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City Council Study Session — 03/15/04 <br />Draft Minutes - Page 7 <br />he anticipated completion of a Project Memorandum in late April <br />for Council approval and forwarding to MnDOT for approval by <br />June of 2004; appraisals completed for right-of-way needs by <br />mid-July; negotiated easements completed in July and August; <br />and final plans submitted to MnDOT by September for approval; <br />and construction anticipated during the 2005 construction season. <br />Mayor Klausing clarified that the requested action tonight was to <br />proceed with a feasibility study, not approval of proceeding with <br />the proj ect itself. <br />Councilmember Maschka spoke in support of moving ahead with <br />the feasibility study. <br />Councilmember Schroeder expressed his concerns with <br />proceeding, citing existing right of-way along County Road �2 <br />and width variations in residential and commercial areas; impacts <br />to properties within the corridor; drainage issues due to the <br />nature of the rural road section; condition of and lack of Ramsey <br />County commitment relating to future improvement plans for <br />County Road �2; safety issues with the deep ditches in some <br />areas of the corridor; and pathway maintenance funds required. <br />Councilmember Schroeder further commented on the time <br />commitment required of staff in the design and maintenance of <br />additional pathway segments; and noted the Council's previous <br />action in declaring a moratorium on future pathway construction <br />in the 2004 budget; questioning why the Council was even <br />considering moving forward with a feasibility study of the <br />project at this time, given the existence of that moratorium. <br />Councilmember Schroeder relayed concerns expressed to him <br />prior to the meeting by Councilmember Kough related to this <br />item; noting that Councilmember Kough had expressed concern <br />regarding why the project was under consideration given the <br />major budget shortfalls at this time due to cuts in Loca1 <br />Government Aid (LGA); with Councilmember Kough opposing <br />any new trails at this time. Councilmember Schroeder further <br />noted that Councilmember Kough would be returning on <br />Wednesday, March 17, 2004 and could relay his concerns <br />