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081897 CC WS AgP ." . . ! . . . . . .' .,1 . , l .. << I f~ ~ :\ ',4 " AGENDA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION CITY OFSHOREWOOD MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 1997 ,5755 COUNTRYCLUBROl\l) . COUNCIL CBAMBEBs' ' 7 :30 P.M. 1. CONVENE WORK. SESSION A. Roll Call B. ReviewAgenda 2. DISCUSSION .'ON ISSUE' REGARDING SNO\DIOBJl,BSlN SHOREWOOD DURING THE UPCOMING SEASON, ' " 3. ADJOURN . CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION CITY OF SHOREWOOD MONDA Y, AUGUST 18, 1997 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:30 P.M. AGENDA 1 . CONVENE WORK SESSION A. Roll Call B. Review Agenda . DISCUSSION ON ISSUE REGARDING SNOWMOBILES IN SHOREWOOD DURING THE UPCOMING SEASON 3 . ADJOURN 2. . . To: Mayor and City Council James C. Hurm, City Administrator From: Date: August 13, 1997 Re: City Council Work Session on Snowmobiling Scheduled for Monday, August 18, 1997 at 7:30 p.m. Bring to the work session, the folder you received this spring entitled, "Snowmobiles 1996 / 1997 Season - Evaluation Data." If you are unable to locate this report, let us know as soon as possible so we can have a copy for you. The attached memorandum is an attempt to frame the issues that should be discussed by the City Council. The format used identifies the issues and raises questions for your consideration. Perhaps the main initial question is: "Should snowmobiles be allowed to be used on the LRT trail?" If the answer is yes, then we need to go on to consider the remaining questions. Another question that will be important at the end of the work session 'is: "What format do you want to use to present your conclusions to the public and to offer an opportunity for public input on conclusions drawn at the work session?" Chief Young has been asked to attend. He will be at another City Council meeting that night but will attempt to get away in time to come to our meeting late. Officer Keller has a conflict and cannot attend. cc: Planning Commission Members Park Commission Members Becky Tarvin, Staff Support Chief Rick Young . . . CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MONDA Y, AUGUST 18, 1997 REVIEW OF SNOWMOBILE USE IN THE CITY OF SHOREWOOD I. Snowmobile Use on LRT Trail A. Permit 1. Would Council make any changes for the 97-98 Winter Use Permit of the LRT trail? (Copy of Permit, attached) a) The 96-97 Winter Use Permit included the following specified uses for the trail: => Hiking => Biking => Snowmobiling => Cross Country Skiing => Snow Shoeing => Pet Walking B. Other LRT Related Concerns 1. Should the City accept a recommendation by Police Chief Rick Young to open the winter use of the trail in Shorewood on November 15 (the first day available per the permit)? 2. Should barricades with signs stating "Trail Closed" be placed on the trail until the open date? . CITY COUNCn.. WORK SESSION - 8/18/97 PAGE 2 3. Should the City begin working with neighbors of the LRT Trail to identify places for evergreen buffers? This can have a significant budget impact in that buffer trees can cost over $300.00 each. II. Issues A. 5ignage Council authorized staff to change the trail signs by enlarging the 20 mph signs and place them in key locations for snowmobilers to easily see. Administration will work with the South Lake Minnetonka Public Safety Department in relocating the signs for the upcoming season. B. Lake Access . 1. Should anything further be done to improve access from Lake Minnetonka to the LRT Trail west of Timber Lane? (see Planning Commission Minutes, 3/4/97, page 6, attached) a) SLMPSD has recommended moving the Timber Lane sign to the west side of the most used access point rather than at City Limits for greater visibility of signs and compliance. 2. Should anything further be done for additional Lake access? (i.e. Howard's Point Marina location) . C. Freeman Park 1. Should any trail grooming be done in Freeman Park for cross-country skiing? . . . CITY COUNCn.. WORK SESSION - 8/18/97 PAGE 3 D. Policing and Enforcement 1. Does the City Council feel the hours of enforcement should be increased or decreased? In the 96-97 season, Officer Keller reported 182 hours of enforcement on the trail. 2. Should a request to increase snowmobile related fines be submitted to the Hennepin County Judge? (Typical fine is $70.00 per incident) 3. Should the communications approach change from the concept of "Zero Tolerance" to "Strict Enforcement of the Law" to reduce conflicts of interpretation? 4. Should the City of Shorewood Snow Patrol be disbanded? It may no longer be necessary to have the assistance of the City Snow Patrol because of the enforcement program. 