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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING <br />Monday, January 5, 2015 <br />7:00 o'clock p.m. <br />Bryce Johnson asked what kind of forward planning Three Rivers does and what their greatest priority is <br />on the trail system. <br />McCullough stated Three Rivers creates master plans for future connections on the regional trail system <br />and that it takes a number of years to coordinate that with the cities. McCullough stated it typically takes <br />between five and ten years to implement one of those master plans since Three Rivers has to enter into <br />agreements with the various cities and obtain funding. McCullough indicated currently Three Rivers has <br />three or four projects coming up in the next ten years. <br />McCullough stated as it relates to Three Rivers' priorities, the Metropolitan Council sets the priorities for <br />the trails as well as Hennepin County. Before any plan is implemented, Three Rivers needs to make sure <br />projects are in line with what the Metropolitan Council and Hennepin County envision for different areas. <br />McCullough noted the Hennepin County bike plan and a regional bicycle network plan was recently <br />adopted and is available on the Metropolitan Council website. McCullough stated Three Rivers will be <br />following that plan and coordinating their projects with that plan. <br />Pesek asked about the north/south connection between the Dakota Trail and the Luce Line near Gale <br />Farm. <br />McCullough stated the master plan for that connection was just completed and approved. Three Rivers <br />has already started acquiring some land but that realistically it might be ten years before that connection is <br />built due to other projects already underway. McCullough indicated Three Rivers' biggest project at the <br />present time is Nine -Mile Creek, which will connect Hopkins to the airport through Richfield and Edina. <br />Ground will be broken for that project either this year or next year. <br />Meyers requested the Park Commission be kept apprised on any upcoming projects and that Orono would <br />be interested in partnering with Three Rivers on projects whenever possible. <br />McCullough stated Three Rivers has a history of partnering with the surrounding cities, and that any time <br />there are projects that directly benefit the Dakota Trail, Three Rivers would like to work closely with the <br />cities. McCullough stated he knows parking is a big issue for the Dakota Trail and that he would like to <br />work with Orono in dealing with that. <br />Meyers asked if Three Rivers would be interested in parking near the Crystal Bay Post Office. Meyers <br />noted the Park Commission has briefly contemplated purchasing the property next to the post office and <br />asked if that is something Three Rivers would be willing to partner on. <br />McCullough stated Three Rivers would be willing to meet and talk about that. McCullough asked if he is <br />talking about increasing the parking or redeveloping the whole property. <br />Meyers indicated the available parking currently is on the east side of the road, with some parking for the <br />post office. Meyers stated the property he is speaking of is located next to the post office and is probably <br />around a quarter of an acre. Meyers stated that would be a way to have parking in the neighborhood <br />without being intrusive to the residents. Meyers stated he is envisioning a parking lot with a fence, which <br />would help eliminate the parking on the residential streets. McCullough suggested the Park Commission <br />contact him when the project becomes more definite. <br />Page 3 of 11 <br />