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Home My WebLink About13.B.1. Snowmobile Trail Issues on Eagle Creek Boulevard /3.B. I. CITY OF SHAKOPEE POLICE DEPARTMENT Memorandum TO: Mayor and City Council Mark McNeill, City Administrator FROM: Dan Hughes, Chief of Police/Emergency Management Director SUBJECT: Snowmobile Trail Issues on Eagle Creek Boulevard DATE: December 4, 2007 INTRODUCTION: The City Council is asked to listen to the concern of a resident(s) regarding the snowmobile trail on Eagle Creek Boulevard. BACKGROUND: On November 15, 2007, City Council along with other City staff received a letter from Kathy Vargo regarding the snowmobile trail problems on Eagle Creek Boulevard. Since that time, City and County staff and members of the snowmobile club have attempted to address this issue, without apparent success. Under the current City ordinance, snowmobiles may be used on snowmobile trails legally (City Ordinance 8.30, Subd. 3.G). Prior to this year, the snowmobile trail had been located on the north side of Eagle Creek Boulevard. City staff, including the Public Works director and police department staff, requested that the snowmobile club move their trail from the north side because it was operated on a public sidewalk provided for pedestrian and bicycle travel, which is illegal under City Ordinance 8.30, Subd. 3.B. It also caused a great deal of difficulty for the Public Works Department to keep the sidewalk and pedestrian trail clear of snow once it had been packed down by snowmobiles. In addition to the author of the letter and neighbors, I expect that members of the snowmobile club will be in attendance to answer any questions that may arise. VISIONING RELATIONSHIP: This action may support: Goal A - Active and healthy community. Goal B - High Quality of life. Goal C - Great place for kids to grow up. Goal D - Vibrant, resilient and stable. Strategy 1: Increase use of Park and Recreation Strategy 2: Enhance physical, mental, spiritual health Strategy 3: Protect the environment Strategy 5: Foster community connections Strategy 7: Make community welcoming Strategy 9: Strengthen small town feel ACTION REQUESTED: Council is asked to provide direction to staff on this issue. /3. B.l. November 28, 2007 Re: Agenda for December 4th City Council Meeting. Please add this important issue. Dear Judy, Per our earlier conversation today, please forward this request to Mayor Schmitt and all City Council members. I am asking for a few minutes to speak on behalf of the city residents and business owner with our concerns regarding the current snowmobile trail on Eagle Creek Boulevard. In a recent letter to City Council we have voiced the concerns and provided signatures of some of the residents involved. Thank you, ~. z}~ .'--- )l';fl<<t Kathy Vargo 1401 Tyrone Dr Shakopee, MN 55379 My cell phone contact: 763-670-6777 I 2 8 Friday November 15,2007 RE: Snowmobile Trail Problems on Eagle Creek Boulevard To those this does concern: The home owners and business owner listed on this letter request the removal of snowmobile trail signs and request that the trail route be permanently discontinued from our neighborhood off Eagle Creek Boulevard. Last year the trail posed a safety concern and noise problem for us last year. The Shakopee River Valley Trailblazers assured us that the trail would be maintained and damage to lawn properties would be repaired. This did not happen and the 10 foot variance was breached as well. The signs once again have been placed beyond the 10 foot variance onto our properties and this year we are not allowing it. The trail needs to be removed from Eagle Creek Boulevard all together. This area has seen exponential growth in the last two years. With the increased traffic from Canterbury Card Club and Racetrack, Casino traffic and the addition of 20+ businesses within .25 miles of us. As property owners we need to protect what little peace we have left. The Trailblazers Snowmobile Club has never approached us ahead oftime to work with us. We feel our rights have been ignored. Several residences have elderly homeowners and blind driveway areas that make it unsafe to them to leave their wooded driveway as the snowmobile trail goes over it. The Evergreen Child Care Center and owner Tim Edmund is also concerned for the safety of its children, parents and employees. There are also unattended children daily at the bus stop for the dozens of low income townhome residences at ~~4-J Townhomes. There are several bus stops on the current trail area and children are often in the trail area. My husband and I are avid outdoor people and own snowmobiles and other recreational vehicles. However we transport our snowmobiles to rural trail areas. We know the conditions here are no longer contusive for safe snowmobiling. We hope this matter can be resolved with understanding and respect, but will take legal action if necessary. Early this week I spoke to Brian Challans of the Trailblazers in person and on the phone, and respectfully communicated that we will be removing signs from the property owners we have been in contact with as of 5pm today. He stated "that is not possible". The signage can be picked up at our residence at 1401 Tyrone Drive by calling 763-670-6777 to arrange pick up. Brain Challans voiced that he would welcome the trail to cross his property, so perhaps that can become an alternate route. Ryan Hughes of Shakopee Parks and Rec has stated he has no authority in trail routes but simply handles the mapping of routes. Mr. Hughes directed me to contact Shakopee Police Officer Lynn Lipinski. I have left two messages but have not received a call back. Attached are the signatures, names and addresses of persons in agreement of this action. Sincerely and in the best interest of our community, ~~~YVarg. Cc: Brain Challans Shakopee River Valley Trailblazers Ryan Hughes Shako pee Parks and Rec Lynn Lipinski Shako pee Police Department Shako pee City Council Copy to all resident/owners of properties involved )~ ~ I _. D~~~~~~D)J 23e,Y~r~ ~/r- < c- ~ i) ;1 . . (?.J, /("'n .t'r Irp(,r )--/1 YJ/7( 5 . f /'1 t ~ h li - ,L Or[ t' -S5c n3 )5";;; ) L'Yn-k 73 )yj) ShaXtp((')tiN .553': i ~l /I e.' c;, _ _. ~ ,) . - . v . C:f:;, ~ " / 5"'; ~ D...:. - ()-3 i.}'j 7 /1 .;/ -Z ) CJ/ ,J / -<-: Y-~;l-Z ;~/GCV::Y 7'\.6;,(~\ l j i-e fere ^-- L{ ( Inn (-:\.. Ii'\. 0 ,jVC)G' l:tl~tl{ Crt(f- B/ud,. .J , ~. 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