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Council accepts revised MnDOT-funded crossing plans after parking reductions for Summit and Mill Street
Summary
City staff presented revised layouts for MnDOT-funded railroad crossing and street replacement work on Summit Avenue and Mill Street, reducing parking impacts; council approved accepting plans and authorizing bidding with alternates to avoid rebidding if MnDOT funds shift between years.
Fergus Falls City Council (Committee of the Whole) approved revised plans and specifications for a MnDOT-funded project affecting railroad crossings and nearby streets, with the council asking that the project be bid with alternates so portions can be removed without rebidding if MnDOT funding changes.
City engineer Grant (surname not specified in transcript), speaking to the council, recommended acceptance of the plans and specifications and requested authorization to publish the project for bids (21-day publication) with a bid opening scheduled for May 13 at 2 p.m. He described two bid alternates that would allow the city to drop Summit Avenue and Freiburg crossings from the contract if MnDOT maintenance funds are not available this year and therefore avoid a rebid.
Why it matters: The project is funded through MnDOT’s Section 130 program; staff emphasized they do not anticipate local costs if the city follows state rules. The revised layouts were intended to reduce the number of on-street parking spaces that would be removed and to maximize the block lengths that can be reconstructed under MnDOT funding.
Details and council discussion: Grant said the Summit Avenue layout was significantly reduced from the original plan and the roadway width there would be expanded from 24 to 32 feet; the original plan would have removed 24 parking spaces, and the revised plan reduces that loss to five spaces. Grant reported he had discussed the change with a representative of the Federated Church and that person did not express significant concern. For Mill Street, the project remains larger because pavement condition is worse; the revised Mill Street layout drops the number of parking spaces lost from 12 in the original plan to seven.
Grant and council members discussed how curb bump-outs, green space in the boulevard, and turning-movement requirements affect MnDOT’s willingness to pay for full-block pavement replacement. Grant said keeping the planned limits made it more likely MnDOT would fund replacement of the full block. Council member Scott called the work “phase 1” toward a future quiet zone and said improvements could increase property values and future development prospects. Council member (speaker identified as) Jim offered the resolution to accept the revisions; Laura seconded. The motion passed and the item was placed on the consent agenda.
Next steps and quiet-zone note: Grant said any enhancements done now would not prevent the city from pursuing a quiet zone later but could require additional safety measures (for example, adding gate arms, pedestrian protections, and centerline channelization) if the city decides to pursue that later.
Ending: With the council’s approval to accept the revised plans and authorize bidding with alternates, staff will advertise the project, receive bids on May 13, and then work with MnDOT on a construction agreement and funding details before recommending an award to the council.
