Thursday, October 20, 2005
ROCORI TRAIL PROJECT
PUBLIC MEETING TO BE HELD ON ROCORI TRAIL PROJECT
What could make the area communities a better place to live? When this question was asked to the residents of this area, one of the highest priorities on their list was the need for recreational trails in our communities. As area residents have spoken, their leaders have listened and taken action to help make this idea a reality.
The Rocori Trail Committee will be holding an informational public meeting on Thursday, October 27th at 7:00 p.m. at the Rocori High School Cafeteria to discuss the trail project. The meeting will begin with an overview presentation from the project engineer, Short Elliot Hendrickson Inc. Next, there will be a panel of representatives from local agencies that have been involved in this project or similar projects, who will be available to share their experiences or answer specific questions related to their field of expertise. The panelists include representatives from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Stearns County Parks Department, National Parks Service, and City Administrators from Richmond, Cold Spring and Rockville. These experts will be available to answer questions and address concerns from audience members. Finally, after the panel discussion, attendees will have the chance to visit individual organization’s display tables for more information and handouts. Refreshments will be available including trail mix and beverages.
The proposed trail would span a total length of 12.2 miles, starting at the east side of Richmond and ending near Stearns County Road 6 in Rockville. The trail would be constructed in two phases with the first covering from Richmond to Cold Spring and the second continuing from the eastern end of Cold Spring to Rockville. The committee estimates the earliest that construction could begin on the first phase would be 2008, with the second phase beginning in 2009.
Through the many discussions about the proposed trail, there have been two possible routes identified for the trail to follow. Although the committee has been working towards determining the best route, neither route has been finalized. The first route would have the trail located on the right-of-way for the railway that connects the three communities. The second proposed route would use mostly public right-of-ways, and would likely be located at the edge of the right-of-way in the road ditches. The committee is particularity interested in giving potentially affected property owners the opportunity to provide feedback on these two proposed routes.
The cost to complete the entire trail is quite substantial, with the estimated cost for phase one of the trail being $784,957, and $1,021,925 to complete phase two. Each City Council of the three cities of Richmond, Rockville and Cold Spring have passed resolutions in support of the Rocori Trail Project and have pledged to contribute a local match of $32,000. These costs are committed on the condition that grant funding is secured to fund the balance of the project costs. The committee hopes to be awarded grants through the federal government and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. In addition to these funds, area cities hope that successful community fundraising efforts will reduce the cost to local governments even further.
Attending this public meeting will keep you informed on the progress of this area community project. Just as importantly, it will give citizens an opportunity to ask questions and share opinions they might have about the Rocori Trail project. Learn about what exciting changes may be coming to your community in the future and let your voice be heard by attending this meeting.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Minnesota Work-Life Champions
The Land of ROCORI has many great companies that are terrific employers. Should your company be nominated for one of the following awards? They probably should. Do it today!
Being publicly recognized as a Minnesota Work-Life Champion can enhance a company’s reputation and its ability to attract and retain talent. Top that off with an opportunity to be cited as a Child-Friendly Employer of the Year, and you can join the ranks of firms working to support early education and build a competitive workforce.
We hope that your organization will compete for these awards. Enabling employees to balance their commitments at work and at home, to succeed in all aspects of their lives, are important practices. Here is an opportunity to be recognized for your efforts.
There are multiple awards – but only one application to fill out.
Fast and easy to apply:
Apply By CLICKING HERE!
Applications due by October 21, 2005
Who is eligible?
All Minnesota Employers
(public, private, nonprofit)
4 Size Categories
(Small, Medium, Large and Very Large)
(From 5 employees to 1000+)
What awards are available?
Minnesota Work-Life Champions
Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards
plus
Work Life Advocate Awards
To be announced January 26, 2006
Child-Friendly Employer of the Year
Section H on the application enters you in this award.
Offered by Minnesota Business for Early Learning
To be announced November 18, 2005
In addition to visiting the web site, you are also welcome to contact David Rodbourne who is managing the project for (651-962-4122). Thank you
ROCORI TRAIL COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES
ROCORI TRAIL COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2005
8:00 AM
ROCKVILLE CITY HALL
Present: Rena Weber, Larry Lahr, Dan Coughlin, Bob Murphy, Scott Schroeder, Randy Thoreson, John Peck, Duane Kuss, and Angie Haag.
