Minutes - Council Work Session - 12/06/2011

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Councilmember Tossey stated he doubts Anoka will want to pay for a lobbyist for Ramsey's interchange but he thinks Anoka is not as opposed today as they were in the past to it becoming a freeway. He supported hiring a lobbyist, even if the City is able to get $10 million in bonding, because there is a desire to see something happen with the Highway 10 corridor from Elk River to Coon Rapids. Councilmember Tossey stated this is the time to look at it and put pressure on all elected officials, from Anoka County to the federal level. He believed this area had been neglected, as can be seen when driving the southwest part of the metro area. Councilmember Elvig stated he did not think Anoka has ever been opposed to doing something on Highway 10 and Anoka has made some efforts to get interchange space. Councilmember Elvig supported getting resolution between Ramsey and Anoka to work together in partnership and create a common voice, which will be a strong tool. Councilmember Elvig indicated Highway 47 is an Anoka issue that has become a Ramsey problem and asked if it should be included on the legislative agenda. City Administrator Ulrich noted Ramsey may have an advantage because it is ready to go with the Armstrong Boulevard interchange. However, due to the complexity with the different properties, Anoka may be a year or two behind Ramsey in its ability to complete an interchange at Fairoak Avenue. He suggested Priority 1 be the Armstrong Boulevard interchange and Priority 2 be the Fairoak Avenue interchange. Councilmember Elvig commented on the need to assure it is the right size and scale. Acting Mayor Wise felt that when talking about size and priority, the City also needs to address return on dollars. He noted Ramsey has people with letters of intent, which is more than Anoka has. Public Works Director Olson noted Highway 47 is not up to that level today and may not be within a year. Councilmember McGlone raised the issue of water treatment and the Council's support to make it a larger jurisdiction issue than just Ramsey. City Administrator Ulrich stated the best first step would then be a planning effort to get Ramsey in the queue for capital funding during a subsequent session. He explained how Ramsey can engage other communities, such as Nowthen or St. Francis, to be part of this effort and ask for funding to conduct a study on serving multiple cities with water. Public Works Director Olson explained why the issue of a water treatment facility is interregional and advised of staffs conversations with Nowthen, St. Francis, and Andover. He noted this should be discussed now because once approved it could take 3 -4 years to complete. Public Works Director Olson noted the Council wants to keep costs low to developers and he thinks the water treatment facility would show good "legs" if the City had a voice at the DNR. City Council Work Session / December 6, 2011 Page 10 of 12