Council approves Gold Line traffic-signal maintenance agreement; one council member dissents

The Woodbury City Council adopted Resolution 205-1145 approving an ownership and maintenance agreement with Washington County for traffic signal control systems installed as part of the Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit project. The resolution passed on roll call with four ayes and one no (Council member Morris: aye; Council member Santini: aye; Council member Stafford: aye; Council member Wilson: no; Mayor Burt: aye).

City staff explained the Gold Line project paid capital costs to install signals and the maintenance and long-term capital replacements will be allocated proportionally among jurisdictions that have “legs” on the intersections. Washington County will serve as the coordinating agency for the signal system; Met Council paid for the bus guideway portion of the project. Staff said the agreement covers maintenance responsibilities and a proportional share of future capital replacements — the city’s proportional cost share for renewal cycles is an expected future expense that will arise at capital replacement (estimated in discussions as on the order of tens of thousands over long cycles).

Council member Wilson asked why the city should accept any ownership interest on signals located along county roads if the city lacks control over them. Staff responded that the arrangement mirrors prior signal agreements and is tied to roadway legs within the city; they noted the Gold Line paid capital costs and the agreement formalizes maintenance and proportional replacement funding. The council approved the resolution after brief discussion.