Minutes - 1997/02/24 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Page 8 February 24, 1997 Mounds View City Council the bridge project. He stated there has been no evidence by expert testimony or scientific study and demographics, traffic analysis or a needs asses~nent to support any claim that a pedestrian bridge on Long Lake Road will offer a broad benefit to the majority of Mounds View citizens. Furthermore he sees a safety issue with regard to the design of the ramp and where the spiral ramp empties, the compatibility of skateboards/bicycles/rollerblading and foot traffic on the bridge deck. Longterm maintenance estimates are limited to best guesses, and no provisions have been made for future replacement costs. The cost of the project has escalated from the original $120,000 estimate to approximately $246,500, representing a 105% cost ovemin. He feels all of this makes this project unfeasible for the city at this time. MOTION/SECOND: McCarty/Koopmeiners that the City Council stop all fimrther action on the pedestrian bridge over Highway 10, settle aU accounts owed to date, abandon the bridge project and notify appropriate government agencies of this action. Jerry Linke, 2319 Knoll Drive, stated as Mayor he found the financing options while working with the city auditors and temporary finance department head. At that time, he had been informed that tax increment financing was not a financing option, as would have been his first choice. He noted that the city does have letters of support from both the Police Chief and the Minnesota State Patrol. Without doubt, and in his opinion, the $200,000 is worth saving a life and he still feels he made the right choice in voting approval of the pedestrian bridge. Jill (last name inaudible), a resident of Mounds View and a employee at Pinewood Elementary School, stated on a daily basis she witnesses cars that blatantly disregard children on the streets and walkways. She feels it is unsafe to cross Highway 10. Furthermore, she feels it is very disrespectfui to citizens who served on the Task Force to now vote down the project. She, as a taxpayer, is willing to pay for the bridge to allow citizens access to the other side. Russ Nordstrom, 2536 W. County Road H2, stated he is opposed to the project and feels kids need to use common sense. There are plenty of opportunities to cross the highway with the stoplight walk signs. He feels kids are not going to take the time to walk the extra distance just to use the bridge, and he feels this would just be a waste of taxpayer funds. Karen Arciero, 7501 Spring Lake Road, stated she feels the bridge is needed. She stated as an adult she is often scared to cross Highway 10. She feels the city needs to provide a safe opportunity for kids to cross the highway. Henry Ruggles, 2629 Lake Court Drive, stated he has been opposed to the bridge since the beginning. He too feels that skateboarders will be using the bridge and cause seniors to be afraid to do so. Additionally, he is concerned about how the costs have increased. He does not feel that the cost will justify the amount it will be used. David Jahnke, 8428 Eastwood Road, stated he agrees it would be nice to have a safe option for kids to cross the highway, but the city needs to consider what it can really afford. Sherry Gunn, 8120 Red Oak Court, stated Mounds View represents pride, partnership and progress. She feels the bridge is a sign of progress for the city, and the community residents working with the council and stag' represents parnership. The bridge was a topic of the Focus 2000 group as a means of connecting the community and she asked that the council let the work continue.