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<br />Councilmember Dehen stated he has advocated for some sort of trail system in that park <br />for three years now and it seems like he is not making any progress. His ward is very <br />isolated - there are no trails connecting anywhere without going on Highway #10. He <br />stated he is a strong advocate of getting trail systems that can get people into the Town <br />Center - into a park, etc. He added that maybe offenders in the work program could <br />work on these trails. That would mean a low cost and it would not necessarily have to be <br />asphalt - it could be a bark trail. He added he was very frustrated when we had our <br />financing meeting and he asked Commissioner Berg if we could push forward. He said <br />some of these parks sit vacant for 20 years until we move on them. If this can enhance <br />the process to move forward on these projects to get something going - he would love <br />that! He stated he really did not know how to get leverage on the County, who owns the <br />park, to do something. He added that, at a minimum, we could have the boy scouts plant <br />trees. <br /> <br />Mayor Ramsey stated he is in favor of this because it gives us a bigger voice having the <br />four communities together. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen reiterated he is for the project but asked how we would know if <br />we put money in that other communities will put money in as well. <br /> <br />Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated that we need to have that conversation. Friends of <br />the Mississippi believe they would be able to get some grants"too. He added that he felt <br />we will get a lot of value for the dollars with all these communities working together. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated we are also talking about land that is owned by a private <br />individual - and it would be up to that individual if this can happen or not. <br /> <br />Mr. Riverblood suggested that identifying a project and envisioning a project will help. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated he is trying to determine what the benefit is. The river's <br />edge is an issue - some people like to mow right up to the river. We already have a plan <br />we have submitted to the Metropolitan Council. <br /> <br />Mayor Ramsey stated that when we began advocating for this, we got together with all <br />these cities. We can stay together as a group and keep things at least the same. <br /> <br />Director of Public Works Olson stated that this gives us an opportunity to put a vision out <br />there. <br /> <br />Discussions ensued relating to if you were a landowner, how would you feel about these <br />new regulations and public versus private access. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated he could see the value of combined voice but expressed <br />concern about also getting influenced - it's fair when everyone likes it. <br /> <br />City CouncilW ork Session - December 1, 2009 <br />Page 4 of16 <br />