City Council Meeting Date: July 22, 2025
To: Mayor and City Council
From: David Bennett, PE - Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Consider Motion Approving MOU with St. Dominic Church (Calvary Cemetery) for Spring Creek Road - Mill Towns State Trail Project.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves MOU with St. Dominic Church (Calvary Cemetery) for Spring Creek Road - Mill Towns State Trail Project.
Summary Report:
The City has been working with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) along with I & S Group to final the plans and specifications for the construction of Mill Towns State Trail from Woodley Street to the Waterford Bridge. The plans and specifications are now complete, a contract for construction is in place and work will begin this September.
As part of the easement acquisition process for the easements necessary to facilitate construction along the Calvary Cemetery property, the attached MOU outlines some specific items in the MOU.
1. As part of the MOU, due to concerns related to users of the trail potentially leaving the trail and entering the cemetery property, the City with the construction of the project will have a fence installed along Spring Creek Road on the cemetery property. The City will maintain the fence for a period of 15 years; the fence will be owned by St. Dominic Church.
2. There are dead/dying ash trees that will be removed by the City to facilitate the fence and trail construction.
3. Driveway Access - Two of the three driveway entrances will remain open during construction.
Staff are recommending approval of the MOU.
Alternative Options:
NA - Staff is recommending approval of the MOU.
Financial Impacts:
~ $60,000 for the installation of the new fence, this is funded through the grant/partnership with the DNR for the project.
Tentative Timelines:
NA