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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9E - Snowmobile Task Force Report 4646 Dakota Street S.E. Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714 MEETING DATE: AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: AGENDA ITEM: DISCUSSION: CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT NOVEMBER 5, 2007 9E BILL O'ROURKE, CHIEF OF POLICE STEVE ALBRECHT, CITY ENGINEER CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A REPORT REGARDING SNOWMOBILES History A Snowmobile Task Force was established by Council resolution on June 4, 2007. The Task Force is made up broad community representation and includes city, county and state officials, local snowmobile club members and residents. The Task Force, as per Council's direction, has examined issues related to snowmobiling in Prior Lake, specifically: · Appropriate roads and trails · Noise · Hours of operation · Speed · Destruction of public and private property · Enforcement At their initial meeting, members of the Task Force were provided a brief history of Scott County Sno- Trails, a system started in 1977. There currently are five snowmobiling clubs in the county and Scott County Sno- Trails does the grooming of the trail system. According to information provided by Sno- Trails there are 6,000 snowmobiles registered in Scott County (3,000 in Prior Lake) but when completing the registration information for their sleds, over 7,000 riders indicated that they primarily ride in Scott County. Current Circumstances A draft report of the finding of the Task Force was presented to the Council on October 1, 2007, for the purpose of seeking input and guidance. As a result, a neighborhood meeting was held for residents living on or near a proposed alternative to the trail on CR 21. This report contains recommendations from Task Force which includes the input from the public information meeting. R:\Council\Agenda Repons2007\11 05 07\Snowl11~$ity.tR~~om 1 Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245 APPROPRIATE ROADS AND TRAILS CR82 Previously the approved snowmobile trail for CR 82 ran from Prior Lake to Freemont Avenue to the north side of CR 82 (although snowmobiles were not prohibited from the south side of the road either) and then west to CR 17. This trail served as the primary western route from Prior Lake to Shakopee. As part of the CR 82 Project, scheduled to be completed late this fall, there will no longer be a ditch or unused right-of-way for use by snowmobiles. The new CR 82 will have bituminous trails on both sides of the roadway. For this reason the County has denied the continued usage of the north side of CR 82 as a trail. County staff proposed an option of permitting the use of CR 81 (Howard Lake Road). This alternative would avoid damage to both the city and county trails while providing an east/west route for snowmobiles. This route has been approved by the County Commissioners and only requires a permit to occur. It is the Task Force recommendation that the westerly corridor be shifted from CR 82 with the approved trail running from the south end of Prior Lake (an existing trail) to CR 81 and then north again to CR 82. CR 211Credit River Road The previously approved trail for CR 21 ran along the south side of CR 21 from CR 87 to TH 13. This trail served as the primary eastern access to Prior Lake. However, the vacant right-of-way on the south side of CR 21 no longer exists as the City's trail has been pushed south, abutting private property. For that reason the County has approved the relocation of snowmobiles to the north side ofCR 21. There are several issues related to this proposed change (which were discussed at the neighborhood meeting and are also articulated in the attached email submitted by one of the Credit River Road residents): 1) Unless the City Council revises the existing ordinance, snowmobiles would be allowed to use Credit River Road as part of the trail system. They could operate on Credit River Road at a speed no faster than 10 MPH. 2) Snowmobiles could operate on the narrow boulevard between CR 21 and Credit River Road, from TH 13 to Fish Point Road. 3) There a small trees in this area between TH 13 and Evanston. These can be viewed as both a plus and minus. On the negative side they are obstacles that could pose a hazard. On the positive side, they R:\COllncil\Agenda Repons12007\11 05 07\Snowmobile Task Force Report.doc 2 are obstacles that can help insure adherence to the 10 MPH speed limit. 4) A highway sign, advising drivers on the semaphore ahead is in the boulevard just east of Evanston. It would have to be relocated. 5) The entrance to Credit River Road from CR 21 would be a crossing for the snowmobiles. 6) There are two retaining walls (one on either side of Franklin Trail) with approximate three to four foot drops that would need to be fenced. 7) The snowmobiles would be on Credit River Road for a short stretch near the cul-de-sac of Credit River Road, east of Franklin Trail. 