08/12/1996 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MINUTES AUGUST 12, 1996 Staff recommended that the original motion be maintained requiring construction of a trail on the north side of Elm Street by St. Joseph's Church. Staff has agreed that the two trails are justified, as they both serve a distinct purpose. The trail on the north side of Elm Street serves the church by allowing residents in the Willow Ponds project access to the Church while the trail on the south side of Elm Street serves the school district pedestrian needs and the City's recreational/transportation needs. Council Member Neal questioned benefit to residents of the Willow Pond project. He recommended construction of a trail along the parking lot boundary next to the curb. Mayor Landers asked if the trail would encounter water problems, as the area is low. Mr. Ahrens suggested that design might have to accommodate the area that might be subject to flooding. Mayor Landers asked if the Church would plow a portion of the trail. Mr. Ahrens indicated that plowing would be the City's responsibility. Council Member Lyden expressed concern with designating a trail in a defined parking lot area. Council Member Kuether suggested that all Council members might benefit by visiting the site. Pat Westling of 6930 Lake Drive spoke to Council on behalf of St. Joseph's building committee. She indicated that the Church would rather see the trail constructed on the south side of the road. She explained that a trail on the north side would not benefit the parish, while the trail on the south side would benefit the school. Very few walk to church, and those who come from the senior housing project would probably walk through the woods to the Church property. If the trail is located on the south side of the street, Ms. Westling indicated that the Church does not feel it should be assessed for the improvement. Council Member Kuether asked if the Church would be willing to help the school pay for the trail if it were constructed on the south side of the street. Ms. Westling indicated that she could not speak to that issue. The building committee and the members who handle Church finances would have to review that suggestion. Mayor Landers pointed out that the school has already committed to financial responsibility for a mile of trail on the south side, which would eliminate the need for assessment to the Church. However, Council Member Kuether pointed out that the Willow Pond project portion of the trail is designed to be part of the overall trail system and, if not extended along the north side of the street, will simply end with their portion. Council Member Lyden asked about an existing trail to the Church. Ms. Westling said there is no formal trail, as the development is new. Ms. Westling clarified that the school is paying for the trail starting at Sunrise and going down to Lake Drive, and that a trail on the north side in front of the Church is redundant. 4