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MINUTIJS <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />APRIL 9, 2003 <br />Priority #3, the Desoto Street trail, was reviewed. Sackett pointed out that <br />this trail would connect Spooner and Pioneer Parks. <br />Discussion shifted to priority #4, the Power Line trail. Richard and Don <br />Hemel expressed concern with the impact that this trail would have on <br />their property. They pointed out that they operate a vegetable farm on this <br />property and putting a trail through it would severely hamper the operation <br />of the business as well as open their property up to trespassing and <br />pilferage. The HeiuePs pointed out that some time in the future when <br />their property is developed, the City would have the ability to obtain trails <br />easements through the land at no cost as part of the development proposal. <br />Council and the Commission discussed in detail the eastlwest extension of <br />the Power Line trail and the various alternatives for extending this trail to <br />Pioneer Park without impacting the Heinel property and their farming <br />operation. Options discussed included both on-grade and tunnel crossing <br />of Edgerton SU'eet as well as on and off street trails along Payne Avenue <br />to County Road D and down the ,Desoto Street right-of--way to Pioneer <br />Park or along Edgerton Street to Allan Avenue to Pioneer Park There <br />was also discussion about the need for acquisition of easements if the trail <br />is extended from Payne Avenue to Edgerton Street under the power lines. <br />The Parks & 1ecreation Director indicated that he opposed on-street trails <br />for safety reasons. <br />The City Administrator noted the infonnatiou obtained from Dan Soler, <br />Ramsey County Traffic Engineer, relative to the issues of at-grade <br />crossing on Edgerton Street as well as a tunnel under Edgerton. The <br />Administrator pointed out that the County has had few complaints and/or <br />problems with at-grade crossings. He also noted that pedestrian stop signs <br />can be installed at these crossings. Fahey stated that au at-grade crossing <br />with pedestrian stop signs seemed more reasonable than putting a tunnel <br />under Edgerton Street. The Parks & Recreation Director acknowledged <br />that this is an option, but felt it was not the safest option. The Director felt <br />the optimal situation was in routing pedestrian and bike traffic away from <br />vehicular traffic. <br />The Parks & Recreation Director noted that the consensus appears to be <br />for an alternative option to running the Power Line trail through the Heinel <br />property until such time in the future as the Heinel property may develop. <br />Don Heinel commented that it was his feeling that the trail around Gervais <br />should be wider. The Administrator noted that as part of the improvement <br />oflCeller Parkway, Little Canada added fve-foot shoulders on each side of <br />the traffic lanes while Maplewood only added two-foot shoulders. It was <br />3 <br />