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Donna Almen, 149th Lane NW, Ramsey, expressed concern that a cul-de-sac on 149th Avenue will deter traffic to 149th Lane. There is a sharp turn there and that, along with the blinding sun, will cause a lot of problems. She mentioned the deaf child in the area also. Another resident asked why the neighborhood could not just be "loaded up" with stop signs -- four-ways at every intersection. Mike LaBlanc, Pineview Estates, stated he would be in favor of a cul-de-sac on 149th Avenue but he did not realize there was so much opposition from the 149th Lane people. Patty Hoffman, 149th Avenue, Ramsey, stated she certainly understands the concerns and fears of the people on 149th Lane. She was in favor of cul-de-sacing 149th Avenue but felt that another alternative would be to horseshoe the intersection from Uranimite going east on 149th Lane. That would remove the through traffic but she did not know what that would do about the speed on 149th Avenue. Trudy Mattila, 7451 149th Avenue NW, Ramsey, stated she, too, understands the problems/concerns of the other neighborhood and she felt they (149th Avenue people) have not ignored that. Stop signs and speed humps have been brought up as an alternative. A resident expressed agreement with Ms. Mattila. He stated the City should put a stop sign up at Willemite, put a stop sign at all three-ways, put speed bumps in between the stop signs and also have a police officer patrol the area three days in a row. Terri Thatcher, 7590 - 149th Lane NW, Ramsey, stated she has a lot of property damage done to her ditch and trees because of the speeding traffic. She would prefer a four-way stop sign and speed bumps. Diane Sheffel, 7460 - 149th Lane NW, Ramsey, asked about school bus routes, emergency vehicles, and snow plowing if there is a cul-de-sac constructed. Police Chief Gustafson stated that the problem with school buses is that they are not allowed to back up. With regard to snowplowing, a cul-de-sac requires two vehicles. Fire Chief/Director of Public Works Kapler stated that if the City was laid out according to a fire department and a maintenance department dream, it would be a total grid. Wherever there is a cul-de-sac, it takes an extra piece of equipment for snow removal. With regard to emergency response, a cul-de-sac is a nightmare -- especially in non-hydranted areas, because we have to bring the water in via truck. A cul-de-sac makes that difficult, especially in the winter. Cul-de- sacs are cumbersome from an emergency response point of view, plus there are more snowplow complaints in the cul-de-sac areas. Mr. LeBlanc stated that if there would be a problem with the traffic going from one neighborhood to the other, then maybe it is stop signs and speed bumps that are needed. As far as the extra cost for snowplowing, right now there is an added cost for extra patrol and for the radar. Road and Bridge Committee/March 17, 1998 Page 2 of 6