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NAFFiR , ., ..n mt3- ,, � F Page 5 'i �'�'°. November 27, 1995 Mounds View City Council 1 Mr. McCarty asked if people really expect that pedestrians directly across the 2 highway from their destination will walk a considerable distance just to use the 3 bridge. He wondered where the plan or specific study that was required to 4 determine whether or not this bridge was a good, usable amenity to the entire 5 community. The residents did not have an opportunity to ask the questions 6 they planned to on November 29th. He does not believe that the November 7 29th discussion date was only in the event that a tax levy would be required. 8 Furthermore, it his understanding that per Code 203.8, Subdivision 5, a 4/5 9 vote of approval is required to spend any money-out-of-the-Special Projee - 10 fund which the city does not have at this time as it was passed on a 3/1 vote. 11 12 Mayor Linke explained that he asked the Auditors about the proposed 13 expenditure of the funds for the pedestrian bridge and they assured him that 14 the interest portion could be used for this project. 15 16 Mr. McCarty suggested that the City Attorney be contacted about this issue, as 17 he believes the funds were committed without a 4/5 vote. 18 19 Pam Starr, 7778 Woodlawn Drive stated she would like to applaud the City 20 Council for finally making a decision that is looking at the safety of the children 21 in Mounds View. She does not know how anyone can be so short-sighted 22 that they can say Mounds View cannot afford the bridge when there are 23 children who need to cross the highway. 24 25 Jim Schmitt, 5446 Erickson Road, stated there has been public input on this 26 issue since April. At the meetings he has attended there has been a greater 27 number of residents in favor of the bridge than opposed to it. Furthermore, at 28 the Public Hearing on the issue of whether the city would use tax increment 29 financing , he heard four out of the five council members state two different 30 times that they were in favor of the bridge, they just had a disagreement on 31 taxes. He stated the city must find funding for a project such as this. He 32 has three children and is active in youth activities in the community. They use 33 the community as a whole and he feels access is a problem in the community. 34 The bridge will greatly improve this problem. He is happy that the decision 35 was made. 36 37 Ms. Hankner stated the council decided they would not increase the taxes for 38 purposes of funding the pedestrian bridge, but that they would still go ahead 39 with the grant and directed staff to go into the budget and try to determine 40 where funds could come from. At that time it was still in the context of the 1996 41 budget. For public purposes, the council let them know that it would be