HomeMy Public PortalAbout02-16-2021_work session minutesMedina City Council Meeting Minutes 1
February 16, 2021
MEDINA CITY COUNCIL AND PARK COMMISSION CONCURRENT WORK
SESSION MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 16, 2021
The City Council and Park Commission of Medina, Minnesota met in work session on
February 16, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Chambers. Mayor Martin presided.
Martin read a statement explaining that this meeting is being held in a virtual format
because of the ongoing pandemic. She provided instructions for public participation.
I. ROLL CALL
Council Members present: Albers, Cavanaugh, DesLauriers, Martin, and Reid.
Council Members absent: None.
Park Commission Members present: Bernhardt, Jacob, Lee, Morrison, Norman, and
Sharp.
Park Commission Members absent: Hutchinson.
Also present: City Administrator Scott Johnson, Assistant City Administrator Jodi
Gallup, Finance Director Erin Barnhart, City Planning Director Dusty Finke, Public Works
Director Steve Scherer, and Chief of Police Jason Nelson.
II. DIAMOND LAKE REGIONAL TRAIL
Martin commented that the Council will not express an opinion on a trail route but will
hear the presentation and welcome input on the trail route from the public. She
recognized the need to balance the amenity of a trail with residential privacy and the
protection of natural resources, such as wetlands.
Kelly Grissman, Three Rivers Park District, commented that the Medina staff and its
appointed and elected officials have been great to work with throughout this process.
She introduced the other members of the Three Rivers Park team available on the call
tonight. She appreciated the openness of the Council to extend the meeting in the event
additional time is needed to hear additional public comments and input. She stated that
tonight they will present the current recommended route and receive public input, noting
that an ultimate decision will come at a later date. She provided background information
on the Diamond Lake Regional Trail project and its planning timeline. She provided
photographic examples of what the trail and different trail segment amenities could look
like throughout Medina. She stated that Three Rivers Park District developed a robust
public engagement process and reviewed the different opportunities that have been
provided thus far. She noted that more engagement opportunities were provided for
Medina residents, compared to other surrounding areas, and noted that the participation
levels were also higher for Medina residents. She summarized the input that has been
received in support of different trail options. She stated that Medina residents have not
expressed the same level of support of other communities as there is great concern over
impacts to private property, privacy, and nature. She stated that realization for this
project is most likely 20 to 30 years out, but this planning process is necessary to allow
for future planning efforts to move forward as development and other opportunities come
forward. She stated that they would most likely focus on trial segments in other
communities where development opportunities are arising. She reviewed the master
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February 16, 2021
plan process, noting that they want to provide opportunity for all interested members to
hear details and provide input. She anticipated that they would ask for Park Commission
and City Council approvals for the alignment in late March and possibly into April in
order to hear the public input and make amendments if necessary.
Stewart Crosby, SRF, displayed the multiple route alternatives that have been reviewed
throughout this process for the area within Medina. He stated that they have received
public input throughout this process and one additional route was added as an option for
the west side and was based on public input to connect the trail to City Hall on CR 24
and in order to align the corridor along the edges of parcels rather than cutting through
parcels. He provided a brief overview of the analysis that was done for each potential
trail segment along with comments that were received noting that the information is also
available in more detail on both the City and Three Rivers Park District websites. He
commented on the large number of wetlands throughout Medina that will be a challenge
for any route. He displayed the recommended trail route along with alternate route
options and identified elements that would be required in certain areas, such as grade
separated crossings. He stated that they have continued to receive the question as to
the benefit of the western route. He stated that all the different subsegment corridors
have been reviewed and there are opportunities and challenges for each. He stated that
one of the main goals is to create a linear park that is not along roadways. He noted that
as the trail heads north, development is not as extreme and therefore there are more
opportunities. He stated that the Medina trail will involve crossing busy roads and the
western route provides the opportunity to connect or get close to local parks through
local trail connections. He stated that they prefer an off-road trail that provides more of a
park experience and the recommended route would provide for that experience whereas
other routes would work much more within road right-of-way and the challenges that
would bring.
Martin stated that she will now provide opportunities for members of the public to speak.
She noted that the Council has read the numerous written comments received to date.
Hellen Heely referenced the trail segment above Wilshire Wood. She believed that there
is currently a raspberry farm in that location. She stated that is a beautiful area but is
concerned that the older couple that owns that property could perhaps not join the
meeting to provide their input tonight. She asked if there has been contact with that
landowner.
Stephen Shurson with Three Rivers Park District stated that he is unsure if there has
been direct contact. He noted that the couple has been alerted to the public meetings.
Heely commented that the landowner is an older couple that have invested a lot of time
and resources into their property and asked how that landowner would be engaged in
terms of attempting to acquire land for the trail.
Shurson replied that the routes are flexible, even though a line is shown on the map. He
explained that they work individually with property owners.
Grissman commented that they would work with each property owner to manage their
concerns and input and locate the trail in a manner which would have the least impact
on their property. She stated that buffers, berms, fencing or additional vegetation could
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February 16, 2021
be added to provide additional separation. She stated that some agricultural properties
welcome a trail as that would expose their business to additional customers.
