Minutes - Council Work Session - 01/01/1998 - 02/17/98 Work Session

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suggested if Ramsey would consider the funding request for the three years, it would allow the City time to check if it's feasible for Ramsey to have its own pool. It was explained that the request had come before Council and they asked that City Engineer Jankowski research the costs, etc. of having our own pool and to bring that discussion to the Road and Bridge Committee. That was done, but no more has been done with the request. Council asked that Anoka's request for the assistance in the funding of the Charles Horn pool renovation come before Council again. Benjamin Deemer, Planning Commission, asked about C.R. #116 and transportation priorities. He wondered what the priorities on MSA streets are. Mayor Gamec stated that we need to get reports back about where we stand with regard to funding. We do not want to take funding away from streets that are in need of maintenance. It will not work to take funding from one street and use it on another. We will not know where we stand until Council has received an entire financing package. He noted that the cost to the City for T.H. #47 improvements is probably about $2 million which includes the drainage and sewer looping, etc. It is expected this project will be all completed by the year 2000. The intent is not to steal away from anything existing. Mr. Deemer stated it seems the priority now is to construct C.R. #116. Mayor Gamec agreed that Council is interested in moving up the time fi'ame for #116. Mr. Deemer noted there is a stretch of Sunwood Drive that's being left out and it should be done for #116 as that connects the length. Councilmember Haas Steffen stated that Mr. Hoisington (Comprehensive Plan Planner) should be made aware of that. She continued that Council just had a lengthy meeting with Anoka County on transportation issues. She reported that some of the things scheduled for the City by the Council will make Ramsey an atrocious place if we cannot make enough noise to change it. She stated she would find it hard to put another house in Ramsey if the State feels they will run a four-to-six-lane highway up to County Road #83 and not tell us where the accesses will be. She felt that Council came to a "meeting of the minds" with the County people to go to the State people. To designate T.H. #47 as a preservation highway is ridiculous. Mayor Gamec stated that another issue of discussion is a bridge over the Mississippi. Ramsey is holding land and pushing for a bridge and the County agrees with us, but we are not sure where we stand. Councilmember Haas Steffen stated that the last bridge plan was done in 1988 - plans have to be updated. The extension of #116 will alleviate some traffic problems - but will not take care of everything. There is traffic coming from the north and the west. Council-Commission-Staff Work Session/February 17, 1998 Page 3 of 6