5 . Would you like any additional reports or different data gathered for the upcoming season? a) Reports have included: (1) (2) (3) (4) 911 summary of calls related to snowmobiling Radar and noise decibel monitoring results End of season summaries Communications summary with other agencies including DNR, Hennepin Parks, Carver County and the Water Patrol 6. Would you like to expand the enforcement program? Police Chief Rick Young has indicated a second snowmobile could be purchased for $5,000.00 (including set-up costs). CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - 8/18/97 PAGE 4 E. Continued Use of Snowmobiles 1. How will the Council determine if snowmobiles will be continued to be used in the City? 2. Do you want annual reports, and each year make a decision OR, after 2 or 3 years of data gathering, reevaluate the issue of snowmobiling? 3. Should the Park or Planning Commission have a role in program evaluation? . F. Communication 1. Should additional training and communication be done? a) The City has used the Sun Sailor and the City newsletter to publicize the season and specific Shorewood regulations. Safety training is also available to the public, and within the police department for officers. 2. Does the Council want to have a public hearing on snowmobiling in the City? . . . . CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - 8/18/97 PAGE 5 III. 1997 - 1998 Program Implementation With the direction of the City Council, the 1996/97 program will be continued with the following highlights. This program will be adjusted as the Council reviews the issues and addresses the questions listed in this report. A. Administration 1. Signage will be placed along the trail to best inform snowmobilers of Shorewood's City Ordinance, enlarging the 20 mph LRT Trail speed. The Timber Lane sign will be moved west of the Lake Minnetonka on/off location. 2. SLMPSD has access to a noise meter for use within the City. No decibel noise meter will be purchased at this time. 3. Additional snow, when available, will be placed at the Timber Lane lake access to modify the embankment for easier road crossing. 4. Trail Monitoring reports will be conducted on a random basis for 10 to 15 hours during the snow season. 5. Reporting by staff will include a complaint log and results of action . CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - 8/18/97 PAGE 6 B. Finance 1. Out of Pocket Costs Mailings to Snowmobile Owners.. ..... . .$250.00 Signs..... ............. .... ....................300.00 Equipment Replacement Transfer......... 800.00 Turn-Out Gear. ............................... .60.00 Snowmobile Maintenance.................. 200.00 Misc. Expenses (i.e. hay bales/parts)..... 260.00 SUBTOTAL .................... $1,870.00 2. In-Kind Costs . Patrol Time (salary + benefits)......... $4,285.00 Officer Prep Time........................... 805.00 Certification Class. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 535.00 Public Works Timber Lane Manpower (6 hrs)........ 124.00 Timber Lane Equipment Charges. .. . .. 340.00 (includes dump trucklbackhoelloader) Other Manpower (6 hrs) ................124.00 Staff Time (estimate)..... .... ......... ......212.00 SUBTOTAL.................... $8,295.00 Annualized Expense Total............................... .$8,295.00 Estimated Citation Revenue............................. .(5,780.00) TOTAL ANNUAL PROGRAM COST ....... $2,515.00 . c. Education 1. Snowmobile Safety Training will be offered at Shorewood City Hall and conducted by a certified Safety Training Instructor. If more than one safety training class is needed, it will be offered. 2. The SLMPSD will hold an in-house training to review Shorewood's snowmobile ordinance. and regulations regarding snowmobile use. CITY OF SHOREWOOD . 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD · SHOREWOOD. MINNESOTA 55331-8927 · (612) 474-3236 September 24, 1996 . Karen Bowen, Director of Operations Hennepin Parks 12615 Country Road 9 Plymouth, MN 55441 Dear Ms. Bowen: This letter is to clarify the intentions of the City of Shorewood with regard to the allowed winter uses of the Regional Trail within the City limits. My cover letter dated September 11 was intended to make sure you realized that snowmobiling was a part of our application. It was never the City's intention to limit trail use to snowmobiling solely. The Shorewood City Council desires to allow a multitude of winter uses as listed on your Winter Use Permit form and on our Certificate of Insurance, including the following: hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, pet walking, and snowmobiling. Sincerely, . ! . crr;t OF SHO.,~DOD /! / ar-! """'. " /!L"" ,i. J. ~ t:) U .q /\..L.i ''-''''Ten Naab, Executive Secretary/Deputy Clerk tin ~ Res;'c.:::.'-'-:::"al :-;;;mr7'7ur:/r"/ ,'Jr !.-2.;':-? .t1;'.~,~:;~::.~<.="; ~;;.....--::.'"? S/70,"'9 . CITY OF SHOREWOOD 5755 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD. SHOREWOOD. MINNESOTA 55331-8927 · (612) 474.3236 September 11, 1996 Karen Bowen, Director of Operations Hennepin Parks 12615 Country Road 9 Plymouth, MN 55441 . Dear Ms. Bowen: City of Shorewood respectfully requests approval to allow the use of snowmobiles on the Regional Trail within our City limits.. Attached to this letter is an excerpt from the September 9, 1996 Council meeting minutes which confJIID.S the Council's desire to apply for this permit. We understand maintenance of the trail and winter signage notifying the public of permitted uses will be the responsibility of the City. The signs that are currently posted which indicate no vehicular traffic will need to be modified or removed by y()~.organization. Our insurance company will be directed to send an updated Certificate of Insurance naming Hennepin Parks as an additional named insured upon renewal. Please notify is in writing after the Park Board has taken action on this request. