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090996 CC WS Min . . . CITY OF SHOREWOOD WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 9, 1996 COUNCIL CHAMBERS 5755 COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE FOLLOWING REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 1. CONVENE WORK SESSION MEETING Mayor Bean called the meeting to order at 9:42 p.m. A. Roll Call Present: Mayor Bean; Councilmembers Stover, McCarty, Benson and Shaw; Administrator Hurm, City Engineer Larry Brown, Intern Jason Hendrickson, Snowmobile Task Force Co-chair Virginia Kolstad. Review Agenda B. There were no changes to the agenda as noticed. 2. DISCUSSION ON SNOWMOBILE TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS Mayor Bean noted his understanding the work session would be starting with the premise the Council is accepting the Task Force Report and the recommendations therein. Councilmember McCarty suggested rather than voting against the entire program, she would like an opportunity to vote in favor of areas in which she is in agreement. Mayor Bean did not feel recommendations 1 through 7 could be considered as separate issues, but perhaps the Council could arrive at what the broad 4 to 6 recommendations are and vote on those independently. Councilmember Stover pointed out this refers to snowmobiles throughout the city and not simply limited to the trail. She felt everyone could agree to certain parts of the report, but does not want the discussion to come down to agreeing or disagreeing with the entire report. Councilmember Stover noted she would like the opportunity to agree with parts of the report. She further noted whatever action is taken, enforcement is needed. Councilmember McCarty was in agreement with this. Task Force Co-chair Kolstad clarified the Council would need to review and consider the recommendations to decide if they are feasible to implement and if the recommendations will solve the problems. Mayor Bean pointed out the Council had reached a consensus snowmobiles will stay in Shorewood. He noted there would not be an issue with the recommendations for patrolling and enforcement. In addition, the curfew recommendations will be accepted. With respect to speed limits, identification and registration, those recommendations would need to be made to the State and the DNR. Mayor Bean noted with respect to licensing and the size of licenses, this would be a State issue and he suggested directing Staff to make recommendations for improvement to the appropriate State agencies. He further noted State standards and City ordinance would cover the issue of noise abatement. City Administrator Hurm noted with respect to planting evergreens along the trail, time will not permit this to be accomplished this year. Mayor Bean commented recommendations can be approved and Staff can address the implementation and time frame for completion. . . . CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 9, 1996 - PAGE 2 Mayor Bean Stated the side trail issue would be considered as a separate issue from the issue of snowmobiles on the trail. Councilmembers Stover and McCarty noted their agreement. Councilmember Stover noted this gets into the expenditure of funds and invasion into property owners' yards. She expressed her opinion if the City is going to spend money on building trails for hikers in the City, presumably the best location would be next to the snowmobile trail or possibly another location could be found within the city which could be utilized. She expressed her opinion if the City is going to spend money on building trails for hikers in the City, perhaps a location other than adjacent to the LRT could be found. City Administrator Hurm noted the side trail would not involve a large expenditure of funds. With respect to safety, Mayor Bean Stated he is not in favor of the 30 foot moving buffer zone. Councilmember Stover expressed concern with trail use by the elementary school children throughout the school year and the safety issues relative to this. Mayor Bean suggested limiting snowmobiles on the trail during school hours to avoid this scenario. Councilmember Stover suggested prohibiting snowmobiles on the trail beginning an hour before school and until an hour after school for those children who use the trail coming and going from school. Mayor Bean was not in favor of this suggestion. Councilmember Stover suggested prohibiting snowmobiles from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Mayor Bean noted this time period could be published similar to other school zone requirements. Mayor Bean felt the recommendation for a moving buffer zone would be unworkable. Councilmember Shaw suggested requiring a reduced speed limit when a pedestrian is in view of the snowmobile operator. Mayor Bean suggested this issue could be addressed with educational concerns and would prefer a constant speed limit which would be easier to enforce. Mayor Bean expressed his opinion an effective job has not been done with respect to education. Councilmembers McCarty and Stover recalled at one point several years ago the Snow Patrol was going to conduct more education. Mayor Bean explained City Staff would be directed to carry out this project. Intern Jason Hendrickson noted the DNR will conduct classes for the officer and the Snow Patrol who will become trained and they will then be able to conduct educational classes locally. Mayor Bean Stated he would like to see a document compiled which would identify the issues and concerns and would be distributed to the snowmobile clubs in addition to being included in a newsletter to all Shorewood residents. This document would begin with an outline of the City's policy of no tolerance and clearly State that if the rules are not followed, snowmobiling will no longer be allowed in Shore wood. Councilmember Stover Stated she would be in favor of such a notice reflecting the snowmobile policy and the tolerance level, noting if this policy is not followed, snowmobiles will be banned in Shorewood. The City must then follow through with this. Councilmember Shaw raised a concem with snowmobilers coming in from other areas who may not be familiar with the standards which have been set in Shorewood. Councilmember Benson felt the standards would be well communicated throughout the community. Task Force Co-chair Kolstad commented she did not feel it would be difficult to establish a standard based on the 911 complaints which had been received and are a part of the survey results. Mayor Bean felt this would be a 1997 goal since there is not sufficient time prior to the snowmobile season. Mayor Bean suggested benchmarks be establish along with goals to demonstrate the implementation and if the benchmarks are not met, snowmobiles would be banned in a one year period of time. CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 9, 1996 - PAGE 3 . Mayor Bean noted the snowmobile season is defined as December 1 to March 31. Councilmember Stover commented in the event of a major snow on November 1, snowmobilers could not use their snowmobiles. Mayor Bean confirmed this. Mayor Bean expressed his opinion the areas of property rights and trespass could be addressed along with education. In addition, yielding would also be considered an educational issue. With respect to access issues, Mayor Bean asked if the Council would be assuming the two identified access points would be utilized. Councilmember Stover noted she would like the Councilmembers to review the minority opinion with respect to the Timber Lane access. Mayor Bean noted access points will be listed as an issue for consideration. On the issue of carbide studs, Mayor Bean inquired what value the studs provide. Task Force Co- chair Kolstad noted they provide for better steering and tracking. Councilmember Stover did not feel anything could be done about this issue other than to consider what damage could result from their use. Mayor Bean outlined the topics for discussion and decision include snowmobile use of the regional trail or not, the use of a side trail, the establishment of benchmarks, the reinforcement issue of no tolerance and how this would be conveyed and the access issue with respect to Crescent Beach and Timber Lane. Mayor Bean felt the primary things the Council needs to do is accept the report and recommendations qualified by discussion with a direction back to City Staff to develop an implementation plan. . Councilmember Stover Stated she could not accept all of the recommendations, however, she could accept itemized recommendations. She noted the Task Force recommendations are too broad. Mayor Bean Stated at some point the Council needs to establish the premise that the Task Force would be in a position to arrive at recommendations. Councilmember McCarty pointed out they are recommendations and not mandates. Councilmember McCarty noted the safety of the citizens is a compelling reason to separate out the side trail issue. Councilmember Stover felt the Council needs to review the recommendations with great favor, but retains the final responsibility to decide if the recommendations are a good idea or not. Councilmember McCarty noted this is similar to the situation in which the Planning Commission or the Park Commission makes a recommendation to City Council. The Council has the power to deny that recommendation. Mayor Bean pointed out the Council is generally not in a position to turn over a Commission recommendation unless there is new information or some compelling reason to suggest the Planning Commission was not aware of all of the pertinent information. Mayor Bean clarified with respect to Policy Recommendations 1 through 19, the issues have been framed and decisions need to be made subject to discussion on the four broad areas outlined which are snowmobiles on the trail, a side trail, the establishment of benchmarks and access points of Crescent Beach and Timber Lane. If that decision can be made, the next decisions would center around the implementation of specific actions as identified. . . . . CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 9, 1996 - PAGE 4 Mayor Bean noted the Council will need to decide which policies to accept and which direction to take. At that point, City Staff can be directed to address an implementation plan. Mayor Bean Stated he has no problem stipulating that under any circumstance the Council will need to rewrite the Ordinance. He noted no one seems to understand the language in the current ordinance and language needs to be arrived at which is understandable so that public safety staff can be properly directed. Intern Jason Hendrickson produced a video tape presentation showing a fair representation of a potential side trail. Mayor Bean inquired how far the side trail was projected to be from the traveled trail. Task Force Co-chair Kolstad noted this had not been determined. City Administrator Hurm pointed out the existing sumac and bushes would simply be cut to ground level, however, there would not be any paving performed. Councilmember McCarty urged the Councilmembers to actually walk the trail and keep in mind the various scenarios. Kolstad pointed out trees would not be eliminated. Councilmember McCarty felt the trail is being proposed for a place where it does not fit. Hendrickson noted Hennepin County has not approved the addition of a side trail at this time. They will be meeting in October at which time a decision is expected. Councilmember Stover inquired as to the loss of trees. Hendrickson noted the largest tree which would possibly be affected would be 3 inches in diameter. Mayor Bean noted the Council could be more restrictive in this case. The Council reached consensus a framework had been established for discussion at the next City Council meeting. Councilmember McCarty once again asked the Councilmembers to walk the trail and put themselves in the position of the property owners and trail user and realize how bushes and things of this nature will be unnecessarily removed. Councilmember Stover stressed that safety is the major concern and this has not yet been considered. She further pointed out if snowmobiles want to get to the lake they can achieve this by using the streets. Mayor Bean questioned whether this would be safer than using the trail. Councilmembers McCarty and Stover felt it would be better for snowmobilers to use the streets to gain access to the lake. Mayor Bean did not agree noting the same situation exists with respect to streets and pedestrians. Councilmember McCarty felt the problem was being compounded. Woody Love, 5460 Teal Circle, inquired when the citizens would be allowed input into this matter. Mayor Bean explained a public hearing was not contemplated due to the amount of information which has been compiled by the Snowmobile Task Force which includes citizen feedback. Councilmember McCarty Stated she would insist on a public hearing because the public is not aware of the potential side trail. Mayor Bean noted the implementation of policy which could affect property owners could be affected by public input, however, with respect to general policy, a public hearing is not necessary. Councilmember Stover noted her agreement with Councilmember McCarty with respect to a public hearing. . . . CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION SEPTEMBER 9, 1996 - PAGE 5 3. ADJOURNMENT Benson moved, Stover seconded to adjourn the Work Session Meeting at 11: 16 p.m. Motion passed 5/0. RESPECTFULL Y SUBMITTED, Cheryl Wall at, Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial ATTEST: , ) / " .) f / '.. , ''i.4SJ:~'' . K:.y.iLk./V {,._,:J{~I.:/l~ ROBERT B. BEAN, MAYOR J