CC PACKET 06222004 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 14 June 8, 2004 Page 14 1 2 Paul Verrette, 3625 Coolidge, indicated he was a new resident to the Village. He stated one of . 3 the reasons he wanted to move to St. Anthony was because of its mission and the serious interest 4 in good businesses and a walk able community. However, with the inclusion of Walmart that 5 was not consistent with the City's mission. He expressed concern about traffic issues and the 6 economic development impact. He requested in the future that if residents wanted copies of 7 documents, they received assistance from the City. With respect to economic development,he 8 requested they consider the cost of the development and the loss of development funds to the 9 City. He stated Walmart was not a responsible corporation and this development would have a 10 negative effect on home values. He stated there would be an immediate effect on long-term life 11 and the business relationship with Walmart being profit motivated. He urged the Council to look 12 at this and thanked them for the senior housing portion of the project. 13 14 Mayor Hodson reminded the audience that Roberts Rule of Order would be enforced at this 15 meeting and no applause or comments from the audience would be tolerated. 16 17 Kathleen Ryan, 30th and Johnson, stated she was a recent graduate of the University of 18 Minnesota and she had prepared a research paper on Walmart,which she wanted to leave with 19 the Council. She stated Walmart tried to get away with harming the Cities and all they cared 20 about was their profits. She stated Walmart strived to get the lowest price, so they required their 21 vendors outsource their work. She stated Walmart would create jobs,but at what cost. She 22 requested the Council look at another company other than Walmart. 23 24 A resident stated if she had wanted to live near Walmart, she would have moved to a City where 25 Walmart was located. She asked why the city was building for Walmart tax-free when Walmart 26 could afford to build a new store without financial aid. 27 28 Ted Dageford, 2612 Townview, stated he had been a long time resident in the City. He stated 29 the citizens did not want this project and he did not believe the City Council paid any-attention to 30 what the citizens wanted. He stated if Walmart came into the City, family businesses would be 31 put out of business. He expressed concern about the traffic,noise, and crime. 32 33 Julienne Wyckoff, Columbia Heights, stated she did not want Walmart anywhere around her. 34 She didn't want the impact to the road and I don't like the type of customers that go to Walmart, 35 even coming through Columbia Heights. She noted she had a neighbor who had worked at 36 Walmart part-time for 37 hours per week,just short of 40 hours, so she did not qualify for 37 benefits. She stated Walmart did not care about their employees. She stated there was a couple 38 of articles in the Northeaster but otherwise when she called she was not given any information 39 and would like to know why when going into the Cub Store in St. Anthony and other businesses, 40 the maps of the development and buildings you only put down"Discount Retailer." You don't 41 even put Walmart on the map. Are you trying to hide something? That is what she is thinking. 42 That is all she'd like to say, I don't feel you have been completely honest. 43 44 Jill Miel, 3624 Penrod Lane, stated she was a long time resident and in the past 25 or 30 years, 45 and she has not previously been before the City Council. She stated she liked this community for 46 its diversity and she hoped to stay for many more years. She asked what they had approved 47 regarding the gambling. Mayor Hodson replied there was a revision of the Ordinance regarding