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Councilmember Elvig inquired if the City has purchased trail right of way in the past. <br />Parks/Utilities Supervisor Riverblood replied yes. <br />Councilmember Zimmerman suggested that City Engineer Jankowski and Parks/Utilities <br />Supervisor Riverblood explore some of the options noting that they should be looking for a long- <br />term solution. <br />Councilmember Cook stated that for safety reasons he would like to see the trail located as far <br />from T.H. #47 as possible. <br />Councilmember Elvig agreed noting that ultimately the trail will be very highly used. <br />Councilmember Cook stated that he would prefer to go through condemnation to acquire the area <br />necessary for the trail if the property owners are not willing to sell the right of way. He does not <br />want to place the public at risk by placing the trail to close to the highway. <br />Councilmember Elvig replied that he would not want to use condemnation as their first action. <br />He would prefer that staff negotiate with the property owner first and provide all the options. <br />Councilmember Zimmerman stated that he would prefer to avoid condemnation if at all possible. <br />City Engineer Jankowski stated that the appropriate step might be for the Council to authorize an <br />appraisal to be completed for the trail easement so then staff would have something to show the <br />property owner. <br />Motion by Mayor Cook, seconded by Councilmember Elvig, to recommend that the City Council <br />authorize staff to obtain an appraisal for the trail easement needed to complete the T.H. #47 trail <br />connection. <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Zimmerman, Councilmembers Cook and Elvig. Voting <br />No: None. <br />COMMITTEE INPUT <br />1) Meeting with Congressman Oberstar <br />Mayor Gamec explained that he had a meeting with Congressman Oberstar and he indicated that <br />there might be an opportunity for the City to receive some money for trails through a grant. <br />Some of the projects that he thought could benefit from the funds would be finishing the trail at <br />River Pines up to Elmcrest Park along T.H. #47 as well as the trail on the east and west side of <br />C.R. #5 from 153`d to the south and from Sunwood to the north. <br />Councilmember Zimmerman recommended that the information be forwarded to the Park <br />Commission. <br />Public Works Committee/December 16, 2003 <br />Page 4 of 6 <br />