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Ms. Garletz explained that as the Metropolitan Council Sector Representatives look at local <br />plans, they hope to consider things that can be addressed in the plan and offer that flexibility, <br />assistance and guidance. She noted that geographic planning areas have been added to allow <br />more flexibility and ability for cities to find a better way to identify with community designation <br />and show what is going on in each area. <br />Mr. Reynoso agreed that no community within the entire region is identical so coming down to <br />specific guidelines and rules is difficult for all to maneuver identically. <br />Ms. Garletz stated as the handbook is developed, she hopes it can include resources for each <br />community type as some things are not pertinent to all. She stated they will also develop sample <br />policy positions in like size communities with like development. <br />Mr. Reynoso commented on the importance of receiving input and stated he will admit they are <br />not perfect, will make mistakes, and that there is not a set of rules and guidelines that will make <br />everybody happy but they clearly got the message relating to the Transportation Policy Plan <br />(TPP) and will modify that language while maintaining the same goals. <br />Planning Commissioner Brauer stated they ran some data on the weigh station traffic counter and <br />determined that for the last nine years, there is an extremely strong correlation between that <br />traffic and the growth in Ramsey. He stated he wonders, looking at plans for growth, how the <br />Metropolitan Council sees the issues of Highway 10 and growth as fitting together. <br />Mr. Reynoso stated he is glad the Highway 10 Access Planning Study determined palatable <br />solutions as there are problems with finding funding. He stated that he hopes within the next five <br />to six years or even sooner, they can take pragmatic steps to accomplish safe roads and access for <br />emergency vehicles. He stated as the projects come forward, he thinks there will be growth in <br />business and the Metropolitan Council is optimistic they can assist communities such as Ramsey <br />to grow. <br />Mayor Strommen stated the City has heard from many businesses that there is a severe challenge <br />in recruiting and retaining employees in Ramsey, which causes difficulties for its companies and <br />businesses. <br />Mr. Reynoso stated in looking back at what has been done in the last four years, a lot of projects <br />have come a long ways through collaboration and cooperation. <br />Councilmember Kuzma stated he has been on the Ramsey Council for two years and is glad to <br />hear the Metropolitan Council is `on board' with the importance of Highway 10. He noted the <br />traffic counts on I -35W (an interstate) to Highway 10 are three -to -one so what was mentioned <br />about it being a problem, is clear. <br />Mr. Reynoso offered to lobby at the Capitol on behalf of Ramsey to raise funds to improve <br />Highway 10, noting that one life lost is one too many. He commented on the difficulty of getting <br />transportation dollars and hope that the Legislature develops an adequate and robust <br />City Council Work Session / December 9, 2014 <br />Page 4 of 6 <br />