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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-31-2026 (Joint Meeting with County Board)Joint Meeting Hutchinson City Council — McLeod County Board of Commissioners March 31, 2026 3:00 p.m. Members present: Mayor Gary Forcier, Council Member Chad Czmowski, Council Member Dave Sebesta, Council Member Tim Burley, County Commissioner Paul Wright, County Commissioner Nathan Schmalz, County Commissioner Doug Krueger, County Commissioner Lori Cacka Others present: Matt Jaunich, Hutchinson City Administrator; Sheila Murphy, McLeod County Administrator, and other city/county staff members. Mayor Forcier called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Discussion Items 1. 2027- CSAH 12 (North High Drive) West of TH 15 — Major Pavement Rehab Andrew Engel, McLeod County Public Works Director/County Engineer, reviewed this construction project and other projects scheduled for 2027. 2. 2028 CSAH 12 (North High Drive) East of TH 15 — Major Pavement Rehab (Minor City utility work) Andrew Engel, McLeod County Public Works Director/County Engineer, reviewed this construction project and other projects scheduled for 2028. 3. 2028 CSAH 7 (Bluff Street)- Mill and Overlay Andrew Engel, McLeod County Public Works Director/County Engineer, reviewed this construction project scheduled for 2027. 4. 2028 CSAH 25 (Adams Street) Mill and overlay from Washington Ave. to TH 7 Andrew Engel, McLeod County Public Works Director/County Engineer, reviewed this construction project scheduled for 2027. 5. Airport Road (CSAH 115) & School Road (CSAH 7) Intersection Andrew Engel, McLeod County Public Works Director/County Engineer, provided a presentation he gave in January 2026 at a neighborhood meeting. Mr. Engel reviewed the process being followed to study/evaluate this intersection which includes collecting data and receiving neighborhood feedback, intersection control evaluation, public feedback, design, secure funding, and construction. He further reviewed crash data noting that there have been 24 crashes at this intersection since 2011. Public feedback will be received in late Spring with design beginning in late 2026. Construction will begin pending funds. General discussion was held on various measures to be considered at this intersection. Mayor Forcier mentioned the Hwy 212/Hwy 15 South roundabout project. Mr. Engel explained that MnDOT is constructing a roundabout at this intersection near Brownton. Mr. Engel reviewed the detour routes. 6. Fairgrounds Ditch Closing/ SW Stormwater Resiliency Study Mr. Engel reviewed this proposed project which is between the McLeod County Fairgrounds property and the Aldi/PetSmart/Ashley/Target property which would create more ponding in this area. This would also close up a ditch/pond on the Fairgrounds property which could then be utilized for other things. General discussion was held regarding proper drainage in the area for future development. This project would be a city/county endeavor governed by a joint powers agreement. 7. Upcoming MnDOT Projects around Hutchinson Mr. Engel reviewed the scheduled MnDOT projects throughout the Hutchinson area. These projects include a minor project in 2029 near CSAH 115 on the west side of Hutchinson. Another project scheduled for 2028 includes a concrete pavement on Hwy 7 east from Hutchinson through Silver Lake. A small portion of Hwy 22 south of Hwy 7 East will be included with this project. It was noted that the Hwy 22 ring road connection from Hwy 7 north to Hwy 15 will not be proceeding. General discussion was held about the intersection of Hwy 7 East/Hwy 22. The McLeod County Corridor Study showed that a roundabout should be constructed at this intersection. Mr. Engel also noted that Hwy 7/Hwy 22 near Cedar Mills will have an intersection control evaluation study conducted. 8. HATS Discussion Mr. Engel provided an overview of the Hutchinson Area Transportation Services building shared by the City of Hutchinson, McLeod County and Mn Department of Transportation. Mr. Engel explained that the HATS fuel system needs to be repaired/upgraded due to a major long term break down that occurred in the Winter of 2022-2023. Mr. Engel explained that currently each load of fuel is bid out to vendors in McLeod County. Recently, requests have come from outside vendors. Discussion was held keeping the business within the county or using a broker to bid out fuel per load vs. annually vs. quarterly. In addition, since 2021 the HATS facility has had a capital bonding project in with the state legislature for an expansion project. This expansion would include a tempered vehicle and equipment storage building along with an expanded area for vehicle fueling and fuel storage. The total project cost is estimated at $10.1 million. The proposed funding plan is to split the costs equally amongst city, county and state. Mr. Engel spoke about funding challenges and that state bond funds look bleak for this season and beyond. Mr. Engel provided an alternate funding plan which would prioritize funding the new fuel system and providing that as collateral to attempt to obtain a state funding share. Discussion was held on the pros and cons of installing/upgrading a fuel system or using a third -party fuel station. 9. Highway 22 and a Connection to U.S. Highway 212 City staff asked whether or not a discussion should start now on seeing if the legislature would entertain making this a four -lane connection, creating a coalition, etc. Mr. Engel noted that to his knowledge MnDOT's current expansion policy is no expansion and that MnDOT's policy is that highways cannot expand until a benchmark is met on current preservation. He further noted that traffic volumes on Hwy 22 do not justify a four lane nor are there safety issues. He stated that Hwy 7 is much closer to achieving a four -lane status. Mayor Forcier noted that a four -lane that would bypass any city limits is the most beneficial. It was also suggested that improving Hwy 22 could help with passing lanes, shoulders, etc. A review was discussed of the advantages/benefits to Glencoe and Hutchinson to make Hwy 22 a better route to Hwy 212. 10. Dakota Trail Hutchinson staff inquired as to if there is any thought/desire/talk on doing anything with the Dakota Rail Trail in McLeod County. It was noted that to date the City would like to move forward but the County has not been interested. Commissioner Krueger noted that there is a desire by all county communities to have a trail run through/near their cities. It was suggested that this topic be discussed as a stand-alone item at a future workshop. 11. Connection of the City's Trail System to the Luce Line Trail on the West Side of Hutchinson Through MN/DOT Area Transportation Partnerships (ATP) Grant Monies General discussion was held on improvements/maintenance that is being planned on County Road 115/South Grade Road and 115 Ring Road as far as shoulder improvements/maintenance. It was noted again that perhaps another workshop could be held to discuss the county trail system in the future. Staff noted that the Dakota Rail Trail is not currently useable in the condition it is in. It was also noted that the DNR lease is up this year on the Dakota Rail Trail so perhaps it could become a McLeod County asset. Ownership of the trail needs to be determined and discussed. A separate discussion will be held on this topic. Motion by Czmowski, second by Burley, to adjourn at 5:15 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. ATTEST: Gary T. Forcier Matthew Jaunich Mayor City Administrator