Agenda - Council - 05/12/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I '1 ! I I ! I I I I I I I I I I I I I CASE # CONSIDER EDA FUNDING OF A CRITICAL TRAIL LINK By: James E. Norman, City Administrator Background: The purpose of this case is for the City Council to consider Economic Development Authority (EDA) funding of a 1,307 foot trail connection along County Road #116. Council will recall that three critical trail links were constructed in 1997, using this same funding source (230 EDA Trail Project). Critical trail links are defined as relatively short paving projects that, when completed, make whole a larger trail system. These are also links where the probability for paving as part of the adjoining site development (commercial or residential) is not probable in the near term. In addition, these links have been in proximity to the commercial or urban residential areas and are used primarily for pedestrian transportation. The three projects completed last year are identified on the attached map and include Ramsey Elementary School to Sunwood Drive along County Road #5, the path along 153rd Avenue from County Road #5 to the Municipal Center, and also the CottonWood Park area. The Cottonwood Park trail, while an important trail segment, was also a commitment as part of the AEC Business siting. An element of the Regency Pond subdivision park dedication requirement called for trail construction in several areas of the plat, including a segment in the road fight-of-way of County Road #116, easterly to Sunwood Drive. These trails to be paved by the developer are shown in the second attachment. The same map shows a dotted line from Sunwood Drive to the existing trail at Wendall's Inc. This 1,307 feet of path, at an expected cost of $8.35 per foot ($10,914) is currently unfunded but can be accommodated as part of the developers administration and coordination of the rest of the trail project. This paving is scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, 1998. Later this year, Council will review the Park and Recreation Commission's five-year C~ which includes park and trail development. There may also be discussion of the continued use of EDA monies for other trail links similar to the 1997 projects. The developer of Regency Pond was directed to have the above-referenced trails done prior to May 16, 1998, to provide for the volunteer planting project on that day, within the trail corridor. The following is why the project is proposed for immediate funding: (1) Paving of this segment will complete the first and most important east/west trail in Ramsey from C.R. #83 along C.R. #116 (when that road work is finished in 1999) to within one-quarter mile of city limits at the border with Anoka. (2) Construction of the City-funded segment now provides for a good value (at $8.35 per lineal foot) because it is part of a larger project.