10-14-1996 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER 14, 1996 (Corridor Selection for Hwy 12 Upgrade - Continued) • Clint Miller, 375 Silver Meadow Drive, Orono, has resided in Orono for 20 years. He said he is opposed to Alternative 6. Miller said it is his opinion that the mediation process involved an insufficient study. He reviewed the occurrences of the last 10 months and cites the vision as not being consistent with the comprehensive plan of the City. He said the corridor approval was being seen as a "least bad" situation and views Long Lake and Orono as having a "not in my backyard" attitude. Miller noted that the rural nature of the communities, the schools, lakes, and natural resources as being what draws the people together. He asked that a pro- active approach be taken and for the Council to get on board with their electorate. He said he is a current member of the corridor coalition of both cities and has looked at how each work with Mn/DOT. Miller said the Council would be failing to serve their community if they approve the Alternative 6 proposal Keenan Richardson, Orono, asked the Council's interpretation of the effect of the corridor on the school system, its physical building, on enrollment and stratification. When asked why, Richardson said there will be a number of households lost in Long Lake. Jabbour noted that this would alleviate the open enrollment problem currently being faced, and he was not considering the school district in his decision. Kelley said he does have two children in the school district. He noted the problems with buses currently crossing and turning off of Hwy 12. Kelley said the alternative improves the safety and ability to cross Hwy 12. He currently does not allow his children to cross over Hwy 12 • when using the bike trail. Richardson said there were other ways to satisfy the issue of safety. He asked what data was used regarding the effect of open enrollment and if the Council was willing to make a decision without this information. The Council members said they were not using any data and were willing to vote without any additional information regarding the school district. Callahan said the Council is to decide on whether to adopt the submitted proposal. He said he personally has a difficult time seeing a 2 lane road as having any effect on the school other than displacing children from those homes affected. • 10