09-12-2011 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, September 12, 2011 7:00 o'clock p.m. U (PUBLIC COMMENTS, Continued) Gaffron stated he has spoken with Bob Byers of Hennepin County who has spoken with Jim Grube. Mr. Grube does not support the location of a sidewalk or a trail in that area. Gaffron indicated he has not had an opportunity for in depth discussions with the other parties. Grube was also not in support of utilizing some of Hennepin County's right -of -way and that there were issues with state aid funding. The bike lane also provides other services, such as for emergency vehicles and cars that break down. Hennepin County has also indicated that for a trail there should be two feet of clear space on either side of the trail in addition to the eight feet. At the present time it appears unlikely that there is even one foot of clear space available on either side of the trail. At the present time Hennepin County is not supportive of doing either a sidewalk or trail and they are not interested in funding the project. Gaffron indicated he has not heard from the Dakota Rail. Kempf commented that the foot traffic will continue to go down the path whether it is safe or not. Rahn stated he is in agreement with Ralph Kempf that it is a safety issue. Rahn noted the Council has not had an opportunity to discuss it more in depth since the City is currently in the process of dealing with the budget. There is a substantial amount of pedestrian traffic down County Road 19 and that unfortunately the pedestrians will not utilize Livingston Avenue. Rahn stated in his view something needs to be done with that stretch of roadway. Kempf stated in his view this is a very worthwhile project as it relates to safety and enhancing Navarre's • business district. McMillan commented the City Council will take another look at this project in the near future. Donna Smith, Gillespie Center, stated that Bus 675 and the Dial -A -Ride services have been lost over the past two years. Since the Senior Community Services lost their contract to Metro Transit; the local senior residents have had a lot of problems going on shopping trips and getting rides to the doctor. The committee has been meeting on this issue and they have recently completed a small brochure regarding WeCab. Smith indicated they are in the process of finding private drivers to take riders shopping, to church, and other places. Transit Link does not go door -to -door and Metro Mobility is very busy in this area. Smith indicated she would like to leave some of the brochures at City Hall for pickup. Smith stated they currently have 20 to 25 drivers as part of the WeCan program. WeCan will carry the umbrella insurance policy and the drivers will be required to undergo a background check. WeCan currently services Mound, Spring Mound, Minnetrista, Navarre, and Maple Plain. They also cover Casco Point, Fagerness Point and North Shore Drive. The drivers will be receiving mileage reimbursement. Mayor Tim Hultmann, Mayor Long Lake, stated he would like to dispel some rumors that he is upset that Long Lake is losing a tenant to Orono. Hultmann indicated that is not true. The City of Long Lake did explore some options to keep JEM Technical in Long Lake but that it was not a winning proposition. Hultmann indicated he does not have any issues with the City of Orono or with JEM and that he wishes all the best to them at their new location. Loren Schoenzeit, 4484 Forest Lake Landing, stated he would like to speak in favor of the fiber optic • project that was discussed by the LMCC. Schoenzeit stated in his view this is probably the most important infrastructure project the Council will have to vote on over the next 50 years. Page 4 of 28