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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-09-15 TOP Approved Minutes MINUTES OF THE TRAILS, OPEN SPACE AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING,APRIL 9, 2015 COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Sandy Dodge,Vice Chair Don Beeman Cyndy Andrus, Commission Liaison Tom Starner COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Bob Hawks, Doug Chandler COMMITTEE MEMBERS UNEXCUSED ASBENCE: CITY STAFF PRESENT: Mitch Overton, Parks&Recreation Director Carolyn Poissant, Manger Trails, Open Space and Parks Design& Development Debbie Barnett, Recording Secretary A. Meeting was called to order at 10:00 by Vice-Chair Dodge B. Approval of minutes—none C. Public Comment- none D. Disclosures—none E. Action Items—none F. Discussion I. Special Presentation -GVLT Presentation and site tour of Front Street Trail @ Oak and Birch Street intersection. Gary Vodehnal and Lucas Cain with GVLT presented. They've done some research (site map was handed out—see attachment) and what they've discovered is: ➢Front Street ROW has not been abandoned—another ROW had been abandoned years ago and incorporated into the Kenyon Noble yard. ➢Railroad Discussion ■ GVLT approached railroad about 12 years ago and they really don't like to have anything near their lines. In the last few days Gary talked with railroads (Burlington Northern, Montana Rail Link) regarding possibility of a Lease- problems exist when you're dealing with two different rail lines. Other problems: granting permission every time maintenance is required on the trail, whether it's a short term or long term lease,the possibility they can someday remove the lease should they not want it any longer, and that they may simply not grant a lease at all. The railroad truly discourages the idea of a lease. ■ Question was asked if it's common to have trails along a railroad track. No, it is not common for reasons of safety issues surrounding derailing. ■ Missoula negotiated trails along Montana Railways but it was a long drawn out process. ■ Railroad is aware of the ROW along Front Street and would rather we work with this. ➢Kenyon Noble is aware that they are in the ROW. The City will have to decide what needs to be removed from the ROW and how much -currently half of their building is sitting in this ROW. ➢The ROW is about 50-60' wide. MINUTES OF THE TRAILS, OPEN SPACE AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING, APRIL 9, 2015 ➢Not sure, as it will have to be surveyed, but a fence may be in the Birch Street ROW. ➢The idea is to go along the fairground trail from 7th Street, continuing the paved path and move along Birch Street ROW and build a bridge over Bozeman Creek- which creates the opportunity to clean up all the debris that has built up in the ROW along the creek. The plan is to then do some work in the ROW, have Kenyon Noble move out of the ROW and build the trail—perhaps on the left- hand side. As shown on the map, it will connect with Depot Park, where there's a climbing rock, continue to Story Mill Spur Trail on the mainline and underneath the interstate about a mile to Stockyard Cafe and eventually connect with Story Mill Park(as it develops). This path could then go to the "M" and East Gallatin Rec Area. Important part of this connection is that it allows people in the NE neighborhoods to bike and walk to the coffee shop and brewery. ➢This is a great opportunity to connect community, particularly the NE neighborhoods, with the trail system. GVLT envisions renting bikes and going all the way out to Drinking Horse for a walk—great potential with this trail. ➢question asked as to why this section is just now getting into this; mainly because it seemed so problematic due to Kenyon Noble's encroachment, so they held off knowing it could be difficult. Things just kind of lined up with the new path and the community is more accepting and open to trails. ➢It was asked when, how and why Kenyon Noble put their building where they did. It's not really known. The process(30-35 years ago) would not have signed off on the placement of the building. Actually, Commission had at one time planned on extending a road to Highland Blvd. Kenyon Noble understands the problem and would like to work with GVLT but would like more time, preferably till next year rather than this summer. This building is where they keep their sheetrock. ➢Mitch Overton wanted to be reminded of what funds are needed from TOP for this project: request is$180,000 total-$150,000 from TOP. ➢What GVLT has looked at: ■ First a Survey is needed—move trail as far south as possible. ■ A paved path 10' wide and a steel bridge put in with a crane, which can be moved at a later date, should a street be put in by the City(currently looking at extending Oak St w/engineers—about 10+years out). A fence will be needed to separate the trail from the railroad tracks. Another part of the project is signing and a crossing at the mainline of L Street& N Wallace—improvements might