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Councilmember Connolly questioned the liability of plowing the trails, because of an increased <br />risk of ice building up on the trails. <br /> <br />Public Works Supervisor Riemer replied that the City is not required to salt and sand trails so the <br />City should not be liable, but will discuss the legal aspects with the City Attorney. <br /> <br />City Administrator Norman stated that anyone can bring a lawsuit, but suggested staff'review the <br />insurance policies in regards to the matter. <br /> <br />Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos reviewed the trails that the City is proposing to be plowed. He <br />noted that the trails previously had not been plowed, except by request. <br /> <br />Councilmember Connolly stated that if the City starts plowing some of the trails it would be <br />difficult not to plow all of them. <br /> <br />Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos replied that the City would have to eventually add all segments. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen stated that, in his opinion, it seems that when things are free or <br />perceived to be free there are a lot of requests, and would he like to see some brainstorming over <br />the idea of plowing trails to be an assessable item as a neighborhood if they so desire to. <br /> <br />City Engineer Jankowski replied that it would be difficult to assess the project. <br /> <br />Councilmember Zimmerman stated that he was somewhat reluctant to recommend the City plow <br />the trails. He suggested that it might be a better option for the City in the future. <br /> <br />Director of Public Works Kapler noted that he has personally received calls with a general <br />statement that the City should be maintaining all of the trails year around. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen stated that if the City were to plow the trails, Connexus Energy bills <br />for the priority street lighting program, and suggested that the City have a similar amount for <br />plowing trails. He does not think it would be reasonable to pay for the maintenance with the <br />City's current taxes. <br /> <br />Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos noted that Connexus Energy requested permission to plow the <br />City trail in their area and the City agreed to let them do so. He suggested surveying the <br />residents to see if they would be interested in the maintenance based on a cost projection. <br /> <br />Councilmember Connolly suggested an adopt-a-trail program for winter maintenance. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hendriksen suggested that signs could be installed stating that "Winter <br />Maintenance is done by ...... "on the trails that would be adopted. <br /> <br />Public Works Committee/September 21, 1999 <br /> Page 5 of 9 <br /> <br /> <br />