8) The residents on the north side of Credit River Road are not used to having snowmobile traffic on that side of CR 21, therefore concerns of noise and safety become an issue. At the neighborhood meeting, residents expressed concern for the safety of snowmobiles, other vehicles and pedestrians in this narrow boulevard, especially in the area of the retaining walls at Franklin Trail, as well as in the crossing of Franklin Trail itself. The issue of how the snow grooming equipment would negotiate the area of the retaining walls was also raised. Scott County Sno- Trails, the club responsible for grooming the trails, advised that they would not be grooming the narrow pinch point as the groomer is 10 feet wide. They would travel around the narrow area on the roadway. Questions were raised at the meeting concerning an alternate corridor to and Prior Lake from the east. It has been suggested that the trail run south on CR 87 to 160th Street and then north into Prior Lake on either CR 23 or CR 81. There is not sufficient right-of-way on any of those routes to accommodate a trail. The snowmobile clubs believe that all of the issues with the route on the north side of CR 21 can be addressed through signage and enforcement. The entire stretch from Fish Point Road to TH 13 would be restricted to a 10 MPH speed limit. Other signs, such as 'Quiet Zone' and 'Children at Play' could be set up as appropriate and necessary. They believe that proper signage and enforcement will address the concerns of the narrowness of the boulevard area, as well as having the slower speeds help minimize the impact of noise in the area. As stated above, fencing will have to be erected in the area of the retaining walls to help ensure the safe passage of the snowmobiles. The use of the boulevard on the north side of CR 21 is seen as a very short term solution to the need. It is therefore recommended by the Snowmobile Task Force that this route be approved for a period of one R:\Conncil\Agcnda Rcports\2007\11 05 07\Snowmobile Task Force RcporLdoc 3 year. after which time the snowmobile clubs be charged with finding a long range solution to this need. Follow-uD Meetinf!s The Task Force recommends that running the trail on the boulevard between CR 21 and Credit River Road be approved for this year and that a follow-up meeting with the neighborhood take place before April 1. 2008 with a report to the City Council by June 1. 2008. This trail is viewed as a very short term solution. Therefore, the snowmobile associations should be tasked with finding a suitable alternate route before the 2008 - 2009 snowmobiling season. Crest Avenue/Sand Point Park There currently is no authorized snowmobile access along Crest Avenue to and through Sand Point Park to Prior Lake. According to the enforcement agencies represented on the Task Force, snowmobiles currently use this route illegally and it is an ongoing enforcement Issue. Currently the northern access to Prior Lake is located to the west across the Vierling property. Most likely when this area develops this access will go away and there will not be a northern access to Prior Lake for snowmobiles. The Task Force recommendation is to consider a future snowmobile trail on the west side of Crest Avenue in the boulevard and to allow a crossing into Sand Point Park. Within the park the access would be delineated with fencing to minimize impact on the park. When evaluating this trail there are several issues that should be considered: 1) This is a new trail and would be located adjacent to the rear and side yards of residences along the west side of Crest Avenue, many of which have a fence along the property line. 2) There is a concrete sidewalk on the west side of Crest Avenue that would see increased degradation over time. 3) The City would most likely have to make grass repairs along Crest Avenue and through the park annually. 4) A neighborhood meeting should be scheduled as part of the feasibility study for such a trail. Grainwood Park/CR 21 The only connection between upper and lower Prior Lake is by traveling under the Wagon Bridge (CR 21). Because of the movement of the water throughout the winter this is often open water and has been the location of a number of submerged snowmobiles over the years. This is noted as a less than optimum location for travel on Prior R:\Council\Agcnda Rcports\200T.ll 05 OTSnowl11obile Task Force Report.doc 4 Lake by snowmobile clubs and enforcement agencies on the Snowmobile Task Force. The Task Force is recommending the use of Grainwood Park. Such use would allow snowmobiles to utilize travel across the park and to then cross CR 21 at-grade, thereby creating a safer crossing. The City would need to delineate an access area in the park and would most likely need to repair some grass areas annually. Park and Ride Snowmobile Lots The Task Force recommends the creation of Park and Ride lots located near the trail system. These lots will allow residents and out of town snowmobile enthusiasts easy access to the legal snowmobile routes out of town. One such lot should be established at Sand Point Park. In addition to plowing the existing parking lot, a well defined (fenced oft) trail from the parking lot to