06-13-2011 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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It . MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, June 13, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. • (PUBLIC COMMENTS, Continued) be strengthened and trail connections should be provided to neighborhood parks to enable pedestrian access. In reference to the Orono rural park and trail plan, that plan provides that rural open space shall primarily, be the responsibility of each landowner. Kempf stated he contrasted that with the urban plan and trails policy, which included language that the City shall attempt to provide sufficient recreational facilities and existing parks as well as new parks as necessary to meet the needs of the residents. In additionjhe City shall seek to improve local access to and between recreational areas, including provisions for safe walking and bicycling with the immediate area around each park. The City will work toward linking all public recreational facilities with an expanded bike and trail system. Kempf noted he also displayed a map of the Orono parks and recreational facilities and how unbalanced it was with the predominance of trails and parks across the northern tier of the City and how those facilities were lacking in Navarre even though it is the most densely populated. Kempf stated he also referenced issues raised during past Navarre meetings, such as a lack of pedestrian crossings and that the area is isolated and divided from the rest of the City. The suggestion was given to the Council that that statement applies very succinctly to the lack of a pedestrian connection between Navarre and the trail. At a meeting in March of 2003, Mayor White had indicated the City would like to complete the sidewalk. Eight years later Greg Gappa, former Public Services Director, said that the first block of the sidewalk • would be completed that year and the rest as funds allowed. Seven years later, apparently funds have not become available to allow the rest of the sidewalk to be completed. One goal of the-City's Comprehensive Plan is to encourage a strong and vibrant business community in Navarre. That connection from the public trail to the business district would help accomplish that goal. At the end of the presentation Tom Kellogg, City Engineer, informed the Council that much of the preliminary work and exploration work have already been completed for the sidewalk. Since his first presentation, Kempf indicated he has been told by many of the Council Members that this is a worthy project but that their plate is Rill with items such as the Old Crystal Bay Road project. Since that project is no longer going forward, Kempf stated he would encourage the City Council to think about completing that sidewalk and directing more of their attention to the Navarre area. The City needs to address the largest and most densely populated area of Orono, which is Navarre. Navarre needs and deserves the Council's attention. There is a stretch along County Road 19 that is very dangerous. There is an embankment that goes straight up at the edge of the pavement and if a pedestrian is walking along that piece of pavement, there is no where to go if a car is veering toward them. The safety issues in the area need to be addressed since they will only increase as time goes on. Kempf stated in his opinion the City has an opportunity to fulfill the goals of the Comprehensive Plan and support the Navarre business community. At the present time the primary business district for Orono is viewed to be in Long Lake and it is time for the Council to take the first step to refocusing the City's attention and resources to Navarre. The connection to the trail, park and business district is directly in line with the City's Comp Plan goals and is necessary for safe pedestrian travel. Compared to other projects, it is affordable and timely. He . • added if the Council supports this project now, the Navarre business community will experience immediate and recognizable gains that they will be able to attribute to this action. Kempf stated he also Page 2 of 9