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added that we prepared the plan and we will tell our commissioners to invest in the interchange. <br />This would be the best way to reduce costs. About the TPP — they tell us that doing things like <br />the Armstrong interchange is wrong; however, we do not agree with that. The Metropolitan <br />Council staff is not listening to County staff — only elected officials; therefore, this will be sent in <br />under Dennis Berg's signature. We have invested millions of dollars both in money and staff <br />time. They cannot tell us why they are kicking that to the curb — It's not proper stewardship. <br />Mr. Olson reiterated that Ramsey has spent $15 million in RALF and close to $14 million in <br />regional roadway improvements. These amounts do not include the loss of tax revenue. <br />Ms. Garwood stated we are irritated and we have gotten in touch with our Met Council staff and <br />we will send a letter to our State representatives as well. She stated that it saves the County <br />somewhere around $5 million to do this plan our way rather than the way of the Met Council. <br />Councilmember Look stated the Met Council is now guilty of obstructing our development. The <br />freeway upgrade and overpass project were acknowledged and pushed forward by the Met <br />Council and now they are walking away from it. He added that he thinks the majority of the <br />problems we are .seeing is mismanagement of where money is being spent. He stated that he <br />feels Anoka County is guilty of this as well. There's a lack of focus on what needs to be done. <br />Councilmember Elvig stated that the Town Center concept was originated by the Met Council. <br />They funded money for Sunwood Drive. They funded parking lots and parking decks, and were <br />party to conversations about RALF properties. We were told we were being good stewards — <br />now this is being shot down. He expressed concern about disconnect but talked about there <br />being language that will free this up to work the interchange. Safety factors are a huge concern <br />for us. <br />Mayor Ramsey asked at what point do we need to start renegotiating. <br />Councilmember Wise stated that the transportation book is heavy in mass transit We do not <br />have the density now nor will we have it for some time. He talked about watching an <br />ambulance, with lights on, waiting for a train to pass over Armstrong, and the difference an <br />interchange could make. He mentioned that tax base that has been taken out of our budget. He <br />stated he is curious about the dollar amount for taxes we have not collected. He stated that if we <br />would have known this, he did not believe that past Councils or this current Council would have <br />agreed to this. <br />Councilmember Elvig stated if we knew we could not get improvements on Highway #10, we <br />would never have started the Town Center project in the first place. <br />Councilmember McGlone stated that our road system is the most mass transit we have and we <br />cannot neglect it anymore. Money needs to be put into our roads. <br />Mr. Olson stated that a percent of every gas tax dollar you get is split between transit and roads. <br />He asked that if Council has additional comments, to please send them to him via email. <br />City Council Work Session/September 28, 2010 <br />Page 5 of 7 <br />