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Citizen Input <br /> <br />Mr. Jankowski stated that a letter in opposition of this project was received from John H. <br />Marshall and Dawn Bruhjell of 17852 Sodium Street N.W., Ramsey. <br /> <br />Bev Kuehn, 17836 Sodium Street N.W., Ramsey, stated she is opposed to the street <br />lights. She described how they can watch the Northern Lights from their children's <br />bedroom window and the umbrella of light pollution over the Minneapolis area to the <br />south. She felt they would be unable to enjoy this site if there were street lights present. <br />She stated they also consider their backyard to be something of a wildlife sanctuary (e.g., a <br />pair of red-shouldered hawks are nesting in their backyard). Not enough is known about <br />these birds to predict how street lighting would affect the chance of them returning to this <br />site in future years. Ms. Kuehn also felt that street lighting would not increase security in <br />the neighborhood. <br /> <br />Phil Flemming, Green Valley Estates, asked that the petition be read. He stated his wife <br />signed the petition without first consulting him. He suggested that maybe the petition <br />didn't clearly state what it was for. <br /> <br />City Engineer Jankowski read the petition which specifically stated that it was for street <br />lights. <br /> <br />Mr. Flemming stated he does not want street lights. He is building a $25,000 addition onto <br />his home and he does not want his addition bathed in light all night long. He also felt that <br />street lights do nothing for security. <br /> <br />Rod Kuehn, 17836 Sodium Street N.W., Ramsey, stated he is opposed to the street lights <br />also. He stated his family came out to Ramsey because they wanted to be in the country <br />and their setting is important to their way of life. With street lights, they would not see the <br />stars, the Northern Lights, or the fireflies. He stated he has spent a lot of time landscaping <br />his yard to enhance the area for the fireflies, etc. Mr. Kuehn also felt there would be no <br />added security from the street lights. He stated the Ramsey Police force is very close by <br />and are very prompt which is the only security he felt was needed. He added that with <br />regard to child safety, there is no security problem in their neighborhood. He felt that a <br />light at the intersection with the highway would be okay, but lights within the development <br />would be a "serious blow" to the area. <br /> <br />Debbie Kemp, Green Valley Estates, stated she did not sign the petition. Her entire home <br />would be bathed in light and she felt she should not have to purchase blinds for her house <br />to keep out the light. With regard to security, she has never felt threatened and feels there <br />are no security problems. She felt instead that the street lights would alert people to the <br />neighborhood and possibly cause a security problem. She added that she moved to her <br />neighborhood in Ramsey to escape the lights and noise and to have freedom for her <br />children, etc. Ms. Kemp stated she does not feel like "funding someone else's so-called <br />security". <br /> <br />Upon inquiry, Mr. Jankowski summarized the procedure for going ahead with or defeating <br />this project. <br /> <br />Mr. Kuehn inquired if there are alternatives, such as could there be a street light installed <br />just at the entrance to the subdivision but none within the subdivision. <br /> <br />Mr. Jankowski explained that a street light at the entrance would be a priority street light <br />and they are not funded through property assessments. Priority street lights are funded out <br /> <br />City Council/ May 24, 1994 <br /> Page 5 of 13 <br /> <br /> <br />