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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 25, 2006 Page 12 1 impression that since there was such a small section in St. Anthony, Hennepin County was going 2 to pick up the cost of the City's segment. 3 4 Mr. Urquhart pointed out that the five-year capital improvement project identified a $60,000 5 participation from St. Anthony; however, this is not going to be a "project breaker." He 6 explained that after the discussion in January, they met with the Three Rivers Parks District on 7 the maintenance and operation of the trail outside of Minneapolis, which is the responsibility of 8 the Park District who is a partner. 9 10 Mayor Faust asked if it is the responsibility of the Minneapolis Park Board or the Three Rivers 11 Park District. 12 13 Boe Carlson, Three Rivers Park District Governmental Relations Administrator, explained that 14 this project was presented several years ago and identified a series of trails throughout first ring 15 suburbs. At that time in the late 1990s, it was identified that the Park District would provide 16 maintenance and capital for the segment outside of Minneapolis and be responsible for the 17 portion in St. Anthony Village. Mr. Carlson explained the intention is that section would fall 18 under their jurisdiction. At the time the report was put together, the Park District was wiling to 19 do that. However, that information is quite dated and the Park District has not taken a more 20 recent position or been approached by Minneapolis Public Works formally to present this to the 21 Park District Board of Commissioners on the cost or match. Mr. Carlson stated he is indicating 22 that the Park District would be interested in covering the capital portion of the section in St. 23 Anthony and also provide for maintenance. 24 25 Motion by Councilmember Horst, seconded by Councilmember Gray, to not adopt Resolution 26 06-044, Approving the Northeast Diagonal Trail Plan and the City of St. Anthony's estimated 27 cost of $915000. 28 29 Councilmember Horst stated the Council as defined key financial strategies; this would be a 30 major expenditure and the City does not have the funds. He stated he supports the development 31 of a trail system but this is a lot to ask for a City the size of St. Anthony. Councilmember Horst 32 stated that in this case, he can't support the resolution at this time. 33 34 Mayor Faust stated his agreement with Councilmember Gray that it is hard to see how this trail 35 can be tied in with St. Anthony's residents. He stated he supports the idea of interconnectivity 36 and would support the trail if there was a way to access it but Highway 88 is a major 37 impediment. He encouraged Mr. Urquhart to talk to the Three Rivers Park District because they 38 could partnership with them and they do have taxing authority. Mayor Faust stated he thinks that -3 1) 9 some day it will be a corridor for light rail or bus and provide transport to Minneapolis. 40 However, at this time, it is not a priority of this Council. 41 42 Councilmember Thuesen stated he shares the same concerns. He stated he supports connectivity 43 of the trail systems in the metropolitan area but this community has to be careful with allocation 44 of resources. He noted the Council is looking at adding sidewalks to provide safe passage of 45 children to and from school. Councilmember Thuesen stated that at this point it is hard to 46 consider spending $91,000 for this trail when there are greater needs. 47 11