04/22/1996 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 22, 1996 school has always been zoned for a school. She explained that she has a 75 foot easement in her yard and knew that Elm Street would eventually be widened and there would be a new school. Ms. Fenno said she did not care what option is finally selected, however, the option selected should be an option that would warrant the signal light and keep the children safe. She noted that her son is 11 and will attend the new middle school for only one year. She has friends that have little children and she wanted them to be safe. Ms. Fenno said that the people who are complaining about the neighborhood impact should have been aware that the sign has been there for 11 years. She presented a petition to the City Council signed by residents who want it to be understood that they want their children to be safe. Ms. Fenno said that she does feel bad for the people that purchased their property and are disappointed, but the sign was there. Doug Swalboski, 6587 Pheasant Run South - Mr. Swalboski said he was here because he is the president of the PTO of Rice Lake Elementary School and in support of the School Board and the City Council. These persons attended the parents meeting last week and the parents were given four criteria as being safety, signal light, cost and pedestrian access and neighborhood impact. Mr. Swalboski presented a petition to the City Council and asked them to please consider every one of the options. Everything should be covered and everyone should be happy. Mr. Swalboski said that as a resident of Lino Lakes, he is unsure of how someone could say that their property values will be decreased by the construction of a 36 million dollar asset. He said that Rice Lake Elementary school beautifies Birch Street. The residents on the south side of the City are upset because there are rumors that the City Council is leaning toward voting for Option D which does not meet any of the safety issues at all. Mr. Swalboski thanked the City Council for allowing him the opportunity to speak on this issue. Dwight Benoy, 66 West Golden Lake Road, Circle Pines - Mr. Benoy said he comes here this evening to represent the parents and citizens from the Golden Lake area. He presented a petition to the City Council containing over 100 signatures. The petition states that the citizens of this area believe that the access to the new middle school must provide for a signal light so that buses can safely enter and exit the school site. Mr. Benoy said that in circulating the petition, not one person declined to sign it. He said this speaks volumes for the petition. Council Member Kuether asked what the petition was for. Mr. Benoy said the petition was a belief that the access to the new middle school must be for a signal light. Dave Radeck, 7184 Cinnamon Teal Court - Mr. Radeck said he did not like getting up to speak in the mike but he felt that he had to tonight. He said he feels that there is some "politicking" going on this evening with the group of people who are in the back of the room. Mr. Radeck said that he wants safety for his children too. He said he was not sure where this is coming from but felt he had a pretty good idea. The Superintendent wants a signal light. Mr. Radeck said that he and his neighbors want a signal light as well, PAGE 18