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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday,June 11,2012 <br /> Page 12 <br /> Councilmember Willmus concurred, especially with walking and bicycle traffic <br /> to and from schools. <br /> Regarding the tiered water rate system, Councilmember McGehee advised that <br /> she had done her own calculations to develop a tiered system to generate the <br /> necessary revenues instead of the large increase in the base rate. She noted that <br /> she had tried to attain the target amounts needed by Public Works and found <br /> that it was very difficult to attain that goal. Councilmember McGehee encour- <br /> aged the PWETC to look at commercial rates from Roseville and peer commu- <br /> nities in their next analysis. <br /> Specific to pathways, Councilmember McGehee suggested a pedestrian and bi- <br /> cycle overpass over Snelling Avenue at County Road C, and at Roselawn Ave- <br /> nue as well as other opportunities when a major reconstruction project were <br /> pursued. Councilmember McGehee noted the significant safety issues along <br /> that roadway corridor; and noted her ongoing advocacy for a pedestrian bridge <br /> across Snelling Avenue, while not having any suggestions for funding such a <br /> venture. <br /> Chair Vanderwall noted his ongoing advocacy for a pedestrian overpass from <br /> the south side of Rosedale across Highway 36 as well. <br /> Member Stenlund noted the available funding source for roads through the gas <br /> tax; however, he noted such a funding source was not available for pedestrian <br /> and bicycle routes. Member Stenlund questioned if this was fair in the current <br /> environment of additional non-motorized traffic; and whether that was a future <br /> source of funding. Member Stenlund noted the cost of a bridge versus bitumi- <br /> nous or concrete pathways adjacent to roads; and suggested an option may be <br /> for donations for a legacy bridge in Roseville for funding such an endeavor. <br /> Further discussion included costs or underpasses versus overpasses; safety is- <br /> sues to consider with underpasses; community surveys indicating ongoing sup- <br /> port for walking trails; funding challenges suggesting a separate CIP specific to <br /> pathways; and how to balance needs in the community and support of the City <br /> Council majority for moving forward versus potential foes of many of those ef- <br /> forts. <br /> Councilmember Willmus stated that "with respect to the Parks Master Plan we <br /> run up against out perennial foe, the Friends of Twin Lakes, that objects to a lot <br /> of things and so frankly I think that group needs to start hearing directly what <br /> the real benefits are because I am not even sure they've taken the time to look at <br /> what they are really fighting against." Councilmember responded"I don't think <br /> that it is particularly useful for this body to criticize citizens." <br />