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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-03-05 CC MIN CITY OF STILLWATER CITY COUNCIL MEETING NO. 02-05 March 5, 2002 REGULAR MEETING 4:30 P.M. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kimble at 4:30 p.m. Present Council members Bealka, Milbrandt, Rheinberger, Zoller and Mayor Kimble Absent None Also Present City Administrator Hansen City Engineer Eckles City Attorney Magnuson Fire Department Chief Kallestad Police Chief Dauffenbach Community Development Director Russell City Clerk Ward Press: Julie Kink APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Councilmember Rheinberger, seconded by Councilmember Bealka to approve the February 19, 2002 Regular Meeting Minutes. All in favor. CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Council member Rheinberger, seconded by Council member Milbrandt to approve the Consent Agenda. Ayes: Councilmembers Bealka, Milbrandt, Rheinberger, Zoller and Mayor Kimble Nays: None Resolution 2002-45, directing payment of bills Approval to purchase of video surveillance equipment through Juvenile Accountability Grant - Police Department Accepting letter to remove rezoning request from March 19, 2002 agenda - Tim Nolde Authorizing purchase of new vehicle - Building Inspection Authorizing purchase of portable hoist - Public Works Resolution 2002-46, calling for a public hearing on the establishment of Tax Increment Financing District No.9 and the adoption of the Tax Increment Financing Plan relating thereto, all located within Development District No. 1 UNFINISHED BUSINESS Selection of colors for Public Works Garaqe Public Works Director Eckles showed the staff recommended color scheme and other color schemes provided by Sala Architects for the new Public Works Facility. He stated that the recommended color scheme is the color concept that was presented to the neighborhood and the township. Motion by Council member Rheinberger, seconded by Councilmember Zoller approving the staff recommended color scheme for the new Public Works facility. All in favor. City Council Meeting 02-05 March 5, 2002 Approval of plans & specifications for McKusick Lake Diversion Proiect Mayor Kimble stated that the meeting would have to adjourn at 6:00 p.m. due to State Law requiring that no public meetings be held after 6:00 p.m. on caucus night. He stated that even though this is not a public hearing public input on this issue is welcomed. He also stated that he would continue the issue to March 19,2002 if everyone who wished to speak on the issue is unable to because of the adjournment time. Public Works Director Eckles provided a presentation, history and review of the McKusick Lake Diversion Project including the reason for the use of blacktop for the trail in the ravine. Mayor Kimble stated that he has received concerns from residents relating to the trail being used for snowmobiles or 4-wheelers and asked if something could be done to limit the access to the trail. Mr. Eckles stated that there has not really been a problem with that on other trails, but should it become a problems there are ways to limit the access to the trail. Mayor Kimble asked because of skateboard and rollerblading concerns if it would be possible to only have bituminous on the areas that are eroding and not on the rest of the trail. Mr. Eckles stated that it would be possible to do that, but pointed out that people will automatically assume that an entire trail is paved even if it is partially paved and that could cause another set of problems and it limits the users of the trails. Councilmember Rheinberger asked if there have been problems on skateboard use. Mr. Eckles stated that there have been problems such as riding down the middle of the street and riding railings or jumping steps at Lowell Park and at the Water Board building. He has not heard of problems on trails in the City. Councilmember Bealka stated that the Long Lake Trail is restricted to pedestrians and felt if signage was posted it would discourage the use of bicycles, rollerblades, and skateboards. Mr. Eckles stated that the Long Lake Trail restrictions were mainly due to legal and ownership issues. He stated that in this case it would probably be predominantly pedestrian use rather than bike traffic. Councilmember Zoller asked about the elevation of the steps at the Mulberry end and the grade on the Everett Street. Mr. Eckles stated that it would be 35-40 foot elevation difference on the Mulberry and the grade on Everett Street would be about 15% grade. 2 City Council Meeting 02-05 March 5, 2002 Ms. Sherri Buss, Bonestroo, Anderlik and Associates, stated that in order to achieve a grade less than 15% would involve the removal of some nice trees, so the grade was left at 15%. Council member Rheinberger asked what Mr. Eckles envisioned the people count would be. Mr. Eckles stated on a less than active day 10-12 people. Councilmember Zoller asked how maintenance vehicles would get in. Mr. Eckles stated maintenance gets in from the Everett side and would continue to as part of this project. Mr. John Vaughn, 710 West Linden, representing CPR and the newly formed North Hill Association stated that they are not against the project, but against the construction of a bituminous trail and to use alternative material for the trail. He stated that staff has addressed issues of concern to the neighborhood. He stated that Council should approve the project but that Council should direct staff to investigate other material options for the trail. He stated that the