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<br />takes, but noted that the City already owns some of these properties. There will be <br />businesses impacted such as Youth First. She stated that there is something called <br />environmental justice that refers to federal protection for low income or minority <br />populations, which will refer to the approximately 100 units in Oak Terrace that will be <br />taken out. She stated that regarding cultural resources, the railroad is eligible for <br />National Register for Historic Places, but so far there has been found to be no adverse <br />effects and they are just waiting for the State to concur. She reiterated that she expects <br />the public informational meeting to be held later in the year and a public meeting when <br />the EA is published. <br /> <br />Mr. Demers stated that he is assuming the public informational meeting will be held <br />sometime in November to work around the County Commissioner schedules. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig asked what the City can be doing to lobby some of our friends in <br />Washington to look at this situation and a bridge crossing. He asked if this is far enough <br />along to say that the City knows where the bridge needs to go and whether the City can <br />lobby Washington on our own behalfto push this thing forward. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson stated that although this has gone a long ways, there also is <br />a lot to finish such as due process, final comments, open house, and final design, so, <br />while he is not saying the City can't push the issue,. but there are still a lot of steps to <br />complete. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated that he would just like to see if the City can start to lobby <br />for those dollars now. <br /> <br />Mr. Demers stated that he thinks the City could probably start the process because having <br />the Environmental Assessment is helpful. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated that election time is when you can get commitments for <br />things like this, which is why he would like to start lobbying now. <br /> <br />Mr. Demers suggested that he put together a fact sheet to help the Council and noted that <br />he should be able to get that to City staff sometime next week. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen sated that Ms. Fricke mentioned that noise walls were not cost <br />effective, however, in Blaine, they just finished off the Main Street and Highway 65 area <br />and they put in walls. He asked what the criteria are for when something is considered <br />cost effective and who says so. <br /> <br />Ms. Fricke stated basically it is federal criteria that MnDOT has developed and <br />interpreted that determine what is considered cost effective. She stated that to be <br />considered effective the noise mitigation must achieve at least a 5-decibel decrease in <br />noise. She stated that it comes down to a formula of $3,250 per decibel reduction per <br />residence. She noted that it is a complicated system, but if the cost is more than $3,250 is <br />isn't cost effectiv~ and if it is less than that, it is cost effective. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session/September 23,2008 <br />30f4 <br />