Laserfiche WebLink
2 <br />Mr. Grochala noted that the city and Anoka County would be conducting studies for Birch Street <br />and for County Road J. A Birch Street extension over 35E would likely be included in the study, <br />even though that extension is not called out in the Traffic Plan. A new interchange at 35E and <br />80th Street is called out, but likely will not occur for at least 20 years. <br /> <br />Mr. Corson moved to recommend that the City Council adopt the draft Comprehensive Plan and <br />send it forward to the Metropolitan Council. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. <br /> <br />EDAC members discussed the role of EDAC in implementing the Economic Development <br />portion of the Comprehensive Plan. One continuing issue is the establishment of an EDA that <br />includes members of EDAC as well as city council representatives. There was also discussion of <br />the City Council goal to meet with EDAC to discuss economic development goals. Staff said <br />they would try to see if that could happen yet this year. <br /> <br />Ms. Schwartz and Ms. Keller, who participated on the Citizen’s Comprehensive Plan Advisory <br />Panel stated that they were pleased with the outcome of the plan, and with the way a diverse <br />group of people were able to find consensus on such a wide variety of issues. Ms. Schwartz <br />noted that this plan was “cutting edge.” <br /> <br />City Charter <br />Ms. Divine updated the members on the city charter amendment, noting that the Charter <br />Commission rejected the city council’s proposal to put the Citizen’s Task Force amendment on <br />the ballot in November. The city has also received a petition from residents to change Chapter 8 <br />of the charter to conform with state law. This means that road reconstruction will not go to <br />referendum, instead, the city council will be given the power to determine whether a road gets <br />reconstructed, and will pay for it through levy and special assessments. When a petition is <br />submitted, it must go to referendum. The council has not decided whether to also add the <br />Citizen’s Task Force amendment. The council is still considering whether to hire a consulting <br />firm to provide information about the amendment(s), and has until September 8 to submit ballot <br />question(s) to the county. <br /> <br />EDAC members discussed their role in supporting a charter change. Ms. Divine suggested that <br />the communications firm should work with EDAC to prepare a letter for publication by the <br />October meeting, once it is determined what the ballot question will be. <br /> <br /> <br />Blue Heron Days <br />Ms. Divine thanked Bill Combs for his heading up the parade again this year. <br /> <br /> <br />The next EDAC meeting will be October 2. <br /> <br />Meeting adjourned.