Minutes - Public Works Committee - 11/20/2001

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Lisa Pehlke stated that it seems that because her parents came in with a plat it has become a blank check for the entire area. Her parents have been told by staff that if they don't go ahead with the road through their property the City will condemn the property. She felt that was blackmail and it all started because they wanted to build one house. Shelly Dvorak, 5715 150th Lane NW, Ramsey, stated that she understands that staff is saying that they would not be required to pay to hook-up to City sewer and water at this point, but basically it becomes an IOU because they don't know what future City Councils will do. She questioned if a feasibility study is necessary if the neighborhoods do not want the project to proceed. Mr. Simonson, 152n° Avenue NW, Ramsey, stated that the drainage problems started when the City developed the property next to him. He stated that the City needs to stop the drainage problem. He expressed that he is paying good taxes and he can't do anything with his property because of all the drainage problems. Motion by Mayor Gamec, seconded by Councilmember Anderson, to direct staff to prepare a feasibility study as three separate projects relating to utilities, pavement and curb and gutter for the neighborhoods discussed. Further discussions: Councilmember Hendriksen stated that he did not think it was a bad idea to complete a feasibility study to find out what the answers are. Motion can'ied. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec and Councilmembers Anderson, Hendriksen, Kurak, and Zimmerman. Voting No: None. Case #4: Report from Highway #10 Corridor Consultant City Engineer Olson stated that on September 27, 2001, the Highway 10 Corridor Committee Technical Advisory Committee met and discussed the traffic conditions on Highway 10 and indicated that the State was leaning towards recommending a freeway section through Ramsey to accommodate the traffic demands and additional traffic forecasted. There have been meetings at the Staff level and with Anoka County, MnDOT, and Howard R. Green Company (Highway 10 Corridor consultant) as it relates to challenges of a freeway section and the railroad tracks. Alternatives in alignments, sections and their impacts to Ramsey have been and are being discussed as well. As part of the Highway l0 Corridor Committee, it is very important to hear a reaction from each community that will be affected by any improvement to Highway 10 and staff felt that it would be important to invite Howard R. Green and MnDOT to share the vision of the Corridor. Howard Preston, Howard R. Green Company, presented the Highway 10 Corridor Plan. Mayor Gamec stated that the figures presented were all based on commuter rail, he inquired as to what impact it would have on the study if the commuter rail does not go in. Public Works Committee/November 20, 2001 Page 7 of 13