08-22-2011 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 4 MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, August 22, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. • (PUBLIC COMMENTS, Continued) Kempf stated the last time he addressed the Council he was informed that Orono is not able to use its Park Funds to construct a sidewalk but that they can be allocated for trails. Kempf noted that one of Orono's Park and Open Space and Trail goals is to identify, develop, and oversee a city -wide bike and walking trail plan that provides connections between area parks and open spaces and would function as a transportation corridor. I > Kempf stated his understanding is that a sidewalk is typically six feet wide and in order to be designated a trail it needs to be eight feet wide. Kellogg indicated that is correct. Kempf stated the photograph on the overhead screen depicts the last section of the Dakota Trail that enters Wayzata. The area to the right-is trail and it is eight feet wide. That area, including the curb, is all asphalt. The curb itself bumps out approximately six inches. Kempf indicated he did measure the area, and from the center of the road to the striping is 12 feet, there is another one foot to the curb, another two feet from that point to the striping of the trail, and then eight feet to the edge of the asphalt trail. There is a total of 23 feet from the center of the pavement to the edge of the trail. Kempf stated if he is not mistaken, there should be a 33 -foot right -of -way along county roads. Kellogg indicated he did not bring the file with him tonight and that he is not positive of the width of the • right -of -way. Gaffron stated to his knowledge it is a total 66 -foot right -of -way. The last few feet of the right -of -way consist of the slope. Kempf stated the driving lanes are 12 feet wide and that it is six feet from the striping to the edge of the asphalt. Kellogg indicated that is meant to be a bike lane. Kempf stated if something similar were done in Navarre, there-would be another 10 feet to construct a retaining wall before it would encroach on to anyone's property. If the City did that, they would be able to use the Park Fund, which this type of project is what the funds are designed for. Kempf encouraged the City Council to consider this as a possibility and to see whether some of the City's park funds can be used for that particular purpose. The trail is needed in the City and would help address safety concerns, especially with the increasing amount of traffic between the trail and the business district of Navarre. Kempf commented it is possible that an asphalt trail would also be less costly. McMillan asked whether he is suggesting that the entire length be trail. Kempf stated that is correct. McMillan suggested that making the other section asphalt should also be considered so it matches up. • Page 2 of 14