Minutes - Council Work Session - 04/13/2015 - Joint with Anoka CC

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Anoka Councilmember Weaver complimented Mayor Strommen on the great job she did at a recent waterfowl event about what is going on in Ramsey and focusing on the amazing resources in this area. 3.03: Mississippi River Trail Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood said the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) is a 3,000 -mile trail that goes all the way to New Orleans and has economic development potential for tourism. He said 2016 is the centennial of the national park service and could be used to promote and market the area, hotels, bicycle repair facilities, etc. Director of Public Services /City Engineer Lee updated the Councils on the Anoka/Ramsey project of the MRT and congratulated Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood for his work on obtaining the grant. He said the project started in 2015, with 2/3 of the project on Kings Island being substantially complete in June and will be finaled in July. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood shared that Anoka residents will be able to access the Mississippi West Regional Park and will consist of five phases in total with the fifth phase being a skyway with a goal to jump -start the regional park. He said they received $1,120,000 in 2012 for a grant award and will receive reimbursement in 2017 and hope to collaborate with Sherburne County on the Oliver Kelly Farm. Anoka Councilmember Freeburg asked if the MRT will be in the right -of -way. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood said it will be, adding they have received approval and it will function as a neighborhood trail and link to the MRT and be a safe trail to use along Highway 10. He said they are looking at the first skyway that will provide safe crossing when the regional park is completed which will increase the market value of apartments and other development surrounding the area. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood said they received $490,000 from the National Park Service plus $100,000 from TOD so this is a shovel -ready project where they will try to integrate services and amenities. He shared about the wayside area on the MRT route that will have kiosks with information on history and wayfinding instruments, adding they have applied for $2.2 million from the National Parks Service and should hear sometime mid - summer. City Administrator Ulrich said the MRT will provide opportunities to think regionally and we will need to think about how we can cooperate as this trail will be a conduit for residents to go to Anoka for shopping and visiting restaurants and vice versa. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood noted he met a couple who used to attend the concert series at the Coon Rapids Regional Dam and are now using the trail to bike to see the Ramsey concerts instead. He suggested when the trail is complete that both cities plan a dedication ceremony as a symbol of collaboration. Councilmember Kuzma referred to navigating the oxbow around King's Island, which is very interesting and will be a nice addition. Special Joint City Council Work Session / April 13, 2015 Page 5 of 8