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From: GERALD Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2019 1:25 PM To: David Grant; Brenda Holden; Fran Holmes; David McClung; Steve Scott Subject: Moundsview High School Construction Mayor and City Council Members. I was not able to attend the council meeting last evening. I realize that the meeting is in "recess", to be continued on May 22nd, 2019. I have many concerns and hope they will be taken into account and addressed. It was mentioned that the school construction plans were first introduced to the city in November or December. The neighbors were first notified on February 4th for a meeting on February 12th to discuss the plans for school improvements and school safety. At that time it was revealed to all that the school district was still in the process of signing the final paperwork to acquire the bus property at 1901 Lake Valentine Road. The use for the property was presented as adding over 500 parking spaces for staff and students. This was quite a surprise and the way they were going to implement that plan was not satisfactory. Since that first presentation, the plans have been changed many times. I attended the Planning Commission meetings on April 3rd and on May 8th and told of some of my concerns; safety of staff and students crossing, the zoning change and its implications, but also of the tearing up of the green space and removal of trees on the east side of the existing bus building and and the digging into the berm and removal of so many trees on the north and east of the building to use as a water retention pond. I feel the school district is moving forward too fast on the property that at this time they do not even have the money in the budget for improvements and are not sure when they will have the money. I would hope they would do soil testing before any digging is involved as it was a bus garage that dealt with repair, oil changes and diesel fuel on that property. If they fix the pot holes and surface, re-stripe this year, that seems to be all that is in the budget. Once funds are secured approvals are made, etc. then further improvements should be addressed. The next concern is one I just realized about 3:00am is the new bus parking on the school side. All the buses will be moved farther east, nearer to the houses on Lake Valentine Road. All for the convenience of those dropping off and picking up students,etc. As Mayor Grant mentioned, most buses are diesel. They emit a terrible smell and are much louder than gas vehicles. The buses the large part of the school year will be sitting and idling while waiting for the students, especially in cold weather. They will be entering and/or leaving the driveway thirty feet from my house across the road and idling while waiting to turn into or out of the driveway. As they pull away, it is loud. As neighbors, we don't need more noise and smell. Help!