Minutes - Council - 04/12/2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Code Section 2-159 to incorporate the principles of the Environmental Policy Board's Statement of Purpose. Michael Valentine, Vice Chair of the EPB, stated that he is present to support the staff recommendation and provide a brief amount of background from a Board member. He stated that in the past the Board struggled with a sense of purpose and responsibility, which led to some joint discussions with the Council and Planning Commission and ultimately provided a better outline and purpose for the Board. Councilmember LeTourneau stated that at one point it seemed that the EPB was a ship lost at sea and commented that he has seen a difference and has seen meaningful discussion and purpose from the Board since that time. Councilmember Riley asked if it is normal for a Board or Commission to have language of this nature within the City Code. City Planner Anderson explained that there was language in the Code which identified the responsibilities of the Board and this will take that further to identify responsibilities with some land use applications. Mayor Strommen stated that this is a great example of the fruition of the EPB. She noted that the group began as a Task Force to create the tree book and the group and purpose has continued to evolve and progress. She stated that it is wonderful to see the great work that the Board has done and continues to do. Motion by Councilmember LeTourneau, seconded by Councilmember Kuzma, to introduce Ordinance # 16-04 incorporating the EPB's role in reviewing certain Land Use Applications and the Comprehensive Plan Update into City Code. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Strommen, Councilmembers LeTourneau, Kuzma, Johns, Riley, and Williams. Voting No: None. Absent: Councilmember Shryock. 7.05: Consider Request to Amend the Master Plan for Mississippi West Regional Park and Develop Cost -Share Agreement for the Mississippi Skyway Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood reviewed the staff report and recommendation to pursue the Master Plan amendment to realize additional benefits (developing the Cost Share Agreement for the Mississippi Skyway), in contract to issuing a cash payment to Anoka County for acquiring the roadway ROW for extending Riverdale Drive, as the proposed Riverdale Drive frontage road and the proposed pedestrian facility's connection of transit to the" park both add considerable value to the regional park with measureable safety improvements. Councilmember LeTourneau stated that it seems like an incredibly interesting and lofty goal, noting that this appears to follow the model of the Armstrong overpass which brought together a collaborating efforts of agencies to bring to fruition a project that the City never believed would be able to complete. City Council / April 12, 2016 Page 10 of 13