City Council Meeting Date: May 4, 2021
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Tim Behrendt, Street and Park Manager
Dave Bennett, City Engineer/Public Works Director
Title
Consider Motion Approving Permanent Public Trail Easement for the Mill Towns Trail - 1800 Armstrong Road (CSAH 78).
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves a Permanent Public Trail Easement Agreement with Prawer Revocable Trust.
Summary Report:
Staff has been working to ensure the existing Mill Towns State Trail along Sechler Road and Armstrong Road are within City easements, City lands, or right-of-ways. A portion of the trail along Armstrong Road adjacent to the City Compost Site was built on property owned by Ken Prawer, now Prawer Revocable Trust. City Staff has worked with the property owner, and have acquired a permanent public trail easement.
The permanent easement (Attachment 1) will allow the City to transfer ownership to the MnDNR or enter into a formal maintenance agreement once all land and title issues are resolved on the existing segment. This trail would then officially be designated as a State Trail and would be eligible for funding.
Alternative Options:
The City Council could decide not to accept this easement; however, funding for trail reconstruction would not be available from the State.
Financial Impacts:
The agreed upon price for the easement is $1.
Tentative Timelines:
Once the easement is signed by all parties, it will be sent to Rice County for recording.