Minutes - Council - 12/13/2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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connect the National Park to the businesses of Ramsey. She believed that this connection would be important for bikers and also for the community that lives south of Highway 10. She stated that the National Parks know that the funds will be important and will be used and therefore thought that the City should think big and bold. Councilmember Riley stated that this would be an exciting project but they are so close to the beginning. He noted that they have not even obtain 10 percent of the funding but yet is willing to spend that much. Councilmember Williams addressed the notion that the skyway system would improve the economic development, noting that the skyway has not been a mention of the EDA or any of the experts that they have spoken to. She noted that there are at grade trail connections that could be provided in existing neighborhoods at a lower cost than the skyway. Councilmember Shryock stated that as the Council looks at this project, skyway is probably not the correct term as this would be a pedestrian bridge. She noted that these funds are for specific areas and purposes and cannot be used for other elements. She asked the longevity of the final design once established. Parks and Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated that bridge technology does not change greatly over the course of several years. He explained that the $490,000 would not cover the entire cost of final design and noted that perhaps a few years down the road some amendments would need to be made but advised that this portion of the design would cover the bridge engineering. Mayor Strommen agreed that she would not want to see this project compete with other projects but noted that these funds are specific to National Parks. She stated that the Council should be careful when speaking in absolutes but agreed that this could contribute to some of the factors mentioned tonight. She noted that Ramsey is different from other river communities as they are separated from the river by the railroad tracks. She stated that other river communities are investing in their river assets and downtowns that are built near the river. She believed that it is important for Ramsey to explore its connection to the river. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Strommen, Councilmembers Shryock, Johns, and Kuzma. Voting No: Councilmembers Riley and Williams. Absent: Councilmember LeTourneau. 7.09: Consider Adoption of Resolution #16-12-228 Authorizing FASTLANE Funding Application for Ramsey Boulevard Railway Grade Separation Improvements The City Engineer reviewed the staff report and recommendation to adopt Resolution # 16-12- 228 authorizing staff to submit a second funding application request for $11,000,000 through the Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long -Term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) grant program for grade separating Ramsey Boulevard from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railway crossing north of Highway 10. Mayor Strommen asked if it would be helpful to have letters of support from legislative representatives. City Engineer Westby stated that he has letters of support from some local businesses but noted that Mr. Tinklenberg is also pursuing additional letters of support from the legislative representatives. City Council / December 13, 2016 Page 14 of 15