HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998/04/06 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular (2) Cm' OF OFFICIAL MINUTES
ST. LOUIS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
PARK April 6, 1998
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Dorfman called the meeting to order at 6 45 p.m.
The following Councilmembers were present at roll call: Jeff Jacobs, Chris Nelson, Sue
Sanger, Mayor Gail Dorfinan.
Also present were the City Manager(Mr. Meyer): Deputy City Manager(Ms. Kutzler);
Director of Parks and Recreation(Mr. Gears); City Attorney(Mr. Scott), City Assessor
(Mr. Stepnick) and City Clerk(Ms. Larsen).
2 HUTCHINSON SPUR
Acquisition Issues
Mr Meyer referred to the report and gave Council a brief historical perspective of how we
had reached our current position in the negotiation for purchase of portions of the
Hutchinson Spur property Mr. Meyer indicated that $500,000 seemed to be the firm
price and that he felt the amount would not change with further negotiations. The current
plan would allow the City to obtain all necessary easements for the entire length of the
property and would allow for fence and berm to be removed to allow for public access.
Council discussed possibilities for location of housing and trail and also discussed the
billboard located on the property which will be retained by the current owner.
Mr. Meyer read the comments of Councilmember Latz who was not able to attend the
meeting. Mr. Meyer also stated that the entire proposal was contingent on funding from
the state. He informed Council that though federal funding for the trail project were
committed, the state had yet to decide the amount they would be able to provide to the
City
Councilmember Nelson asked about the ISTEA funds for this project Mr. Gears
responded that construction documents would have to be completed prior to year end in
order to secure the federal funds.
Consultant Services For Trail Design
Mr. Gears informed the Council that the use of ISTEA funds was a very complex and
technical process. Plans and engineering specifications would need to be completed and
then submitted to MNDot. They would then return the revised plans for City review prior
to year end. He felt that in light of the technical expertise needed and the tight schedule to
complete the work that it would be best to retain the services of an experienced and
qualified consultant to do the design work.
Since the level of expertise required to complete the specifications was limited to one firm
in the twin cities, he recommended using Strgar-Roscoe-Fausch, who had worked done
the same work on trail projects which connected to both ends of the Hutchinson Spur. He
felt this firm would be the logical choice to complete this phase of the trail system and
suggested that a proposed contract be brought back to Council for review and action at its
next meeting.
Councilmember Sanger expressed her desire to have the trail paved rather than crushed
limestone Mr Gears replied that though the funds will not exist in this phase to pave, it is
desired and will be planned for the future.
Mr Gears also informed Council that no private property will need to be acquired to
complete the project.
3. COMMUNICATIONS - none
4. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.
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Ci Clerk Mayor