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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />JULY 8, 1992 <br />Hanson stated that if the majority of the neighbors are <br />in support of the improvement and wish to walk this <br />trail area, then he would support it. Hanson pointed <br />out that the residents are looking for a place to walk <br />other than the busy roadways. <br />Malsam again suggested just mowing the grass area for a <br />walkway. <br />O'Kane stated that it was better for heart patients to <br />have a smooth surface to walk on. O'Kane stated that <br />even though the trail will not lead anywhere, it is a <br />pretty walk, there is a lot of wildlife in the area <br />that can be observed, and the residents want to walk <br />the area and feel comfortable doing so. Right now it <br />is against the law to walk this area since the Water <br />Department has not granted permission for this type of <br />use. <br />Fasciana noted his experience with the County Parks <br />Department, and stated that a grass trail ends up to be <br />a mud trail. Fasciana pointed out that blacktopping <br />the trail would allow for its use by bikers as well. <br />Weiss asked why the trail needed to be 8 feet wide <br />rather than 4 feet. <br />Sanders explained that with an 8-foot trail, <br />pedestrians and bikers can pass comfortably. Sanders <br />also noted that the cost is almost the same for an <br />8-foot trail as a 4-foot since most paving machinery is <br />set up to pave 8-foot sections. Sanders noted that the <br />City does have some 5-foot trail widths, however, the <br />8-foot width is preferable and not unattractive <br />pointing out the new trails in the Thunder Bay area. <br />Tom Aall, Burke Lane resident, asked if the trail would <br />be lighted. <br />Sanders replied that there would be no lights. Sanders <br />noted that the City's parks are closed after dark, and <br />the City does not want to encourage use of trails after <br />dark. <br />Upon motion by Blesener, seconded by Scalze, the public <br />hearing was closed. <br />Blesener pointed out that the proposed agreement with <br />the St. Paul Water Department prohibits the use of the <br />area by snowmobiles. Blesener noted that the City's <br />ordinance does not allow motorized vehicles on public <br />land. Blesener questioned the provision in the <br />agreement which would allow the Water Department to <br />Page 7 <br />