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5 (Nowthen Blvd) and Krypton Street where the trail abruptly ends approximately 100 feet west <br /> of Krypton Street. Staff has always intended to connect this gap, and the opportunity now exists <br /> to cost - effectively connect this gap with this project. Staff recommends providing Anoka <br /> County with the requested drainage easement over the City's 0.57 acre parcel in Alpine Acres for <br /> the County's use as a stormwater ponding facility. This will then be in exchange for Anoka <br /> County preparing the plans and specifications and procuring the necessary right -of -way and <br /> temporary construction easements to construct the trail connection, which is approximately 700 <br /> feet in length. Anoka County staff soon plans to meet with the abutting property owners to <br /> discuss associated tree removals and right -of -way /temporary construction easement needs, <br /> including potential compensation for these items. <br /> The estimated construction cost for the trail connection is $17,000. There will also likely be <br /> additional costs for securing the necessary right -of -way and construction easements ( +/- 2 feet of <br /> right -of -way and temporary construction easements) and compensating for tree removals, though <br /> these costs are still unknown. Anoka County has designed the trail connection and incorporated <br /> it into their construction plans, and they would bid and inspect the trail during construction, all of <br /> which provides additional benefits to the City. <br /> The County proposes the following cost sharing methodology related to the stormwater ponding <br /> and trail connection. The City will provide the necessary drainage easement over out 0.57 acre <br /> planned parkland property to allow the County to use the land for stormwater pending, in <br /> exchange for which the County will pay to secure the necessary right -of -way and temporary <br /> easements to construct the trail connection, as well as provide compensation for tree removals as <br /> needed. The City will then pay all costs to construct the trail, although the County has also <br /> agreed to apply federal funds to the trail (federal funds are currently covering about 60% of <br /> construction costs) instead of requiring the City to pay 100% of construction costs per standard <br /> practice for work not required for their project. This will result in an estimated total cost to the <br /> city of $6,800 to construct the trail connection with this project, thereby saving the City about <br /> $10,200. <br /> Funding Source — The funding for the trail (over and above the value of the easement granted in <br /> favor of Anoka County for storm water purposes), would be from the Park Trust Fund which has <br /> a beginning year balance in excess of $1.1 million. This fund also is the recipient of Trail Fees <br /> from new development, for trail construction like this one proposed for Alpine Drive. <br /> Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated staff recommends that a not- <br /> to-exceed amount of $10,000 be allocated for the proposed Alpine D River Trail, and that an <br /> easement be allowed on existing park land for storm water purposes; if it results in a lessor cost <br /> for the proposed trail. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated some <br /> residents have expressed concern about a trail being so close to their homes and driveways. Staff <br /> is working to address those concerns. <br /> Motion by Commissioner Bennett, seconded by Commissioner Fyten, to recommend to the City <br /> Council that a not -to- exceed amount of $10,000 from the Park Trust Fund be directed to <br /> construct the Alpine Drive Trail `Gap' and that a storm water easement be granted over the <br /> existing park land if it results in reduced new trail construction costs. <br /> Park and Recreation Commission / January 9, 2014 <br /> Page 3 of 7 <br />