Minutes - Council Work Session - 10/29/2013

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Councilmember Backous agreed that lengthening the timing of the light would be a low cost option that could provide a great benefit. Mr. Chromy stated that MnDOT is doing the best they can with the signals that are out there and explained that adding five seconds more to the Thurston intersection could have an exponential delay to Highway 10. Planning Commissioner Maul referenced the railroad and noted that he did not see any plans to address that. Mr. Chromy acknowledged that the railroad compounds the delay on the cross roads and noted that the Armstrong improvements will provide a great option to the residents in Ramsey similar to the Thurston intersection. He acknowledged the low number of accidents at railroad tracks and zero fatalities in Ramsey, noting that a higher benefit may be provided through other efforts. Mayor Strommen noted that the main concerns coming into this study was the safety and traffic concerns within Ramsey but also acknowledged the commercial and tourist gateway which is provided through the city. She was not sure that the long term vision came through as it should, or could, and 'asked that the element be brought forward more for the public meetings. She referenced the idea of identifying alternate routes and advised that there are no other alternate routes. She referenced the potential road closings and asked that the study also consider how those people would be displaced as there are no alternate routes available. Mr. Chromy noted that the alternate routes he was suggesting would be to move traffic from the Ramsey intersection to Thurston. Planning Commissioner Brauer explained that the other alternative would be to go down 47 to Bunker Lake Boulevard, which is also highly congested. Mayor Strommen noted that these are the issues that the residents and businesses are acutely aware of and believed that incorporation of the input heard here would be beneficial moving into the public meetings. She thanked everyone for their time. 2.04: Planning Commission . and Economic Development Authority (EDA): Review Preliminary Metropolitan Council Forecasts Development Services Manager Gladhill reviewed the staff report and noted that a census is completed every ten years, noting that following that activity the Met Council reviews and updates their forecasts. He explained that this information is the precursor for the Comprehensive Plan. He explained that the Met Council has allowed early coordination with local governments in order to review the information. He reviewed the current estimates and the preliminary forecast through the year 2040. He explained that the permit levels in 2010 were much different than the past three years and advised that the new information will be focused on to amend the forecasts. He stated that more firm recommendations would be available at the November Planning Commission meeting. He advised that the previous forecasts were much more aggressive and have been brought down to reflect the existing conditions. He noted that City Council Work Session / October 29, 2013 Page 9of11