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<br />then it might be a deterrent to developers coming in. He stated that it seems to be a '.'no brainer" <br />to improve this if the City wants to get the developers in. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson stated that he understands Councilmember Dehen's. comments <br />because staff has struggled with tl;1is. He stated that the way the staff recommendation is written <br />they are only delaying this a year to look for other funding .sources. He stated that this does open <br />the door for future changes. He stated that if the City went forward, it would mean approving the <br />signal agreement with BNSF and if there were a change of heart next year, the City would lose <br />$300,000 by not being able to move forward. He stated that he is suggesting delaying so they <br />can explore whether an interchange is likely or not. . <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen asked, with the interchange, whether there would be huge problems with <br />the railroad tracks.. . <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson stated that all of those questions would be answered with the <br />design and environmental work. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olson stated that going back to the origin ofRTC, she was always uneasy about <br />the fact that this is to be the star attraction to our City and you have to go oyer a railroad track to <br />get to it. She stated that she would like an overpass to get to it and she thinks it would spur <br />development in the entire. area. She stated that for the City to proceed with an intersection. <br />upgrade that is not needed right now seems foolhardy. She stated that she would like to explore <br />our options. . <br /> <br />. Councilmember Look stated that he has heard the statistics that there will be a train every 6 <br />minutes. He stated that an overpass is rio small undertaking and thinks it will require getting a <br />"big box" retailer. He stated that the reality is that if the City loses fue $328,000 from MnDOT <br />it is a drop in the bucket compared to $25 million for an overpass. He stated he thinks the City <br />needs to plan more into the future and come up with a solution that will attract the type of retail <br />development needed to make it successful. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated that in speaking with developers, one of their concerns is getting <br />across the tracks. He stated that there.might be an opportunity to partner with alarger developer <br />and find some creative funds for this. He stated that he thinks it is worth taking a look at it to see <br />if there is a smarter way to get it done the right way. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jeffrey stated that he has been at candidate forums and agrees that the City <br />should delay this and look at the opportunity for an overpass. . <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Jeffrey, seconded by COUJlcilmember Olson, to continue with the <br />land acquisition stage of the process and delay the construction of Improvement Project 06-20, <br />Armstrong Boulevard Project to 2010, thereby allowing us more time to determine the available <br />funding sources for an interchange project with an overpass of the railroad crossing. <br /> <br />Further Discussion: John Bunkers, President of North Maple Holdings, LLC, stated that he owns <br />14550 Armstrong Boulevard, the Oasis Market. . He stated that he has been under a black cloud <br /> <br />City Council October 28, 2008 <br />Page 16 of20 <br />