CCP 10-25-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 12,2004 . 4 . Howard Kern, 1400 West County Road E, stated he was confused about the issues tonight because they were told at the neighborhood meeting that this project could not go forward unless the bridge and sidewalk were done at the same time. He stated he had suggested at a previous meeting that a berm be placed at Frecway Park and was told it was not possible to do that because of cost, but now he noted they already had one planned. He indicated he was not against a trail system in Arden Hills or the bridge, but he had proposed at a couple of different meeting to have a connection from the overpass on the new bridge to a berm that would continue down through Freeway Park ending on Arden Place, traveling down Arden Place and connecting to Lindey's Park. He noted this would give good access to the trail system for the people who lived on County Road E and good access to the residents who lived west of Old Snelling. He asked what would happen to the snow in the wintertime on the sidewalk if they put a sidewalk in. He stated Bethel students also ran along the north side of County Road E and felt that if there were a sidewalk, the runners would still bc running in the road. Charles Roach, 1600 Oak Avenue, stated the westbound County Road E Old Snelling intersection was an accident waiting to happen, as well as the intersection with the bridge. He stated when the cars came up to the east end of County Road E to turn south on Highway 51, there was no room for pedestrians or bicyclists at that intersection and he believed it would be advantageous if there was some continuation for the pedestrians and the bicyclists. He noted he was in favor of this proposal. Jim Crassweller, 1661 Lakeview Court, stated he was a member of the PTRC and he was in favor of this proposal. He indicated he had attended most of the meetings regarding the bridge and sidewalk. He stated he understood there was a consensus from Council at one of their Work Sessions that the Council was in agreement with the bridge and sidewalk. He stated he was surprised to learn later that there probably was not enough support among the Council for the sidewalk. He noted the PTRC recommendcd the entire project be considered in its entirety. He indicated the PTRC did not feel it was wise to put in a bridge without a connecting sidewalk. He stated it was a safety concern for the pedestrians as well as bicyclists if they did not put in the sidewalk. He noted the whole project was a part of the long-term plan of the City. He stated the City needed to find the funding for this project. . Ms. Wolfe stated if tbis was considered as one project, there was a funding aspect and for the State funding of the project, the bridge portion would probably score high and would be eligible for the funding, but the sidewalk funding would not score as high and might not be eligible for State funding. Mayor Aplikowski stated Council had to decide if they wanted to put a sidewalk in at this time or sometime in the future. She noted any sidewalk that would be put in would be placed in the right-of-way. She indicated they were trying to be sensitive to the residents along County Road E. Lee Kern, 1400 West County Road E, read a letter to the Council from residents along West . COllilty Road E. The letter was given to staff to place in the City's records. She stated the plan being proposed did not follow the stated goals of the City and noted the project leads to more