05-18-92 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES MAY 18, 1992 2 Lee Swenson, River Falls, WI, representing a group of mountain bikers (approx. 200 signatures), stated that Sunfish Park contains many of the finest off road trails in the metro area and asked that this park remain open to mountain bikes. They believe through an educational process, be it the media, bike club contacts, and one -and - one confrontation, any irresponsible riding or abuse to trails from mountain bikers can effectively be curtailed or even eliminated. Their main focus would be to encourage bicyclists to yield to all other trail users and to stay off trails when they are too wet or in need of repair. They offered to help care for the trails through regular maintenance activities including clearing of brush and debris, rebuilding of trail surface and removal of any safety hazards such as fallen trees or large displaced brush. The major clean up times would happen in late fall and early spring. Walt Bailey, 8032 Hidden Bay Trail N., representing a group of interested mountain bikers from Lake Elmo, requested the Council approve a controlled continuance of mountain bike riding in Sunfish Park. He requested tabling the Sunfish park closure proposal for 1 month, form a study group (names submitted) and have this group report to the Council within one month with recommendation for appropriate management of mountain bike riding in Sunfish park. Parks Commission members Gary Lee and Kestutis Tautvydas stated it was nice to hear there are people willing to help out with trail maintenance, but felt trail maintenance was not sufficient because once erosion has started, which it has, is extremely difficult to control. Photographs were submitted showing evidence of erosion of trails and of new trails created by bikers in Sunfish Park. When the Parks Commission was on their annual park walk-thru, they were almost run down by three mountain bikers. The Parks Commission has recommended adoption of such an ordinance because of their concern for safety, City liability, and the effect on the environment. Judith Blackford and Janet Robert, Lake Elmo residents, voiced their support of the Parks Commission's recommendation to ban biking in Sunfish Park because of the trail erosion, disturbance of the tranquility of the park, and safety concern for other park users. M/S/P Mottaz/Dick Johnson - to adopt Ordinance 8065, An Ordinance Adding Section 1005 Relating to the Regulation of Bicycling to the Lake Elmo Municipal Code. (Motion carried 3-1: Mayor Johnson: In favor of passing the ordinance, but not at this time. He would rather wait and give the Mountain bikers an opportunity to prove their case).