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Regular City Council Meeting <br />Monday, February 08, 2010 <br />Page 20 <br />allegedly being performed by City staff and their comments to neighbors ques- <br />tioning their intent in surveying the area. Ms. Dwyer-French referenced other <br />noise walls (i.e., Highway 280 in Lauderdale) and their negative aesthetics. Ms. <br />Dwyer-French spoke in opposition to the wall, as well as those names represented <br />on the petition filed January 25, 2010; opining that the petition more than suffi- <br />ciently represented the majority; and referenced meeting minutes from the June <br />2009 City Council. Ms. Dwyer-French suggested that, if the minority living on <br />Marion Street wants relief by constructing the wall, that the wall be constructed in <br />that section only. <br />Mayor Klausing recognized the passion expressed by Ms. Dwyer-French, and at- <br />tempted to put the additional information being provided in some context. Mayor <br />Klausing reiterated his lack of preference to construct or not construct the wall; <br />however, he advised that given this apparent almost total reversal in previous re- <br />quests, he wanted as much information available as possible. Mayor Klausing <br />advised that, at the previous meeting, this additional information request was <br />clearly noted prior to a decision by the City Council. Mayor Klausing expressed <br />his concern about the emotions being displayed and asked that the various per- <br />spectives be respected. <br />Ms. Dwyer-French reiterated her perspective, and that of several neighbors, in <br />viewing surveyors working in front of their homes over a period of several hours, <br />and their alleged comments to those neighbors. Ms. Dwyer-French questioned if <br />construction of the wall meant money for the City and State, and expressed her <br />fear of the ultimate decision and whether it would concur with her preference, and <br />that of her neighbors. <br />Teresa Willmus, 226 Minnesota Avenue <br />Ms. Willmus advised that she lived in the southeast corner of the intersection of <br />Marion and Minnesota; and spoke in opposition to construction of the wall if it <br />runs the entire length from Rice to Dale Streets. If a decision was made to build a <br />partial wall and end at Marion Street, Ms. Willmus questioned what impacts that <br />would have to the sound and exhaust level currently proposed to be contained by <br />a wall running from Rice to Marion Streets; and requested a more defined per- <br />spective on what was meant by "minimal tree removal," suggesting that specific <br />numbers and/or percentages be provided. Ms. Willmus also questioned existing <br />and proposed drainage if the wall was constructed. <br />Ms. Bloom provided comparison pictures to address Ms. Willmus' concerns and <br />questions. Ms. Bloom noted that the plans and drawings had been provided to the <br />City by Ramsey County and MnDOT, and she was unsure of the maturity of the <br />trees, or their species. <br />Mr. Goess advised that the existing drainage pond was dry most of time with the <br />exception of high rainfall events, at which time there would be standing water in <br />