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2-23-1998OPEN SPACE & RECREATION COMMISSION February 23, 1998 Members present: Chuck Cahill, Jim Sicora, Jim Vaughan, Linda Loomis, Rich Krahulec and Roger McConico. Also present were Rick Jacobson, Sharyl Thompson, Don King from Hennepin Parks and Barry Warner from SRF. There were no agenda changes or additions Minutes A motion was made by Rich Krahulec and seconded by Jim Sicora to approve the minutes of January 26, 1998. Motion carried. North Hennepin Regional Trail Don King from Hennepin Parks gave an overview of the trail coming into Golden Valley from Plymouth, and proceeding east to Wirth Park. The proposal is expected to go before the City Council within the next couple months. Work is proceeding on routing, and on a bonding bill to complete the 40 mile northern suburban loop and the trail from Hopkins to Minneapolis. SRF was hired by Hennepin Parks to do the design work. They hope to bid the Golden Valley portion of the trail this spring, with construction starting this summer. The goal is to have the 40 -mile loop it completed in three years. Barry Warner from SRF reviewed specific placement of the trail. The trail will range from ten to twelve foot wide bituminous. Several options were considered regarding the placement of the trail in relation to Golden Valley Country Club. They feel the best alternative is to have the trail turn south from the tracks at Rhode Island and then go east along Country Club Drive on the north side rather than follow the railroad tracks through the country club golf course. This will require some minor retaining walls and fences, along the golf course. Hennepin County is re-examining the section of trail around Hwy. 55 and Hwy. 100 because of the pending highway reconstruction. Chuck Cahill asked about connecting this trail with the trail through Theo Wirth Park to Hidden Lakes. Golden Valley and Hennepin Parks are willing to pursue this, but there is some resistance from Minneapolis. Hennepin Parks was asked to include construction of a north/south connection between the Hidden Lakes trail and the regional trail in this project. A motion was made by Tom Zins and seconded by Chuck Cahill to request the City Council to meet with Hennepin Parks and approve the trail through Golden Valley after reviewing plans. Vote: 6 yes, 1 no. It was requested that the minutes show Rich Krahulec voted against the motion because he feels the trail should go through Golden Valley Country Club golf course, and not around it. Rich feels they violated right-of-way easements, and now it appears they are getting additional land. 1 AGGRESSIVE SKATE PARK PROPOSAL Proposals for an aggressive skate park were opened on February 13th. Three proposals were submitted, one each from Legacy, TruRide, and Third Layer. All three were rejected as they came in way over budget or did not meet the specifications. The committee will meet in March and each of those vendors will be interviewed individually. Then the project may be re -bid. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Staff drafted a new comprehensive plan, copies of which were in the agenda packets. Linda Loomis suggested that the difference between sidewalks and trails should be distinguished. Tom Zins felt some items should be singled out, and not make everything quite so general. Rick Jacobson requested that Commission members contact him with any suggestions so they could be brought to the next meeting. OLD BUSINESS Mayor Anderson sent a memo to the Commission regarding City Council consideration of the boat access at the Hidden Lakes development. Rick Jacobson and Mark Grimes met with representatives from Courage Center to. get input on the Hidden Lakes dock and park area. The Courage Center was concerned about crossing the road to the park, but upon further inspection, felt it was okay. NEW BUSINESS It was decided the next meeting would be in April. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Roger McConico and seconded by Chuck Cahill to adjourn.