7.0. SR 01-22-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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were one east-west trail and a north-south trail. He dia not feel there would be a real effort to establish these designated trails unless a ban were in place. Mr. Hals stated that the Snowmobile Club members have probably put in 1,000 hours, trying to obtain the trail. Mr. Hals stated that the $5,000 per mile cost to repair trails is not per year, rather for a five or ten year period. He noted that plowing snow onto the trails does cause some damage to the trail, but there also are cost savings by not plowing the trails. He felt there are more issues to take into consideration. Chair Kuester suggested that staff come back to the Commission at a future meeting with the pros and cons. Ms. McPherson stated that for the past three years, there was very little snow, and that this is the first year there has been any substantial snow. She felt the Snowmobile Club has made an enormous effort as a group to be responsible and to educate others on snowmobiling laws. Ms. McPherson stated that the Club has not been given a chance to see if their attempts to reduce trail damage will work. Commissioner Peterson stated that he felt the City could ban studs on city sidewalks and trails, since this is already state law. Commissioner Reitsma stated that he feels now is the time to implement a ban. Commissioner Dave Anderson stated he did not feel the City Council would support a ban at this time. He concurred with Commissioner Peterson's idea to ban studs on all City sidewalks and trails. Commissioner Peterson suggested that the Commission request more information on the pros and cons of a snowmobile ban in the urban service district (except of designated trails), trying looking at other options, and also, obtain information from other cities on their policies. COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON WITHDREW HIS SECOND TO THE MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER REITSMA. THE MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF A SECOND. Discussion followed regarding obtaining information from the State Legislature and also, the possibility of banning studs on snowmobiles in the City of Elk River. COMMISSIONER SLADEK MOVED TO CONTACT THE STATE LEGISLATURE REGARDING A LOCAL BAN ON SNOWMOBILE STUDS. COMMISSIONER REITSMA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. COMMISSIONER REITSMA MOVED TO RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING: THAT REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION AND STAFF EVALUATE THE RESULTS OF THE SNOWMOBILE CLUBS EFFORTS TO PROVIDE SOLUTIONS TO THE TRAIL DAMAGE ISSUE; TO ASSESS THE IMPACTS OF SNOWMOBILE USE ON TRAILS WHERE SNOW WAS MAINTAINED BY THE STREET DEPARTMENT; AND T_O RENEW EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH A DESIGNATED EAST_,.__~-W____EST AND NORTH-SOUTH . S,_.NOWMOBILE TRAIL THROUGH THE CITY, IN ANTICIPATION OF A PoSSiBL'['Eiq~U~-BAN ON _SNOWMOBILES I~N THE URBAN SERVICE AREA. .~C~OM. M_I~$[0N~.R PETERSON.$ECONDED TH,~ M~TION, THE y.~, ~': ~ev~ew/^pprov~ Trail Consfrucfion Sta nda rd~, Michele McPherson asked the Commission fo review the trail construction standards for bituminous off-street trails as presented in their packets and make a recommendation. Commissioner Dave Anderson stated that he would like a minimum width established for seeding the trail sides. Mr. Hals stated that if would be difficult fo set a minimum, since there are many variables involved. He stated that the standards specify that all areas which are disrupted are fo be seeded. Commissioner Anderson asked that staff find out if the 50A seed mixture contains any grass and if not, he felt it was important to include if in the mixture. Commissioner Dave Anderson questioned if the amount of concrete shown in the standards was necessary, when in some cases, asphalt would be adequate. Commissioner Dave Anderson will provide details for his suggestions.