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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 14, 2009 Page 4 1 Councilmember Thuesen reported on his attendance at the April 4`h goals presentation to former 2 elected officials of the City. 4 Councilmember Gray reported that the Village Fest Committee has decided to move the event 5 back to the shopping center this year. The event is scheduled for July 3151, August I" and August 6 2nd 7 8 Councilmember Roth: No report. 9 10 Mayor Faust reported on his attendance at the following events: 11 • March 26`h Annual Chamber of Commerce Meeting. George Wagner was honored for his 12 work as a volunteer in the community. 13 ■ March 3151 briefing by the Monticello City Manager on fiber -to -premise. 14 • March 3151 Council meeting with ISD #282. 15 ■ March 315f City Council budget work session. 16 ■ April 2nd Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) meeting. The 17 MWMO has entered into a contract to buy a piece of property on the Mississippi River to 18 build its own building. 19 • April 4d' goals presentation to former elected officials of the City. He expressed his 20 appreciation to City staff for taking a Saturday morning for the meeting. 21 22 VIII. COMMUNITY FORUM. 23 24 Mayor Faust invited residents to come forward at this time and address the Council on items that 25 are not on the regular agenda. 26 27 Mr. Paul Berry, 3417 Edwards Street NE, addressed the City Council and stated he realizes that 28 the Emerald Park renovation is more than likely a foregone conclusion. He understands it has 29 been in the planning process for many years. As a citizen he became aware of the project with 30 the recent coverage on the splash deck vote and investigated it further. He stated the council 31 members have all received emails from him. He has been a resident of St. Anthony for almost 32 five years. He and his family are avid users of the park system in the City. They use the parks a 33 minimum of 50 times per year, split evenly between the three parks in the City. He does not 34 consider any of these parks to be inferior to another. All of the parks are close together and 35 minutes away by car. The addition of the new Three Rivers Park will be a great asset to the 36 community and will add a fourth fine park in St. Anthony. Mr. Berry stated they are in tough 37 economic times. Hopefully times will get better, but there is no guarantee on if or when that will 38 happen. Last week 20% of the people in his subdivision lost their jobs; no one is immune. Their 39 property values have decreased, yet their property taxes continue to increase. As a city he 40 believes St. Anthony should be tightening its belt as all the citizens have done. An expense in 41 this magnitude is not warranted in his opinion. Mr. Berry stated 32 of the 33 people his neighbor 42 randomly spoke with about the project were in opposition to the project and signed a petition 43 stating so. The Emerald Park renovation is not a necessity. He believes a majority of the 44 taxpayers in the City would understand and applaud a decision by the Mayor and City Council to 45 scale the project back. 46 rd