Minutes - Council - 05/27/2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Susan Overson, Park Planner, National Park Service, noted the Mississippi Recreational Area is a different kind of national park. The National Park Service must work with multiple entities to access the Recreational Area since it is not a stand -alone state park. This project will become a major, safe, access point to the river. Motorized vehicles are not allowed in the Park, which makes access a challenge. This skyway/bridge is a fantastic start to the Alternative Transportation Plan. She presented a check in the amount of $10,000 through the Clean Cities Initiative Grant. The Mississippi Regional Recreational Area was one of five parks awarded this grant. This grant is to install an electric vehicle charging system in the ramp. Mayor Strommen acknowledged Highway 10 seems to divide the river from the City. She said she appreciates the efforts to change this with the National Park Service as a partner. Motion by Councilmember LeTourneau, seconded by Councilmember Riley, to adopt Resolution #14 -05 -096 Advancing the Alternatives Analysis, Engineering Design and Funding Plan for the Mississippi Skyway. Further discussion: Councilmember Tossey stated he would oppose adoption of this Resolution for number of reasons. The Council just discussed the need for a possible $300 million to improve a roadway that is used daily. This would require the use of borrowed funds. He expressed his disagreement in the need to borrow money, especially while this type of a project is being funded and does not aid in the infrastructure of the City. He added this skyway would show a sense of opulence that he could not afford nor could his kids in years to come. While he does want to improve Highway 10, he pointed out it costs too much to borrow money. Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Mark Riverblood explained the grants given tonight are Federal grants and are appropriated by Congress for recreational lands only. He added since it takes a few years to design and develop and then build this structure, and with the economic depression loosening, he wants to be in the position of being able to promote businesses. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Strommen, Councilmembers LeTourneau, Riley, Backous, and Kuzma. Voting No: Councilmember Tossey. Absent: Councilmember Johns. 7.04: Consider Adopting Resolution #14 -05 -082 Declaring the City of Ramsey's Participation in the State Council on Local Results and Innovation — Performance Measurement Program Assistant to the City Administrator Patrick Brama reviewed the staff report and recommendation to participate in the State Council on Local Results and Innovation, Performance Measurement Program. It was noted that cities benefit from participating by receiving a reimbursement from the State in the amount of 14 cents per capita, about $3,400 for Ramsey. Motion by Councilmember Riley, seconded by Councilmember Backous, to Adopt Resolution #14 -05 -082 Declaring the City of Ramsey's participation in the State Council on Local Results and Innovation — Performance Measurement Program. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Strommen, Councilmembers Riley, Backous, Kuzma, LeTourneau, and Tossey. Voting No: None. Absent: Councilmember Johns. City Council / May 27, 2014 Page 7 of 10