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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, November 25, 2013 Page 8 ing so; with Mr. Schwartz suggesting a Public Hearing could be held at the PWEC level to hear their feedback at a later date, once under City jurisdiction. Councilmember Etten also expressed his appreciation to staff for taking time to research this issue and bring it to the City Council for consideration, as well as for his time spent negotiating with Ramsey County, opining that it was an important connection piece, hoping that this could be accomplished. Councilmember Etten questioned if there was any way to create a separation from the roadway (e.g. trees or a fence) with this type of scenario to visually affect that it was still an open roadway. Mr. Schwartz responded that there was little space to do so. Once the roadway is reconstructed, Mr. Schwartz confirmed for Councilmember Etten that there was potential to install a pedestrian facility on the north side, and with wetland issues and embankments on the golf course side, both sides of the road could be reviewed to further spread the impact. Councilmember Etten opined that, from his perspective, that would be preferable long-term to avoid crossing a busy roadway; however, he expressed his full support of moving forward with speed limit reductions. At the request of Councilmember McGehee regarding any Minnesota State Aid (MSA) funding available for construction of this pathway and whether or not this pedestrian facility needed to be built to the same standards of the roadway since there would be no truck traffic on it, Mr. Schwartz responded that the City would experience the same difficulties as Ramsey County in meeting the requirements for MSA funding now that it was no longer connecting to Highway 280. Mr. Schwartz advised that City staff had met with MnDOT, with them acknowl- edging that the City potentially had some undesignated mileage in its state aid ac- count; making it possible to designate Fulham and back around on the frontage road for MSA funds. Mr. Schwartz advised that, given the nature of why this road was disconnected in the first place, MnDOT appeared willing to look at the potential for state aid designation; however, he noted that it would take time to build up those MSA funds to any significant level. Councilmember McGehee opined that, while she was interested in hearing the perspective of residents, she was not in typically in favor of striped walkways on the side of streets for bicycling or walking with small children; and preferred a physical separation. Councilmember McGehee recognized that something was better than nothing; however, she was in support of including this in long-term permanent pathway planning. Councilmember Etten questioned the rationale for not being able to install trees, or signs to establish a safety zone, and whether this was primarily due to costs. Councilmember Etten opined that it would at a minimum create a visual barrier for vehicles, and could prove an effective investment for that 8-10 year period.