HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998/01/11 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study Session CITY OF MINUTES
SAT LOUIS CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
111 PARK January 11, 1998
The meeting convened at 7 00 p.m.
Present at the meeting were Counci members Chris Nelson, Ron Latz, Sue Sanger, and Mayor Gail
Dorfman. Councilmember Brimeyer arrived at 7.35 p m.
Staff present. Deputy City Manager(Mr. Pires);Director of Community Development (Mr.
Harmening); Director of Parks and Recreation (Ms. Walsh);Manager of Grounds and Natural
Resources(Mr Vaughan); Superintendent of Engineering (Mr. Moore); and City Clerk(Ms.
Larsen)
1. Hutchinson Spur Regional Trail- South of 36th Street
Staff met with Council to review alternatives relative to the location of the proposed regional trail
south of 36th Street Barry Warner of SRF was present to explain options which would allow for a
more comfortable co-existence of trail users in the area identified. Strengths and weaknesses of each
option were identified for Council as well as cost and time limitations.
Councilmember Nelson asked if there were other similar situations in the City where trail would be
replacing existing sidewalk Mr. Warner said the only similar situation would be in Aquila Park, but
in that case trail would be replacing trail.
Councilmember Nelson also asked what makes this location different from other sections of the trail.
Mr Warner said that the high use by seniors located in adjacent housing was seen as a potential
conflict with higher speed uses such as bicycles and roller blades.
Mayor Dorfman asked if other trails in the region were considered "safe"by the general public
despite the fact that they accommodate multiple uses Mr Warner stated that trail safety increased
when users used what he referred to as appropriate"trail etiquette" i e., slower uses to the right,
higher speed passing on the left, calling out when passing, etc
Councilmember Latz was concerned that walkers may have to step around lighting posts which could
cause safety problems. He stated that he would like to see the widest trail possible throughout the
system.
Mayor Dorfman agreed that she would like to see the trail as wide as possible, but was not interested
in negotiating easements to achieve a wider trail
Mr. Klein of Sholom Alliance asked Council to consider separating trail and sidewalk.
Council directed Mr. Warner and Mr Harmening to supply them at the next meeting with
information about how wide the trail could be without seeking additional easements.
Councilmember Sanger asked if there was a way to minimize curb cuts and if traffic could be re-
routed to achieve that end.
Mr. Harmening stated that there were no good access points due to the location of the Target
complex.
Councilmember Latz asked if the design for trail connections into Hopkins were completed. Mr.
Warner said that they were.
Councilmember Latz suggested that packets be delivered on Friday rather than Thursday to give staff
and consultants more time to complete their analysis.
2. Public Tree Policy and Forestry Management Program
Ms. Walsh and Mr. Vaughan met with Council to discuss Gounds and Natural Resources Division
activities in the City and to request review and future formal adoption of a Public Tree Policy. The
proposed policy reflects what has been done for some time, but due to challenges from the public,
staff felt it important that Council formally adopt a policy
All Councilmembers present agreed that the City's forestry program was very well run and
commended Mr Vaughan and his crew for their efforts. They discussed the NSP tree trimming
program, options for transplanting mature trees and the nature of common conflicts with the public
Mr. Vaughan stated that he could step up educational efforts to make the public more aware of the
City's policies, options for transplanting, etc.
Council asked staff to further specify and delineate when removal of a tree could take place with
emphasis on retaining as many trees as possible They also requested that the document be
forwarded to the City Attorney for review and brought back to Council at a future meeting for
approval
3. Communications
Councilmember Brimeyer raised the issue of changes in the membership of the Minnehaha Creek
Watershed District. Mayor Dorfman agreed to send a letter to the Chair of the Hennepin County
Commission asking that two members be reappointed to the commission.
Council briefly discussed a public meeting to be held on January 20th to inform the public of the
release of a level three sex offender into the community Mr Pires stressed the importance of
following guidelines for both process and confidentiality as defined in state statute
The meeting adjourned at 8 55 p m
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' Clerk Mayor