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Community Town Hall Meeting - 04/03/04 Minutes - Page 6 problems in the proposed closing of County Road B at Highway 280. Ms. Silvis discussed possible crises in the northwest comer of the City and the proximity of the neighborhood to the area petroleum tank farms. Ms. Silvis noted that many residents had purchased their homes in that vicinity due to the proximity to the University of Minnesota and would now be faced with a potential safety issue. Ms. Silvis spoke to the safety issue with the existence of the cyclone fence along the north side of the Golf Course, and with a proposed barrier along the south side of County Road B, there is no "escape." Ms. Silvis further expressed her concern related to the tank farm and convergence of 1- 35W and Highways 36 and 280 being a likely target for terrorist activities; and respectfully requested that the state and federal government's decision for closure of County Road B at Highway 280 be revisited and reconsidered due to safety and wellbeing of area residents. Ms. Silvis thanked the City Council for their consideration. Mayor Klausing briefly reviewed the State's proposal and rationale for closing County Road B at Highway 280; and deferred to Duane Schwartz about the proposal as it related to emergency vehicle access. Public Works Director Duane Schwartz reviewed the proposed project, scheduled for 2005/2006, and the rationale for closing access to County Road B at Highway 280. Mr. Schwartz noted that Ms. Silvis' concerns had been addressed at great length among the City Council and staff prior to the City's consent to the planned reconfiguration project. Mr. Schwartz advised that emergency access would be available through installation of a knock -down barricade that would be built as part of the project; and additional improvements were planned at the intersections of County Road B and Cleveland due to safety concerns. Mr. Schwartz further reviewed upcoming negotiations with Ramsey County related to the "turnback" of County Road B to the City and the conditions upon which the City would accept the roadway (i.e., improvements and/or reconstruction).