03-25-03 PTRC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Arden Hills Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 4 March 25. 2003 - Committee Chair Straumann indicated he walked the area again, and he does not think an underpass would be a problem. It fits the landscape, and while the ramp may have to come out a little further to accommodate the depth, there is City owned space to do that and make it work. Committee Member Messerly reiterated that these are not pedestrian friendly crossings, and the underpass is very much needed. MOTION: Committee Member Crassweller motioned, Committee Member Henry seconded, to recommend to the City that in the event money from the County is not forthcoming, PTRC funds be utilized to complete the trail components of the Highway 96 project, with City funds used to construct an underpass as part of the Highway 96 project. Furthermore, in the event that the County does fund the trail components, it is recommended that the same amount ofPTRC funds be utilized to reduce the amount of City funds necessary to complete the underpass. Motion carried 7-0. Mr. Moore asked about the possibility that the County would come back and say they could not complete the underpass, as it would delay the project. Committee Member Crassweller indicated that at the City Council meeting the County acknowledged that it would delay the project, but they stated they were willing to do that. Committee Member Henry advised that at the City Council meeting where this was discussed, it e was noted that the bridge over Highway 51 was built without a sidewalk because the City could not afford it at the time, which is a preposterous notion. He stated in the June II, 2002 minutes he asked how the City could keep this type of situation from happening again, and he was told that now that they have a Comprehensive Plan, the City Planners and City Council would be conscientious of it. He indicated that completing the Highway 96 project without an underpass is even more preposterous than building a bridge without a sidewalk. He stated this is not the PTRC's plan; it is the City's plan, and has been adopted by the City Council. He believes the only logical choice is to follow the plan and build the underpass. Mr. Moore indicated the Park Comprehensive Plan is new, un-chartered territory for the City Council, as they have never before had such an organized, well thought out vision for the PTRC, and he encouraged the Committee to be patient with that. He added the PTRC was also lucky to have Councilmember Grant as a liaison and a voice with the City Council. He stated that what the PTRC views as logical, correct, 'can't miss' ideas have never been before the City Council in this way, and to have the residents say that parks and trails and recreation areas are important to them presents a new component for the City Council. He indicated that the Comprehensive Plan outlines big decisions, like underpasses and trail connections, when previously they were only concerned with where a bench should be put or if a box should be behind the playfield fence to hold bases. Committee Member Crassweller stated that when the City Council said they wanted a 20-year plan, and would spend $50,000 to do it, they made a commitment. That plan has a $20 million e plus cost, with the biggest part the connection of trails, and now the City is confronted with a small pittance of expenditure toward that plan. He feels the Committee needs to be strong in their recommendation, or they will have another health and safety issue like the one that exist on ----