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Minnetrista council approves $600 contribution for Highway 7 grant-writing despite objections
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Summary
The council voted 2–1 to spend $600 from local funds on grant-writing to pursue Trunk Highway 7 grants; proponents said the investment could unlock millions, while opponents questioned writing-cost estimates and whether MnDOT would allocate projects as the city prefers.
Council approved a $600 contribution to a regional Traffic Management Organization (TMO) grant-writing effort intended to support applications to the Metropolitan Council’s regional solicitation and the Highway Safety Improvement Program for Highway 7 projects.
Staff presented a packet showing the TMO’s total request and a suggested Minnetrista share of $600. The packet identified two target grant programs and an engineering consultant (SRF) to draft the applications. Staff said applicants can request up to $25 million per application and that the TMO hopes to pursue an $11 million+ project list in the corridor.
Some council members objected to paying for grant writing, arguing the estimate ($12,000–$15,000) seemed high or that MnDOT could spend any awarded funds without guaranteeing the city’s preferred configuration. "I don’t like spending money to get our own money back to fix roads that I'm already paying for," one council member said.
Supporters countered that the modest $600 share could leverage substantial outside funding and give Minnetrista bargaining power in project design discussions. The motion to spend $600 was made, seconded and approved by a 2–1 vote; the record shows the mayor offered the motion and Brian seconded it, and the mayor announced the result as a 2–1 vote.
Staff noted that if multiple local units push the same design (for example, a roundabout at Wildwood and Hunter's Trail), it would strengthen Minnetrista’s position in negotiations with MnDOT. The council directed staff to proceed with the TMO grant-writing engagement after the vote.
