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Council hears update on Trunk Highway 7 TMO; agrees to continue participation for now
Summary
Council members received an update on a multi-city Traffic Management Organization (TMO) studying safety and long-term improvements for Highway 7, including an unfunded list of MnDOT recommendations and a contested median proposal; members agreed to continue attending meetings but raised concerns about committing city funds or a JPA.
President Kathleen Rufkin told councilors the Trunk Highway 7 traffic-management effort has operated about 18 months with roughly $200,000 in seed money to study corridor improvements tied to a 2029 MnDOT mill-and-overlay project.
"There was essentially $200,000 of seed money that allowed us to study Trunk Highway 7," Rufkin said, describing the group of west-metro cities that have participated and noting most recommended improvements are unfunded.
Rufkin and staff warned that proposed MnDOT improvements — including a possible median through parts of the corridor — would limit access at some intersections and could be controversial. Staff said MnDOT representatives will brief the group on April 20 to explain recommended changes and the funding status.
Council members asked whether joining a formal joint powers agreement (JPA) would obligate Minnetrista to contribute money if the group later voted to spend. Rufkin and staff said many smaller cities oppose an annual financial commitment, and that a JPA could be structured in different ways; alternatives such as a memorandum of agreement or continuing as informal participants were discussed.
Resident and council comments were split: one councilor said disengaging risked losing influence, while others said Minnetrista should not commit city funds when MnDOT or state legislators are responsible for funding. Staff recommended continuing to attend meetings to avoid missing opportunities while the group works through JPA and funding structures.
Council gave staff direction to continue participating in the TMO for now and to bring any specific funding or JPA proposals back to council for approval rather than allow administrative commitment.
