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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />APRIL 13, 2011 <br />Sanders indicated that the project costs are significant given the need for <br />freeway and railroad crossings. Also, given that the trail may be <br />designated as a regional trail, existing trail paths in Little Canada would <br />need to be widened from 8 feet to 10 or 12 feet. It is hoped that a good <br />share of the costs will be covered by grant money. A feasibility report for <br />the trail project was submitted to the Council. <br />Blesener noted that the majority of the trail will not impact residents; <br />however, there some homes in the Bluwood area that would be impacted <br />by the added traffic. Sanders indicated that meetings have not been held <br />with residents at this point. The City Administrator indicated that there <br />may be a title issue with the property on which the Jackson Street trail is <br />located. That property may still be railroad easement. <br />Sanders indicated that the County has worked with railroads on rights -of- <br />way issues, and it would be his assumption that the County would <br />negotiate these issues with the railroads. <br />Sanders indicated that now that the Trout Brook Trail Feasibility Report is <br />complete, he is looking for acceptance of the report by the Cities of Little <br />Canada and Maplewood. Sanders reported that he will then he taking the <br />report to the County and requesting that they carry the project forward. <br />Blesener pointed out the estimated $6 million cost for this project and <br />asked how much Little Canada would be expected to cover. Sanders <br />estimated Little Canada's share at 10% of total project costs. The hope is <br />that 80% of the project's cost will be covered by grant dollars and other <br />funding sources. Sanders acknowledged that this project will not be an <br />easy one especially in the current economic climate. <br />The City Administrator noted that the City has finally received approval <br />for a trail crossing the railroad property near Frattalone Companies. That <br />approval took approximately four years to obtain. The Administrator also <br />noted that a new bridge over 694 on Rice Street is in the planning process, <br />so this may be the time to discuss a trail connection on the bridge. <br />Montour asked who would own the trail if it was designated as a regional <br />trail. Sanders replied that either the County or DNR would likely own the <br />trail. McGraw asked who makes the decisions on how the trail pieces are <br />fit together and who would control the project. He also asked who has <br />been involved in planning the project. Sanders replied that there are <br />several agencies that know about this project. These include MN DOT, <br />Ramsey County, the Metropolitan Council, Ramsey County Active <br />Living. Sanders reported that no applications for project funding have <br />been made. <br />2 <br />