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• <br />• <br />COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 22, 1996 <br />Mayor Landers welcomed the citizens who are in the audience to participate in the public <br />hearing for the Centennial School District proposed middle school. He explained the <br />purpose of the public hearing is to take citizen input as it relates to street and utility <br />improvements serving the Centennial middle school and adjacent properties. No action <br />will be taken by the City Council this evening per the City Charter. The Centennial <br />middle school is a welcome addition to our community. The passage of the Centennial <br />District referendum last year demonstrates that the citizens think so too. The project of <br />this size does mean that issues of safety, financing and neighborhood impact are <br />important. Mayor Landers said that the City Council shares the citizens concerns and that <br />is the reason that the public hearing is being held this evening. He asked that due to the <br />number of people who do want to speak on this issue, comments should be limited to <br />three to four minutes. Everyone will have the opportunity to speak. After everyone has <br />spoken, persons who spoke earlier and have additional comments will be able to speak. <br />Mayor Landers asked all speakers to give their names and addresses prior to making their <br />comments. <br />Mayor Landers opened the public hearing at 7:45 P.M. <br />Charles Cheesebrough, 6498 Hokah Drive - Mr. Cheesebrough explained that he is a <br />resident of Lino Lakes and the Chairman of the Centennial School District Board. This <br />evening he is representing this organization. Mr. Cheesebrough explained that the School <br />Board reviewed all of the street options at two formal School Board meetings. Also the <br />School Board was updated on every change outlined by Mr. Mitchell. Mr. Cheesebrough <br />said that he appreciated the work the City Council has done. The School Board held a <br />public information meeting several weeks ago. <br />Mr. Cheesebrough noted that the School Board identified three criteria that the School <br />Board wanted the road to meet. They are safety, satisfying the warrants for a stop light <br />and qualification for state aid. Mr. Cheesebrough attended a parent meeting with Mayor <br />Landers at the Rice Lake Elementary School. The road options were reviewed for the <br />parents in the school district at that time. The School Board has recommended that <br />Option F be selected as the preferred option. Options A and B would also work for the <br />School District. They would meet the criteria outlined. Option F does satisfy the traffic <br />needs better than all other options. Mr. Cheesebrough explained that the School Board <br />held a special meeting this morning and reaffirmed this decision. He thanked the City <br />Council for their consideration of the special school need and he also thanked the <br />engineers at OSM for their help. <br />Mr. Cheesebrough introduced Mr. Mike Hughes, the transportation and safety director for <br />the Centennial School system. <br />Mike Hughes, Transportation and Safety Director for the Centennial School District <br />- Mr. Hughes explained that he has been involved in the new middle school process for <br />some time and has reviewed each of the street options as they were developed. In each <br />PAGE 13 <br />