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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, February 24, 2014 Page 12 recognition of the number of Fortune 500 companies located in MN, Mr. Weinha- gen opined that it provided a compelling case to make investments and ensure a return on those investments in a broader business community effort; and address- ing the disparity between the east and west metropolitan area. As part of the Chamber's initiative entitled, "East Metro Strong" Mr. Weinhagen noted the successful grant award for the Counties of Dakota, Washington and Ramsey to focus on coalescing this effort and addressing parity. As part of that effort, Mr. Weinhagen expressed pride in achieving the proposed Snelling Avenue Bus Rapid Transit route, extending from Highway 36, and hopefully future phases into the TCAAP redevelopment area, and also serving Northwestern and Bethel Universities with transit opportunities. Ms. Wickstrom noted an upcoming project scheduled for funding by the legisla- ture this year for the Gateway Corridor from St. Paul to Woodbury; and while maybe not affecting the NE metro substantially, she opined that it helps the east metropolitan area to get started, and made sense for the coalition to get behind those efforts as a first step. Ms. Wickstrom noted the support of U. S. Senator Betty McCollum in extending that Snelling Avenue (Line A) beyond Rosedale to serve Northwestern and Bethel and future businesses in the Arden Hills area and the large employment base and business community there, a significant popula- tion currently not being served. Mayor Emerson Mayor Emerson noted that this coalition had come about as a result of a conversa- tion among the four of them and realizing that their colleagues in south and west metro were better organized. Mayor Emerson advised that this was why they were asking the City of Roseville, along with other north and east metro cities in Ramsey County to join in this project to speak as one voice and stand together at the Capitol. While recognizing that they may not get it right the first time, Mayor Emerson opined that transit must continue to grow in Ramsey County, and asked that the City of Roseville join them in this effort for the benefit of the region, not just individual cities. Mary Jo McGuire, Ramsey County Board of Commissioners Commissioner McGuire offered her support of this presentation and efforts; ex- pressing her gratefulness in working with east metro area cities and their cohesive efforts for transit, including the NE Diagonal, a study group that she continued to serve on. Mayor Roe offered the City of Roseville's general support at this stage. Councilmember Laliberte, as a local representative for the BRT Committee, ex- pressed her frustration in not feeling that Metro Transit was hearing the needs of this area; their lack of interest in extending the line beyond the transit hub at