INFORMATION #1 08-01-1994
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9956-153rd Ave. N.W.
Elk River, MN 55330
July 13, 1994
Mrs. Cecelia Scheel
10271-213th Ave. NW.
Elk River, MN 55330
Dear Mrs. Scheel:
We are requesting that Edison Street. 154th Street and Filmore Street. in Ward
2, be resurfaced (not temporarily patched). The roads are in poor condition and have
been patched year after year, but never have the roadways been given the type of
repair that is needed.
On the morning of July 6th,1994 a crew of men was once again doing cursory
repairs on the roads. They are now placing patches on top of larger patches that have.
been done in prior years. In speaking to these men they agreed that there was little
they could do to improve the road with patches and that it needed a new surface. The
roadways are in such poor condition that we can expect to see a crew continually
visiting our neighborhood to do repair work.
The poor roadways are not only a nuisance to drive on, but it also poses a
hazard to the safety of those who may walk, bicycle, or drive on them. It is often
necessary for an individual to swerve out of a lane to avoid hitting large holes that
have appeared in the road. This is particularly true shortly before Edison Road
reaches Highway 10. The road takes a fairly sharp turn and one's view ahead is
obstructed by a long row of pine trees that grow along the roadway. We fear that there
is the potential for accidents to occur as people leave their lane to avoid holes in the
road.
In addition we had always hoped that our children could ride their bikes and
rollerskate on the road, but when they were small it was always too bumpy and full of
holes and cracked asphalt to allow them on the road safely. Small children in the
neighborhood are now experiencing this same frustration that our children did many
years ago.
We are also interested in knowing what determines whether or not a roadway
should be resurfaced. We question whether the determining factor is need, as we
have a difficult time believing that there are many other residential roadways in greater
need. We would also like to know what other roadways are scheduled to be
resurfaced and the schedule for the resurfacing. We would like to observe for
ourselves exactly what the city considers to be a need for resurfacing. It should also be
noted that there is a small section of roadway that needs to be paved at the end of
Edison Road. The street is called 153rd Av. N.W.
We are not asking that you necessarily rely on our description of the condition of
the road, but would request that you take a look for yourself in order that you may
make a knowledgeable decision regarding this request. We would appreciate a
response to this letter in order that we may better understand the process that is used
in determining the type of attention that is given to roadways that are to be resurfaced.
7/13/94 page 2
Also, in regard to obtaining the attention of city officials, regarding this
problem, we contacted the mayor of Elk River via letter approximately seven to ten
years ago regarding this probiem. He wrote back to us saying that he referred the
letter to Phil Hals. Mr. Hals called us to talk about the situation at that time. His
position at the time was that the resurfacing of roads was up to the "powers that be" in
Elk River and he basically could only recommend that the road be resurfaced, and
having the final "OK" on any of these projects was not up to him. We feel that this
action by Mr. Hinkle and Mr. Hals was done to appease us at the time, since there was
no intention of correcting the road situation and it would however, look like they were
concerned. It should be noted however that the Elk River newspaper at the time was
reporting on road projects that should be completed because of great need. It was Mr.
Hals, quoted in the paper at that time who recommended that Edison street should be
resurfaced by 1985 (or it could be 86-87, so long ago that we no longer can
remember).
We have been residents of this Elk River neighborhood for seventeen years.
We have seen our taxes quadruple (and more) in that time going from $400 per year to
$1800 per year, approximately. We have voted fQ[ every referendum the schools have
put forth to better our community's lifestyle. We support the building efforts by the City
Council in their improvement of the downtown areas and the new mall sites. We feel
however, that we have used the the community resources very little. Our children
attended schools other that the # 728 until they entered the 7th grade, but we voted for
school bond issues anyway. We use the city street services only in the capacity of
snowplowing in the winter. We have noted in today's Elk River paper that there is a
movement within Sherburne county to develop a park system of pathways for walking,
biking and roller blading. We would support this action as well. We aooreciate
everything that the local governments do to oromote the betterment of the community
however. and we feel attention should be oaid to this issue as we have been oatient
long enough. The other Elk River streets in all new developments look much better
that ours. We are not stupid in the ways of finance as one of us is a school principal
and the other is a teacher, both understanding budgetary limitations. But as we said
above we have paid our taxes, and have been patient. We are not the only ones who
want improvements to this street either, but everyone is busy and does not take the
time to write. Many of the residents of this development have expressed similar
concern. Our question is when will it be our turn?
Please do not ignore this letter. or oass it on to Mr. Hals who will call us and say
the same as he did manv years. a90. Please do something about this. Thank you.
Art and Debbie Johnson
W01AJ~
cc: Mayor Hank Duitsman
Phil Hals
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