03-04-97 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MARCH 4, 1997 2 3. CLAIMS M/S/P Conlin/Hunt - to approve the March 4, 1997 Claims #5659 through #5701 as presented. (Motion passed 5-0). 4. PUBLIC INFORMATIONALANOUIRIES: A. Legislative Update: Senator Gary Laidig and Representative Peg Larsen Representative Peg Larsen reported on the battle over rights -of -way between telephone companies and Minnesota cities is being fought in both the Legislature and courts, House File 657 requiring city plats be approved by the County if it has access on a County road, the House passed a youth tobacco access bill that would require the licensing of tobacco retailers by cities or by the county if the city chose not to issue license. Representative Larsen has been appointed to the Boundary Waters Commission. Senator Gary Laidig reported on ideas for property tax reform, legislation abolishing the Met Council or reconstitute them as an elected body, abolishing the Municipal Board, and working on exempting local goverments from having to pay sales tax. B. Public Inquiries: Ron Sessing asked if he could speak under the City Planner's Report. 5. CONSENT AGENDA: None 6. CITY ENGINEER'S REPORT: A. PUBLIC HEARING: 30th Street Reconstruction The Public Hearing Notice was published in the Stillwater Gazette on February 14 and 21, 1997 and all affected property owners were notified. City Engineer, Tom Prow, reported as part of Lake Elmo's Five Year Municipal State -Aid Improvement Plan, 30th Street North is scheduled for reconstruction in 1997. Prow presented the Reconstruction Project which includes an 80' diameter roundabout at the intersection of Lisbon Avenue and 30th Street. A 5' wide concrete sidewalk is proposed from Lake Elmo Avenue to Lisbon Avenue. This improvement is included in the City's Park and Trail Plan. Prow felt this makes good sense from a safety stand point since the road will be constructed so narrow. Prow proposed East of Lisbon Avenue an 8-foot bituminous trail be constructed to Manning Avenue. The total estimated project cost is $526,000. A petition consisting of 20 signatures (13 families) petitioning the City not to install a sidewalk along 30th Street as part of the resurfacing project was submitted. The Council received a letter from Joseph Lux, Washington County Public Works Dept., requiring filing of a street access permit as a method for them to track improvements made to intersections with the County State Aid Highway system. Mayor John opened up the public hearing at 8:00 p.m, in the Council chambers. Marjorie Williams, 3025 Lake Elmo Avenue N,. opposed the sidewalks because a sidewalk will not enhance the quality of a quiet country lane. She has been walking this street to Reid Park since 1972 and has not been fearful of the traffic or heard of anyone injured on this street. Shirley Jahnke, 11377 30th Street N., referred to the petition submitted, indicating that most of the residents do not want the sidewalk installed. Virginia Kressin, 11217 30th Street N., stated she had no problem walking the street and did not want the improvements for the street or the sidewalk. Greg Quick, new resident on 30th St., likes to walk the street, but had the problem of where to go when the cars are coming. He applauds the trail because this would siphon the bikes of the road, give the bicyclist a chance to pass a pedestrian and provide safe walking.