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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, October 10, 2016 Page 21 Mr. Culver reviewed the city's options to vote "yes" and add to the votes already in favor of the noise wall; to vote "no" and add to the minority not supporting a noise wall; or to simply choose to not submit a vote. At the request of Councilmember Etten, Mr. Culver noted the one business on the north end concerned about visibility, and based on city staffls most recent discus- sions with MnDOT staff on the possibility to cut the wall off sooner for visibility of that business. Mr. Culver advised that this property owner had voted "no," even though it was currently an empty lot. Mr. Culver reported that Xcel Energy, another property owner along the corridor, had not submitted any vote to-date. Mr. Culver reported there may be an opportunity to truncate the noise wall or modify the design to negotiate a settlement if the city chose not to submit a vote. Mr. Culver opined this would enforce an opportunity for staff to work with MnDOT on modifying that noise wall height or provide earlier termination than the current proposed northern-most end. Discussion ensued regarding the actual height of the noise wall and interpretations by the property owner in question, with staff agreeing that clarification was need- ed. Councilmember Etten stated he was in favor of modifying the wall related to visi- bility for those properties impacted at that point. Councilmember Willmus stated he was fine with the noise wall, but shared con- cerns regarding exposure for businesses to the freeway. Councilmember McGehee agreed with her colleagues, but stated her preference to defer to businesses with the most stake in visibility issues and agreed with staff's recommendation for the city to abstain or take no action either way if it would help their negotiating position on behalf of city businesses most impacted by the wall. Mayor Roe noted the city had set some precedent in the with the Highway 36 noise wall and no neighbors appearing at the time of the initial approval, but then after the fact the city had been able to get modifications on the wall from MnDOT. Councilmember Laliberte noted hotels further south had expressed interest in the noise wa11 due to freeway noise from clients staying there and their complaints about noise. Councilmember Laliberte spoke in support of the wall, but recog- nized visibility concerns of those businesses on the northern most end. Mayor Roe offered an opportunity for public comment on this project, with no one appearing for or against.