01/12/2004 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MINUTES JANUARY 12, 2004 APPROVED 1 Councilmember Carlson stated she is trying to decide how to vote by determining the impact since 2 this is an additional entity. She expressed her concern with the number of entities growing from three 3 to nine and how the decision making will happen. 4 5 Mayor Bergeson stated his opinion is that it is still an action generated by the cities and he views the 6 Counties, MnDOT, and other agencies as resource people in terms of expertise, knowledge, and 7 potential funding some of the projects. He stated it is an initiative generated by the cities and the 8 cities will have to take the lead in terms of the authority of the group. 9 10 Community Development Director Grochala explained that over the past 18 months the group has 11 grown because it was learned there are other players that will be impacted by the roadway systems. 12 All the parties were identified through that process because they had an impact on that specific 13 interchange and the road system that feeds into that interchange. He stated that Councilmember 14 Carlson is correct that the group started with an entity of three but once the other entities were 15 identified, those players were brought in since they will ultimately have a major stake in construction 16 and financing as that road system develops. He explained the group is trying to get a road system that 17 handles all the traffic rather than "putting out fires" in local spots. He stated it is hoped the system 18 will serve the City's needs well into the future. 19 20 Councilmember Carlson stated some other items listed could be in conflict with the Comprehensive 21 Plan and asked what Lino Lakes would do if the group approves an interchange that is in conflict with 22 the Comprehensive Plan. 23 24 Community Development Director Grochala stated an agreement on how the group will function has • 25 not been drafted but Staff will have a say on what happens in Lino Lakes and it is hoped all in the 26 group will work together for a solution that is best for everyone. He stated it is their intent that by 27 going through the work plan, they can demonstrate the need for projects based on reason and need. 28 That may, in turn, lead to revisiting the Comprehensive Plan in terms of transportation and that is not 29 necessarily a bad thing. Community Development Director Grochala stated that it will help to decide 30 what works, what does not work, and what needs to be further investigated. He stated it allows the 31 City to bring in outside partners to share the cost, to plan long-range infrastructure, and create a better 32 product than what's on the table at this point. 33 34 Councilmember Reinert stated that to broaden and bring in more affected entities can only result in a 35 better and more comprehensive transportation plan. But the concern is that the final decision must be 36 left at the City level with elected officials. 37 38 Community Development Director Grochala advised that the I -35E Coalition came up with a plan 39 and generally stayed with that plan. He stated that ultimately land use decisions are the City's 40 responsibility and the Coalition will make recommendations and voice concerns. However, the City 41 maintains the right to go forward with its land use planning and projects. 42 43 Councilmember Reinert stated that voting for the appointment does not forfeit any of the Council's 44 voting rights of approval on transportation decisions that are decided among the group. Community 45 Development Director Grochala stated that is correct. 46 47 Councilmember Reinert stated it would not be a bad idea to add that indication into the motion, that .48 the approval of the appointment of Community Development Staff to the Transportation Coalition 10