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Page 6 of 11 <br />Mike Nill presented a memo from Bonestroo indicating that city staff recommended closing the <br />intersection. A letter from Ramsey County also indicated that the county prefers the <br />intersection be closed. <br />An informal survey from residents with 40 entries, representing 29 properties, was discussed. <br />26 of the property owners preferred to keep the intersection open and 3 preferred to close the <br />intersection. The survey was given to the city council and the streets and utilities committee as <br />a petition; however, it is not a formal petition because there are no signatures. There is a list <br />of names and addresses with a box where a resident could check yes or no on the issue of the <br />closure of the Fairchild Hillview intersection with County 10. [Editorial Note: The informal <br />survey/petition is in no way binding upon the City as City Staff cannot attest to its validity, since <br />Staff is unaware of the circumstances under which the questions were asked or the response <br />obtained.] <br />Betty Shelquist of Fairchild Avenue said she would like the intersection closed. <br />Wendy Kelner of Fairchild Avenue spoke to the committee and said she would like the <br />intersection closed. Ms. Kelner feels that some of the residents were confused by the petition <br />and did not understand the issue. She feels that it is a matter of safety vs. convenience. <br />Acting chair Battin noted that the responses to the feedback form from the Saturday meeting <br />were split fairly evenly on the issue of leaving the intersection open versus closing it. <br />Committee member Amundsen spoke to the author of the letter from Ramsey County to get <br />clarification on the reason the county wants the intersection closed. The county representative <br />said the county could not force the closure of an existing intersection but the county would not <br />allow a new intersection using this design. The county representative said that the angles of <br />the intersection are a safety issue. Ms Amundsen believes that safety is the primary issue. <br />Acting chair Battin agreed that safety should be the number one issue. <br />Cindy Beck, a resident, mentioned that the intersection has a problem with snow removal <br />because of the odd angle of the intersection. Ms. Beck said that with the daycare on that <br />corner, she is in favor of closing the intersection. <br />Tom Winiecki, the resident that conducted the survey, said that the residents that responded to <br />the survey live in the area and want it open. Committee member Rynders asked why that <br />Fairchild intersection is important since Mr. Winiecki lives on Sherwood and could easily use <br />the Groveland intersection to go west on County 10. Mr. Winiecki feels that during rush hour <br />that traffic has more time to speed up between the Red Oak light and Groveland and that <br />makes it more difficult at the Groveland intersection. Mr. Winiecki also feels that people that <br />took the survey did read and understand what they were agreeing too. <br />Committee member Urbanski thanked Mr. Winiecki for taking the time to survey the residents <br />and says this is a tough issue. <br />Committee member Rynders asked Administrator Ericson if something could be done about <br />the timing of the Red Oak light. Mr. Ericson said that the city could approach the county about <br />it. The light takes approximately two and a half minutes to cycle.