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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO cm' COUNCIL MEETLNG <br />MONDAY. September 24.2001 <br />(Coffee Clufliel. Continoed) <br />Sansc^crc staled at the beginning of the meeting he \%as billing to consider Ica\ ing open the channel <br />when it was deemed safe by the Water Patrol, but based upon the comments by Mr. Albertson and the <br />representative from the Water Patrol, he is convinced that is not the best way to go. Sansevere noted <br />Albertscm indicated the water could become open at any time, with Mr. Erickson indicating that the ice <br />in that area is not safe at an> time. Sansevere stated in his opinion there are safetv issues with using the <br />fire lane due to the closeness of the residences and that these two property owners should not have to <br />live w ith this dangerous situation. Sansev ere stated he would pn>pose to close the channel and allevwav <br />and leave it open only for use by the Water Patrol, with Staff l^ing requested to work with the DNR on <br />finding another viable solution. <br />Ma>or Peterson inquired whether the Water Patrol deems any part of the lake to be safe at an> time. <br />Erickson stated llic Water Patrol would never say the ice is safe anvwhcre on the lake, cspeciallv in the <br />channel. <br />Sansevere stated he is not suggesting the entire lake be closed, but lliat the safety issues with using tlio <br />channel need to be addressed. <br />Nygard stated to his knowledge the City Council divcs not have the authority to close the channel and <br />that the LMCD would have the proper authority to close it. <br />Sansevere suggested this item be discussed with the LMCD. <br />I lint stated there arc a number of gov ernment agencies that would need to be involved w ith closing the <br />channel, lie would not subject any resident of Orono to the noise and vehicles using this fire lane. Mint <br />stated in his opinion using the fire lane is not the best long-temi solution and that if the allevway is <br />opened for snowmobilers. it mav become the long-term solution and other options would not be <br />e.xplored. Flint stated in his opinion the Citv needs to continue to work with the DNR to allocate <br />the appropriate funds to deal with this solution. Flint stated he would prfer some type of solution with <br />the bridge be e.xplored <br />Nvgard stated this is a confusing situation and there are a number of issues that need to be considered. <br />N)gard suggested a three-way stop at the intersection bv the Super America station be considered in <br />order to address the traffic concerns and help slow the tratTic down in that area. Nvgard stated <br />unfortunatel.v this is a large safcl> issue, with the responsibility of the Council being to address that <br />safety issue Nvgard stated he would be in favor of closing the channel down periodicallv when there Is <br />open water and utilizing the fire lane. Nvgard stated there arc also issues relating to the bridge during <br />the summertime a? well that need to be addressed. <br />>^*hite indicated he is in support of keeping the allevway closed. Wliiie stated in his opinion most <br />snowmobiling clubs arc very responsible and lend to follow the rules, with the snowmobilers who do <br />not belong to clubs tending to be the ones who do not alwavs follow the rules White siateu in his view <br />these two property owners who live next to the fire lane should not be subjected to the amount of traffic <br />and noise that would be generated by snowmobilers. White stated he is in agreement that if the <br />alleyway is lefi open, it may become the permanent solution, which is not a viable option. <br />PAGE 9