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Councilmember Riley asked if he heard correctly that the total was near $6,700,000 for the <br />project. <br />Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood confirmed that was the rough <br />estimate and provided further details noting that the cost estimate would be refined further in the <br />process. <br />Councilmember Riley stated that this is an extremely expensive amenity noting that whatever <br />agency contributes is still taxpayer money in one way or another and was unsure that this would <br />be the highest priority for the City. <br />Councilmember Williams stated that she was extremely concerned that this would be the City <br />competing against themselves in the Highway 10 funding and the overall funding for the <br />corridor. <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated that trail funds are separate from the rail funds and <br />transportation funds. He explained that the majority of the funding, federal funds of <br />approximately $5,200,000, would not be in competition for funds. He noted that this project was <br />not even mentioned in the MnDOT study for the Highway 10 corridor planning and is removed <br />from the corridor plans. <br />Mayor Strommen stated that this is separate from what the coalition is doing in terms of <br />Highway 10 and is a different way to get pedestrians across Highway 10 to utilize the rail <br />service. <br />Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood provided additional information on <br />funding available only for multi -use trails or pedestrian crossings. He stated that as things <br />continue to develop in The COR, people will want to cross the highway to get to those <br />destinations and he would not want to see the City in the position of Anoka where they are <br />spending in excess of $1,000,000 for temporary solutions to provide safety for pedestrians to <br />cross. <br />Mayor Strommen stated that this makes sense at this time as this would be a way to garner input <br />from other regional partners and would also possibly provide funding for the right-of-way <br />needed for the Riverdale Drive project. <br />Councilmember Johns commented that this is an important connection and would help to make <br />Ramsey a destination. <br />Councilmember Williams asked what would happen to the property that is obtained from Anoka <br />County if this skyway is designated and the funding is not achieved. <br />Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood believed that a clause would be put <br />into the pledge from Anoka County that would specify that the right-of-way acquisition for <br />City Council / April 12, 2016 <br />Page 11 of 13 <br />