CR 96-182 Approve Regional Trails Winter Use PermitNovember 19, 1996
Primary Issues to Consider
Supporting Information
o Hennepin Parks memo, dated September 26, 1996
o LRT Winter Use Permit Requests, 1996 -97
o Winter Use Permit
o Resolution No. 96 -94
Ray O Sgt n
Supe intendent; Parks, Forestry, Pavilion
Council Report: 96 -182
O P K
APPROVE REGIONAL TRAILS WINTER USE PERMIT
Proposed Action.
In order for the City to maintain and allow winter activities such as
hiking, biking or pet walking on the two regional LRT trail corridors,
authorization from the Hennepin Parks Board of Commissioners is
required. Staff recommends that "Council adopt Resolution No. 96 -94
which will permit certain winter activities to proceed."
Overview.
The City has maintained the two regional trails on a trial basis over
the last two winters. The maintenance activities are primarily snow
plowing and sanding, with occasional trash pick -up. The winter use
has increased each year with excellent public feedback from all user
groups. If the City wishes to continue winter usage and maintenance,
a winter use permit must be submitted to Hennepin Parks. A condition
of this permit is formal Council action requesting this use.
o Staff Manpower - City staff feels that these trails can be
maintained without any significant cuts to other programs and
services.
o Winter Trail Demand - The trial maintenance over the last two
winters documents high pedestrian and pet walking activities.
o Consistency - The attached 1996 -97 permit requests would support
the recommended Council action.
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oh1/lrt \97wtrlrtreq
HENNEPIN PARKS
Memorandum September 26, 1996
TO: Regional LRT Advisory Committee Members
FROM: Karen Bowen, Chair
SUBJ: Winter Permit Update
Attached is the status of requests I have received for use of the Southwest Regional LRT
Trail Corridors between November 15 and March 31, 1996. I am distributing this information
because many of you expressed curiosity about the plans of other adjacent communities.
Also, some communities have not yet provided a complete package of information (as
specified in the attached winter permit form), and this memo will serve as notice of "missing
pieces," which must be provided before the Hennepin Parks Board of Commissioners takes
action on the requests on October 17, 1996.
While the permit form does not require you to specify which actions will be permitted on the
trail within the boundaries of your communities, in most cases certificates of insurance
provide that information, or you have done so, via a cover letter. The Park District does not
need that information, as long as your community signs indicate approved uses - -and, most
specifically, spell out PROHIBITED activities (i.e., snowmobiling, where necessary).
It is my assumption that inherent in the decisions made by the cities of Greenwood and
Excelsior to prohibit all winter activities, is the understanding that Hennepin Parks will post
the trails segments in those communities, CLOSED UNTIL MARCH 31, 1996, BY ORDER
OF THE (APPROPRIATE NAME) CITY COUNCIL.
Please provide information that has been highlighted on the attached chart, inunediately. Call
me, 559 -6701, if you have questions. Thanks much. Hopefully, this will be routine one of
these years.
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Name of City 4PK / /iii
Street Address /l5/O /r ST- S.
Contact Person Pp e v o 6-7-krt4,J
HENNEPIN PARKS
SOUTHWEST REGIONAL LRT TRAIL CORRIDORS
WINTER USE PERMIT
Signed: ® p
Title: U f / 1 / l.LL
(Au of the Ci
City Hail Phone 7.3 - 7y
Zip Code .575 5/3
Phone 439 - 13 - 1
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 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
the 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.
• The City agrees to maintain the trail, including, but not limited to, any plowing, sweeping, sanding, packing,
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 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 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 whether or not they are city
residents.
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.
Date: /7 5
ohl /Irt /wntrprmt
CITY OF HOPKINS
Hennepin County, Minnesota
RESOLUTION NO. 96 -94
RESOLUTION APPROVING REGIONAL TRAIL WINTER USE
WHEREAS, it is understood and agreed that year round activities
such as hiking and biking are beneficial to the health
and well -being of all persons, and
WHEREAS, the City agrees that winter trail use will be available
to all persons, regardless of whether or not they are
City residents, and
WHEREAS, the City encourages such health related winter
activities by maintaining two regional trails between
November 15 - March 31, and
WHEREAS, maintenance includes plowing, sweeping, sanding, trash
pick -up and sign replacement and immediately addressing
all safety issues,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City
of Hopkins, Minnesota, hereby requests from Hennepin
Parks the authorization to allow winter use activities
such as hiking, biking and pet walking on the two
regional LRT trail corridors located in the City.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hopkins, Minnesota,
this 19th day of November 1996.
ATTEST:
Terry Obermaier, City Clerk
BY
Charles D. Redepenning, Mayor