the lake will help minimize the unlawful snowmobiling that occurs throughout Sand Point Park each winter. Scott County Sno- Trails has obtained permission from Tractor Supply Company to use part of their parking lot as another Park and Ride lot. The Snowmobile Task Force recommends that signs be place at both of these locations informing the snowmobilers of local rules and showing them a trail map. TRAIL MARKING Scott County Sno- Trails is funded with grant-in-aid money from snowmobile registration and as such has the ability to put up signs. They have offered to go to homeowners that have issues and put up the appropriate signage to deal with each situation or to help in anyway they can with their concerns. STREET MARKING Main Avenue is the only city street that snowmobiles are prohibited from operating on - they can cross it at right angles. Consideration should be given to posting Main A venue with appropriate signage prohibiting snowmobiles. ENFORCEMENT From the perspective of the law enforcement agencies represented on the Task Force (DNR, Scott County Sheriffs Office, Prior Lake Police) the majority of complaints have to do with private property trespass and noise issue. The residents on the Task Force have offered trespass and hours of operation as their biggest concerns. These issues can be addressed in a couple of ways; through the communications piece (see R:\Council\i\genda Repons\2007\1 I 05 07\Snowmobile Task Force Report.doc 5 below) and via a heightened enforcement period at the beginning of the season. The DNR has a number of snowmobiles in the metro area that can be brought together with the Scott County Sheriff s snowmobiles for this enforcement effort. Such a strategy is of course dependent upon the scheduling of personnel and the weather. The Prior Lake Police Department is limited in its' enforcement efforts due to the lack of equipment (snowmobiles, ATV's, snowmobile suits, helmets, etc.). However, one of the strategies suggested is the make sure that every squad car has current snowmobile trail maps, stops the violators and provides them with a map. The Task Force recommends that the Sheriffs Department. DNR. Prior Lake Police Department and snowmobile clubs work together to create an enforcement presence at the start of the season to set the tone for snowmobiling on the CR 21 corridor. HOTLINE/COMMUNICATION The Task Force is recommending the establishment of a snowmobile hotline. 952-447-9787. for the reporting of violations. complaints and for making inquiries. The location of the complaints and the issues complained about can be mapped out and these maps given to the various enforcement agencies. A very important piece to increased compliance with the snowmobiling laws is communication with the riders - both living in and outside of Prior Lake. One of the recommendations is to obtain the addresses of all snowmobiles registered in the City and to send each owner a letter regarding the rules of operating snowmobiles in Prior Lake along with an up to date trail map. The Task Force also believes that the establishment of designated "Park and Ride" lots in the city, with large informational signs showing a trail map and highlighting local ordinances would go a long way in educating both local and out of town riders to our rules. ORDINANCE REVISION The City of Prior Lake Snowmobile Ordinance must be amended to be consistent with the changes implemented as a result of this report. as well as to be consistent with others sections of the City Code. R:\Council\Agenda Repol1s\2007\1 1 05 07\Snowmobile Task Force Repol1.doc 6 FINANCIAL IMPACT: ALTERNATIVES: RECOMMENDED MOTION: A) Signs in the two Park and Ride lots are estimated to be $500 each. B) Fencing in Sand Point and Grainwood Parks, and near the retaining walls will cost approximately $2500 installed. C) Trail signage has been the responsibility of the snowmobile clubs. We expect that this will continue to be the case. D) Street signs (for Main Avenue or elsewhere) cost approximately $75 a piece. E) The trail map will continue to be a Sno- Trails cost. F) The hotline can be incorporated into the City phone system at no cost. G) There will be costs to revise the ordinance but they are contained in the 2007 and 2008 City budgets. H) The cost of mailing letters to 3,000 snowmobiles registered in Prior Lake (or 6,000 registered in Scott County). I) The biggest cost would be associated with enforcement. It is our intent to work cooperatively with the DNR and Scott County Sheriffs Office Recreation Enforcement Division to assure that the enforcement action is effective. The total not-to-exceed-cost of $5,150 will be drawn from the Police Department budget. We will work with the snowmobile club to reduce these costs to the extent possible. 1. Approve the recommendations of the Snowmobile Task Force. 2. Approve a portion of the Snowmobile Task Force recommendations. 