11-30-09 -TCAAP WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL TCAAP )YORK SESSION-NOVEMBER_30, 2009 5 A. Ramsey County Rice Creek Trailhead Concept and TCAAP North- South Trail Connection Concept (continued) Councilmember Grant stated he did not want the trail running through some of the highly contaminated portions of TCAAP and having the City assume ownership of the property. The City would then have to apply for grants in order to clean the sites. He felt a better option would be to work with a developer and use park dedication to complete the trail corridor. Councilmember Holmes stated the western trail route would need very little clean up and that she felt it would benefit the City to secure a corridor prior to the auction and begin seeking grants or special funding. Councilmember Grant indicated a trail to the west would run along the highway and that commercial properties may want this exposure. Councilmember Holden agreed with Councilmember Grant that the property would create a risk to the City and that the enviromnental attorney should be contacted regarding the concept. She felt it should be transferred from the City to the County if possible to allow for access from north to south. Mr. Mack stated he would like to see the City secure the land. The County would then pursue making this a part of a regional trail and secure funding for development of the trail. The County would either enter into a joint powers agreement with the City or take ownership of the corridor. Councilmember Holmes asked if the County would be responsible for the cleanup. Mr. Mack stated the County would have the same concerns the City would when addressing land cleanup for the trail corridor. Mayor Harpstead indicated he was partial to the eastern location of the trail because it would become an uninterrupted trail. His only concern was the high levels of traffic from County Road 96. Mayor Harpstead stated he felt that setting aside a portion of land in advance of the land sale for this trail corridor would be an advantage to the City. He suggested the Council consider this.