Minutes - Council Work Session - 01/31/2006

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supports two corridors. She indicated the TPP supports a transit-way along the corridor chosen by Ramsey; this support is implied to be through the year 2030. The TPP also supports a NorthStar corridor, as well as a couple of other rail corridors. These are listed as separate items that are not in the same corridor. Ms. Garwood indicated the letter also points out that there is a distance between these corridors, with the Mississippi River between them. Councilmembers expressed agreement in supporting the City of Anoka's funding request, while wanting to be certain that Ramsey's funding would not be jeopardized. Councilmember Cook expressed concern with possible funding problems in the future if Ramsey makes a statement at this time that their funding is for bus service, rather than rail service. He stated his understanding was that the buses would show the need for a commuter rail in Ramsey in the future. Councilmember Strommen concurred. She stressed the need to be clear in how Ramsey expresses its support. The consensus of the Council was to direct the City Administrator to draft a letter of support for the City of Anoka CMAQ project, expressing agreement that the cities of Anoka and Ramsey are in separate transportation corridors, with the letter to be signed by Mayor Gamec and delivered to the Metropolitan Council prior to the 9:00 a.m. meeting on February I, 2006. Mayor Gamec expressed his hope that the City of Anoka and Anoka County will support the City of Ramsey at the time they submit a grant application for a rail station. Mayor Skogquist thanked the Ramsey City Council for their support. He stated he will be supportive of the City of Ramsey when they make the move to a rail station. Commissioner Haas-Steffen stressed the need for work to be done by the cities of Anoka and Ramsey on the transportation issues on Highway I0. Mayor Garnet stated the City of Ramsey has sent representation to meet with legislators in Washington D.C. They have looked at the corridor up to Elk River and all the way to the Hanson Exchange, and have purchased some of the land that will need to be purchased in the future. Mayor Skogquist stressed the size of the problem in Anoka. He stated in a three block span the road goes under 4th Avenue, under Ferry Street, under the railroad bridge, over the river, and over Main Street. This includes three interchanges, which have to be designed in a substandard way, and environmental statements. It will be a long fight, and for the next 25 years there will be a lot of meetings discussing their shared problems. He stated the more people they can put on the rail and buses, the better it will be. Councilmember Strommen left the meeting at 6:40 p.m. The meeting was recessed at 6:40 p.m. and reconvened at 6:45 p.m. City Council Work Session / January 31, 2006 Page 4 of 7