3. Provide staff feedback and direction. Alternative 1 R:\CoLlncill/\genda Repons\2007\11 05 07\SnowInobile Task Force Repon.doc 7 Post-Meeting Revision 10-26-07 To: Mayor Jack G. Haugan Counselor Warren Erickson Counselor Ken Hedberg Counselor Steve Millar Counselor Chad Lemair City Manager, Frank Boyles Prior Lake Director of Public Works, Steven Albrecht Chief of Police, Bill O'Rourke City of Prior Lake Snowmobile Task Force Bill O'Rourke, Prior Lake, Chief of Police Steven Albrecht, Prior Lake Director of Public Works Kevin Stud nick, Scott County Sheriff Scott County DNR River Valley Trail Blazers Snowmobile Club County 21 Snowmobile Trail - Informational Meeting Hosts: City of Prior Lake Snowmobile Task Force Invites: Residents/Business Owners Thursday, October 25,5:30 p.m., Prior Lake Maintenance Center Lunchroom Safety Concerns: Relocation of Existing South Side County 21 Snowmobile Trail to North Side of County 21 onto Credit River Road SE Frontage Road. We are very concerned about the imminent safety hazards with relocating the existing County 21 Snowmobile Trail from the south side of County 21 to the north side of County 21 and onto Credit River Road SE frontage road. This concern is not only for the residents and their children and daycare providers, it is also a major concern for the snowmobilers who will be utilizing the trail. Roadway reconstruction on County 21 has resulted in a major loss of space on the existing boulevard between the north side of County 21 and Credit River Road SE frontage road as it has also resulted in a major loss to the south side of County 21 where the existing trail is and must be eliminated. Hazards on County 21 boulevard and Credit River Road SE frontage road: a) The plan to have Credit River Road SE frontage road on the north end to be one lane for a snowmobile trail and one lane for vehicles each with two-way traffic is not justifiable if safety hazards are taken into consideration. b) With a heavy snowfall, the spill over of snow onto Credit River Road SE frontage road when County 21 is plowed will leave only one lane open for both vehicles and snowmobiles. The sharp curve on Evanston Street entering Credit River Road SE frontage road will be a major hazard for both the snowmobilers and vehicles. Neither party entering on Evanston Street to Credit River Road SE frontage road, or vice-versus, operating a vehicle or sled will be aware that Credit River Road SE frontage road turns into a one lane two-way snowmobile-vehicle traffic frontage road. Page 2 of 4 County 21 Snowmobile Trail-Informational Meeting Invites: Residents/Business Owner Thursday, October 25, 5:30 p.m. c) The speed limit on County 21 will be 40-50 miles an hour. Therefore, the snowmobilers will assume that they can travel on Credit River Road SE frontage road at 40-50 miles an hour. The Prior Lake Police Department does not police this - it is our understanding that it is the responsibility of the DNR. d) The proposed snowmobile trail would be right on top, abutting private property of the residents on Credit River Road SE frontage road. Residents would not be able to allow themselves, their children and grandchildren in their own front yards to do any winter activities in the snow because of the safety hazards. e) Very high risk of backing cars out of residents' driveways with snow build-ups on both sides at the end of the residents' driveways when the city plows Credit River Road SE frontage road and the residents snow blow and shovel their driveways. The snow build-up will inhibit visibility of both snowmobiles and vehicles. With the combination of the snow build-up and a snowmobile trail being shoe-horned onto Credit River Road SE frontage road and the reduction to a one lane for snowmobiles and one lane for vehicles, this is definitely a safety hazard. In addition, compacted streets and trails become icy with use creating slippery, sliding conditions for snowmobiles as well as vehicles. Who will be liable should a resident's vehicle collide with a snowmobile and/or vice-versa? f) We have a daycare provider on St. Paul Avenue who brings her children up to Credit River Road SE frontage road at the entrance of County 21 every morning to meet the bus and, again in the afternoon, the children are dropped off the bus at the same location. Most snowmobilers will not be aware that the children and their daycare provider will be at this pickup and drop-off location twice a day. With a snowmobile trail being shoe-horned onto the Credit River Road SE frontage road, this is extremely detrimental, not only to the safety and lives of our residents and their children, but the snowmobilers as well. g) With a fresh snowfall, the snowmobilers are out there all hours of the day and night. The age of snowmobile drivers is 14 years of age and older. All snowmobilers under 18 years of age must have a valid safety certificate. At such a young age, most children are not prepared to take the necessary precautions and immediate actions required when confronted with an emergency safety hazard. h) If Prior Lake prohibits snowmobiling in all of the city's parks, we do not understand how they can legalize snowmobiling on top of the resident's properties that have lived at their residencies for 15 to 20 plus years as tax payers. i) If it is illegal to put a snowmobile trail