DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreement And Amend 2025 Transportation Capital Improvement Program Budget For County State Aid Highway 70 Intersection Improvement In City Of Lakeville, County Project 70-27
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the execution of a joint powers agreement (JPA) with the City of Lakeville to establish County cost participation for intersection improvement on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 70 associated with required development improvements. Authorize a budget amendment to the 2025 Transportation Capital Improvement Program Adopted Budget to add sufficient funding for County Project 70-27 (Attachment: Location Map).
SUMMARY
To provide for the orderly development of property in Dakota County, new subdivisions adjoining County highways are reviewed under the Dakota County Contiguous Plat Ordinance No. 108. The Ordinance requires new subdivisions adjoining County highways to comply with the County’s access spacing and right of way guidelines in order that existing and future highway corridors are preserved to accommodate existing and forecasted traffic volumes safely and efficiently. Development coordination through the Plat Commission requires timely coordination with city partners to ensure County and local road system needs are determined.
A parcel located adjacent to CSAH 70 in Lakeville is being developed with the Lakeville 35 Logistics Center North Addition that received County Board authorization for plat approval by Resolution No. 25-022 (January 7, 2025). The development requires the construction of a new full-access intersection to CSAH 70 with dedicated left- and right-turn lanes. County State Aid Highway 70 was reconstructed in 2021 to modernize the existing high-speed rural two-lane roadway to a high-speed, four-lane, divided county roadway with principal arterial classification. The existing t-intersection of CSAH 70 and 215th Street (local roadway) was improved but did not contemplate an extension of 215th Street to the north based on the City’s comprehensive planning. The proposed development originally proposed to connect at the existing CSAH 70 and 215th Street intersection; however, the existing intersection is located on a high-speed horizontal curve and does not present a safe location to extend a northern street connection to as the sight lines create a hazard for public safety. The City determined to eliminate the future 215th Street extension from its comprehensive plan and is proceeding with intentions to plan for a future city street at the new full-access location proposed with CP 70-27 (Attachment: City Support Letter). This proposed intersection location meets Dakota County access spacing guidelines and necessary safety standards.
The Dakota County 2040 Transportation Plan cost policy allows for County cost participation of 85 percent of one-half (42.5 percent) for left turn lanes required by the County through the access permitting process on high-speed, two-lane, undivided county highways. Although CSAH 70 is now a four-lane, divided, high-speed roadway, the benefit of creating an intersection at a safe location that will serve as a future public street is beneficial to the County and the safety of the road system. Utilization of the recently improved CSAH 70 and 215th Street t-intersection as the connection to CSAH 70 for the proposed development would create a safety hazard for the traveling public. The County has previously utilized this policy intent to cost participate in left turn lane construction on a low-speed urban segment of CSAH 73 in West St. Paul. To cost participate, a JPA needs to be executed with the City of Lakeville.
In order to proceed with the County participation for CP 70-27 in 2025, a budget amendment is necessary for the County’s cost participation in the intersection project. A construction cost estimate for CP 70-27 was provided, showing a total project cost of $1,160,000 for the intersection improvement. The proposed County cost share for 42.5 percent of the left turn lane costs is $395,000. Sufficient funds exist within the transportation fund balance for the budget amendment.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends the execution of a JPA with the City of Lakeville to detail County cost participation for left-turn lane construction on CSAH 70 and amending the 2025 Transportation Capital Improvement Program Adopted Budget.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The 2025 Transportation Capital Improvement Program Adopted Budget does not include funding for CP 70-27. A budget amendment of $395,000 is required to account for the County’s cost participation. Sufficient funds exist in the 2025 Transportation fund balance for the budget amendment.
☐ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☒ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, new subdivisions adjoining County highways are reviewed under the Dakota County Contiguous Plat Ordinance No. 108; and
WHEREAS, staff coordinates closely with city partners with proposed developments to determine County and local road systems improvement needs; and
WHEREAS, County Project 70-27 is the construction of a new full-access intersection on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 70 approximately 2300 feet southeast of CSAH 5 (Kenrick Avenue) that will include opposing center left-turn lanes and a westbound right-turn lane that is necessary for development; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to construct the intersection improvement in 2025 in conjunction with the Lakeville 35 Logistics Center North Addition developer-installed public improvements in anticipation of County reimbursement per policies included in the current adopted Dakota County 2040 Transportation Plan; and
WHEREAS, the 2040 Transportation Plan Cost Policy allows for cost participation for left turn lanes required by the County through the access permitting process on high-speed, two-lane, undivided county highways; and
WHEREAS, CSAH 70 was reconstructed in 2021 to expand the existing two-lane undivided roadway to a 4-lane, divided, high-speed roadway and included the reconstruction of the existing 215th Street and CSAH 70 t-intersection; and
WHEREAS, the Lakeville 35 Logistics Center North Addition development originally proposed to connect their development to the existing 215th Street and CSAH 70 t-intersection; and
WHEREAS, the existing location of the 215th Street and CSAH 70 intersection is located on a high-speed horizontal curve and does not present a safe location to extend a northern street connection to as the sight lines create a hazard for public safety; and
WHEREAS, through plat review it was required that the Lakeville 35 Logistics Center North Addition development create a new-full access intersection with dedicated left-turn lanes and a westbound right-turn lane; and
WHEREAS, the City is updating their comprehensive plan and will include a future city street connection to the proposed full-access intersection CP 70-27 will create; and
WHEREAS, the dedicated left-turn lanes create mutual benefit for the future city intersection leg on the opposite side of CSAH 70 from the proposed development; and
WHEREAS, participation in CP 70-27 to establish a safe public intersection on CSAH 70 would provide mutual benefit to the County’s highway system; and
WHEREAS, a joint powers agreement (JPA) is necessary to establish county cost participation in County Project (CP) 70-27 for the CSAH 70 intersection improvement; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends the execution of the JPA with the City of Lakeville to cost participate in CP 70-27 based on the intention of Cost Policy F.19; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 Transportation Capital Improvement Program Budget does not include sufficient funds for cost participation in CP 70-27; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends amending the 2025 Transportation Capital Improvement Program budget.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Physical Development Director to execute a joint powers agreement between Dakota County and the City of Lakeville for cost participation in County Project 70-27, CSAH 70 intersection improvement; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the 2025 Transportation Capital Improvement Program Budget is hereby amended as follows:
Expense
County Project 70-27 County Construction Cost Share $395,000
Total Expense $395,000
Revenue
County Project 70-27 County Construction Cost Share $395,000
Total Revenue $395,000
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
25-022; 01/07/25
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Location Map
Attachment: City Support Letter
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☒ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Erin Laberee
Author: Jake Chapek