Laserfiche WebLink
City Council Study Session - 03/15/04 <br />Minutes -Page 7 <br />approval by June of 2004; appraisals completed for right-of--way <br />needs completed by mid-July; negotiated easements completed <br />in July and August; and final plans submitted to MnDOT by <br />September for approval; and construction anticipated during the <br />2005 construction season. <br />Mayor Klausing clarified that the requested action tonight was to <br />proceed with a feasibility study, not approval of proceeding with <br />the project itself. <br />Councilmember Maschlca spoke in support of moving ahead with <br />the feasibility study. <br />Councilmember Schroeder expressed his concerns with <br />proceeding, citing existing right-of--way along County Road B-2 <br />and width variations in residential and commercial areas; impacts <br />to properties within the corridor; drainage issues due to the <br />nature of the rural road section; condition of and lack of Ramsey <br />County commitment relating to future improvement plans for <br />County Road B-2; safety issues with the deep ditches in some <br />areas of the corridor; and pathway maintenance funds required. <br />Councilmember Schroeder further commented on the time <br />commitment required of staff in the design and maintenance of <br />additional pathway segments; and noted the Council's previous <br />action in declaring a moratorium on future pathway construction <br />in the 2004 budget; questioning why the Council was even <br />considering moving forward with a feasibility study of the <br />project at this time, given the existence of that moratorium. <br />Councilmember Schroeder relayed concerns expressed to him <br />prior to the meeting by Councilmember Kough related to this <br />item; noting that Councilmember Kough had expressed concern <br />regarding why the project was under consideration given the <br />major budget shortfalls at this time due to cuts in Local <br />Government Aid (LGA); with Councilmember Kough opposing <br />any new trails at this time. Councilmember Schroeder further <br />noted that Councilmember Kough would be returning on <br />Wednesday, March 17, 2004 and could relay his concerns <br />personally. <br />