Minutes - 2018/01/08 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council January 8, 2018 Regular Meeting Page 4 filters that would need to be in place and the protocols that would have to be followed for proper disposal of lead. She was of the opinion it was not in the City’s best interest to expose its residents and young children to this type of lead exposure. She quoted Pat Egan from INH on a comment he made at a community meeting last fall stating, “But we can’t control the person that is coming in the door. We don’t know what their level of safety and training is. That is why we have a gun safety range officer.” She explained the developer acknowledges there is an increased safety risk by having a gun club on this property in our community but fails to counter this risk. She reported the only way to eliminate this risk would be to build the gun range in another location, away from residential neighborhoods, schools and the City’s most vulnerable residents. She stated the bottom line is that this risk is avoidable and other opportunities do not carry the same level of risks. She encouraged the City Council to not consider a gun club at the intersection of Mounds View Boulevard and County Road H2. Pastor Ronald Letnes, 2917 124th Circle NE in Blaine, explained he was the Chair of the Engaged Gun Violence Prevention Work Group of the St. Paul Area Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. He reported this organization was not anti-gun but rather pro-gun safety. He spoke against the location of the proposed gun range in Mounds View noting it was problematic to personal safety. He explained the proposed site was in a high traffic, educational, business and residential area. He did not believe it was wise to introduce more guns into this area as it could create a potential for gun violence. He stated private homes border the proposed gun range on two sides. In addition, an apartment complex and senior living facility was located directly across the street with Edgewood Middle School located only 500 yards to the south. He provided further comment on the businesses located in close proximity to this intersection. He explained that more and more refugees were coming to the United States to escape gun violence and do not understand the need for guns. He encouraged the Council to understand the fact that the proposed gun range would allow for the discharge and selling of guns. He explained that injecting guns into a high traffic area increases the risk of gun violence. He provided further statistical information to the Council regarding gun deaths in Minnesota. He urged the Council to find a more appropriate and safe location for the safe practice of gun rights. Vern Rice, 7412 Park View Drive, emphasized the relationship this gun range would have to the adjacent neighborhood. He explained he and his wife purchased their home based on the neighborhood. He stated he did not want to see a decline in his neighborhood because of the gun club. He anticipated that many homeowners would move if the gun club were to locate in Mounds View at this intersection. He discussed how property values were adversely impacted by gun clubs in residential neighborhoods. He encouraged the Council to do better than the proposed project. Cheryl Schrader, 2566 Hillview, explained she runs a childcare program from her home. She stated she was responsible for eight precious children. She discussed the training she has to attend on a yearly basis, much of which centered on safety. She indicated she did not want her neighborhood to be involved in an active shooter situation. She stated she could not believe this request was being considered by the City Council for this community.