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Council Meeting Minutes March 22, 1994 Page 4 Special Order of Business. continued Samuelson requested the train traffic be monitored. Benke said the condition of these tracks cause the trains to travel much slower through this area. Williams requested the research include any future train traffic projections. Mr. Widseth noted a rumor that the railroad is considering purchasing larger engines which would pull greater loads through this area. ,~ Dan Griffin, 2965 Co. Rd. H., feels that because he was not living here when the original decision was made 14 years ago, he requests a revote. He noted that a train travels by every afternoon at 1:00 p.m., and there is an area on the track closest to the trail which causes the railcars to sway. He asked if the City was aware that when the property was purchased, the railroad stated it should not be used for any type of trail. Benke said the County purchased the property, not the City. Chuck Kelly has lived across the tracks for 30 years, and this is the first he has heard of the trail. At the public meeting held by the County, the only input the County wanted from the residents was whether they preferred fencing or shrubbery. He feels the residents should have been able to voice their opinion. A resident feels that some research should be done to determine an alternative route, but noted that the area along the creek is unsuitable because of the steep banks. Samuelson feels that persons utilizing the trails generally would not vandalize adjacent properties or litter. Gunderman was a Park Board member when this subject was originally discussed. Originally, the intent was for the trail to follow the creek, but the creek banks make this impossible. He suggested that the Park Board and staff review the original decision and identify any demographic data changes. He feels it is appropriate to determine if the 1979 decision is still correct in 1994. Williams feels the residents should have been notified, and noted concern regarding the trail crossing at Silver Lake Road. The littering or the trail's proximity to the tracks does not overly concern him, but he supports Gunderman's request. He requested that County representatives be notified of this request. .:. Larson agrees that the Silver Lake Road crossing is a safety concern and suggested some type of controlled intersection. Fulton noted that the County plans to begin the bid process the first part of May. Motion by Gunderman, seconded by Williams, to REQUFSf TIlE PARK BOARD AND STAFF TO RESEARCH AND REVIEW TIlE SAFETY FACTORS wmCH WERE BROUGHT FORTH BY RESIDENTS AND COUNCIL; REVIEW DEMOGRAPlUC DATA TO DEI'ERMINE IF IT HAS DIFFERED FROM THE DATA AVAILABLE WHEN THE ORIGINAL DECISION WAS MADE IN 1979; REVIEW THE ROUTING OF THE TRAIL; AND PRFSENT THESE FINDINGS TO TIlE COUNCIL ON APRIL 12, 1994. 5 Ayes - 0 Nayes, Motion Carried. S"ecial Order of Business c Rice Creek Trail Report 94-066 I I