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Councilmember Elvig noted Highway 47 has been on the list for ten years, was raised to a level <br />of urgency two years ago, and gotten nothing but worse for the past 5 -7 years. Now the Council <br />is talking about starting to prepare for it. He noted that all traffic from this area has to go <br />through this funnel every single morning, and it is backing up traffic past the Ice Arena. This is <br />a monumental problem and there are several reasonable solutions that could be considered. <br />Mayor Ramey stated the strategy is how to move forward with roads so we do not create <br />problems with business access, a short-range goal to improve traffic flow, and how to fix traffic <br />through Anoka. <br />Councilmember McGlone stated the communities of Anoka, Nowthen, and St. Francis need to <br />join Ramsey to increase the pressure so Anoka County will address these issues. <br />Mayor Ramsey noted those residents are probably experiencing the problem but at this point it is <br />not at their Council's awareness. <br />Councilmember McGlone stated he is most frustrated with the City of Anoka and how they <br />address their roads. <br />Councilmember Backous noted it is a Ramsey problem and Anoka is not interested in how it <br />impacts Ramsey's residents. <br />Councilmember Elvig stated the Anoka Comprehensive Plan builds out an area for two lanes east <br />and north and if that can be fixed, it would help Highway 47 for the next 10 -15 years. <br />Councilmember Backous stated it is a huge problem and Anoka County needs to become <br />involved to move the fair grounds. <br />Mayor Ramsey noted Highway 47 is a State highway so they also need to be involved. <br />Councilmember Elvig felt the State will not become involved unless the cities involved show <br />interest. <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated the most immediate success may be getting additional lanes but <br />Highway 47 through Anoka is a huge issue. <br />Councilmember Wise noted when you threaten to take away money, they may listen, so his <br />argument fits into any of the situations raised. <br />Mayor Ramsey stated that Anoka County needs to stop the practice of making intersections so <br />safe that no one can get into them in order to get federal funding because of the impact to <br />businesses. <br />Councilmember McGlone noted the federal government does not care if the business goes tax <br />forfeit, it is a non - argument and not worth raising. <br />City Council Work Session / October 2, 2012 <br />Page 4 of 9 <br />