CR 98-152 LRT Regional Trail Winter Activities PermitSeptember 24, 1998
Proposed Action.
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: "Move to adopt the proposed winter activities
of hiking.. biking and pet walking on the two regional LRT trails in Hopkins."
Overview.
Hennepin Parks allows certain winter activities on the two southwest regional trails, contingent
upon approval from the Hennepin Parks Board of Commissioners. This approval requires a
verification of formal City Council Action approving the proposed activities. If no formal action is
taken the trails will be signed as closed, by order of the local City Council. This procedure is the
same as that used for the 1996 and 1997 winter seasons.
Primary ,Issues to Consider
LRT REGIONAL TRAIL WINTER ACTIVITIES PERMIT
♦ Certificate of Insurance
♦ Is this process the same as the process used in other years?
♦ What happens if the city does not approve a permit?
♦ Does this action impact additional funding or staff work loads?
Supporting Documents
♦ Winter Use Permit
♦ Park Board Minutes
Ray V gtmi Parks/Forestry Superintendent
Council Report: 98 -152
Primary Issues to Consider
o Certificate of Insurance
A certificate of insurance naming Hennepin Parks as an additional insured is required. This was
completed last year as well and is taken care of by the Finance Director.
Is this process the same as the process used in other years?
This process is the same as that completed for the 1996 and 1997 seasons. We experienced many
favorable comments on having the trails plowed and maintained for winter hiking and biking.
There were no problems with vandalism. The maintenance tasks required snow plowing and
occasional sanding because of ice build -up.
o What happens if the city does not approve a permit?
If the City Council does not approve a winter permit, Hennepin Parks will close the trails at the city
limits, and post "Trail Closed" signs as per direction of Hopkins City Council.
o Does this action impact additional funding or staff work loads?
City crews have been plowing and maintaining these trails for the last several winters. The impact
on staff is minimal to plow and sand. Use patterns are fairly high , which should justify continued
winter maintenance.
Park Board Minutes, March 16, 1998
Page 2
D. SHADY OAK BEACH UPDATE
R. Vogtman gave and update on recent construction activities at the beach. The buildings are
completed. Site work is moving ahead with the water play area and playground under
construction. It was noted that a letter had been mailed from the City of Minnetonka to Brauer
and Associates regarding the lack of construction progress over the summer.
The park board also questioned who would be responsible for maintenance activities at the beach.
' ogtman indicated that a meeting regarding this topic has been discussed by is not yet
scheduled.
WINTER TRAIL ACTIVITIES PERMIT
C. Heubach moved and K. Egger seconded a motion recommending to council that the
winter regional trail activities of hiking/biking be permitted as in the last several years. On
the vote: D. Day, C. Heubach, and K. Egger voted yes. The motion was approved 3 -0. This
item will be on the October 6 consent agenda for Council action. The park board also requested
that this item be a 5 year permit instead of yearly, in order to make our local government more
efficient.
PARK AREA ASSIGN1ViENT REPORTS
Patty Schuessler: Valley, Cottageville, Hiawatha Oaks
Mark Kuhl: Oakes, Interlachen, Burnes
Karen Egger: Harley Hopkins, Central, Shady Oak Nature Area
David Day: Elmo, Hilltop, Maetzold Field
Charles Heubach: Shady Oak Beach, Park Valley Playground, Buffer
No reports.
G. HOPKINS/MINNETONKA JOINT RECREATION BOARD
September meeting cancelled. Next meeting scheduled for November 9th.
NEW BUSINESS
MINNEHAHA OAKS ASSOCIATION LETTER
The park board reviewed the letter from P. Isaak of the Minnehaha Oaks Association. Chair
person K. Egger will draft a reply from the park board.
Title:
HENNEPIN PARKS
SOUTHWEST REGIONAL LRT TRAIL CORRIDORS
1998 -99 WINTER USE PERMIT
Name of City I1OIIt.P 5 City Hall Phone iq
Contact Person ?Aq 006 Tm Anl Phone 9 - 1 9 - 13
Authorized 1998 -99 Winter Activities /itl ' ) f<(//(16 5 />c 0,41-$6A1-6,
Authorization is hereby requested from the Hennepin Parks. Board of Commissioners to use portions of the
9buthwest LRT Trailtorridor for winter use activities between November 15 and March 31 as determined by each
municipality within guidelines set forth herein on property located within individual City boundaries.
It is understood and agreed that approval from the. Hennepin Parks Board of Commissioners is contingent upon
fhe following conditions:
The City will provide the Park District with a Certificate of Insurance, naming Hennepin Parks as an additional
named insured. Such certificate shall provide at least $600,000 aggregate or combined single limit of general
liability coverage for the requested winter use activities.
4 The City agrees to maintai the trail, including, but not limited to any plowing, sweeping, spacking,
g sanding, P g,
trash pick -up, and sign replacement, between November 15- 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.
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 include hiking, biking, snowmobiling, cross - country skiing,
snowshoeing, or pet walking, (Horses are prohibited on all 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. These 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 residence.
Each City is required to submit its annual permit requests, including proposed rules and regulations, by
September 15, after which the Park District may take up to 45 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 Permit. 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.
(/‘;
(Authorized Representative of the City)
Date: 7- 2�
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