07-25-2011 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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v MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, July 25, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. • (8. NAVARRE SIDEWALK SEGMENT TO DAKOTA RAIL TRAIL, Continued) Franchot asked how likely it is that the Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority would be in support of this project. Franchot stated if they are not that interested in the project, perhaps just bullet points one and two should be completed at this time. Kellogg indicated he is not sure what their interest is at this time. Kellogg stated he did have some interaction with them this past summer on another project and that their goal is to preserve the corridor for potential light rail in the future. Kellogg indicated he did discuss the project preliminarily with Boe Carlson. Gaffron stated in his view Three Rivers would be supportive of the City and would assist in discussions with the Railroad Authority. Kellogg suggested that Three Rivers be asked to check with the Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority on the pond. Rahn asked when the Council could expect to hear back. Kellogg indicated he is not sure but that he will report back at the next Council meeting. McMillan asked whether any state aid money would be able to be used or what other funding options are available to the City. • Kellogg indicated they have not looked into the funding of the project. Olson stated Orono's Park Fund has a $493,000 balance, but that he is not sure whether the Park Fund has been used in the past for sidewalks. Park Fund money has been used in the past for trails. Gaffron stated this would not be considered a trail because bicycles will not be allowed on the sidewalk. There is a dedicated bike trail along the road, which is expected to remain if the sidewalk is constructed. Mattick noted the City would not be able to utilize the Park Fund since this would solely be a sidewalk. Rahn commented the sidewalk has a definite connection to the trail. Mattick stated the statute says that monies from a Park Fund can be used for park purposes and that he is fairly certain the City would not be able to utilize those funds to provide access to a trail. Ralph Kempf, 3675 Togo Road, stated Orono's Comprehensive Plan states that Orono should connect the various recreational facilities, especially in the urban areas. The only other recreational area in Navarre is the trail on the other end of the sidewalk. The Comprehensive Plan says very specifically that connection of recreational facilities is one of the goals of the comprehensive plan. Kempf stated it would make absolute sense to be using those funds for that purpose. Bremer stated the language in the Comprehensive Plan is one thing but that there is an issue of the legality of utilizing the Park Fund for this project. • Page 8 of 13