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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />MONDAY. September 24,2001 <br />(Fire Slalioii Committee Update, Continued) <br />Murphy indicated the committee did inquire of the construction manager's fee schedule and how that <br />would be paid. The comminee at this point feels that there will be sufficient savings on the <br />construction in order to offset the costs of the construction manager. <br />PUBLIC HEARING - 7:00 P.M. <br />COFFEE CHANNEL SNOWMOBILE ACCESS <br />Moorse stated a public hearing has been scheduled to discuss possible options for addressing the <br />snowmobile access issue, the use of ColTcc Channel, and the use of a 15-foot wide alle>Avay located <br />bct>%een 1998 and 2000 ShadsAunxI Road. In March of 2001. the Hennepin County Water Patrol closed <br />Coffee Channel to snowmobiles due to unsafe ice conditions, which resulted in a number of <br />snowmobilers using the alleyway. I1ie City Council, in response to concerns raised by the two property <br />owners on Shad>'>vood Road, decided to close the allevway to snowmobiles and directed City Staff to <br />explore solutions to tlie snowmobile access issue. <br />Staff explored the option of a floating bridge to provide safe access througli the Coffee Channel, <br />which was determined to not be feasible due to a number of reasons. The primary' reason was that a <br />floating bridge would not have a solid base at the ends due to the current in the area. Other issues <br />considered by Staff were the possibilit) of purchasing property to provide for a w ider access lane; widen <br />the channel and replace the bridge with one that accommodates snowmobile access; close the channel to <br />snowmobilers; open the alleyway to snowmobilers; and close the alleyway to snowmobilers with the <br />e.xception of use by the Water Patrol, llie Water Patrol has requested the ability to use the alleyway. <br />Staff also discussed this issue with the DNR, with the DNR indicating that the 15-foot wide alleyway <br />located directly adjacent to the two homes is not a desirable snowmobile route and is agreeable to <br />working with the City to arrive at a long-term solution. Moorse stated the DNR did indicate they would <br />be agreeable to working with the City to determine whether the acquisition of property would be a more <br />feasible option, w ith possible funding being available through the DNR to implement this solution. <br />Moorse stated Hennepin County Transportation has indicated the current bridge on Shadywood Road is <br />structurally sound, w ith no work being planned on the bridge over the next five years. <br />Staff feels the 1 5-foot w ide alleyway is not a desirable snowmobile access alternative due to noise and <br />safety concerns. Staff feels the best long-term solution would be the acquisition of property' for <br />snowmobile access. <br />Mayor Peterson noted the City did receive some letters from local residents indicating their position on <br />this issue. <br />Mayor Peterson opened the meeting for public comment. <br />John and Carol Weiland, 1966 Shadywood Road, addressed the Council regarding their concerns for <br />opening the alleyw ay. Mrs. Weiland stated they arc aware of the snowmobile situation in this area and <br />have discussed this issue w ith Council Member Nygard regarding possible solutions. Mrs. Weiland <br />stated they would propose that the City* leave Coffee Channel open for access by snowmobilers os long <br />PAGE 2