on County 12 because there are no ditches, we do not understand how they can put a snowmobile trail on County 21 north beyond Franklin Trail and onto Credit River Road SE frontage road where there are no ditches on either sides of the roads. j) Many drivers entering Credit River Road SE frontage road off of County 21 do not look either way for oncoming traffic on Credit River Road SE frontage road. Page 3 of 4 County 21 Snowmobile Trail-Informational Meeting Invites: Residents/Business Owner Thursday, October 25, 5:30 p.m. k) There are hazardous obstructions beginning at the intersection of Franklin Trail and County 21 boulevard and onto Credit River Road SE frontage road, in addition to the reduction of a two-lane, two-way traffic frontage road to a one-lane, two-way traffic frontage road, that clearly substantiates numerous safety hazards. 1. Four-foot brick retaining wall on south end of Credit River Road SE frontage road adjacent to Franklin Trail. 2. New signal light post on boulevard at intersection of County 21 and Franklin Trail. 3. Numerous trees along the boulevard. 4. Speed limit sign and Highway 13 stop light alert with double-leg heavy metal supports. 5. Credit River Road SE frontage road and Evanston Street signs. 6. Arrow signs on Credit River Road SE frontage road and Evanston Street to warn motorists of sharp curve. 7. Two wire boxes located between Franklin Trail and Highway 13 on the boulevard adjacent to Credit River Road SE frontage road. 8. Cement drainage ports imbedded into boulevard between County 21 and Credit River Road SE frontage road to Highway 13. 9. In the dark of the night, a snowmobiler is not going to see or be aware of these obstructions. 10. There is also a headlight blindness issue with vehicles and snowmobiles on a two-way one-lane frontage road and adjacent County 21. Pictures of all of the above hazardous obstructions were brought to the October 25 Snowmobile Trail Information Meeting for those that have not had a chance to scope out the safety hazards of the alternative relocation to the north side of County 21 onto Credit River Road SE frontage road. I) There is an impending amount of liability to be taken into consideration. Who will be liable for the accidents and possible deaths that will be caused by putting this trail in a hazardous zone on the County 21 boulevard and onto the Credit River Road SE frontage road? m) United States Postal Service will not deliver mail to any mailbox that is impacted with snow and not cleared out for delivery. How is this going to be avoided in having a snowmobile trail abutting mailboxes and private property? Page 4 of 4 County 21 Snowmobile Trail - Informational Meeting Invites: Residents/Business Owner Thursday, October 25, 5:30 p.m. Noise and Nuisance Ordinance a) With the proposed snowmobile trail plan to avert the existing trail from south County 21 to the north side of County 21 on to Credit River Road SE frontage road abutted to the residents' private properties, we are very concerned about the noise level of what we have witnessed for the past 15 years with the existing snowmobile trail being on the south side of County 21. With the trail on the south side of County 21, the noise of the sleds, in combination with the revving up and down, always came through our homes. b) With the snowmobiles operating from 7:00 a.m. to 11 :00 p.m. on weekdays and 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturdays and the snowmobile trail being placed 60-70 feet from our front door, it is totally unfair that we should lose our neighborhood safety, quietness, and sleep hours in the evening. c) I have fibromyalgia so rest is an absolute, 10-12 hours per night. Because of the pain of my medical misfortune, I am a very light sleeper. Snowmobiles running in front of our property from 7:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m. and after is unacceptable. If I do not get my rest, I am in critical pain and many times immobile for several days. d) Why does a snowmobile association have the power to intrude on an existing neighborhood in putting hazardous trails that abut the residents' private properties? Why would we, as residents, have to deal with the safety hazards and noise from day break to 2:00 a.m. in the morning? We, as residents of Prior Lake for 15 years, certainly do not want to deter any of the many great recreational activities that the City of Prior Lake has done such an outstanding job of creating and managing. We are former snowmobile owners and we truly realize the enjoyment of the winter sport. However, when hazardous safety concerns interplay with the safety of the snowmobilers and residents, we feel very compelled to protect the safety of the snowmobilers and residents of Prior Lake. We ask that you please consider an alternate route for the snowmobile trail, perhaps through Panama, suggested by three of the four Prior Lake City Council members at the October 1, 2007 Council meeting, which would be a much safer area for the snowmobilers to have a trail that accesses Prior Lake. Thank you. 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