1986-05-13 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I Council Meeting Minutes May 13, 1986 Benke recommended a review of the petition and the letter be completed and a recommendation brought to the council on May 27, 1986, for a final decision; and asked that the neighbors be a part of any discussion during the two week period. Resident felt that decision had already been made when the Park Board selected Option 4 which does not include the street. Williams stated the Park Board preferred Option 4 but did not take official action; if the street were left in, the ball diamond would be shortened; stated the important thing about the plans is that they give the residents and city officials some- thing to which to respond. Benke stated the Park Board and the council were reacting to what they perceived to be the wishes of at least some of the people involved in the activities of St. John's school with the specific safety concern about the needs of the school children moving between the park and the school. At the time the down- town street improvements were considered, in the absence of opposition, the conclusion was to do away with the street because it really was not needed, the bad soils in that location would increase the cost of improving that portion of Third Avenue, and the vacation of the street would add space to the small park. Resident stated they were unaware the vacation of the street had been considered and approved earlier; Benke recalled prior discussion at neighborhood meetings of the possibility of vacating that portion of Third Avenue. Resident expressed a need for the street when the hotel and the senior citizen housing is completed, and cited the need for a direct route for emergency vehicles. Benke restated a recommendation would be made in two weeks. Schmidt suggested the residents may wish to stay for the agenda item concerning the plans for the park; and stated he was not convinced that now is the right time to redevelop the park. Benke stated we have been waiting a long time to have downtown redeveloped and stated the park will serve not only downtown but also the residents. Resident was under the impression that vacating Third Avenue was an option that would be taken under consideration; another resident asked why the park issue had not been addressed at the same time the street improvements were. To make things clear, Williams stated that nothing has been proposed by the Park Board and that different plans for the park were presented for consideration. Williams asked why the residents did not want the street closed. Williams felt if the Page Four