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. . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - JANUARY 10,2000 15 determining whether the project was feasible and how it could be funded. He indicated that there have been a number of projects throughout the City that had been modified prior to approval by the City Council. If the Council chooses to move forward with reconstruction of the Ingerson neighborhood, he anticipated that there will be a number of changes to what was presented in the feasibility report. Mr. Tom Lynch stated that the nonprofit organization, The Little Brothers, owned the largest piece of property in the Ingerson neighborhood and would be assessed over $25,000. He asked that the Executive Director, Ms. Therese King, address this issue. Ms. Therese King, Executive Director representing the nonprofit organization, Little Brothers of the Elderly, owned substantial property that would be assessed. Ms. King briefly reviewed the mission of her organization that provides services to isolated and lonely elderly persons since 1972. She was concerned this evening about the property known as the Bradford property. She indicated that John Bradford donated a beautiful piece of land with a lovely house and library to The Little Brothers many years ago. The organization has used this property for many events which provide a get-away vacation for the elderly who are stuck in the inner-city. Birthday parties and other special events are also held at this property and the property allows the elderly to experience country life. She felt that the City of Arden Hills has the best of both worlds being a beautiful rural area in close proximity to the Twin Cities. She did not understand why this rural character would have to change and become more city like. She stated that this was not why John Bradford donated the property or why the residents live in this neighborhood. Ms. King stated that, ifthe City Council pursues this reconstruction proposal, they would be changing a way of life. With regard to the proposed assessment, Ms. King stated that there would be no way The Little Brothers could afford to pay $25,000. Mr. Tom Lynch addressed concerns regarding the former jurisdiction by Ramsey County prior to 1996 of Hamline Avenue and Ingerson Avenue; and their state of construction at the time of the turnback and their current condition. Mr. Willheim Reinhold, 1233 Ingerson Avenue, spoke regarding drainage issues. Ms. Swanson concluded the presentation by residents with several comments. Ms. Swanson noted that residents recognize that at times roadways need to undergo improvements. However, what the City was currently proposing will be detrimental to the neighborhood cnvironmentally, aesthetically and financially and will be irreversible. The residents request tllat this project, as well as all other roadway projects in Arden Hills be postponed. This will allow the City Council, the City Engineer, the Public Works Director and residents to meet and work together to come up with recommendations that will be beneficial to the City as a whole as well as to the residents. This will allow for open dialog and education for all individuals involved. The delay will allow the City Council to review alternative methods to meet City objectives and will allow the Council to invcstigate whether a drainage problem exists in the neighborhood and to what extent. Such a study would give insight as to what should or should not be done to rectify the problem, if a problem exists. All these requests will allow a smooth transition to the implementation of all future projects.