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Commissioner Wheeler suggested approaching the road issue by deciding what kind <br />of roads we want and adjust the density downward. <br />Vice Chairman Neuberger declared we know what roads we need in our 5 and <br />10 -year plans, and understood if we have enough dollars we could build them. <br />County Administrator Baird responded that funding is set aside for road projects; it <br />is the rights-of-way purchases that slow down the process. <br />Chairman Lowther thought it important to keep road -building ahead of necessity as <br />was the case with the Oslo Road and 43rd Avenue intersection. <br />Public Works Director Jim Davis emphasized that we are ahead of the 20 -year plan. <br />We are working on several projects that are on the second five-year increment. He specified that <br />Oslo Road was not planned to be 5-laned until 3 or 4 years in the future. <br />Commissioner Wheeler mentioned that if we are not behind, then the 20 -year plan is <br />wrong. He thought one problem is we are short on staff in a lot of departments. <br />A lengthy discussion ensued on road planning, MPO meetings, and on the <br />long-range transportation plan. <br />County Administrator Baird pointed out that one of the employee shortages was <br />being addressed on today's agenda for an outside company to review permits and we have recently <br />added to the budget for inspectors. The County is trying to attract qualified inspectors but there is <br />a shortage of them in the entire state. <br />Commissioner Wheeler declared that 20 years ago he never dreamed we would have <br />the growth we are experiencing. He predicted that in 20 more years we would be at build -out and <br />recommended the transportation plan be amended based on that concept. <br />Commissioner Davis agreed and thought that we should compress the 5 -year plan <br />and build safer not just bigger roads. He asked for an update on the 58h Avenue and SR -60 <br />intersection. <br />Director Davis reported that at the next meeting, there should be an agreement with <br />a consultant to begin the process of designing the road, identifying the stormwater treatments, and <br />rights-of-way needed (which is part of that contract). <br />The Chairman opened the public hearing. <br />February 15, 2005 19 <br />