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City Administrator Ulrich stated one item of concern is the Highway 10 and Armstrong <br />interchange, which is a priority project for Ramsey to address public safety, recent fatalities, <br />need for a safe crossing access on the Armstrong interchange because it connects the City and <br />provides safe and convenient on and off to Highway 10. He noted the railroad track is only two <br />car lengths away from Highway 10 where cars travel up to 70 mph. In addition, the Police and <br />Fire Stations are on the other side of the railroad tracks. City Administrator Ulrich stated <br />Ramsey would appreciate the Delegation's help to get a bill passed to fund this project. <br />Representative Abeler pointed out that Ramsey will also need the help of the Metropolitan <br />Council. He cautioned that it is not easy to get such funding but it is expected there will be a <br />substantive bonding bill, more than $500 -$700 million, so the $17 million needed for Highway <br />10 is not much when compared to the total. Representative Abeler stated Ramsey will need to <br />use all of its political alliance on the DFL side, engage active business owners, and pull every <br />"card" it has to get that funding. He explained that part of the trouble is that Highway 10 is not <br />on anyone's fix -it list and all of the transportation dollars go to the southwest and south metro. <br />Representative Abeler -stated the City needs to use whatever collateral resources it has with the <br />Metropolitan Council that are friendly to the topic and get Governor Dayton involved. <br />Councilmember Strommen stated she was at the Legislature today and told Representative <br />Hornstein that. Ramsey would be knocking on his door very soon. She indicated that once the <br />City has a "game plan" for Highway 10, she intends to make good on that promise. <br />Senator Petersen suggested Ramsey not stop with the legislative caucus because the Governor's <br />office can make a unilateral decision and has a political interest in bipartisan projects across <br />Minnesota. In addition, the Governor has the ability that some legislators and senators do not <br />have. Senator Petersen explained the reality to understand is that the Governor may be the only <br />one who sees political value in accomplishing that project. <br />Councilmember Strommen noted senators do not pass capital investments. <br />Representative Scott pointed out that the Metropolitan Council's emphasis is more on transit <br />than on highways and it just wants to fix roads and put its money towards trains and transit. She <br />commented there may be benefit in being the "squeaky wheel" because this area is due for some <br />improvements. Representative Scott stated the video from Ramsey of a real time crash was <br />played at the Metropolitan Council Commission meeting, it was sobering, and told the true story <br />that there really is an issue. <br />Councilmember McGlone stated he is not so discouraged and knows the DFL is "alive and <br />kicking" in Ramsey, Minnesota so if you go around and pull some strings, you will see pretty <br />quickly if it is for real or not. <br />Mayor Ramsey stated another issue is RALF funding. <br />Councilmember Wise stated the City has a 20 -year plan that goes into the RALF Program. He <br />noted that Ramsey had acted progressively to take down 17 properties yet every time the City <br />raises the opportunity for the interchange to address public safety and economic growth, it is <br />City Council Work Session / December 11, 2012 <br />Page 3 of 12 <br />