Minutes - Council Work Session - 03/26/2013

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4.04: Highway 10 Funding Councilmember Tossey reported on the meeting he and City Administrator Ulrich attended last week relating to Highway 10 along with Representatives and interested business owners. He stated Senator Dibble will include earmarking $17 million for the bridge overpass for Ramsey, which is an unusual undertaking and may not get through conference. Councilmember Tossey stated the testimony at the House did not go as well as had been hoped but Representative Hausman said even if not in the Trunk Highway Funds, she wants it included in the bonding bill. He pointed out the City will need to address where it will get the remaining $9 -$10 million. Councilmember Tossey reported the representative from Senator Amy Kiobuchar's office asked why it is not in the (Mn/DOT) Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and that may need to be addressed. Senator Franken's office representative was excited at the prospects and thinks there will be a way to find the remaining money. Mayor Strommen stated she talked with Representative Hausman who had heard the testimony, is very supportive, and looking for ways to ensure Ramsey's project is funding. Representative Horenstein's staff indicated it is still on their radar and shared that he is also looking at a program called Corridors of Commerce, transportation corridors with an economic development component, even if not in the STIP. She thanked Councilmember Tossey for the time and effort he has put into this endeavor, noting it has increased the enthusiasm of Ramsey's representatives. Councilmember Elvig asked about posturing in financing and if Ramsey is putting forward that it has already put "X million dollars" into the project or if it will be another $10 million. He noted the City has contributed a lot into the project by purchasing Wiser Choice Liquor and moving the road, estimating it may already total $10 million. Mayor Strommen indicated that ledger sheets have not yet been submitted. Councilmember Tossey stated Anoka County Engineer Doug Fisher has repeatedly testified that Ramsey has contributed its portion to the project and believes it will be counted towards the City's portion. In addition, he has been mentioning that Ramsey made these investments and will need County and State and Federal money to come up with the rest of the funding. City Administrator Ulrich noted it is a $33 million project and staff will check on the City's costs for Sunwood/Armstrong, property acquisitions, and the frontage road projects. 4.05: Drinking Water as a Regional Issue Councilmember Elvig stated the Metropolitan Council is hosting an open house on April 4, 2013, to address drinking water as a regional issue and is now taking the lead to develop that issue. He noted the City is charging $30 million to construct a regional water treatment plant, which may no longer be needed so perhaps that charge to residents can be eliminated. Mayor Strommen stated there is a lot of proposed legislation on ground water including raising fees on appropriations, water conversation methods, and drinking water. She supported the City keeping up -to -date on this issue but believed it was not yet time to make a change in the rates. City Council Work Session / March 26, 2013 Page 8 of 9