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, . CITY OF SH?REWj>OD ~')/J- Teri Naab, Executive Secretary/Deputy Clerk Enclosure tin ....: .~=s/ce.'7rfal l:ornmuni-:': In ~3,'<2~~f/rr:-::i-':":'~ ; :,:,--'-,:,~ S/iC'/'"? HENNEPIN PARKS SOUTHWEST REGIONAL LRT TRAIL CORRIDORS WINTER USE PERMIT Name of City Shorewood Oty Hail Phone F, 1 ?-l.. 71..-'3?16 Street Address ')75'; Countrv Club Road Zip Code 55331 Contact Person T;;me~ r, Hl'rm. Citv Administ:-ator Phone 612-474-3236 Authorization is hereby requested from the Hennepin Parks Board of Commissioners to use portions of the Southwest LRT Trail Corridor for winter use activities between November 15 and March 31 as determined bv eac..,; municipality within guidelines set forth herein on property located within individual City boundaries. . It is understood and agr~d that approval from the Hennepin Parks Board of Commissioners is contingent upon the following conditions: . · The City will provide the Park Distrid with a Certificate of Insurance. naming Hennepin Parks as an additionai named insured. Such certificate shall provide at least 5600,000 aggregate or combined single limit of general liability coverage for the requested winter use activities. · The City agrees to maintain the trail, including, but not limited to, any plowing, sweeping, sanding, paddng, trash pick-up. and sign replacement, between November IS-March 31 pursuant to guidelines established by the Park District. The City further agrees to immediately address all safety issues on or adjacent to trails as part of this permit. . · The City will provide signage at locations approved by the Park District notifying the public of authorized winter activities within its city limits; activities may indude hiking, biking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or pet walking. (Horses are prohibited on ail segments of the trail throughout the year.) Winter use signs must be installed by the City at designated locations prior to November 15 and removed by the City no later than April 15. Tnese signs are totally the responsibility of each municipality. · The City agrees to enforce rules and regulations established by the municipality as part of its request for a Winter Use Permit. .. The City agrees to repair all trail surface damage that occurs as a result of winter trail activities, including, but not limited to, grading or adding aggregate pursuant to guidelines established by the Park District · The City agrees that winter trail use will be available to all persons, regardless of whether or not they are city residents. Each City is required to submit its annual permit requests induding proposed rules and regulations by September 15, after which the Park District may take up to 4S days to process. Each permit request must be submitted as a result of formal City Council action, with accompanying verification. agreeing to the terms and conditions outlined by the Park District's Winter Use P.ermit. It should be further understood that no winter activity will be allowed on segments of the Southwest LRT Trail Corridor where municipalities do not request permits. The Park District reserves the right to terminate a permit at any time. if the conditions set forth herein are not followed. Signed: e.. / ..., ." (, , . : ~0{ l1~.,-- Date: 9/9/96 Title: ,I I' , ". ~l'(~~.n (.-\uthor:5 Representative of the City) ohl IIrel wntr~;mnt . . PLANNING COMMISSION :MEETING MINUTES MARCH 4, 1997 - PAGE 5 Commissioner Champa was in agreement, however he felt Chair Pisula would need to take a strong stand as chairperson in controlling the meeting so it does not get out of hand. Commissioner Borkon commented there is a general misunderstanding of the public hearing process. Commissioner Kolstad suggested in the event of a controversial issue, the Planning Commission could table consideration of a matter to a future date. Nielsen felt this could be a case by case decision. Council Liaison O'Neill suggested recruiting volunteers to act as consumer advocates who could give advice and keep concerned members of the public informed. Commissioner Champa noted other cities post a lighted sign announcing a meeting is being held on a certain evening. Nielsen related staff is currently discussing this idea. Commissioner Turgeon asked if there was Commission consensus relative to early information sessions prior to a Commission formal action so residents could become better informed. Commissioner Borkon felt it was a good idea, however, she felt it should be dependent upon the issue and whether or not the issue justifies an information session. . Council Liaison O'Neill suggested the Planning Commission develop a mission statement which would allow this provision to be at the discretion of the chairperson. Chair Pisula felt the process could be improved to be made more understandable for the residents. 