Minutes - Council Work Session - 12/11/2012

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Public Works Superintendent Riemer explained the salt is now working and the crews will plow the main streets again tomorrow. He stated the trucks are putting down salt and three trucks also have brine. 2.01: Discussion with Local Legislators The City Council and staff members introduced themselves to the Legislative Delegation. Senator Branden Petersen introduced himself and reviewed the committees on which he serves, indicating he spends 95% of his time on K -12 educational issues to assure there is a great teacher in every classroom and the institutions make decisions in a student centric manner. He noted the upcoming session will have a change in legislative make up where the DFL controls all three levels of government and while it is up to the governing majority to make the decisions, there are some issues that he will work on such as the Highway 10 /Armstrong overpass. Senator Petersen stated he had authored a bill that received bipartisan signatures from incoming and current legislators. In addition, he will be involved with issues relating to Anoka Hennepin schools that are unique, such as funding equity issues on per pupil aid. Senator Petersen explained he wanted to make sure our students are treated in an equitable fashion by the State when compared to other areas of the metro. He will continue to serve on School Finance, Higher Education, and Workforce Development. Representative Peggy Scott introduced herself, indicating she is in her third term in the Legislature. She stated her party is now in the minority so she will not have much to do with what goes down in the Legislature but plans to focus on constituent services. She stated if something is important to her cities, she wants to foster a good relationship with all and to carry their "torch." Representative Scott reviewed her committee assignments: Civil Law, Judiciary, Energy, Housing Policy, and Finance. Representative Scott thanked the Council for the invitation to attend tonight's Work Session and indicated she will make sure to be accessible to • Ramsey. Representative Jim Abeler introduced himself, indicating he is in his eighth term and has known Ramsey well during that time. He serves on the Health and Human Services, which does not touch specifically on city business but does impact residents with disability and in need of food support. Representative Abeler noted this takes a lot of the State's money so he tries to make it go as far as possible. Representative Abeler stated he will work on the City's interest in getting a bridge. He reviewed the conversation from a recent County meeting where a representative of Coon Rapids indicated support to widen Highway 10 from Hanson to Round Lake. Representative Abeler stated he knows Ramsey is trying to get $17 million for an overpass but he also knows Ramsey wants to be left alone so he will try not to step on the good work Ramsey is already doing. State Bonding Bill • Capital funding for Armstrong Boulevard Interchange • Capital Funding for Other Highway 10 Improvements City Council Work Session / December 11, 2012 Page 2 of 12