include big metal blocks in middle of tracks so people can cross by foot or bike. ■ Currently it's dangerous on Rouse, but with the completion of the sidewalk and bike path project Rouse will safely connect with Story Mill as well. GVLT tried to get a 6' path on one side of Rouse but wasn't able to do so—it would end up being a 5' sidewalk. ■ Once Oak intersection is done a crosswalk will need to be put in. MINUTES OF THE TRAILS, OPEN SPACE AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING, APRIL 9, 2015 ■ Pedestrian crossing at Story Mill improvement is something they need to discuss with Railroad. Currently the arm comes down and people should not cross—to date, no injuries have occurred. ■ Someone mentioned the fence should keep kids and dogs off the track. ■ There's a possible encroachment by a new business located in the area which may need to be cleaned up, as well as the debris collected along the creek. ■ There's a section of land along the creek that would improve the trail but would entail Kenyon Noble's land. GVLT didn't want to ask about improving this area as the ROW has been a priority. ➢Sandy Dodge stated that he's used the Fairground/Oak Street trail to get to some of the shops in the area but it's really a trail to nowhere and putting this in would be a big deal. Things are now lining up and this makes sense. ➢Mitch Overton states Kenyon Noble wants to meet with the Land Trust first and then a discussion with City Commission is needed to tell them how far they must move the building to make this happen, if only for the trail or move out completely for future needs. They are being cooperative at this time—once this stumbling block is done it can move forward. ■ Tom Starner stated this is the only time to negotiate with Kenyon Noble regarding other trail options—should they not abandon the ROW. Challenges are more about discussion. Opportunity is now to have any important conversation. ■ Although other options might be looked at, GVLT feels the ROW trail option is the straightest, most convenient route for people and that maybe a lesser natural trail could be included. ■ Tom Starner offered to assist with negotiations with GVLT when they speak as he is very familiar with the family. ■ City's long term plans for a street also depend on the direction of the encroachment. It's up to the City to ask them to move out of the ROW, or to ask for another ROW. ■ It was noted that Kenyon Noble was invited to meeting but did not show. ➢Carolyn Poissant request GVLT go through with a fine tooth comb and all cost is covered. Gary states that engineering is just started so that all cost is not yet defined. Carolyn really wants to make sure construction cost is realistic and that there's a hefty contingency. It's important to know what would be required before they'd allocate, and as it's such a great use of TOP funds to be realistic is important. ■ GVLT says they're currently working on an estimate to tie down cost of the 10' paved trail work& prep work, chain link fence and contractor cost, stream restoration work, 60' bridge delivered, and an estimate for the abutments. Estimate looks pretty good. ■ Carolyn Poissant said to check with City requirements regarding future plans and needs for curb and gutter, etc. Also possible crane for moving blocks. MINUTES OF THE TRAILS,OPEN SPACE AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING, APRIL 9, 2015 G. Sandy Dodge states no disclosure or actions. Next week they'll discuss rough cut of EGA and GVLT Front Street Trail, which is scheduled for April 16, 2015 at the upstairs meeting room in the Professional Building. H. FYI- none I. Committee member Beeman motioned to adjourn the meeting. Committee member Starner seconded. Motion passed unanimously. c cG Sandy bodge, Vic -Chair Attest: to Carolyn Poissan , OP Manager PREPARED BY: ., (�" TI�X� Debbie Barnett, Recording Secretary Approved onaj"Z.J" �J + F L Or. ' r G V LT I „ INN., j rr•� s K i-C) TRAILS•.'CONSERVATIONS- . Lc, AF r:;T. �\_ �Clr. I,jj iI y��,,i�• +' #6.. .9 ! f ,. '1'.i.•��it'� _ , •— bridge over Bozeman Creek - Ell CD Ct 1�•'ik f �� � _ V�:,:• ' i ; ICCii, $A LLi':rl� �. .v,. �♦ ✓�'y.�`� ! r. � I !•s�.rr' 1 '1 - i , ,mot � � y r. i Proposed Path n r I • Existing Trails `s `� �• Proposed New Trail(approx.route) Streams �I 1 Parcels Aerial photo from 2012' 0 100 200 400 �I ` !��+r N 1 •� . Feet N . C kap 2015-03-097r L.G I"i'i'?. /. r I f� TRAILS, OPEN SPACE AND PARKS COMMITTEE MEETING BOARD MEMBERS, CITY STAFF, & PRESENTERS SIGN IN SHEET April 9, 2015 PRINTED NAME SIGNATURE AFFILIATION 1 Don Beeman Committee Member 2 Doug Chandler Committee Member 3 l Sandy Dodge �. � Committee Vice-Chair 4 Bob Hawks Committee Chair 5 Tom Starner / 1 Committee Member f 1 N 6 Mitch Overton r l - Director Parks & Rec. 7 Cyndy Andrus 1.1,'+ i" g Commission Liaison 8 Chris Saunders Policy & Planning Mgr. 9 Carolyn Poissant Mgr. TOP Design & Dev. to AJ�i�lo7 ffr c� VL`� 11 Lu ca.s C_at✓� �_� V LT 12 13 �J 14 ' 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23