Council considered a draft letter responding to preliminary findings from ITD's Project Environmental Linkages (PEL) study for State Route 44. Public works staff summarized the PEL process and said ITD had narrowed alternatives but had not provided a final report to the city; staff and council listed specific concerns they wanted ITD to address, including the potential acquisition of land used by the wastewater treatment plant, treatment of urban‑renewal‑owned parcels, reimbursement for a recently constructed city roundabout, long‑term maintenance or gifting of existing Main Street segments if alignments shift, pedestrian crossings and connectivity back to downtown, and utility corridor and stormwater impacts.

Council members debated whether the letter should respond to all four preliminary alternatives or only the two ITD had reportedly narrowed; several council members said the letter seeks clarifying, written responses that will make later meetings with ITD more productive. Council member Tim O'Meara and others argued the city should get answers now so stakeholders can prepare; other members urged careful review but ultimately agreed the items in the draft were appropriate to put in writing.

After discussion, council voted to authorize staff to provide ITD with the previously drafted letter asking for written clarification of the questions and concerns identified in the packet. Council members said they intend to use ITD's written responses to guide a later, fuller meeting with ITD and local stakeholders.