03-22-2004 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE , �1 1 ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, March 22, 2004 7:00 o'clock p.m. (2. GABRIEL JABBOUR PRESENTATION - DAKOTA RAIL CORRIDOR UPDATE, continued) Moorse stated that Rail America has six months to remove those tracks. If they don't get this accomplished in six months, then the county can move ahead on its own. Jabbour stated that at the time Johnson was negotiating, there was $385,000 value on the tracks. Now, steel prices have risen four to five times its original value so the likelihood of Rail America leaving the tracks down longer than necessary is slim. Three Rivers Park District is posturing because they would like to get a 50 -100 year lease and the Hennepin rail authority would like to give a 160 -day lease. Johnson added there are alternate funding mechanisms if the Park District can't get a long -term lease. Jabbour stated the next step is to meet with the Three Rivers Park District. Murphy stated that since there was such a large Navarre audience this evening that Jabbour could talk about the trail impact to residents. Jabbour told the residents this trail would be a major asset to the community offering walking and biking access to Wayzata and all the way to Hutchinson with many points of the trail going over water and through woods. Jabbour added that the former mayor of Minnetrista has gifted 400 acres of woods as a preserve along the trail. Sansevere stated that the trail would be a positive impact on home values. Jabbour also • commented that the mayors from Hutchinson all the way to Wayzata are supportive of this trail except for our sister city Minnetonka Beach. Jabbour then handed copies of a part of Minnetonka Beach's minutes and results of their own survey to council members. Jabbour continued by saying that he is continuing to try and work with Minnetonka Beach. He also indicated that from the survey it appears that a large majority of respondents are in favor of the trail. Mayor Peterson added that not only will Navarre benefit from the trail but also with the proximity of the trail going through Crystal Bay as well it will be a major asset for that area with the smaller lots. Jabbour stated that the council should note the former mayor of Minnetonka Beach, Bob Abdo, asked the City of Minnetonka Beach to change their attitude and the way they operate and to be part of the solution. Sansevere gave Jabbour and Peterson a large thank you for all the work they have done on this project. Jabbour added that on another issue, MNDOT accepted our settlement regarding the Lurton property and they are working on the second parcel, and that city staff did a phenomenal job. is PAGE 2 of 23