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Cits~ Council Minutes <br />November 14, 2005 <br />Page 4 <br />^ The County employs 550 employees some residing in Elk River and some outside of <br />Elk River; need to have equity for other areas of the County; <br />^ Felt it should not be a NO to Elk River; one-third of the County's population is <br />here in Elk River with the other communities being served but also do need to <br />continue to serve Elk River; <br />^ Need a polity that is equitable; <br />^ City also has land on the east side of toa7n if the County does not wish to donate <br />land; <br />^ Future discussion needed as to the land portion and where to locate; <br />^ Suggested to have a timeframe; <br />^ The County will have on their agenda for discussion over the next 60 days; <br />^ YMCA will provide structuring information -how to service the bond, taa-exempt <br />financing, how to collectively finance each third and pay off, etc. <br />4.5 Update on~oint Communication Projects <br />Sheriff Bruce Anderson, Fire Chief Bruce West, and Police Chief Jeff Beahen gave an update <br />on the progress of ongoing joint communication projects. <br />Sheriff Anderson stated that money was available at one time from the government to fund <br />the 800 megahertz radio system throughout the State, however, due to 9-11 and other <br />catastrophes, this money has been pulled and distributed to the metro area. Three counties <br />currently have this system. The counties of Stearns, Wright and Sherburne are working with <br />MnDot and looking at the costs involved. Costs would be dependent on the number of <br />towers and how many mobiles. They are working on a way to get this system without <br />having to go to the taxpayers for funding but feel at this time that more facts are needed. <br />Councilmember Farber stated that he is familiar with this system with his work for the City <br />of Fridley and that he has never heard a negative comment. He stated that the radios can be <br />used anywhere, can use any channel without static, and that it is the best system that he has <br />seen in 26 years. <br />Chief West stated that Northstar Line has aFire/Life Safety Committee which has started to <br />meet to discuss the commuter rail. It is the committee's goal to have the 800 megahertz <br />radio system in the County by the end of 2007 and that it is important with the Northstar <br />Corridor Rail being built. <br />Chief Beahen stated that as a member of the Northstar Corridor Rail we will be required to . <br />be on megahertz by 2008 or that there could be the problem that we can't have commuter <br />rail in our County. <br />Sheriff Anderson disagreed stating that we will have portables that are megahertz. <br />Discussion followed regarding lack of communication between the entities and that <br />discussions need to take place prior to problems versus after problems exist. <br />4.6 Transportation <br />Commissioner Leonard stated that she had been called by Mr. Miller in regards to County <br />Road 33 expansion project and suggested that he attend this meeting. <br />