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City Council Regular Meeting - OS/23/05 Minutes - Page 16 followed by a round of applause and congratulations by individual Councilmembers. Mayor Klausing reconvened discussion of the Highway 36 proposed resolution; and entertained additional public comment. Doug Root, 2658 N Hamline Avenue Mr. Root opined that it would be helpful if the City Council took a position, and while not wedded to the specific proposed language, noted that the discussion had come up in January at a City Council Study Session, and was recommended by the MnDOT representative at that time. Mr. Root noted that he had also received support of such a resolution by Senator John Marty and other legislative leaders. There was no additional public comment; and City Council discussion resumed. Councilmember Schroeder spoke in OpposItIOn to the motion, opining that it was a "dead issue." Councilmember Schroeder noted that he had previously sought cost information, as recently provided by MnDOT and staff, for an extra lane on Highway 36, and those findings and staff comment had confirmed that the City was not in a position to advance funds for such a proj ect. Councilmember Schroeder further opined that alternatives needed to be found that would not encourage drivers to get off the freeway systems and further deteriorate the City street's infrastructure; and that the City Council would be more successful in pursuing global transportation alternatives, such as light rail transportation, mass transit, or be more pro-active in encouraging enhancement of Highway 36 all the way to White Bear Lake to accommodate thru-traffic. Councilmember Schroeder concurred with Mr. Kysylyczyn's comments regarding the appropriate people to make transportation decisions, opining that it should be done at the staff and Commissions at the MnDOT level, not by elected officials.