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City Council Regular Meeting — 02/27/06 <br />1}�AI�T�� N��a�u�es - Page 32 <br />Qakcrest Avenue <br />Councilmember Kough noted that the temporary solution had <br />been working well; and further noted his previous suggestion for <br />creation of a Task Force to represent the James Addition; and for <br />consideration of staff options for a long-term solution. <br />Mayor Klausing opined that, following staffs previous <br />presentation of six options, it was Council consensus that it <br />appeared no option was viable from a financial standpoint; in <br />addition to the significant resident dissent for each option. <br />Mayor Klausing questioned the need to create a Task Force, <br />given those findings. <br />Public Works Director Schwartz advised that staff still had not <br />found any funding sources, including no safety improvement <br />monies available. <br />Councilmember Kough noted the improved safety with the <br />temporary solution; and opined the need to advise MnDOT of the <br />situation and the City's desire for a long-term solution. <br />Councilmember Ihlan opined that MnDOT had appeared <br />reasonable in their time frame, and may not require actual <br />construction, but a good faith effort on the City's part to include <br />it as part of the long-term Capital Improvement Program (CIP) of <br />the City. Councilmember Ihlan encouraged the City Council to <br />be creative in finding a solution; and cautioned the potential for <br />the neighborhood becoming a"landlocked island" due to <br />continuing commercial development. Councilmember Ihlan <br />noted the millions of dollars in tax increment financing (TIF) the <br />City was willing to spend on the Twin Lakes redevelopment <br />project in comparison to this situation. <br />Mayor Klausing questioned the appropriateness of <br />Councilmember Ihlan's comments regarding TIF, given its use <br />for infrastructure improvements; and the amount lost in market <br />value homestead credits, that would have paid for this type of <br />project. Mayor Klausing noted other considerations and <br />ramifications (i.e., neighborhood disruption; removal of a <br />residential property most likely through use of Eminent Domain; <br />and increase traffic through the neighborhood). Mayor Klausing <br />e <br />r <br />. <br />