Tuesday, September 27, 2005
ROCORI TRAIL COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Re: Rocori Trail Committee Date of Meeting: Wednesday, September 7, 2005
Project Manager: Heidi Peper Time of Meeting: 8:00 A.M.
SEH No.: A-ROCKV 0307 7 Location of Meeting: Rockville City Hall
Attendees: Rena Weber, City of Rockville
Larry Lahr, City of Cold Spring
Dan Coughlin, City of Richmond
Pete Theismann, Stearns County Parks
Joe Chovan, Cold Spring
Bob Murphy, Richmond
Duane Kuss, Cold Spring
Jerry Frieler Wakefield Township
Heidi Peper, SEH
I. Introductions
II. August 29 (5th Monday) Meeting Recap
Went well – there were representatives from the school system, county, all three cities, Wakefield Township, and interested citizens. As far as financing goes, all three cities support the resolutions and the Township cannot financially commit until their Annual Meeting. Next step is to hold the public information meeting. Cost estimate of the e trail needs to be updated before that.
III. Status Report on Resolution Consideration
A. Cold Spring
Will be acting on it at 9/14 meeting.
B. Richmond
Will be talking about it tonight (9/7) and likely acting on it at the 9/15 meeting.
C. Rockville
Will be talking about it tonight (9/7) and likely acting on it at the 9/15 meeting.
D. Rocori School District
Will present to the school board at their next meeting, 9/13
E. Stearns County
Commissioner Vince Schaefer will be taking to the Board. Pet will ask Chuck Wocken to follow up.
F. Wakefield Township
It was talked about at the last meeting. Not much enthusiasm. Jerry will continue to discuss the trail at future board meetings.
IV. Railroad Update
Pete reported that in late July there was a meeting with representatives from BNSF, the short-haul operator, Stearns County HRA and county park staff. Pete stated the railroad was not particularly fond of the “trails by rails” concept but they didn’t say no. BNSF wants to give the short-haul operator one year to see if they’re able to secure additional business. Depending on what happens, they may be willing to sell after that period.
Chuck has talked to Pat Mitchell, Granite Company, and the may be willing to give easements to cross their property. The parks department has maps of who owns what.
V. Public Meeting/Outreach Preparations
A. Meeting Date – Thursday, October 27, 6:30 – 9:00 pm
B. Location – Rocori Middle or High School – Larry to confirm
C. Program
1. Panelists – Dan Collins, DNR; Joan Breddick, Stearns County Park Board (Chuck/Pete will ask); Terry McGowie, involved citizen on Paul Bunyan Trail (Pete will help contact); someone from the school; someone from the snowmobilers association; engineering consultant (Heidi and/or Kate; Randy Thoreson, National Park Service (Heidi to call); Leo Sand, Albany. Need to find an involved/informed citizen to be a moderator.
2. Schedule:
6:30 – 7:00 open house
7:00 – 8:00 panel discussion/question & answer period
8:00 – 9:00 open house
3. Miscellaneous
• Need to warm up the audience – get them to see the vision – short power point, maps showing overall corridor – take photos along corridor (once leaves are turning) showing all the amenities that would be connected by the trail
• Sauk Centre Herald does a bicycle map – Pete will get
• Fundraising needs to be mentioned
• Refreshments – cookies/coffee – Rena volunteered to supply a “trail Mix”
• Should plan on about 50 – 75 people
• Have sign up sheet for attendees to stay connected
• Notifications of meeting via: DigElog, Channel 10, newspapers, radio (WJON CASM), city newsletters, public place postings, city websites, Rocori Community Education newsletter.
D. Website Development
Duane is creating blogs on his website www.digelogrocori.com. He distributed literature on the site.
VI. Grant Application Timeline
Enhancement funding requests are typically due in the middle of January each year. This next round’s date has not yet been identified. Stearns County Highway Department sends out notices when it has been selected.
The DNR’s regional trail grant deadline is February 28.
Heidi has researched the new Safe Routes 2 School grant program. This is a brand new program and the guidance has not yet been written on it yet. Heidi talked to Kennedy’s office and they appeared eager to help once the guidance is done. She also made contact with the contact at MN DOT who will keep her informed as to their progress.
VII. Parks Service Request Update
Randy Thoreson, National Parks Service, called Heidi and stated they’ve received our application but cannot make any decisions until their fiscal year starts, which is October 1, 2005.
VIII. DNR Glacial Lakes Trail Progress - Larry reported for the DNR as he spoke with Scott Schroeder, who was unable to attend today’s meeting.
A. MNDOT working on about a one-mile corridor to get to 178th , which they indicated is strictly a formality.
B. DNR received a grant of $100,000 from the federal government for deck/bridge work. They don’t have a state match for that yet. Their hoping to get that this next year.
C. Allocation received from state to pave from Willmar and will go as far east as the money will take them.
D. Scott indicated he will try to attend our meetings in the future.
Next Meeting – Wednesday, October 5, 8 am, Rockville City Hall
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# posted by Duane Kuss @ 4:34 PM 
