved.  Staff submitted the resolution to MnDOT staff and they responded with a request for some minor revisions to better clarify the intended changes.  Attached to this case is a revised resolution that accomplishes the previous City Council direction, and better clarifies the modifications for MnDOT implementation.

The City is allowed to designate up to 20% of its total roadway mileage onto the MSA street system.  Since the allocation is proportional to the dollars needed to bring the system up to standards, it is advantageous to designate the total allotment available.  At the end of 2011 the City of Ramsey was .01 miles over our allowable allotment, therefore a minor revision was already necessary to correct this over designation.

Staff proposed adjusting and reconfiguring some of the MSA street designations within the City to better align with the stated transportation goals and planned development activities.  The attached figure shows in general terms what is being proposed; it ultimately ends up being a net loss to our MSA system in the short term, with future revisions to occur as the COR development and Armstrong interchange advance.

Staff recommends that the City Council approval of the revised MSA street system resolution, and resubmit to the Commissioner of Transportation.  This resolution will replace the previously approved resolution #12-04-045.

There is no funding request as part of this agenda item, revisions and MnDOT correspondence are being conducted with staff time.

Motion to approve the revised MSA street system resolution, and resubmit to the Commissioner of Transportation.