HomeMy WebLinkAboutgr00090_000052_pg066We are on more solid ground with the second concern, because we and many
neighboring communities have not supported expansion of the Airport over
the fifteen years or more that this threat has been with us. We have
support from state legislators on this one, and I am personally working
through an association of suburban mayors which I am co-sponsoring, in
order to oring home to the Metropolitan Council our concern that we have
local control over vital issues such as the Airport expansion. There are
also a number of local efforts under way questioning the Airport.:expansion.
The Council is currently considering ways to most effectively codrdinate
all these local efforts.
In a third problem area to answer the concerns behind. a city-wide storrn
sewer proposal in 1978, the City Council last year passed a resolution
which in general requires a developer to take care of any increase, "on-
sAte",f storm water problems caused by his development. However, this
approach has been questioned in some difficult cases. I intend to form
a committee to look at any proposed solutions for these drainage problems
(and related concerns such as the preservation of wetlands) which will
not financially burden the community. Apart from any problem which might
be caused by future development the City Council has agreed we do not
have a general, wide spread storm drainage problem. However, there is a (
current problem caused by back-up of storm sewers along Ardan Avenue
which has given concern for several years. Much of the Ardan Avenue system
was given a badly needed cleaning last season. The cleaning will help,
but is unlikely to be the whole answer. For any residual problem, the
City has an engineering study which indicates that relatively inexpensive
solutions are possible.
A continuing high priority concern is efficiency and economy in government.
This is not only good business, but inescapable in this era ofhigh
inflation and multiple demands on city services. By a provision in the
City Charter, we will be receiving reports each quarter from heads Of
City departments. The first of these will be given at City Council
meetings on March 10th and March 24th. These will be opportunities for
citizens to get direct answers on Department expenditures, services and
plans.