04-25-2011 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 25, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. (5. RALPH KEMPF - NAVARRE AREA PLANNING, Continued) Kempf commented that this plan makes Navarre a special place. When you enter Navarre from the east, there are special sidewalks and trees. The trees go along CR15 and continue down to the western edge of the city. Kempf stated in his view those are effective things to do to calm the traffic, which will result in pedestrian flow increasing dramatically. Kempf noted given today's economy, now is not the time for such grand plans. 2011 is the time to pursue the most critical priorities and those that are the most attainable. Existing sidewalks along County Road 15 from the west edge of the city to County Road 19 are almost eight feet wide or more. Even though the sidewalks are not particularly beautiful or in good condition, they are generally safe and serviceable for the time being. Kempf commented that trees and greenery should certainly be a part of any parcel being redeveloped but is probably in no one's budget today. Establishing safe crosswalks as well as safe passage for bikes and pedestrians from the Dakota Rail Trail to Navarre seems worthy of more time and attention. Kempf indicated he does not know the details, but that he seems to recall that the City has had difficulties with the county on crosswalks. Currently the crosswalk running across CR15 between the bus stop and the city parking lot where people park to hop on the bus, go to their job in Minneapolis and come back and do the same thing in reserve, is marked with a stick figure on a sign. The crosswalk is painted with strips in the midst of all kinds of other white paint. There are right turn and left turn areas and it is a mess • of white paint to the point that you ignore the markings. They also had brightly colored pylons in that area at one time. Kempf stated one day he decided to stand by the pylons and stood there as cars flew by the pylons and him. Kempf stated the pylons were rubber and that he ended up taking one of the pylons and waved it repeatedly but the cars kept flying by. Kempf stated his point is'that what is there now is not effective and that the pylons are no longer there. Kempf stated at the intersection of CR19 and CR51, the walkway stripping is also gone. Kempf stated as it relates to the sidewalk connection to the trail, the bottom of the screen depicts the Navarre playground. Kempf stated in his view there may be adequate space to construct a sidewalk. When you are looking at the pavement of CR19, there is a white line down the middle of that street and that is probably where sand or salt has accumulated. On either side of that white line is the traffic lane. There is another white area that is still pavement but just looks white. At the lot to the north end of those four lots, you will see there is a building that encroaches on the property lines toward CR19. That building has since been razed. In the right -of -way there may be adequate space to construct a retaining wall and a sidewalk. Kempf stated in his view it would make sense to explore the option of putting in a trail in that area before that lot gets redeveloped. Kempf noted that Three Rivers Park District provided information on parking proposals earlier tonight. Kempf proposed that the City consider offering Three Rivers six spaces at the north side of the city lot for daylight parking from March through October for the exclusive use of trail users. In return, the City should ask Three Rivers for their assistance in completing the sidewalk. For Three Rivers, this would make the trail more accessible and solve the parking issue. It would also invite trail users to the shops in Navarre. The playground might be a further draw to get people to shop in Navarre. Information on the shops could be provided at the kiosks. Kempf proposed that the City allow for signage in the city parking lot depicting all the shops of the area and their locations. If the business community recognizes the efforts of the City on their behalf, the City Page 10 of 25