12/12/2005 Council Minutes (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

COUNCIL MINUTES DECEMBER 12, 2005 APPROVED •13 Amy Donlin, 6100 Centerville Road, stated she supports the referendum. If the stadium is built 314 quality of life issues including jobs, traffic issues, crime, and growth issues will be strangled as in 315 other cities. City residents cannot afford to have their tax rates increase. She asked Council to 316 consider the referendum so residents have a chance to voice their opinion. 317 318 Bob Johnson, 7979 24th Avenue North, stated he represents elderly residents and it is unfair to support 319 multi -millionaires; therefore, Council should stand up for its most vulnerable. 320 321 Mark Winiecki, 6387 20th Avenue South, stated he speaks for himself and neighbors that want this to 322 go for a vote. He added taxes have more than quadrupled, which are forcing families out. 323 324 Jon Tennessen, 126 Egret Lane, stated he is not for a stadium but would like the opportunity to vote 325 and will accept the results. 326 327 Jim Holm, 634 Fox Road, stated a stadium will affect residents greatly because the City is being 328 asked to pay two thirds of the cost not including overruns. He added he has written to Anoka County 329 Commissioners with little progress so if Council approves the referendum this may get their attention. 330 331 Steve, 6578 Wicos Drive, stated he believes the stadium is a bad idea and residents should have the 332 right to vote on a referendum. 333 34 Rhonda Sivarajah, Anoka County Commissioner, stated she has received numerous emails from City 35 residents that want the ability to vote on a referendum. Commissioners do not want the City to pass a 336 resolution because this sends a strong message to the Legislature that citizens in Anoka County are 337 not in favor of this. Commissioners are looking for an exemption from state statute. She added if the 338 sales tax is passed and a resident shops outside Anoka County and bring goods back to the County 339 they are responsible to pay taxes on those goods. She asked Council to take a stand for City residents. 340 341 Gerald Clausen, 6109 Baldwin Lake Road, stated it is crazy to pay more taxes because he is on a 342 fixed income. He added the stadium can be built but not with his money; he wants the chance to vote. 343 344 Paula Desjardins, 250 West Pine Street, stated she is not against or for a stadium but wants the right 345 to vote. She added there is no place at Anoka County or on the website where individuals can sign 346 that they do not want a stadium, there is only pro signings. 347 348 Colleen Bruster, 6591 Hokah Drive, stated she understands the cities of Centerville and Oak Grove 349 have approved resolutions like this and asked Council to do the same. 350 351 Ken Dufresne, 940 James Street, stated Council represents the residents and they should pass the 352 resolution, which tells Commissioners that they have to live by the law. 353 354 Thomas Arch, 7014 Caribou Circle, reminded residents they can decide Council members and 355 Commissioners by voting. He added the reason Commissioners do not want residents to vote is 0356 because they already know what the result will be. 57 8