I. Introductions
II. September 7, 2005 Meeting Recap
III. Status Report on Resolution Consideration
A. Cold Spring
Will be accepting the resolution at tonight’s meeting (10/5)
B. Richmond
Will be discussing and hopefully accepting at tomorrow night’s meeting (10/6)
C. Rockville
Weber reported that the Council did pass the resolution on a 4-2 vote. It was felt that lack of knowledge about the project and the cost issue of purchasing right-of-way influenced the voting. Since then information about the project was highlighted in their City Newsletter.
D. Rocori School District
It was unknown if the district formally passed the resolution or if they stated that they are in support of the project. It will be researched to see if the resolution had been adopted, and if not will see if it could be adopted.
E. Stearns County
It was unknown if the Stearns County Board had approved the resolution. Follow-up would be done with Vince Schaefer on the status of the resolution being approved.
F. Wakefield Township
The resolution had been discussed at their previous meeting but it was not passed. It was determined that Rena would contact them to have to get the resolution onto their October 6th agenda and that she and Dan would attend the meeting to answer questions they might have.
IV. Railroad Update
Pete was not able to make it to the meeting.
V. Corridor Update
Larry reported that he and Chuck had met with the Granite Company and they seemed open to giving an easement and even relocating paved roads to make it happen. He intends to see if Cold Spring Granite is willing to provide a support letter to be submitted with the grant application. Larry commented that he will be meeting with Mitch Anderson from the County and Chuck to discuss right of way along County Road 158, at this point it looks good that corridor between Richmond and Cold Spring can be secured.
VI. Parks Service Request Update
Randy reported that the application was submitted and that our project meets the criteria and that all the correct elements are present. At this time they had not made a decision on which projects were selected.
VII. Public Meeting/Outreach Preparations
A. Meeting Date -Thursday, October 27, 2005, 7-9:00 p.m.
B. Location- Rocori High School Cafeteria
C. Program
1. Panelists- Scott Schroder, DNR; Chuck Wocken, Stearns County Park Board; someone from the school; someone from the snowmobilers association; engineering consultant Heidi Pepper; Randy Thoreson, National Park Service. Duane Kuss accepted being the moderator. It was suggested that a person would be needed to provide a success story of working on a trail project, Michael Doyle was suggested as he is part of the user group of the Minnesota Trail Users Association and State Bike Advisory Committee. It was also suggested that each person on the panel know their role for providing comments during the opening discussion.
It was discussed that Heidi would likely do a power point presentation for the overview of the project and that other entities presentations or comments would not need to be that elaborate. It was suggested that Heidi also label a map to present which would show state owned land, and other key land markers. It was also thought that they could provide large signs for the display tables with the agency’s names on them.
2. Schedule-
7:00-8:00 Panel discussion/question and answer period
8:00-9:00 Open House
3. Miscellaneous Preparation
Kevin Mooney will take photographs along the corridor, if he is unable Rena will contact Bruce Conrad to see if he will be willing to do it.
Rena will provide the trail mix and will research getting bottled Rocori water for refreshments. Larry will find out if the school district can provide coffee.
Bob Murphy and John Peck will host the welcome table where fact sheets will be available along with comment cards. Rena will make copies from the templates that Randy has from other meetings.
Duane Kuss will provide the technical equipment to do a photo loop presentation of the photos that Kevin Mooney or Bruce Conrad will provide. Duane will also create blogs and post the press release on his website.
Larry and Angie will prepare a press release to be distributed to the local newspapers, radio stations, channel 10 bulletin board, website, calendar of events, marquee sign, local cities bulletin boards, and civic groups such as the chambers of commerce, Lions, and Jaycees. In addition they will create the program for the open house night, which Randy would like to see a draft of to make comments. Larry will also send out email addresses so that people can stay in contact with one another on related tasks.
It was suggested that someone from the health field be on the panel or have a display table. Roma Steil from Stearns County Public Health was suggested. Duane volunteered to check with the Granite Company to see if their health care provider would be interested, John said he would check with Health Partners, and Randy will provide health pamphlets.
It was discussed that Heidi would likely do a power point presentation for the overview of the project and that other entities presentations or comments would not need to be that elaborate. It was suggested that Heidi also label a map to present which would show state owned land, and other key land markers. It was also thought that they could provide large signs for the display tables with the agency’s names on them.
Next meeting -Wednesday, November 2, at 8:00 a.m. at Rockville City Hall.
