11-21-06 PTRC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING November 21 2006 Page 4 of 5 compliant. The trail would then connect with the existing paved trail by the pavilion. While not exactly what we originally wanted, we could put in a nice trail in this area. The new estimate is $38,000 and $16,747.50 would be reimbursable through the DNR Local Trail Connection Program Grant. This application was approved by the City Council at their November 13"' meeting. Ms. Olson will go back to the Council in February with a Resolution to include with this grant application. Chair Henry stated presumably the trail surface would be blacktop. Are there concerns regarding run off on a black top path this close to a wet land? Would we be better off with a wood chip trail? Ms. Olson stated that we would not be able to do a wood chip trail because of ADA compliance. B. Safe Routes to School Trail Ms. Olson handed out a preliminary map of the area that is being considered for the Safe Routes to School Program. This program was designed to have a quick turnaround. The application form was released this past Friday and applications are due January 31,2007. The City will be partnering with Ramsey County. Chair Henry stated that in his experience,even reasonably well maintained black top trails got icy in the winter and wood chip trails, even if not maintained did not get as icy. Given that kids went to school in the winter,he asked if it would not be reasonable to think that these could stay wood chipped. Ms. Olson stated that what was to be done to the trails in green depended on the cost. However, all trails that utilize this grant funding, must be ADA accessible and wood chip trails would not be compliant. Also,the more links we have, the more favorably our grant would be look upon. The maximum grant amount was $175,000,but and it is 100 percent reimbursable • Chair Henry suggested that the black top portion be the furthest part west from County Road E2. In July of 2006, MnDOT (Safe Routes to School Program) received 76 applications and they approved 15 applications. There are no guarantees the City will be successful with the application,but we will have another opportunity to apply in August if we are not selected this time. MOTION: Committee Member Straumann motioned, seconded by Committee Member Zilmer to approve the revised strategies. The motion carried unanimously. 8. NAMING OF GOVERNOR ELMER L.ANDERSEN TRAIL SEGMENT Chair Henry presented a resolution that he and Committee Member Williams drafted. He asked the committee to review the resolution and offer comments/suggestions for changes. Committee Member Wheeler commented that"an initiative that Governor Andersen would have supported"be rephrased to avoid supposing what someone would have wanted or done. Council Liaison suggested rephrasing it to read"an initiative that is consistent with Governor Andersen's stated interest". MOTION: Committee Member Baumann motioned, seconded by Committee Member McClung, to recommend the resolution be adopted by City Council. The motion carried unanimously. 9. GOODPOINTE TRAIL MAINTENANE PROPOSAL Ms. Olson stated that there was some interest in possibly doing a Goodpointe trail evaluation to rate our existing trails to help prioritize what maintenance needed to be done. This evaluation would rate our trails, similar to how streets were rated for pavement management projects. Chair Henry asked how long this kind of evaluation had been done and if people who have used it found it