Agenda Packets - 1997/02/24 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Item Na Staff Report No., 7 / 7. , C • Meeting Date: 2/10/97 Type of Business: Council Business WK:Work Session;PH:Public Hearing; CA:Consent Agenda;CB:Council Business Ci of Mounds View Staff Report To: Mayor and City Council From: Pamela Sheldon, Community Development Director Item Title/Subject: Status Report on Pedestrian Bridge Over Highway 10 Date of Report: February 6, 1997 • Summary: At the City Council work session on February 3, 1997, staff provided a status report on the pedestrian bridge across Highway 10 at the Long Lake Road intersection. City Council directed that this item be placed on your agenda for the February 10 regular meeting. The background information provided at your February 3 meeting is included as an attachment. This report begins with a general overview of points the City Council may want to consider in its discussion of this project, and some additional information on costs. Approach to Discussion of the Project: Allowing for Public Involvement: There was an indication at the Council work session that proceeding with construction of the pedestrian bridge may be under reconsideration,and that a decision relative to the bridge could occur at the February 10 City Council meeting. Staff would • recommend that no action be taken on February 10, and that City Council continue this item to February 24 to provide sufficient time for interested citizens to be informed that the pedestrian bridge is to be a topic of discussion so they can be present and offer input It is staff's understanding that there were a number of meetings on this project before the decision was made to build the pedestrian bridge. We are concerned that a change in the project not be made without giving citizens an opportunity to be a part of the process. • Maintaining Community Enthusiasm: Regardless of whether the project is a pedestrian bridge or community center or a code enforcement program, community projects of this type usually surface because of enthusiasm among a group of residents for an idea which they view as an asset to the community, i.e. a project which will improve the quality of life. There may be different opinions among the larger citizenry about the project. At some point, a decision is made whether to do the project. City Council may want to consider the effect on community expectations and enthusiasm i1 over time, decisions made on these types of projects go back and forth between proceeding and not proceeding. What happens to the credibility between the community and the Council? Perhaps one way to avoid this situation is to put in place a decision-making process which focuses less on individual feelings of liking or not liking a project, and asking such questions as: • What will the project do for the community? • Under what circumstances would the project be acceptable? • What other projects will not be done, if this project goes forward? • What priority should be given to this project in the larger scheme of civic needs? Framing the Issue:A pedestrian bridge offers the opportunity to create a connection over Highway 10 for pedestrians and bicyclists between the north and south halves of the community,