Martin stated that perhaps Ms. Heely was suggesting that it would be helpful for Three
Rivers Park District to reach out directly to that property owner at this time in the
process. She noted that perhaps a home visit would be appropriate as the resident may
not be technologically capable.
Heely commented that she and her neighbors are concerned with routing the trail
through the Tamarack Drive area. She stated that if the western route is chosen, she
would be concerned that it would dump that responsibility to those property owners.
Shurson commented that he would be more than happy to meet with Ms. Heely
individually and reach out to those property owners directly as well.
Heely confirmed that she would provide the necessary contact information.
Martin commented on the difficulty she had reviewing the maps and asked if perhaps the
larger scale maps could be posted to the website.
Nick Schultz stated that he lives across from City Hall. He asked if Mohawk Drive would
be used for the trail segment or where that segment would be located.
Shurson commented that is yet to be determined as they do not provide that level of
specificity at this point in the planning process. He stated that they would want to have a
safe interaction with City Hall and the crossing of CR 24. He commented that there
would be another engagement process when the design is ultimately discussed.
Schultz stated that crossing of CR 24 is not safe, noting that he was hit on a bicycle in
the past. He stated that there was a period of time when a trail was constructed along
CR 19 and asked if there is a reason that trail is not being used as it connects to Baker
Park.
Grissman commented that this would be an additional route with the Lake Independence
Regional Trail running along the west and the other regional trail option to the east along
CR 101. She stated that the intent is to provide access to all residents in Hennepin
County and this would be a middle route that would not be road based and would
instead provide a parklike atmosphere. She recognized that some sections along the
20-mile route would be adjacent to roads, but they will take as many opportunities as
possible to take the trail off the road system, as that is preferred by most regional trail
users.
Schultz asked how residents will be notified of future meetings.
Martin commented that she believes that residents can sign-up for the email list to
receive notifications.
Gallup confirmed that would be an option and noted that all upcoming meetings are also
posted on the City website.
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Angela Erickson stated that the proposed route currently does not utilize Hunter Drive
but wants to be a voice for the residents on Hunter Drive. She stated that the residents
on Hunter Drive developed a petition opposing the trail in that location because of
concerns with crossing roadways, implications to large mature trees, and impacts to
property values. She stated that there are also properties within the Minnesota Land
Trust in that area. She noted that there is a strong coalition of property owners on
Hunter Drive that oppose any route that would use Hunter Drive.
Jim Stetler, 1832 Medina Road, stated that he submitted written comments in opposition
of the western most route option and would like additional time to discuss this with his
neighbors. He stated that they are new to the area and just built a new home,
attempting to be careful in the positioning of their home to respect the rural character of
Medina and be respectful of their neighbors. He commented that they were drawn to
Medina because of the rural and peaceful setting. He stated that most of what they face
to the west is wetland and that provided security knowing that the area would be
protected from development. He stated that he would be concerned that the trail would
run the entire length of his property and his family would then be facing a 1,000-foot
boardwalk. He commented on the impacts to wildlife that could also occur from that trail
segment. He stated that as park like as the experience may be for users it is to the
detriment of homeowners in that area.
Martin commented that some residents have stated that they did not feel they had
adequate time to review the proposed route, which is why the public comment period will
be extended for additional written and verbal comments to be received. She stated that
this meeting will be continued to Tuesday, February 23rd, for those that do not have time
to provide comments tonight and noted that written comments can be submitted within
the next week as well.
Johnson stated that staff recommends that the February 23rd worksession begin at 6:00
p.m.
Emily Byfuglien, 1862 Morgan Road, commented that they are strongly opposed to this.
She noted that when they purchased their 30-acre property it was with the intent that her
husband could use the land for hunting. She was concerned that once the trails are
built, her husband would no longer be able to use the land for hunting. She stated that
they previously lived on Lake Minnetonka, but it was too busy and therefore relocated
here to have more privacy. She stated the idea of trails with a high volume of pedestrian
traffic is not something they prefer.
Martin was unsure if staff would be prepared to respond to the issue of hunting tonight
but stated that staff will look into that question and provide a response. She stated that
she does have to close the public comment period at this time, but it will continue
February 23rd at 6:00 p.m. She noted that residents can also submit written comments
prior to that meeting date.
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III. ADJOURN
Moved by Cavanaugh, seconded by Reid, to adjourn the meeting on behalf of the City
Council at 6:56 p.m.
A roll call vote was performed:
DesLauriers aye
Albers aye
Cavanaugh aye
Reid aye
Martin aye
Motion passed unanimously.
Moved by Lee, seconded by Sharp, to adjourn the meeting on behalf of the Park
Commission at 6:56 p.m.
A roll call vote was performed:
Norman aye
Morrison aye
Sharp aye
Bernhardt aye
Lee aye
Jacobs aye
Motion passed unanimously.
__________________________________
Kathleen Martin, Mayor
Attest:
____________________________________
Jodi M. Gallup, City Clerk