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was a final plan that seeks to improve conditions for walking in Hennepin County so that it can <br />become a safer, more convenient, and more enjoyable transportation choice. <br />City of Orono / Hennepin County — Street Light and Sidewalk Improvements — 2013 <br />The City of Orono held a series of meetings to gather input from residents and businesses <br />regarding future planning for Navarre. Meetings took place on February 11, April 8 and June 10, <br />2013 at Orono City Hall. Meetings included updates on recent activities regarding Navarre as well <br />as review of street lighting options under consideration and discussion of sidewalk issues. <br />Hennepin County Transportation Department staff were also involved in the process to discuss <br />potential pedestrian and traffic safety improvements currently being studied. A survey was <br />developed that allowed residents to comment on proposed street light alternatives. Following the <br />public participation process, the City completed a streetlight and sidewalk improvement project in <br />the summer of 2014. In addition, Hennepin County revised their striping plan for the crosswalks in <br />response to recommendations from the City and residents at the June 10 meeting. There were <br />approximately 40 attendees at the February 11 meeting, 35 attendees at the April 8 meeting, and <br />20 attendees at the June 10 meeting. <br />Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota — Navarre Demonstration Project 2014-2015 <br />In collaboration with Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota, the City held two open house meetings <br />with Navarre residents and businesses to develop ideas for a potential Active Living <br />Demonstration project. Demonstration projects are short-term projects or pop-up events intended <br />to show what potential permanent improvements could look like. The City held the meetings to <br />gather feedback on what issues could be addressed as part of the demonstration project. <br />Objectives identified as part of the meetings included traffic calming and making the area more <br />pedestrian friendly. Ideas for projects included bringing in temporary boulevard trees, improving <br />trail connections to businesses, and providing community gathering spaces. The City had <br />planned to seek grant funds from Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota for the demonstration <br />project; however, due to the timing of the resignation of the City's Community Development <br />Director, a grant application was not completed by the City. The NCI agreed to go forward with a <br />scaled back version of some of the projects. <br />Page 4 <br />