12-07-2009 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION December 7, 2009 APPROVED 46 noise. The council discussed other possible forms of abatement, such as berms or plantings. The 47 council requested that the MnDOT representatives forward a best estimate for the cost of the 48 noise wall requested by the petition. 49 50 Chris Schneider, 23 Elm Street, addressed the council. Ms. Schneider indicated that she 51 supports the petition (signed it) and thanked other area residents in attendance at the meeting. 52 She spoke of the traffic increase since she moved to the area 11 years ago and indicated that the 53 traffic will continue to increase as development grows in the direction of Lino Lakes. She is also 54 concerned about the number of deer that move unrestrained through the highway area. She 55 suggested that the priority list seems to ignore proximity since some of the homes in the area in 56 question are less than 100 feet from the roadway. Also, there should be some consideration of 57 the schools on the opposite side from the prison complex. She is thankful that the council is 58 giving the residents this opportunity and is interested in working with MnDOT. 59 Ken Johnson, 87 Elm Street, told the council that he has experience with noise having lived in 60 Grand Rapids adjacent to a paper mill. He can report that there is no relief provided by plantings. 61 He questioned the portion of the staff report that notes that noise levels were lower in 2002 than 62 in 2009. He feels that wall placement is a key matter. 63 The council directed staff to get an estimate of the cost of the wall, research noise abatement 64 alternatives and report back at a future work session. 65 2. Affordable Housing Presentation -Economic Development Coordinator Divine 66 introduced consultants Cathy Bennett, Bennett Community Consulting, and Colleen Carey, the 67 Cornerstone Group,who presented and reviewed a PowerPoint informational report on housing 68 choice and diversity focusing on affordable housing. A written copy of the presentation is on 69 file. 70 The council discussed affordable housing in regard to the current economy, developing housing 71 based on goals and needs, demographic trends and how they affect this city, and meeting the 72 culture of the city as well. The council concurred that a process to develop housing must be 73 strategically planned with a good and controlled result. The consultants pointed out that their 74 experience in the field shows that a city's investment in housing is generally viewed as a good 75 investment, that affordable housing cannot be built without some type of subsidy, and also that it 76 is key that any affordable housing element have the same quality standards as market rate. 77 3. 2010 Council Calendar—City Clerk Bartell noted that the 2010 council calendar has 78 been prepared using the current work session schedule of the first Monday and 4`t'Monday of the 79 month. Regular council meetings are held the second and fourth Monday of each month based 80 on the requirements of the City Code. 81 The council concurred with the calendar as presented and directed the city clerk to proceed with 82 distribution. 83 4. Regular Agenda Items—There were no changes to the regular council agenda. 2