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Home My WebLink About9A 2007-2008 Snowmobile Task Force MEETING DATE: AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: AGENDA ITEM: DISCUSSION: 4646 Dakota Street S.E. Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT JUNE 2, 2008 9A BILL O'ROURKE, POLICE CHIEF STEVE ALBRECHT, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE 2007-2008 SNOWMOBILE TASK FORCE REPORT Introduction The purpose of this report is to provide a review of the 2007-2008 snowmobile season. Historv On November 5, 2007 the City Council directed the Snowmobile Task Force to hold a meeting to address any issues related to the 2007-2008 snowmobile season and report back to the City Council. Current Circumstances On May 12, 2008 the Task Force held a meeting at Fire Station NO.1. The meeting was advertised in the Prior Lake American and individual notices were mailed to the Glynwater Association and to residents along CR 21 in areas where new trails were utilized during 2007-2008. Approximately 20 residents attended the meeting in addition to the Task Force members. 2007/2008 Snowmobile Statistics As directed a Snowmobile Hotline was set up for residents to call with questions or concerns related to snowmobiles in Prior Lake. A total of eleven (11) calls were made to the hotline, nine in December and two in January. A breakdown of the calls reveals that four calls were related to snowmobiles going through a park, three were related to snowmobiles on private property, two callers requested general information, one asked for speed enforcement and one caller requested information on obtaining 'No Snowmobile' signs for her property. Eight snowmobile operators were cited for violations by the Prior Lake Police Department and the Scott County Rec Enforcement deputy on the committee estimated that he issued another fifteen citations during the season. Resident Comments None of the residents who attended the meeting voiced any concerns regarding the new trails or the 2007/2008 Season in Prior Lake. No negative comments regarding the new CR 21 or CR 82 trails were expressed at the meeting or sent in writing to staff. It was noted that some wear did appear on the trails particularly at intersections due to the snowmobiling. It was not significant and it is too early to tell whether this will result in a shorter design life for impacted trails. R:\Council\2008 Agenda Reports\06 02 08\Snowmobile Report,d~.cityofpriorlake.com Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245 Prooosed Chances As part of their 2030 Comprehensive Plan the County included the attached section. This language proposes to eliminate snowmobiling from all County Right of Way within City Limits. A considerable amount of discussion occurred regarding the language. County Staff was present and explained the intent was that by 2030 the County anticipated that snowmobiling would not be permitted within the right of way in cities. They also emphasized this was only draft language and that it was intended to generate conversation and that an ordinance would be needed to actually prohibit snowmobiling in these areas. The residents in attendance were opposed to this language. It was the consensus of the group that the City, Snowmobile Clubs and County will need to work together to identify alternative trail routes as development continues. No changes to the existing routes were proposed at this time as the outcome of the County's current discussions is needed. The overall feeling of the group was that this may have been the most organized and positive snowmobile season in several years. ISSUES: The Prior Lake City Council should direct staff on how to respond to the County 2030 Comprehensive Plan with respect to the language regarding the banning of snowmobiles within County Right of Way. If the Council desires: 1) A letter could be sent signed by all the task force members, or 2) A resolution could be adopted by the City Council for conveyance to the County Board or 3) Both actions could be taken. ALTERNATIVES: The alternatives are as follows: 1. Accept the report and provide staff with direction regarding which of the actions suggested above should be taken to express comments regarding the County's 2030 Comprehensive Plan as it relates snowmobiling in Prior Lake. 2. Deny this item for a specific reason and provide Staff with direction. 3. Table this item until some date in the future. RECOMMENDED Alternative 1. MOTION: Reviry~ J~ Frank BOy,eV'i ager R:\Council\2008 Agenda Reports\06 02 08\Snowmobile Report,doc townships to explore possible solutions to our mutual concern, especially in those areas designated as permanent rural. Providing safe locations for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross the County highways is another area of concern. These issues will be considered anytime a pedestrian or bicycle facility is proposed. V ~tv Trails and Trail C1Wisification The County uses the following trail classifications (a subset of those that appear in Chapter VII, Parks and Trails, of the 2030 Plan Update) in defining its trail facilities (modified (hnu Trail Planning, Design, and Development Guidelines, MN DNR Trails and Waterways). Categories and classifications shown are those pertinent to Scott County transportation. FigureVI-23 Roadway Design Volume Ranges ,0 _-~"'tlfl".IP1l1lt~~ 'Bituminous or aggregate trails separated from the roadway; shared- use. Sub'1..aJ!!~: -Linking Trall: typically paralleling roads -Destination Trail: emphasize the landscape setting and ~,,~.....~onal value. Typically not associated with roads. These are associated with the road surface. Typically are local and do not serve as a regional route. ~ub:-catelIDries~ Bike Routes - road shouldeIS 5' + Bike Lanes- desi~ted striped lane for bicycles Shared Use/Separated Paved Trails On-Road Bikeways I C. SnowmobllesfATV's There are an estimated 6,000 registered snowmobiles that ride in Scott County, and the County serves as the local sponsor for the State Grant-In-Aid snowmobile trail program. As such, it is the County's intention to work with local clubs to identify issues that arise from snowmobile use within the County's road and right-of-way system. J In the incorporated areas, it is the County's intention to remove snowmobile trails from the County right-of-way that parallel County roads. Although State Statute allows snowmobiling on the bottom or outside of ditches on County roads, nearly all ditches have been removed llum County roads as areas are incorporated, so snowmobiling throughout .these areas would not allowed. However, under the State Grant-In-Aid trail program, the County's Highway Department has the authority to issue special permits for designated trails in right-of-way without ditches that parallels County roads. This practice will no longer be allowed. The County will work with local clubs and cities to identify alternative routes when feasible. In unincorporated areas, snowmobiling in right-of-way that parallels County roads will be accommodated based on State Statute on the bottom or outside of ditches. In addition, when designated as part of the State Grant-In-Aid snowmobile trail system, the County will work with local clubs during road projects or developments to determine sustainability of these trails. Scott County 2030 Comprehensive Plan Update Page VI-55 Chapter VI - Transportation Draft: March 27, 2008 Due to the damage ATV's cause to vegetation and infrastructure, ordinances will be developed to prohibit ATV use on County roads or in County right-of-way in both incorporated and unincorporated areas. The Parks and Trails chapter (VII) of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan Update further discusses the County's intention to work with snowmobile and ATV clubs in exploring long-term opportunities. D. Aviation There are no existing or proposed regional system airports located in Scott County. Commercial flights are directed to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International (MSP) Airport, which is approximately 15 miles northeast of the County in Bloomington. All but one of MSP's runways route take-offs and landings in a northwest/southeast direction. Runway 4-22 is aligned in a southwest/northeast direction, which brings planes over parts of Savage and the rest of the County. However, when these planes are over Scott County, they are at an elevation a few thousand feet above ground, which prevents noise disturbances from reaching the surface and impacting residents. Scott County is outside the noise exposure zones and airport safety zones of MSP Airport. Scott County 2030 Comprehensive Plan Update Page VI-56 Chapter VI - Transportation Draft: March 27, 2008