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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.15.2001• • COUNCIL WORK SESSION October 15, 2001 5:00 p.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Rooff, Anders, Jordan, Krizek, Murphy, Gronen, Getty, Berry. Moved by Jordan, seconded by Berry that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Mayor Rooff stated that he met with the Cedar Trails Partnership on Thursday, and tonight's meeting is to review the trail system in the city. Bob Braun, representing Cedar Trails Partnership, thanked Mayor Rooff for meeting with them. Mr. Braun stated they were here tonight to offer help with maintenance of the trails. Mr. Braun stated that trail usage is at approximately 630,000 trips per year. Mr. Braun stated that the trails are not just for bikers, but children, rollerbladers, walkers and disabled citizens. Mr. Braun stated that the Cedar Trails Partnership is extremely pleased with the map showing the date of completion of the trails and funding sources. Mr. Braun stated the Cedar Trails Partnership would like a commitment from the council and asked that at a future council meeting, council members receive and file the information on the map. Pam Taylor, President of the Cedar Trails Partnership, reported that Cedar Trails Partnership is a non-profit, volunteer, trail advocacy organization, which has contributed substantially to Waterloo's trail system. The Cedar Trails Partnership stages the annual Cedar Trails Festival, the Courier Annual Ride Around Town, the Night Ride, and this year they added the Poker Fun Ride. Ms. Taylor stated the Cedar Trails Partnership donated $15,000.0 for trail improvements in Waterloo, including a trail sweeper and trail overlooks in Hartman Reserve and George Wyth State Park. The Cedar Trails Partnership established the Cedar Trails Patrol to enhance trail safety. Ms. Taylor stated there is a big problem with gravel on the trails after rain. Ms. Taylor stated that there are a lot of trails and trail segments, but no loops. Ms Taylor stated it is a pleasanter experience if bikers can follow trails and not use city streets. Ms. Taylor stated she believes connecting the trails would help tremendously with tourism, and the idea situation would be to ride from Cedar Falls to Cedar Rapids. Noel Anderson, Assistant City Planner, reviewed the trail map. Donald Street is anticipated to be let in 2004, and the River Walk is anticipated to be let in the Summer of 2003. The River Walk is part of the Vision Iowa Funds and completion of the trail is contingent upon award of those funds. The Cedar River Trail is anticipated to be let in Summer 2002, and the city has begun nonparticipating design to expedite trail completion. The 218/CVLT Phase I is anticipated to be let in Summer 2002, and the city is currently working to get the design completed. The city applied for a National Recreational Trails Program grant last month for the Sergeant Road resurfacing. If awarded, funds would be available in October 2002, with anticipated letting in Summer 2003. The 18th Street Bridge funds have been awarded and the city is working to get it under design. Cedar Prairie -Sergeant Road was let in Fall 2001, with anticipated completion in Summer 2002. Kim Burger, member of the Cedar Trails Partnership and Cedar Falls Visitors & Convention Bureau, stated that people do not want to go out and back on the trails, they want to loop and go to their point of start of the trail. Ms. Burger stated that trails have been shown to contribute to economic development and retail activity. Ms. Burger stated that 17 percent of Cedar Falls trail user are from outside of the Cedar Valley area. Ms. Burger stated she feels the cities could enhance their opportunities by improving the trails. Mayor Rooff stated that it is clear to him that information was not given to the Cedar Trails Partnership in a timely fashion. Mayor Rooff reported that he has assigned Noel Anderson to the Cedar Trails Partnership. Councilperson Getty stated he was upset when he got the letter from the Cedar Trails Partnership in the mail, and he did not appreciate what was said. Councilperson Getty agreed with Mayor Rooff that there was a miscommunication of information. Council Work Session October 15, 2001 Page 2 Dan Gerger, Cedar Trails Partnership member, stated that he loves the trails and traveled 1,600 miles this year on the trails. Mr. Gerger stated that riding bike has helped him with his weight and diabetes and has allowed him to cut back on his use of insulin. Bob Morgan, Past President of Cedar Trails Partnership, stated he is frustrated with the lack of commitment to finish the trails in Waterloo. Mr. Morgan stated the Trolley Car Trail is vital, which has been funded since 1995, promised last year and this year, but there is still no design. Mr. Morgan stated he would like a little more emphasis on building the trails. Mr. Morgan stated that constructing the Sergeant Road Trail with asphalt did not work, as the trail has deteriorated and is hazardous to bicyclist. Mr. Morgan stated he would like to see the Sergeant Road Trail resurfaced. Mr. Morgan stated he understands that Waterloo has applied for several grants, and that Mayor Rooff has agreed to look at other funding sources the Sergeant Road Trail. Mr. Braun stated that the Cedar Trails Partnership pledges its support and asked the council to formally receive and file the information and map at a council meeting. Mayor Rooff stated that the map and information will be put on the council agenda in a week after the council has had time to review the information. Mayor Rooff stated that the Cedar Trails Partnership has agreed to partner with the city to raise funds for the reconstruction of the Sergeant Road Trail. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Krizek, seconded by Murphy that the meeting be adjourned at 5:26 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk