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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 25, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 11 of 25 (5. RALPH KEMPF - NAVARRE AREA PLANNING, Continued) will have successfully re-engaged the business owners, which is the first step in successful future planning efforts. Finally, if the Orono City Council approved a signage plan that included all of the businesses, it would require that the business owners talk to each other to figure out how to create and finance a sign that works for all. There is no business community without dialogue; and without a business community, there is very little hope of community planning. If these proposals were implemented, the City could possibly get some help from Three Rivers in financing a much needed project and the City will have taken a proactive position in meeting the stated goals of the 2005-2006 Navarre planning guide, which is to encourage a functional, thriving business district. Kempf stated in his view a connection between the Dakota Rail Trail and the shops of Navarre will produce a recognizable increase in business. Families will stop long enough in Navarre to visit the various businesses and possibly make purchases. If these efforts are successful, the business district of Navarre will recognize the City as a potential partner in promoting a viable business community. Kellogg stated back in 2002 to 2003, they did look at the piece of land between Livingston and the trail for construction of a sidewalk. Some of the problems they ran into were the grade elevation differences. At that time they did talk to the property owners that would have been affected. Kellogg indicated another problem they encountered was the need for removal of significant trees on top of the slopes in order to construct the retaining wall. They looked at a modular type retaining wall and a sheet pile retaining wall, but both of those walls would have required them to go down into the soil so far that sanitary water and sewer would have been impacted. Kellogg stated it appeared at the time the only realistic option would be to construct a wall that would not impact those services, but that a retaining wall that high up would need to have reinforcement that goes back into the soil behind it, which necessitates the removal of trees. Kellogg noted his office has done a fair amount of preliminary work on that sidewalk already. Bremer asked what the height of the wall would have been. Kellogg indicated based on the cross-sections, the maximum height of the wall would have been seven feet. There is one fairly significant stretch where the wall would have been about six feet. Bremer asked what would be the width of the sidewalk. Kellogg indicated the width of the sidewalk and curb would have been seven feet. The work did fit into the right-of-way but would have required some easements. Bremer asked whether the wall was priced out. Kellogg indicated they did not price it out at that time since a final wall design was not determined. Kellogg stated to his recollection the property owners were somewhat interested in the project. Kempf commented it is a busy street and the majority of the current screening is seasonal. Kempf recommended a row of arborvitae be included if the sidewalk and retaining wall is constructed. Item #02 - CC Agenda - 05/09/2011 Approval of Council Minutes 04/25/2011 [Page 11 of 25]