04/22/1996 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 22, 1996 Ms. Nissen said another thing that has been discussed it that kids will walk to the middle school up Aqua Lane from West Shadow Lake Drive. If these kids stay after school for other activities, they will ride their bikes. She said she did not want these children crossing Lake Drive without a signal light. Linda Budnicki said that her daughter goes to Rice Lake Elementary. She lives within the six (6) block radius that normally kindergarten children would walk to the school However, she lives on the north side of Birch Street which does not have a walking path. Ms. Budnicki called Mr. Hughes and he said that these children will be bused. However, the City is considering constructing a walking trail that would extend west from her street through a very deserted area that is very close to a City park and the lake. She called Mike Hughes and expressed concern about small children using this path on their way to school. He assured Ms. Budnicki that her children would be bused. Ms. Budnicki said her point is that from her experience dealing with Mike Hughes, he is really concerned about the kids and their safety. She felt that he would not let the kids walk in an area that is not safe. Ms. Budnicki said that she is concerned for the safety of all the kids. She said that she was sorry that the community has come in at the 11th hour with their concerns. However, she said that she just starting the Quad Press a month ago. It is not an issue that she have heard of. It made her angry to think that there would not be a signal light on Lake Drive and Elm Street. Ms. Budnicki said that she was in the Moundsview School District and had nephews that went to Chippewa School and there were accidents there. She found that very scary. If one child is hurt, that is one child to many. Angela Weigold said that if half of the energy in this room could work together to make a solution work, we would have the world tackled. She said if Option F is selected and the only issue is the school buses driving on Elm Street in front of the children that have to cross Elm Street, can't we make it work. If that is the only issue on Option F, can't we make that work? Ms. Weigold said that if a half or even a fourth of the energy this is spent here tonight for three and one half hours, can't we make it work. She said that she thought that everyone in the room is on the team and a community and instead of "pitting" everyone against each other, lets work together and make Option F work if that is the option chosen. Mayor Landers said OSM has been asked about constructing an overpass or an underpass. A tunnel is impossible because of the topography. Mr. Mitchell explained that an overpass in this area costs about one half of a million dollars and it has been found that in this type of a situation, kids will not use the overpass. It is easier to dodge the cars than climb the steps. Council Member Neal moved to close the public hearing at 10:05 P.M. Council Member Bergeson seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council Members Kuether and Lyden voting no. Motion carried. PAGE 39