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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, October 17,2011 Page 7 Pam Newcome, "Share C-2" Group Representative Ms. Newcome noted that a large contingent of"Share C-2" residents were in at- tendance, wearing red, and asked that they stand for recognition. Ms. Newcome reviewed the rationale of the group seeking to open C-2, based on Roseville being a fully-developed, first-ring suburb with limited opportunity to expand roadways in the future and the need for a greater east/west connectivity to facilitate contin- ued development in the area and to address the continuing and substantial traffic increases. Ms. Newcome noted that this was the price of progress; and opined that when conceived, C-2 was intended as a fully operational connector as a future scenario. Ms. Newcome further opined that Josephine Road had become a con- nector by default, since the remaining 175' of County Road C-2 had not been opened, which had created issues related to park access, significant pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and safety concerns for children on Josephine Road—all being rea- lized by those residents as stated as concerns of C-2 residents in not supporting opening C-2. Ms. Newcome noted that staff had prepared two different scenarios to address safety concerns with the steep road grade design on C-2. While no one wishes more traffic on their neighbor, Ms. Newcome opined that this was the price of progress; and noted that, even though this was characterized as a dispute between two neighborhood group, the situation had a much broader impact, with evidence of a cross-section of Roseville residents believing that opening C-2 was in the interest of the broader community and the next step for the community to move into the future. Ms. Newcome opined that, with privileges come responsi- bilities, and that now was the time to look to the future and open C-2, since there would never be a better or more fiscally-responsible time to do so with the Jose- phine Woods redevelopment for connecting the remaining 175' of C-2; and pre- pare Roseville for a bright and prosperous future. Mr. Yi He, 1144 County Road C-2 (just east of Lexington) Mr. He provided his perspective of those living on C-2, himself included, and the stress related to this ongoing discussion of opening C-2; in addition to the fighting of friends, neighbors and community members. Mr. He addressed the inconve- niences already being realized with dump trucks operating from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with the Josephine Woods construction; and continuing concerns about the unknowns over the last 6-7 months during this discussion opening C-2; and the possibility of affected C-2 residents being assessed for the opening. Mr. He noted the reductions already in property values due to the economy since 2008, opining that his family doesn't mind paying their fair share in City taxes; however, they were 100% opposed to a wasteful project such as opening C-2 with that tax mon- ey as well as the negative impact it would create to the community. Mr. He opined that two traffic studies clearly indicated that opening C-2 would have mi- nimal reduction on Josephine Road traffic, while significantly increasing traffic on C-2; and scientific studies indicated that there would be minimal improve- ments in travel time with this additional east/west connection. Mr. He further opined that a stop sign at Merrill and C-2 would not solve the blind intersection issue. Mr. He implored the City Council to go beyond the staff recommendation