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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—NOVEMBER 25, 2013 2 microphone available for public comment should be replaced. He suggested that the City News section on the main page of the City's website be updated more frequently and include more information. He also recommended a "breaking news" box be created on the City's website. He proposed the Council provide the public greater information through the City newsletter. He encouraged the Council to take an ADD (Announce, Discuss and Decide) approach with the public. Mr. Larson discussed the proposed franchise fee. He stated that a franchise fee is tax regressive and it would not be deductible for residents. He recommended that the levy be increased and that the franchise fee not proceed. 3. STAFF COMMENTS A. TCAAP Update Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that the Snelling Avenue Arterial Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route, which will connect the 46th Street (Blue Line) and the Snelling Avenue (Green Line) light rail stations with Rosedale Mall, is tentatively scheduled to begin operations in 2015. Stops on the BRT routes are more widely spaced than regular bus routes and bus stops have more amenities such as substantial shelters, ticket vending machines, radiant heat, and real-time bus information. Community Development Director Hutmacher explained that the Metropolitan Council has announced that it will evaluate a future extension of the Snelling Avenue BRT line from Rosedale Mall to TCAAP via Snelling and Hamline Avenues. The extension would run north on Snelling and Hamline Avenues and could serve University of Northwestern, Bethel University, the County Road E business district, Land O'Lakes and Boston Scientific. Metro Transit will conduct a study to determine the feasibility of BRT extension to TCAAP. Community Development Director Hutmacher reported that an open house to gather public feedback on the design options for the Highway 96/1-35W and County Road H/I-35W interchanges was held at the Ramsey County Public Works facility on November 19, 2013. Attendees were encouraged to view the concepts for both interchanges and ask questions of the staff present. The event was well attended with 66 members of the general public signing in at the welcome table in addition to more who were in attendance but opted to not sign-in. Staff was present from Arden Hills, Ramsey County, MnDOT, and Kimley-Horn and Associates. Community Development Director Hutmacher reported a handout was given to attendees that included a general project summary and project timeline. Sixteen boards were displayed showing area constraints, concepts for both interchanges, and a basic overview of TCAAP. Eleven comments were submitted in writing at the open house. The nature of the comments consisted mostly of concerns with bicycle and pedestrian access, access to TCAAP, pros and cons of roundabouts in general, and the construction impacts of the interchanges. Verbal feedback was generally positive about the momentum to improve the interchanges and raised concerns similar to those submitted in writing. The concept designs are posted on the TCAAP Master Plan page of the City's website.