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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - SEPTEMBER 13,1999 21 . There was a high degree of comfort that the organization has the right structure. One thing that may change would be the need for more full-time staffing as the Coalition moves into major proj ects. Mayor Probst stated that Strauss Management, retained by the Coalition on a part time basis, deserved credit for the ability of the Coalition to receive grant funding of behalf of the cities. To date the organization has funded less than 20 percent of the actual costs incurred for studies and information gathering. One item discussed at the meeting was that, as long as the organization was able to continue attracting funding sources, the cities would continue to get a break financially. At some point, it will be likely that the cities will have to make a difficult fiscal decision on whether or not to continue. Mayor Probst stated that the meeting with the other Mayors had been very positive and there was confidence that the nature of the organization was structured properly at this time. The organization will move forward with dealing with the staffing issues. Several options were identified as to how this may happen, such as either directly hiring someone through the Coalition or look to communities to dedicate staff personnel for reimbursement. . Mayor Probst stated that the next Board meeting would be September 29, 1999. This meeting will be followed a week later by a meeting in New Brighton with the full Metropolitan Council. He noted that this was the first time the Metropolitan Council will meet outside Saint Paul. Mayor Probst stated tllat he would be providing a presentation with Tom Simonson and David Windle. Mr. Simonson will be taking over the Community Development Directors chair in Mr. Ringwald's absence. Mr. Windle is the GIS expert from Roseville. Mayor Probst stated that he would be suggesting to the Metropolitan Council an interest on the part of the I-35W Corridor Coalition to set up some alternate funding source to deal with the issues of the Coalition. He felt that in the near future projects could be forwarded to use this funding source. The next study for the 1-35 Corridor Coalition will be a build-out plan evaluation. At the worksession all communities were invited to identify what future development they felt may be coming in the Coalition cities. It appeared that, if everything were accomplished according to what was discussed, the local transportation system would be likely to collapse. Thc Coalition will be working with a design consultant to provide scenarios and options on a case-by-case basis for transit. It will be at this point that projects will evolve, and it was the Mayor's belief that the triangle proj ect may be a good candidate. Mayor Probst stated that while the Mayors and Administrators have over the years been actively involved with the I-35W Corridor Coalition, they have not done a good job of keeping the Councils involved. The intent would be to provide the Councils with information and presentations in order for them to be more involved. . Councilmember Malone expressed his surprise that the I-35W Corridor Coalition was receptive to the triangle project idea. Mayor Probst pointed out that this area directly touches three