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<br />Councilmember Elvig expressed concern in trying to promote a pedestrian friendly atmosphere <br />while telling people not to use their skates. He questioned if skaters will be encouraged to use <br />Sunwood Drive. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cook indicated inline skates are an acceptable way of transportation, but he does <br />not agree in condoning the use of inline skates that can knock down pedestrians on the sidewalks <br />of Town Center. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olson stated a relative was just knocked down by someone on inline skates <br />when walking out of a drug store and ended up with a broken arm. She can be sympathetic with <br />people that want to use their inline skates to get where they need to go, but the City has to be <br />concerned about safety issues as well. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson explained they are trying to maximize the amount of commercial <br />uses in this area, and the stores are as close to the roadway as possible. It is tight in the Coborn's <br />area, and it would be a dangerous situation if a roller blader were going by and a door is opened <br />up. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig requested clarification that the roadways will be kept accessible and there <br />are trails north of Sunwood Drive. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson responded in the affirmative. He explained the parkway area will <br />have a trail that is transportation related, and is much wider and able to accommodate pedestrians <br />and roller bladers. Regarding whether skaters are being encouraged to use Sunwood Drive, he <br />does not believe so. They are saying if the skaters have to use it to make their connection point <br />that is okay, but he would encourage people to use the local roadways adjacent to Sunwood <br />Drive and cross Sunwood Drive, not to necessarily go down Sunwood Drive. The volume of <br />traffic on Sunwood Drive will be substantial. <br /> <br />Councilmember Jeffrey commented if a family is going to rollerblade to an area establishment <br />they will have to take off their skates at the entrance of Sunwood Drive and walk to the business. <br />Also, if there is a retail business that is a walk up or roll up business for kids there may be a lot <br />of folks violating the ordinance. <br /> <br />Police Chief Way advised the enforcement will be the key. The intent is to keep the skates out of <br />the ramp, off the landscaping with the new buildings, and away from the bus stop area. Like any <br />other ordinance this ordinance can be tweaked after time if needed. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig thanked Police Chief Way for his comments and noted this type of <br />ordinance should be set up around common sense factors. <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Cook, seconded by Councilmember Pearson, to adopt Ordinance <br />#06-34 to amend Chapter 5 of the City Code to establish regulations regarding the use of Roller <br />Devices in the Town Center core area, Option 1, with the following addition to Subd. 4(b) and <br />wherever applicable in the ordinance: "any mobility device used primarily for handicapped <br />persons". <br /> <br />City Council / December 12, 2006 <br />Page 19 of29 <br />