Minutes - Council - 04/25/1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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rates comparable to those of surrounding states. He suggested that a tremendous savings would take place if the rates could be comparable to that of the State of Wisconsin. A Ramsey resident inquired if Mr. Snell had surveyed the hurt/disabled people who are collecting workers' compensation. He added that costs are different in Minnesota than they are in Wisconsin. Motion by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Coun¢ilmember Zimmerman to adopt Resolution g95-04-075 relating to workers' compensation. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Voting No: None. Abstain: have to be reviewed. Councilmembers Beyer, Zimmerman, Beahen and Peterson. Mayor Hardin - he felt the issues between business and labor Case #3: Consider Maps for Preferred Land Use/Transportation/Parks & Trails Elements of the Comprehensive Plan Update City Administrator Schroeder stated that on March 21, 1995, the City Council conducted a public hearing regarding the proposed maps for comprehensive plan updates for land use, transportation, and parks and trails. At the conclusion of the public hearing, City Staff was directed to report back to City Council on April 25 with a summary and response/recommendation to the comments submitted at the public hearing. He presented a summary of the comments submitted at the public hearing and Staff's response and recommendation to same: Opposition was expressed to the off-road trail system in general and specific concerns were raised with horseback riding and snowmobiling. Comments were submitted recommending an off-road rather than an on-road trail system to get horseback riders from Traprock riding arena south and west to the trails in Northfork. With 16,000 potential walkers and 100 potential horseback riders, it is reasonable to expect that the horse trail will be a minor component of the trail system and the system identified at this point is adequate. In discussions with the Horse Care Commission, they have also gone on record as stating that 5 to 6 miles of horse riding trails is adequate and there are approximately 5 miles of horse trails proposed in the Northfork loop. Staff feels the trail system should provide facets for all users and supports horse and snowmobile trails in addition to bicycle and pedestrian trails. Mr. Schroeder suggested that due to the numbers f pedestrians and bicyclists being greater, those types of trails should be considered a higher priority. Staff is recommending no change. Mr. Schroeder continued that opposition was expressed to a trail around Sunfish Lake that would impact residential uses in that area. He stated that trail corridors protect these sensitive areas from the impacts of development. Sunfish Lake remains a recreational focus of the community and the City should maintain public access to the lake in one or more locations. In addition, developers should be encouraged to provide scenic easements around Sunfish Lake as property develops. Staff is recommending changes as follows: that the trail on the west side of the lake be shown as an on-road trail and the eastern portion of that trail system would be concurrent with subdivision development. In the interim, the eastern portion of the trail should be redrawn so as not to imply that the City will be condemning homes for trail alignment. Mr. Schroeder reported that opposition was expressed regarding the elimination of a Mississippi River Bridge crossing in general plus suggestions were made with regard to where the bridge should go. Staff is not recommending any changes to this. Mn/DOT, Anoka and Hennepin Counties, the City of Dayton and neighboring cities are all players in this discussion. Council movement to direct that a corridor be placed somewhere between Ramsey Boulevard and Puma Street seems to be the right approach so long as options are only eliminated after further study by all parties. Mr. Schroeder commented that it was suggested that the City reconsider the proposal to plan for a Rum River bridge crossing corridor through the Boy Scout Camp. Staff suggests a Boy Scout Camp bridge alignment City Council/April 25, 1995 Page 6 of 23