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ignored. He stated the interchange is key to real development and he thinks it is owed to the <br />citizens of Ramsey to get back some of that tax base. <br />Councilmember Elvig stated the cost is just short of $20 million. <br />Councilmember Wise stated if the City had known the interchange was not going to be <br />considered, it would have stopped taking down businesses and would have been able to receive <br />taxes from those 17 businesses. Now, all businesses in Ramsey have to pay more in taxes. <br />Councilmember Elvig stated Ramsey has been proactive, lobbied the Legislature, and worked <br />with the Metropolitan Council on a working policy that wrote out improvements to Highway 10, <br />and obtained design build status on that project. He noted the video mentioned by <br />Representative Scott was provided by the City, not Mn/DOT, and the Ramsey Police Chief was <br />instrumental in its production. Ramsey has also done campaigning and invested another $5 <br />million into ancillary projects that will feed into an overpass. Councilmember Elvig stated the <br />City has received other minor funding but mostly the costs are from the City's pocket. He stated <br />it may be prudent to create a scorecard for the Legislative Delegation to show what Ramsey has <br />already done over the last dozen years. Then instead of starting another session all over again, <br />Ramsey can build on what has been accomplished and move forward. <br />Councilmember Tossey stated he has often spoken with Representative Abeler about Highway <br />10, and Armstrong Boulevard is a piece of that. He supported a freeway from Anoka all the way <br />through Ramsey. Councilmember Tossey stated it has to be remembered with the Armstrong <br />Boulevard interchange that the City did not take money to improve it at the time in hopes of an <br />overpass. In addition, Ramsey Boulevard and Sunfish Lake Drive have all been hard channeled <br />and it is horrible with many near misses and unbelievable tragedies that transcend partisan <br />politics. He noted Highway 10 is a US Highway and as Representative Abeler mentioned, <br />Ramsey needs to work it into the TTP Plan before US Representative Bachman will support it. <br />Councilmember Tossey stated he would support scheduling a joint meeting with the City of <br />Anoka to bring others into the mix. He noted Ramsey received good press in the StarTribune <br />and needs to keep that going. <br />Representative Abeler agreed that public relations will help. <br />RALF Program Modifications <br />• Allow cities to pool property lease revenues for property maintenance and upkeep <br />City Administrator Ulrich explained a difficulty with RALF purchased properties relating to <br />maintenance. He stated the building is either cleared or rented but there are limitations in the <br />RALF policy on what can be done with the rental revenue from RALF properties. That rent can <br />only go back to the same rental property. City Administrator Ulrich explained the City would <br />like to pool rental revenue and be able to use a portion to keep the properties in prime form so <br />they do not look run down. The City is asking for the ability to share the rent value. <br />Representative Abeler stated he will put something in about that issue because the City should be <br />able to use rent revenue for similar properties. <br />City Council Work Session / December 11, 2012 <br />Page 4 of 12 <br />