HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974 07-15 CCM Special Session MINUTES OF THE PROCE DINGS OF THE C= COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER I:+p THE COUNTY OF
HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA
SPECIAL SESSION
JULY 15, 1974
C111 Y HALL
Call to Order The Brooklyn Center City Council met in sapecial session
and was called to order by Mayor Phily Cohen at 7,30 p.m.
lRoll. Call Mayor Cohen, Councilmen Kuefler, Britts, Jensen, and
Fignar. Also present were City Manager Donald'Poss,
Director of Public Works James Merila , Administrative
Assistants Daniel Hartman and lames Lacina .
Public Hearing on Mayor Cohen announced that a special meeting of the City
Walkway Project Council had been called to hold a noighborhood hearing on
for 72nd Avenue North the walkway project for 72nd Av nue Norte
The City Manager provided background i.hformation on the
walkway network and the project in di He stated
that the walkway system had ,t° on irr iii C, 1965 . com-
munity attitude survey develC°p 6 the !aye c,: He
stated that in early 1970 at thy-, d r - �ictinn of they City
Council the City staff began pre p aria ,4� F odkway network
plan for the City. He reviewer in 1970 the
walkway network plan was preE- . ,rte =d to the City Council
for their approval.
The City Manager continued htl, that on July 23,
1973 the City Council deleted ti-.( :segment of walkway
program on 72nd Avenue North between France Avenue
North and West Palmer Lake Dri,;d , He > °tasted that the
City Council had received a petit :eta from the residents
in opposition to the walkway and the amity Courncil felt
a neighborhood hearing shoed oc h,enldll trJ determine
whether the project should be ck sp'le c - cr nct.
The _Director of Public WorkF ((sxt uia( e a p esentation
on the overall walkway netw c)rk, JtWll q that at present
30 miles of walkway have been irk talied in Brooklyn
Center. He presented stat stic.s showing accident rates
and their reduction due in part t,� the d, Yvelopment of the
walkway system. He stated that since t7he installation
of the walkway system pedestrian accidents have been
reduced in Brooklyn Center.
The Mayor then opened the westing to the public. - Mayor
Cohen recognized Mr. Henry Hallgre� ,, 3307 72nd
Avenue North, who stated that he had initiated the petition
and was the general spokesman for the people in the area,
He stated that the basic concern r aesthetics, in that
trees would be eliminated or moved, He stated that there
was some question as to whether a walkway along 72nd
Avenue North was warranted by pedestrian traffic. He
commented that the neighborhood' did recognize the safety
and community development factors regarding the estab-
lishment of the walkway program.
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Mr. Hallgren stated that the accident percentages
presented by the Director of Public Works were
theoretical and did not apply to 72nd Avenue North
since there is lfttl.e traffic volume in the area.
Councilman Jensen asked if a curved walkway would
be used to save the trees in the street. Mr. Merila
commented that the segment on 72nd Avenue North
has ten trees which are too large to move. He stated
that the walkway o y uld curve around the trees if ease -
ments are given by the property owners. Mr. Hallgren
commented that the property owners in the area are not
willing to give the easements since it would affect
their front yards.
Councilman Britts next inquired if the walkway would
be used by the children in the area. Mr. Merila
commented that he would hope the walkway would be
used but it would take time to orientate the people in
the area to it.
Mayor Cohen recognized Mr. Donald Jensen, 3513 -
72nd Avenue North, who commented that a tree had
been blown down in a recent storm on France Avenue
due to the severing of roots by walkway construction.
Mr. Merila stated that he was not aware of the incident.
He commented that over 200 trees have been moved in
the development of the 36 miles of walkway presently
installed with the loss of only two trees.
The Mayor next recognized Mrs. Ann Schroeder,
3400 - 72nd Avenue North, who commented that most
traffic in the area had the highest concentration of young
people going to the park from north of 72nd Avenue North.
She stated that the walkway would not stop this pedes-
trian movement to the northern part of West Palmer Lake
Park.
A lengthy discussion ensued relative to the project and
Its importance in the overall walkway network. Council -
man Kuefler offered that the overall network must be kept
intact. He commented that there is a need for a link
between the park and school area and the residents to the
west, < Councilman Jensen stated that a link would be
important to the integrity of the walkway network concept.
He commented an opinion that the people in the area would
use the walkway once it was available to them.
Councilman Fignar stated that he would hope the property
owners would be willing to give the easements necessary
to allow for a walkway in line with the curvature of the
street., Mayor Cohen commented that in his opinion the
overall walkway system is important for Brooklyn Center
and the sement under consideration is needed as a link
in the network.
Councilman Britts stated that he would not be in favor of
the link just to keep the integrity of the overall system.
He commented that a health, safety, or welfare need must
exist for the walkway segment. Mr. Hallgren commented
that there have been no pedestrian accidents in the area.
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Action Restoring 72nd Motion by Councilman Kuefler and seconded by
Avenue North to the Councilman Jensen to reaffirm the segment on 72nd
Walkway system Avenue North as part of the walkway network system
and order its scheduling for construction. Voting in
favor were.- Mayor Cohen Councilmen Kuefler and
Jensen. Voting against: Councilmen Britts and F'ignaro
The motion passed,
Adjournment Mayor Cohen adjourned the meeting at 9;02 p.m.
C -jerk ayor
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