Adopt Resolution #19-142 Approving Joint Powers Agreement for the Signalization of Nowthen Boulevard/CSAH 5 at 170th Avenue NW

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to adopt Resolution #19-142 approving the Joint Powers Agreement for the signalization of Nowthen Boulevard/CSAH 5 at 170th Avenue NW.

Background:
To safely accommodate the increased traffic associated with the new elementary school proposed to open this fall east of Nowthen Boulevard/CSAH 5 at 170^th Avenue NW, improvements are needed at this intersection.  These improvements include construction of left and right turn lanes on Nowthen Boulevard/CSAH 5, shoulder modifications, bituminous trail modifications, pedestrian curb ramps, pavement striping, and a new traffic control signal system.
 
Attached is a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) that defines the responsibilities of the three parties impacted by the intersection improvements as related to construction and maintenance of the intersection improvements.  These three parties include Anoka-Hennepin Independent School District No. 11, Anoka County, and the City of Ramsey.    Per the JPA;

• Independent School District No. 11 (ISD #11) will be responsible for all costs required to construct the intersection improvements, including the signal system.  These costs include engineering and traffic control.  ISD #11 will also be responsible for maintaining their access to Nowthen Boulevard/CSAH 5, including striping.
• Anoka County will be responsible for providing specific materials to construct the signal system, which are estimated to cost $30,000.  Anoka County will also be responsible for maintaining the new turn lanes, shoulders and striping on Nowthen Boulevard/CSAH 5.
• The City of Ramsey will be responsible for all costs required to power and maintain the new signal system in perpetuity, and for maintaining the trail, pedestrian curb ramps and striping improvements on the leg of 170^th Avenue NW.

 
The City will pay to power and maintain the signal system in perpetuity using the same funding source as currently used to pay for powering and maintaining other signal systems in the City, which is the Traffic Engineering fund.
 
Most signal systems have separate maintenance agreements, though the City pays to power and maintain most signal systems within the City.  City crews do not typically perform signal maintenance work.  Instead, the City typically reimburses Anoka County or MnDOT on a quarterly basis for any maintenance work completed or directed by Anoka County or MnDOT.
 
Anoka County will own the new signal system upon completion of construction.
 
The new signal system will be constructed to accommodate flashing yellow arrows (FYA’s), which are gaining momentum as an alternative to a simple green ball light for left-turning motorists.  FYA’s signal to the motorist that it is safe to turn left so long as they yield to oncoming vehicles, which have the right of way.  These permitted left turns are unlike protected left turns, where the left-turning motorist does not have to consider opposing traffic since those vehicles have a red light.  Anoka County routinely waits to activate FYA’s at new signal systems (for an unspecified period of time) until motorists are used to the new signal system.  Activation of FYA’s will be considered in the future.
 
Construction is anticipated to occur during July and August, 2019.  During construction, access for local traffic will be maintained and Nowthen Boulevard/CSAH 5 will remain open to traffic per the conditions of the JPA.
 
The City Attorney reviewed and approved the attached JPA.

Adopt Resolution #19-142 approving Joint Powers Agreement for the signalization of Nowthen Boulevard/CSAH 5 at 170th Avenue NW.