nature trail would be the best use of the ravine. He provided Council with a petition of 400 signatures. He felt the community should be involved in the restoration of the ravine to include the private and public land to make this ravine even more beautiful. Maria Cox, 417 West Cherry expressed concern with children using the trails with bikes and also stated that it should be a natural trail using Terracell rather than blacktop. Arial Johnson stated she was against the eight foot wide asphalt road and felt that the road would be too steep for use by bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards and wheelchairs, but that if a trail needs to be installed the use of T erracell should be looked into. Katie Suttcliff stated that she would prefer a natural road because the ravine is fun to play because it is natural and it should stay that way. Andrea Dipman recited a poem relating to the trail. David Vesall felt that the ravine should remain a natural ravine. He felt that if there is a lot of activities in the ravine would eliminate the various birds that live in the ravine. He stated that the Comprehensive Plan references the preservation, protection, and restoration of ravines in Stillwater and are not protecting the ravines if more people are able to access the ravine. Angela Anderson, North 4th Street, stated she could see the use of asphalt for a distance trail but not for this trail. As a bicyclist she would not use this trail to reach downtown the City streets would be a better way. She also there are other materials that can be used for the trail other than blacktop such as limestone or Terracell which can be considered as multi-use trails. She stated that she worked for the DNR and she knows that there are other options available such as Terracell. She continued by saying that the Trail Plan is a guiding document and felt there should be flexibility in the use of blacktop for trails. 3 City Council Meeting 02-05 March 5, 2002 Dawn Flynn, 1601 S. Greeley Street, reviewed the letter from a representative from the Wilderness Inquiry who is in a wheel chair who met with her and staff at the ravine. She stated that the representative reports that other more natural surfaces would be preferable in this setting if used only for pedestrians. She also stated that the Comprehensive Trail Plan should be modified for this area so that rollerbladers and skateboarders do not use it. She hoped that the Council would look at the recommendations for signage, grades, and slopes and consider that when deciding on asphalt or a natural trail. She believes there are ways to make the ravine accessible to people with a more natural surface that meet the needs of the City to help prevent erosion and be able to be accessible for maintenance personnel. Jean Ham, 213 W. Cherry Street, stated that she felt that the ravine is a natural place and should be protected but enhance the ravine with a more natural trail. She stated that it is a magical place for kids to go to explore and for parents to take their children. She asked the Council and the planners to remember the history of Stillwater preserve the ravine for future generations. She stated that the nine ravines in Stillwater are all magical places and hopes that the McKusick Ravine will set a pattern for future ravines. Mike McCarthy, 410 W. Linden reviewed a time in history when houses were torn down for a parking lot and stated that this is another asphalt issue. He also stated that the idea of needing an asphalt trail for access was bogus. He stated that no one would bike or rollerblade in this area. He felt that there could be other ways to maintain the pipe other than making an access out of blacktop. He asked Council to reconsider the use of a paved trail in the ravine. Jill Greehall stated that the reason she moved to Stillwater the unique balance of the natural and the practical and the history and the new. She complimented Council and staff on the planning of this project. She stated that 95% of the plan is good and the 5%, which is the trail and is why people are here. She felt using citizen involvement to make a better decision is important for the community. Allan Lovellier, 707 Maple, stated that this project is a result of over pavement and compaction of soil to the west and asked Council to use alternative material for the paved trail rather than blacktop. Mayor Kimble asked for a show of hands of people who wished to speak and would like th is matter tabled. Approximately seven hands were raised from people in the audience. Motion by Councilmember Rheinberger, seconded by Council member Milbrandt to table this issue until the March 19,2002 meeting. All in favor. Mayor Kimble reviewed the request for temporary no parking signs on Northwestern Avenue and Tower Drive during the painting of the water tower. Motion by Councilmember Bealka, seconded by Councilmember Rheinberger approving the request to install temporary no parking signs along Northwester Avenue and Tower Drive while the water tower is being painted. All in favor. 4 City Council Meeting 02-05 March 5, 2002 ADJOURNMENT Motion by Council member Rheinberger, seconded by Council member Milbrandt to adjourn the meeting at 5:59 p.m. All in favor. ATTEST: 4n;"~. c:l. )I)~4d' Diane F. Ward, City Clerk Resolution 2002-45, directing payment of bills Resolution 2002-46, calling for a public hearing on the establishment of Tax Increment Financing District No.9 and the adoption of the Tax Increment Financing Plan relating thereto, all located within Development District No. 1 5