Minutes - Council - 05/08/1979 - Special

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Special Council Meeting May 8, 1979. ~. Page 5 Mayor Gamec added that the northern suburbs are the last on the totem pole to anything coming this way. Airport study done by engineer, the City was told that they couldn't get Federal funding for a municipal airport at its present site due to not enough room, homes in the way and businesses would have to be taken out. The airport has to be moved - one of the sites where there is room is General Mills property by Lake Itasca. There is no close housing and now is the time to plan for it. The Metro Council may want to consider it as one of their search areas. The Vo-Tech School on Highway 10 is running an aviation school out of the Ramsey Airport. Councilman Cox said if Mr. Scherer is able to make contacts with people regarding the airport the City's Economic De~el~opment Committee would appreciate being kept abreast of the findings, they would need to be aware of any possibility that the present airport may cease to exist. Also there is some residential housing coming across Anoka County line from Sherburne County and we should indicate that Anoka and Sherburne Counties work together so that this facility can be in an area, safe, away from residential homes. What the City would be doing is taking an existing situation and relocating. The people who own the airport are in favor of Federal funding to upgrade the facility. Councilman Reimann added that there is only one other ground school in the Nation, and this airport is also a shuttle service for the International Airport and Ramsey businessmen use the airport. Mr. Scherer summarized by stating that he won't help on legis~,lating for the State Aid formula, but he will see if he can influence grant money for the City to use in Land Planning. He will try to get dates as certain as possible when the City will have sewer available. He will research changing the present airport oviate, the need for expansion and will check to see if this was overlooked by the Metro Council in their search because of the present airport. Mayor Gamec asked if Mr. Scherer could find out information on a Police Criminal Justice Commission as Ramsey's Police Chief is interested in becoming a member if there is a position open. Councilman Cox said the City needs all the support it can get on the five acre legislation also. Mr. Scherer complimented the Council. He said the real heroes in government are guys like you who sit up all night to run public business for small or no pay, taking from yourself and your families;ithe government runs on the back of these City Councils all working very diligently for citizens doing the best they can grinding it all out, sometimes taking abuse because of it. He thinks they are doing one heck of a job. Mayor Gamec said he is glad to have someone like him who will speak up and he won't al~s agree with him but wants him to know where the City stands and asked that he help the City as much as he can. Councilman Reimann thanked him for coming and for his frankness, he is the first one who told the Council how he stands. Councilman Cox question a brochure on skiing that the Metro Council was adverti- sing on the radio, he said they have no business in those programs.