4. DISCUSS LAKE ACCESS SITES RE: SNOWlVIOBILES Commissioner Borkon inquired as to prerequisites for a particular site to be suitable as an access site for snowmobiles. In addition, she noted not all of the possible access sites are on the trail. Nielsen explained his understanding the Planning Commission is to be reviewing places which might be suitable for snowmobiles to access the lake. Commissioner Kolstad explained Timber Lane is heavily used as an access to the lake and she felt if other access points farther to the west were to be identified, this would relieve some of the pressure on the trail. . Commissioner Turgeon noted the survey reflected the usage of the trail by snowmobilers was to get to the lake. If was felt if other access points could be provided to the lake without having to use the trail, this would relieve some of the traffic and perhaps make it safer for mixed use. With respect to the island locations, Nielsen pointed out with the exception of three lots, virtually every lot on Enchanted and Shady Islands has their own direct access to the lake. Commissioner Borkon felt parking would need to be a consideration. She noted Crescent Beach to be the only option which would have parking availability. Howard's Point would be a consideration if arrangements could be made with the marina. Commissioner Turgeon felt the only viable site to be Crescent Beach. She noted no parking, poor grade, and inability to stop legally would be issues to be taken into consideration when contemplating the other site options. Commissioner Kolstad noted the benefits of the Timber Lane access to be its close proximity to the trail, quick access, and the limited number of homes close by. She felt the terrain issues could be dealt with. . . ...- PLANNING COMlVIISSION lVIEETING MINUTES lVIARCH 4, 1997 - PAGE 6 Commissioner Turgeon pointed out the Third Street fire lane is being utilized at the present time by snowmobiles. Nielsen felt it was probably being used by local residents given the fact the City has not received any complaints relative to this use. Commissioner Borkon was in agreement with Commissioner Turgeon relative to the Crescent Beach access, however she did not feel she was in a position to comment on an appropriate access at this time. Commissioner Borkon stated she would like further information relative to the Council's plan and what issues have been discussed and decided upon. Nielsen stated snowmobiles can be trailered onto the lake and he did not feel higher use of Howard's Point marina by nonresidents would be a good idea. Commissioner Borkon asked whether the intent would be to encourage public other than Shorewood residents to utilize the access points. Nielsen stated the purpose would be to alleviate the pressure of snowmobiles on the trail. Commissioner Champa expressed his opinion the issue relative to access sites is a moot issue until a decision is made to either allow snowmobiles on the trail or ban them. He pointed out there is . one access point on Timber Lane. Council Liaison O'Neill noted the Council has made the snowmobile issue a priority item for consideration. The Park Commission will address this issue first. It will then be reviewed by the Council in spring. Nielsen pointed out that as of this point, snowmobiles are permitted on the trail. The Task Force made a number of recommendations to make this a more suitable use. One of the recommendations was to find additional suitable locations where local snowmobilers would be able to access the lake without having to use the trail. This would then reduce the pressure on the trail. Commissioner Kolstad felt the lake access issue to be independent from the decision of the Council whether or not to allow snowmobiles on the trail. Commissioner Borkon felt there should be a definitive answer by the Council prior to discussing lake access points. Commissioner Champa noted his agreement. Commissioner Kolstad felt it might be helpful to the Council in making their decision to be aware of other viable access points to the lake. Commissioner Lizee felt Crescent Beach to be the only viable access, however, she noted discussions would need to be held with Tonka Bay relative to this access point. . Commissioners Turgeon and Kolstad felt Howard's Point should be investigated to determine whether or not this would be a usable access point. It was the consensus of the Commission that Crescent Beach would be a possible access point given the parking capabilities. Howard's Point will be investigated to determined whether or not this would be a possibility. Timber Lane would need to be made viable or excluded as an access point. Commissioner Borkon clarified the Council should not interpret this as a recommendation of the Planning Commission. Item No.3 was the next agenda item considered.