Agenda - Council - 02/09/2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Dehen stated he has advocated for some sort of trail system in that park for three years now and it seems like he is not making any progress. His ward is very isolated -there are no trails connecting anywhere without going on Highway #10. He stated he is a strong advocate of getting trail systems that can get people into the Town Center. - into a park, etc. He added that maybe offenders in the work program could work on these trails. That would mean a low cost and it would not necessarily have to be asphalt - it could. be a bark trail. He added he was very frustrated when we had our financing meeting and he asked Commissioner Berg if we could push forward. He said some of these parks sit vacant for 20 years until we move on them. If this can enhance the process to move forward on these projects to get something .going - he would love that! He stated he really did not know how to get leverage on the County, who owns the park, to do something. He added that, at a minimum, we could have the boy scouts plant trees. Mayor Ramsey stated he is in favor of this because it gives us a bigger voice having the four communities together. Councilmember Dehen reiterated he is for the project but asked how we would know if we put money in that other communities will put money in as well. Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated that we need to have that conversation. Friends of the Mississippi believe they would be able to get some grants too. He added that he felt we will get a lot of value for the dollars with all these communities working together. Councilmember Look stated we are also talking about land that is owned by a private individual -and it would be up to that individual if this can happen or not. Mr. Riverblood suggested that identifying a project and envisioning a project will help. Councilmember Look stated he is trying to determine what the benefit is. The river's edge is an issue -some people like to mow right up to the river. We already have a plan we have submitted to the Metropolitan Council Mayor Ramsey stated that when we began advocating for this, we got together with all these cities. We can stay together as a group and keep things at least the same. Director of Public Works Olson stated that this gives us an opportunity to put a vision out there. Discussions ensued relating to if you were a landowner, how would you feel about these new regulations and public versus private access. Councilmember Elvig stated he could see the value of combined voice but expressed concern about also getting influenced -it's fair when everyone likes it. City Council Work Session -December 1, 2009 Page 4 of 16