1998.07.29 CC Minutes - Joint meeting with Lino Lakes & White Bear Township

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JOINT COUNCIL MEETING JULY 29,1998 to the channel to be held and then discharged slowly down stream so that it does not impact our neighbors. The trail is an integral component of the project that the three (3) cities will deal with. One of the principal issues or problems that has been experienced from the City of Hugo's perspective is developing a grant application and trying to promote the project to the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resource because the corridor continues through Lino Lakes, across I -35E and through Centerville. At this time it is believed that the trail alignment will have to deviate from the corridor along Clearwater Creek particularly as it runs through Centerville because that area has developed. It is believed that securing the property along Clearwater Creek cannot be accomplished and the trail cannot be extended through that area. It would be nice to continue the trail through these areas but it looks like Centerville will have to find an alternate alignment for the trail. He suggested bringing the trail south along Cedar Street or some other transportation component of this planning effort. The focus is to get the corridor trail system connected to the trails in the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park. In addition, Washington County is proposing a trail along Highway 61 in Hugo. There is an effort to provide a trail that would connect to the "greenway" corridor. There are a number of improvements proposed for the entire "greenway" corridor and Mr. Willenbrings group would like to feel that this plan has real vision. Securing the corridor of land would allow for this entire area, which has a fairly expansive flood plain, to be used for preservation purposes and access to a nice natural environment. The plan includes some prairie vegetation restoration along the corridor, expanding some of wetland areas, providing different types of vegetation and deeper water habitat by excavating a deeper channel in some parts of the corridor, making certain areas of the corridor available to canoe travel and developing a habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals. Mr. Wessel explained that economic development is proceeding on the east side of the City under the premise that the "greenway" is going to be there both on the east and west side of I -35E. Mr. Powell explained that part of the Otter Lake Road realignment project is the excavation of a pond and the protection of some wetland areas. He noted a culvert that brings Clearwater Creek from Hugo into Lino Lakes under Elmcrest Avenue. When the water reaches the Lino Lakes side of Elmcrest the creek tends to surcharge. Rice Creek Watershed District has suggested that a pipe be installed directing water from that area to the wetlands. A trail is proposed through the ponding and wetland mitigation area that would tie into a trail that will be constructed along with the Otter Lake Road construction. Mr. Powell showed how the trail would wind through the wetlands and eventually to the Hugo/Lino Lakes border. The wetlands and the ponding in Lino Lakes -is provided for both the roadway and development which would occur outside of the buffer zone. At this time the trail is proposed to end at the municipal boundary, but could be extended into Hugo or extended north to Main Street or south to Cedar Street. Mr. Asleson notal that Lino Lakes calls the Clearwater Creek alignment area a pond/wetland mitigation area and Mr. Willenbring calls the area a "greenway". Mr. Powell said both references are achieving the same thing. We are achieving some of the wetland mitigation and also creating a green space with plantings. Mr. Asleson pointed PAGE 4