Minutes - Council - 04/22/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Joint Meeting of Ando~er, Anoka and Ramsey Minutes - April 29, 1997 Page 3 (City Snapshots, Economic Development, Growth~ Issues, Transportation Route Development, Continued) The discussion then turned to the.transPortation problems.in the area, including the need for a cloverleaf from Ferry Street to access Highway 10, the traffic congestion, the need for another bridge ovsr the. Mississippi River and the urgent need to earmark and preserve the location of that bridge very quickly before all of the land is developed. Councilmember Haas-Steffen hoped that the cities would form a group on the issue of establishing another major north-south route. She felt the initial push would be to talk about turning back Highway 47 to the city or county.' Possibly this is something that the North Metro Mayor's Association should be pushing for. Representatives from all three cities agreed on the need to address the transportation issues, but nothing specific was set up at this meeting. . Mr. Schroeder then reviewed the activities of residential and commercial growth in the City of Ramsey. He noted the ability to work with the City of Anoka because, of their Enterprise Park has been a benefit in their commercial growth. They have about 50 acres of. industrial land that is not yet spoken for. Mr. Fursman asked about the development policies of Anoka and Ramsey for commercial development. Mayor Beberg stated they have found that if they do not provide incentives, other cities and states will. Mr. Nagel and~Mr. Schroeder each agreed to send Andover the copies of their commercial development policies. ANOKA COUNTY COF~IUNITY CONSORTIUM Mayor Beberg reported a survey in the three cities identified alcohol use among young people as a major concern. The Consortium has been working for the last 1 1/2 years to identify ways to meet the needs of the youth. They had a $50,000 grant to begin the Consortium, and it is estimated they will have $20,000 left at the end of the year. A concern, though, is that they are losing a key player in the Consortium; and that position needs to be filled. They have adopted 40 assets for their goals. Mayor Beberg touched on a few goals and problems to address, noting the schools and churches have been very cooperative. The idea is to prevent problems, to meet the needs of the youth up front. They are to the point where a part-time director is needed, which would cost $12,000 to $15,000 per year. They will be coming to each of the cities during the budget process for some contribution to the program. Mayor Beberg stated there are four consortiums in Anoka County. One successful program has been the mentor program in Anoka and Ramsey that is designed to keep the youth from going through the court system? Instead, an adult works with the teen through peer mediation and other means. He noted one of the major pushes from the students at Anoka High School is for a community center so the teens have a place to go. The group discussed some of the needs and concerns of the youth, generally agreeing with concept being promoted'by the Consortium. No action was required on this item this evening.