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<br />Ms. Geiss stated she is excited that the Ramsey Neighborhood . Center has. kids. fronl alloVer <br />Ramsey. She stated during the school year they will pe working with the School District to <br />provide bus service from five schools; the School District is really trying to work with them on <br />the transportation. They will be offering after school programming at the Neighborhood Center <br />with homework help and enrichment. Ms. Geiss distributed a letter of support for the Ramsey <br />Neighborhood Center by a mother in the area. <br /> <br />Ms. Geiss provided information on the following upcoming events planned at the Ramsey <br />Neighborhood Center: <br />· The Park Department will be coordinating a skateboard competition at Ramsey Happy <br />Days. There will be a youth panel to help plan the skateboard park. <br />· Teen Council with expansion to offer teen activities on weekends <br />· Partnership with Community Education to offer classes for kids <br />· Facilitation of a Moms Group at Oak Terrace <br /> <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec stated with what the Neighborhood Center is pulling from outside the area it goes <br />to show the need. One of the mothers at National Night Out told him this is the first time the <br />City has taken an interest inthis area. With the neighborhood center in the City of Anoka it t,ook <br />about one year and then the crime rate dropped almost unbelievably. This seems like a real ne~cl. <br />Those kids grab on to you and now the parents are taking a hold and seeing what is going on. <br /> <br />Ms. Geiss stated there are fabulous working families there. This is what they can afford, but at <br />the same time they want more for their families and the kids, but have not been empowered to do <br />that before. Empowering people to take the action that needs to be taken is what Youth First is <br />all about. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jeffrey expressed interest in being involved with the Conimunity Education <br />programming at the Neighborhood Center. <br /> <br />Ms. Geiss indicated the programming has not been fleshed out yet. Councilmember Jeffrey will <br />be invited to attend a meeting where the prograriuning is discussed. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig noted there were concerns early on with the location. Ms. Geiss has <br />addressed that they. are getting people throughoUt the community and he loves that transportation <br />will be provided by the School District. He understands .that ideally there would be small centers <br />scattered throughout the community, but having.a large facility to be able to draw people in will <br />have a great impact. He requested information regarding the traffic concern, <br /> <br />Ms. Geiss explained when leaving the Center you can cross over the highway and go south. <br />They have been working with the Police Department to remind people they cannot do a u-tuin. <br />It has not been too bad so far; they have not heard any concerns from parents. <br /> <br />Interim City Administrator Nelson stated it is Highway 10; it is not perfect, but it works. The <br />kids are not driving to the site, which would be more difficult. They are either comingb~ <br />organized transportation, driven by a parent, or they are walking. If problems arise they will do <br />their best to address it, but at this point there are no major concerns. She stated Public Works <br /> <br />Qity Council Work Session IAllgust 14,2007 <br />Page 3 of7 . <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />