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City Council Study Session - 01124/05 Minutes - Page 9 Mr. Haider also noted the inequities of the apportionment between metropolitan counties, noting what is considered inner and outer ring suburbs and the continuing sprawl of the "metropolitan" needs area. Discussion included: current projects happening in the City (i.e., County Road C and various phases and their status); Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), the County's five- year capital improvement plan and ever-changing priorities and funding challenges; recent meeting with the James Addition neighborhood and possible design and access solutions and timing and design impacts to the County Road C project. Mr. Soler noted that the County would have to have a decision and new design by April of 2005 regarding changes to the access for the James Addition to work the project into the County Road C reconstruction. Further discussion included the issues with the railroad crossing on Hershel related to the proj ect and required Change Orders to the County Road C project. Further discussion included ingress and egress for businesses during major reconstruction projects, and resulting additional costs; continued diminishing funds and lack of ability to incorporate new projects to the TIP, with no new projects having been added in over four years; project initiation, solicitation and rating based on traffic, condition of pavements, growth, stormwater management issues, potential financing partners; and proposed legislative agendas. Mr. Haider addressed proposed legislation sponsored by the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) supporting increased gas taxes in addition to a change in the allocation formula that would allow the metropolitan counties to fare significantly better than current formula provides. Mr. Soler noted that continuing frustrations for the County were 2004 and 2005 funding initially remaining stagnant.