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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,June 17,2013 Page 14 Mayor Roe concurred with that point; as well as supporting continued advocacy for the NE Diagonal. Member DeBenedet noted that there had been a lot of discussion in the past of the emphasis and Metro Transit funding in the northwest and southwest portion of the metropolitan area, but that this side of the Mississippi River seemed to be in nev- er-never land. Member DeBenedet opined that it was important to make sure they didn't forget that area was here and needed to be served as well. Mayor Roe reported on his involvement in a loosely-organized group calling themselves the East Metro Transit Alliance, made up of Ramsey County, Wash- ing County, and Dakota County Commissioners, staff and elected officials and/or staff of communities in those counties, seeking to create more advocacies for transit in their area of the metropolitan community. Mayor Roe advised that the group was not seeking to be competitive, but hoping to facilitate pre-planning and cooperation among communities along those corridors. Mayor Roe advised that he represented Roseville on that informally; and would keep the PWETC and City Council apprised of those discussions, through Public Works Director Schwartz. Vice Chair Stenlund expressed his hope that the connection of the City of Rose- ville to Como Park remained part of that history. Councilmember Willmus asked that the PWETC assist the City Council in proac- tively exploring funding and planning in general to facilitate bicycle and pedestri- an traffic flow. Discussion ensued on ways to provide community access to bus rapid transit from east/west routes; use of rail tracks along County Road C and potential develop- ment as Ramsey County plans improvements on County Road C west of I-35W in the next few years through potentially narrowing vehicle lanes to accommodate a continued and safe pathway safely beyond the narrow portion that is currently deemed dangerous; the need for pedestrian crossings at Highway 36; and provid- ing public refuges for pedestrians at busy intersections. Member Stenlund advised that a future field trip is planned by the PWETC to look at the City's busiest intersections. Councilmember Willmus suggested a field trip by the PWEC and City council to several recycling facilities, based on the significant number of renovations in the last few years, and to see some of the different opportunities available. Councilmember Laliberte advised that the Ramsey County League of Local Gov- ernments (RCLLG) was planning a field trip later in 2013 to a water treatment