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City Council Minutes <br />Joint Council/County Meeting <br />February 23, 1999 <br /> <br />Page 3 <br /> <br />4.5. <br /> <br />Councilmember Thompson indicated that the intersection of 77 and 33 is <br />dangerous. He suggested removing the east/west stop sign as the people are <br />not stopping. Discussion pursued regarding the possibility of a four-way stop. It <br />was noted that the County Administrator would talk to the County Engineer <br />about conducting a traffic study to determine what is necessary in the way of <br />stop signs. <br /> <br />County Roads I and 77 Intersection <br /> <br />City Engineer Terry Maurer indicated that residential development continues to <br />increase at the area of County Road 77 and Proctor Avenue. He stated that It is <br />likely that a signal is warranted. He questioned the County's plans for <br />signalization of this intersection. The County Administrator indicated that the <br />County Engineer would review traffic counts in this area to determine if the timing <br />is right for a signalized intersection. <br /> <br />School Liaison Pro,qram <br /> <br />Police Chief Tom Zerwas updated the group on the school liaison program <br />currently being provided by the City of Elk River Police Department to the School <br />District. He noted the program has been in existence since 1974. Chief Zerwas <br />stated that Police Department does not want to lose the program. Sheriff <br />Anderson indicated that it is unfortunate that the County is being placed in the <br />middle of this issue. He further stated that if the County is requested to provide <br />these services to the School District, that the answer would be a County Board <br />decision. He noted that these services are currently being provided to other <br />communities by the County free of charge. Commissioner Engstrom indicated <br />that if requested, he would be in favor of providing these services for his <br />constituents in his district. Discussion was held regarding the differences in the <br />County providing these services in Elk River versus a smaller city or township. The <br />differences noted are as follows: <br /> <br />· Elk River currently has a Police Department which provides the juvenile liaison <br /> program. <br />· The Elk River Police Department currently have special arrangements with the <br /> School regarding the program including officers attending off-hour events <br /> which entails overtime. <br />· Elk River requires 3 officers compared to 1 for other cities and townships. <br />· The cost to the County to provide this service to Elk River would be far greater <br /> than what is being paid to provide these services to other cities and <br /> townships. <br /> <br />Councilmember Motin indicated that he is on a committee that is in the process <br />of trying to find a solution to this issue. He questioned whether the County would <br />be willing to pay some of the money that the school district is now responsible for <br />paying to have the City continue this service. 'Commissioner Wergin did not feel <br />this was a viable solution due to equity concerns. Councilmember Thompson <br />requested the County Board to have an open mind regarding all options when <br />the committee submits its proposal. <br /> <br /> <br />