05-04-2009 Council Minutes (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION May 4, 2009 APPROVED 45 Engineer Studenski suggested that it may be possible to do more of a"ballpark" estimate 46 initially by updating that information. A formal feasibility study would be required 47 eventually if the project moves forward. 48 49 Community Development Director Grochala suggested that the council may have to look 50 at the matter from a policy view point, since the current policy on referendum relates to 51 "road reconstruction" but this is not a full reconstruction project. 52 53 Some residents of Pine Street were present and spoke on the matters of how many 54 residents it would take to block a project, information that indicates that Columbus has 55 already signed onto the project, the possibility of a speed study, and the possibility of 56 paving only to Zodiac Street. The residents also expressed interest in getting more law 57 enforcement (traffic) on the street; they were urged by the police chief to call 911 or 58 Anoka County dispatch whenever there is a problem. Some residents requested that the 59 city put down calcium chloride on the current gravel roadway since it has been helpful in 60 the past with keeping the dust down. 61 62 The council directed staff to get a rough estimate of the project costs, contact the City of 63 Columbus regarding their interest in the project, research the possibility of any state 64 funding for the project and report back with a calendar indicating a referendum option. 65 The city will communicate back to the residents by sending out information and possibly 66 calling a neighborhood meeting. The council will discuss the matter again before 67 information is distributed and residents will be informed. �-' 68 69 Charter Commission Bills—City Clerk Bartell reviewed the background on the 2008 70 and 2009 bills that have been submitted by the Commission. The Charter Commission 71 attorney has submitted a more detailed bill for 2008 expenses; as well, the commission 72 has submitted two bills for 2009 services. 73 74 The council accepted the detail of the bills submitted and directed staff to arrange for 75 payment. Regarding the 2009 budget, the council noted that these bills will bring the 76 Commission very close to expending their entire yearly budget; if the Commission 77 anticipates going over in 2009, they should inform the council. 78 79 Strategic Planning Process - Agendas for the May 9 and May 14 special sessions were 80 distributed. A council member suggested that when the council decided to do these 81 sessions, the concept was to look at upcoming financial challenges; the proposed agendas 82 for the sessions indicate something of an expanded approach such as more general goal 83 setting. While that could be good, there is some concern about losing focus on the 84 original goals. The council should stay on task for that important discussion about 85 maintaining quality with a dwindling budget. Also the idea of 1) a meeting with the 86 council, 2) a meeting with the council and staff, and 3) a meeting to discuss progress 87 seems to be missing an important implementation phase. 88 2