09-01-2009 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 3 Comments from the Park Commission have been provided. Mayor Johnston stated that he received more than a dozen calls from people who have expressed their concern for the need of some type of safety improvement for pedestrians along DeMontreville Trail. The Mayor noted this is probably the most heavily walked area in the City and there is a need for a much improved path to walk safely to DeMontreville Wildlife Park and the Gateway Trail. Council members Park and Smith indicated that just widening the road would not make it safer and would give users a false sense of security. Council Member Emmons would like a better perspective of the priority system for trails used by the Parks Commission. He would like to explore it further and see if the City can get some sort of additional safety without spending a million dollars. Council Members Smith and DeLapp commented that spending one-quarter of million dollars on a trail along a small stretch of road was not considered in this budget. Denise and Terry Boczek, 8110 DeMontreville Trail N., voiced concerns on the cost and installing a separate trail cannot be physically accomplished due to limited right-of-way. They have lived their 20 years and found that only a few people walk by their house so they are not the most heavily walked street in the City. Steve Nelson, 8080 DeMontreville Circle N., stated he has been a neighbor of Boczek’s for twenty years and was not in favor of spending money on a trail. He pointed out that there is a 4’ drop steeply down to the lake so there is no room to install a trail. He has not heard of an incident along the trail. He would like to see the road resurfaced for safety. Nan Trang, 7970 DeMontreville Trail, stated he would be in favor of widening the shoulders, but this would increase speed on the road. If trees were cut in front of his house, because it is close to the road, Mr. Trang stated that when it rains this may cause problems with his foundation. John Ames, 9799 51st Street N., commented as a resident runner there is not a place to go when a car comes and there are no sight lines along the lake. He asked the City to consider, as it will be doubling in population, there will be more users to the Gateway Trail. MOTION: Mayor Johnston moved to direct staff to schedule a meeting to take public input on options and impacts associated with widening the shoulder or adding a trail along DeMontreville Trail. Council Member Park seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-2 (Council Members DeLapp and Smith voting against.) City Administrator Contract