Minutes - Council Work Session - 09/27/2016

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Councilmember Shryock stated that there is a Ramsey Bicycle Club and shop and they are mandated to put on events. She stated that perhaps a bike tour could be a great partnership with that organization. She stated that another option would be to hold a tour of Ramsey where cyclists could earn stamps from visiting local businesses on certain days and then residents could use their stamped card to enter a drawing or receive a treat. Councilmember Williams asked if the success behind the art in the park is because the crowd is already there from the music events at the Draw. Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated that he was surprised that there was not a larger connection between the art crowd and the music event, noting that most of the art crowd left directly from the class and did not meander to the music event. He confirmed the consensus of the Council to continue to move forward with the "low hanging fruit" in order to continue to provide opportunities to residents without large investments in infrastructure. He stated that this winter season he could also pursue the possibility of a recreation intern that could assist in the programming and scheduling. Mayor Strommen stated that she likes the idea of an annual calendar, which will make it feel more like a program. 2.03: Update on MnDOT Noise Barrier Study Findings Related to Oak Terrace Estates City Engineer Westby reviewed the staff report. Councilmember Johns asked if there have been noise complaints from the neighborhood. City Engineer Westby stated that the City has not been notified of complaints. Councilmember LeTourneau asked how MnDOT found the City to make this suggestion. He asked if there are other residential sections being considered. City Engineer Westby stated that there are strict noise standards that MnDOT uses to make their calculations. Councilmember LeTourneau stated that he is not sure this fits with the intended use for that area in the long-term picture and stated that it seems that the wall would be put up to hide the development, which is not how he would feel about that neighborhood. Mayor Strommen agreed that was her reaction as well, that the only place with a wall would be by that neighborhood as that would further cut that neighborhood off. She believed that this would send the wrong message to that neighborhood and as there have not been complaints she felt that this would be the wrong choice. Councilmember Williams stated that if this project was important to the safety of the corridor she believes that the City would have identified that in the Highway 10 study and would not want to see a project start that does not fit within that study and the long-term plans. City Council Work Session / September 27, 2016 Page 3 of 6