Title
Authorizing reconstruction of Western Avenue from Selby to University using Municipal State Aid and Federal funds.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul wishes to reconstruct WESTERN AVENUE from Selby Avenue to University Avenue using Municipal State Aid and Federal funds; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul's comprehensive plan recommends creating north-south bike routes in the western half of the city that connect across Interstate 94 to Central Corridor LRT stations; and
WHEREAS, Western Avenue is a north-south roadway connecting across Interstate 94 to a LRT station at Western and University; and
WHEREAS, the State Aid Rule 8820.9941 Minimum Design Standards: On-Road Bicycle Facility for Urban; New or Reconstruction Projects requires 5' wide minimum designated bike lanes for roadway segments with an ADT over 5000 vehicle per day; and
WHEREAS, the City proposes to maintain the existing 40' wide roadway on the segment of Western Avenue between Selby Avenue and Marshall Avenue and to stripe this segment with 8' parking lanes and 12' driving lanes marked with sharrows; and
WHEREAS, the business community does not wish to lose any parking; and
WHEREAS, the widening of the roadway to accommodate 5' designated bike lanes would result in the loss of 20 established boulevard trees; and
WHEREAS, the widening of the roadway would preclude new boulevard trees from thriving; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that we do hereby authorize the Director of Public Works to request a variance from the State Aid Rules Design Requirement of constructing 5' wide designated bike lanes on Western Avenue between Selby Avenue and Marshall Avenue; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council hereby indemnifies, saves and holds harmless the State of Minnesota and its agents and employees of and from claims, demands, actions, or causes of action arising out of or by reason of the granting of the variance. The City further agrees to defend at its sole cost and expense any action or proceeding commenced for the purpose of asserting any claim arising as a result of the granting this variance.