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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />MAY 26, 2004 <br />LaValle stated that he would prefer to see Vadnais Blvd. shifted further <br />north. <br />Fahey asked the process that the County planned to follow, pointing out <br />the need for neighborhood meetings. Fahey again noted that the fly-over <br />connection makes Twin Lake Blvd. a major thoroughfare. He stated that <br />he was trying to see what benefit the project has for Little Canada <br />residents. Fahey indicated that there are other alternatives that may cost <br />more, and noted that the least expensive options are not always the best <br />option. Fahey asked for a solution that did not negatively impact Little <br />Canada. Fahey noted that Little Canada is a small city and the County is <br />proposing an options that has the greatest negative impact for Little <br />Canada. Fahey stated that he was not inclined to support an option that <br />resulted in this sort of impact on a residential area for a regional benefit. <br />Fahey agreed that the intersection was a problem, but felt correcting that <br />problem should not be at the burden of Little Canada residents. These <br />residents are already burdened with freeway noise. <br />Tolaas pointed out that Unweave the Weave will change traffic <br />movements in the area, and once the project is complete there may be less <br />traffic on Vadnais Blvd. <br />Fahey asked the City's rights in this process. Tolaas indicated that the <br />County's plans must be approved by the impacted cities in order to go <br />forward. It was pointed out, however, that there are processes in place that <br />can be utilized to override a city's objections. <br />Fahey again suggested the need for neighborhood meetings on this issue. <br />Blesener pointed out that while the fly-over connection benefits <br />Shoreview, Arden Hills, and Vadnais Heights, it provides no benefit to <br />Little Canada at all. Fahey stated that cost should not be the factor in <br />ruling out other alternatives. <br />Tolaas acknowledged the Council's position that the fly-over connection <br />for Twin Lake Blvd. to Country Drive adversely impacts the Twin Lake <br />area property owners. Tolaas indicated that the County has to take an <br />objective look at the options, develop a design standard that works, and <br />make as many people happy as possible. <br />Fahey again stated that the general reaction is that the proposal has a <br />negative impact on Little Canada, and that other reasonable alternatives <br />should be considered without making cost the primary evaluation criteria. <br />Tolaas was again directed to conduct a neighborhood meeting with the <br />Twin Lake area to review the options. <br />22 <br />