10-27-2008 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, October 27, 2008 7:00 o'clock p.m. (3. CERTIFICATION OF DELINQUENT UTILITIES AND GENERAL SERVICE FEES, Continued) On -site Sewage Treatment (Septic) Inspection Program, Storm Water Charges and General Service Fees. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. PRESENTATION 4. THREE RIVERS PARK — DAKOTA RAIL TRAIL PROJECT UPDATE Boe Carlson, Three Rivers Park District, updated the City Council on the Dakota Rail Trail project, and noted they are in the process of transitioning from construction of the trail to operation of the trail. The majority of the construction has been completed, with a small portion still remaining to be completed in Minnetonka Beach. It is expected the contractor will complete some of the outstanding items this week. A good amount of interest has already been shown in the trail. Once the trail is operating 100 percent, there will be regular police patrols as well as maintenance of the trail. Carlson stated one of the transitional pieces is going from the fall to the winter season. If the City is not interested in providing any plowing of the trail, Three Rivers would recommend that the trail be posted with signage that informs the users that the trail is not being maintained during the winter and that caution must be exercised in using the trail. Sarah Wyatt, Three Rivers Park Commissioner, thanked the Council for their support and participation in the development and construction phases of the Dakota Trail. Three Rivers has received some comments from other participating communities regarding certain pedestrian crossings and Three Rivers has determined that special committees should be established to help deal with the issues that have arisen regarding right -of -way. White asked whether there will be signage posted in addition to what currently exists. Carlson stated there are two different phases of signage: One is the regulatory signs, which consists of stop signs and traffic control signs. That portion is approximately 90 percent complete. The second type of signage consists of informational signage, which is the large maps of the system and trail itself. The kiosks will be installed this fall, with the actual signage information either being installed this fall or early spring. White noted there is a new Metropolitan Council lift station being installed at County Road 19 on the northwest corner in Navarre, and suggested that area be used as a parking area for people who would like to utilize the trail. Carlson noted they do work very closely with the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services on a variety of locations and would be willing to contact them regarding that item. '*. • Murphy commended Boe Carlson for his patience and hard work on this project. Murphy thanked Sarah Wyatt and Chris Geers for their efforts as well on this project. Murphy expressed a concern regarding the cross traffic at the bottom of Orono Orchard Road, especially during the winter months when the roads tend to be slippery. Murphy stated overall the Dakota Rail is a tremendous asset to the City of Orono. • PAGE 2 of 10