2008 City Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council January 28, 2008 Regular Meeting Page 2 Representative Tillberry said that he is surprised at the number of bills that were vetoed. He then said that he is curious how the upcoming agenda will pan out, because it will require raising taxes or cutting spending to eliminate the projected deficit. Representative Tillberry indicated that Mounds View was affected by the bridge collapse with the death of Pat Holmes. Paul Eickstadt and others were injured. Council Member Flaherty indicated that there are many foreclosures right now, and he is wondering if the Senate is going to be addressing the concern with housing crisis. Representative Betzold said that there is no easy solution, especially in light of the funding shortage with the State's budget. He then said that session begins soon, and there is a need for something to be done. Representative Betzold commented that there are mortgage companies that loaned money to people who were not able to afford it. He further said that there may need to be some federal legislation to help out with regulating the shams that were going on. He then said that he would like to hold the people that have caused this mortgage crisis with the straw person deals, and other questionable subprime market schemes accountable. Council Member Mueller indicated that the residents on the northwestern border on Highway 10 . have a concern with the noise levels in that area. She then said that the noise levels there are impacting health and wellness and quality of life. Council Member Mueller indicated that it is projected that traffic on Highway 10 will triple with the 610 completion. She then said that the City needs to get the sound wall approved to protect the residents, and the City needs help from its representatives. Representative Tillberry said that Mn/DOT used to have approximately $250,000 or so as a buffer, but that has been drained down to nothing so in order to pay for the work going on, a special committee of the legislature for incremental funds. He then said that they will continue to fight, but it is not an easy thing to do. Senator Betzold indicated that drafting a bill and getting it introduced is not an issue, but there is only so much that the Senate Transportation Committee can do. Senator Betzold explained that there is a need for $1 billion dollars a year for 20 years, in order to catch up with needed infrastructure within the state. Mayor Marty noted that Mn/DOT promised the City the sound wall a number of years ago, and the City got together to discuss possibilities, and finally the costs have gone up to the point where $300,000 will not go very far. He then said that the City still has that amount coming, and the new sound readings taken with the creation of the Medtronic facility, the noise that used to go • north, hits the buildings and now goes back south so the decibel readings have increased.