10-08-2001 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETINCJ MONDAY, September 24,2001 (Coffee Chanael, Conliaucil) as the channel is safe, noting there arc times of the year when it is not safe. \trs. Weiland stated in her opinion the purchase of property to accommodate a wider access is not economically feasible due to the high cost of land in the area. Mrs. Weiland stated in her opinion the most economically feasible option would be to construct a snowmobile trail adjacent to the highsvay up to Fagemess Point., with the trail also acting as a sidewall in this area. Mrs. Weiland noted there is no sidewalk current!) in this area. Mrs. Weiland stated the original intent foe the 15-foot wide alle>wa> was to allow access by emergency vehicles to the lake in the event of a fire and to obtain ice for refrigeration, which do not apply today. Mrs. Weiland expressed concerns regarding the high amount of traffic on Shad>wood Rivad as well as the limited sight view for cars attempting to cross the highwav. Mrs. Weiland also expressed concerns regarding the large number of snowmobilers that would use this allev'way and the necessity to cross the highway to gain access to the allcvway. Mrs. Weiland stated in her view a number of snowmobilers do attempt to keep an open area of water through this area in order to skip water, which is a game to them. Mrs. Weiland suggested the snowmobile clubs provide an area where they can safely skip water, with one possible area being near Dig Island, which would not bother the local residents and create a safety hazard. Mrs. Weiland stated there is also a swift current that runs through this channel and causes a further safety hazard. Mr. Weiland stated in his opinion keeping the channel open is a viable solution, with larger signs being posted indicating the channel is unsafe when there is open water. Mr. Weiland slated the snowmobilers do knock down the signs. Mrs. Weiland noted her and her husband have rescued three people in the past because their snowmobiles had gone through the ice in this area. Mrs. Weiland encouraged the Cit> Council to consider leaving the channel open since it is the most safe solution at this time. Janet Sollau, 1998 Shadvxvood Road, stated she v\as dramatically traumatized by the large number of snowmobilers utilizing the alle)vva> adjacent to her propertv, and stated she docs not want to live that way again. Kurt Silton, .1237 Ciladston^ ! ane. Mound, stated he is the president of the Westonka Snowmobile Club. Silton stated the Westonkc Snowmobile Club is a verv* family oriented club, with a large number of >oung children being members in the club. Silton staled in his view Coffee Channel is probabl) one of the most dangerous spots on the lake and options need to be explored for when the channel becomes i,nsafe. Silton stated the 15-foot allevwav is a poor solution, but it docs prov ide access to the lake when the channel is unsafe and is the only alternative at this time available to snowmobilers Silton stated in his opinion the snowmobilers arc not kn^king to skip across open vsater since it is known to be very dangerous and is not promoted by his club. Silton stated the Water Patrol docs patrol tliis urea and docs issue tickets for skipping open water in this area. Silton stated driv ing alongside the highway is a possibility, noting that kids under 12 years of age arc not legally able to cross the road. Silton stated in his opinion the best solution is to widen the channel, noting the channel is toe narrow in the summertime also. Silton slated his club would be willing to help post signs indicating an alternate trail. PAGE 3