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7.2.B. PRSR 09-12-2012 Elk REQUEST FOR ACTION River- TO ITEM NUMBER Parks and Recreation Commission 7.2B. AGENDA SECTION MEETING DATE PREPARED BY Action Item September 12,2012 Michael Hecker,Parks and Recreation Director ITEM DESCRIPTION REVIEWED By Resolution for the Mississippi River Trail Cal Portner, City Administrator REVIEWED BY ACTION REQUESTED Staff recommends the Parks and Recreation Commission support the Mississippi River Trail Resolution designating the corridor as the United States Bike Rout 45 for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION The City last November through the Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council approved a letter of support and a resolution for the Mississippi River Trail(MRT). The Resolution 11-70 is attached. This resolution was recommended by the Minnesota Department of Transportation for the City of Elk River to recognize and support a small portion of the MRT that serves as a main corridor for the region and the state. The success of this recognition was recognized this past summer when 140 people biked and stopped in downtown Elk River for lunch. This was mentioned in an August 4,Star Tribune article (attached). Another resolution for the MRT is needed using a template that specifically refers to the United States Bicycle Route 45 for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). ASHTO is the governing authority for route designation and the resolution is needed by them for each local community segment along the mute to make the entire MRT an official route. ATTACHMENTS • Star Tribune article • Mississippi River Trail Resolution 11-70 • City of Elk River Mississippi River Trail Draft Resolution • Location Map Action Motion by Second by Vote Follow Up PIIEIEI Ir N:\Departments\Parks and Recreation\Recreation\2012 PRC Packets\9-12-12 PRC Packet\Item 7.2.B MRT-RFA- NAT EI resolution.docx StarTribune I north metro Bicycles could give Northstar a kickstart Article by PAUL LEVY, Star Tribune Updated: August 4. 2012 - 10.10 PM The Minnesota Department of Transportation, National Park Service and local officials think bicyclists could add a new dimension to the line stretching from Minneapolis to Big Lake. Each Northstar car is equipped to secure only two bicycles. That's been a moot point, thus far, because the daily commuter trains have averaged about three * - A bicycles per train, said Metro Transit spokesman John Sigveland, an avid bicyclist himself. Could the regularly scheduled commuter trains handle dozens of bicycles? Sigveland said that Metro Transit must abide by Federal Railroad Authority standards that require bicycles to be secured on moving trains. Possible adjustments include altering or adding cars to each train. The 140 riders squeezed onto the special Northstar train, their bicycles beside them. For the fledgling "We crammed 140 people and made it happen," said commuter line, bicycles represent wheels of potential David Gepner, who helped organize last month's fortune --traffic that could support a line striving for Saturday special train filled with cyclists, who biked on growth. trails beyond the final stop in Big Lake. Struggling after 2 1/2 years to meet expectations, The cyclists, for the most part, stood in aisles with Northstar is attempting to attract riders by lowering their bikes. Gepner asked if train seats could be fares in August, adding trains for Twins and Vikings removed. That was not an option he was told. games and building a station in the city of Ramsey. But the Minnesota Department of Transportation. It didn't matter. National Park Service and local officials think bicyclists could add a new dimension to the line "It was tight," Gepner, 68, said. "It was an adventure. stretching from Minneapolis to Big Lake. Many will And it was successful. We weren't blocking doorways. leave the train and bike on trails near the Mississippi We opened up possibilities." River, while others would complete a commute. Northstar can use a boost. From January through "We envision the day when St. Cloud State students June, riders were down 4 percent, compared to the living in the Twin Cities will bring their bicycles aboard same period last year. The weekday commute the train every day as they commute to college," said numbers are similar to last year. But Northstar Stearns County Commissioner Leigh Lenzmeier, officials say that special events (Twins games) are chairman of the Northstar Corridor Development down significantly, contributing to the 13,970 fewer Authority rides during the first six months of 2012. "If bringing bicycles on the train helps to get Northstar 'Great opportunity' moving, we're all for it," said Lenzmeier, who hopes the line will eventually be extended to St. Cloud as In Michigan, adjustments have been made to Amtrak originally planned more than a decade ago. train cars to accommodate more bicycles, said Dan Collins, MnDOT's principal planner for the Mississippi River Trail. He and Liz Walton, MnDOT's landscape design architect for bicycle and pedestrian paths and trails, think Northstar has a "great opportunity"to attract young people if the train can lure more bicyclists. "The Mississippi River Trail is the backbone of our trail system, offering a great opportunity for fun, adventure and learning about the river--and it runs along the Northstar line,"Walton said. "Sure, the train was built for commuters," she said. "But this is an opportunity that's too good to pass up." The National Park Service hopes the Mississippi River Trail will ultimately become a "primary transportation facility," said Susan Overson, a landscape architect and park planner for the park service. "We're looking at bicycles, pedestrians, light rail, canoes, boats and, yes, Northstar," she said. "If the train can get people and their bicycles to the Mississippi River Trail, we need to explore that possibility." Metro Transit's website --www.metrotransit.orq-- offers tips for loading bicycles onto Northstar trains. Elk River may be the first city along the Northstar route to aggressively try to lure bicycle riders to the commuter trains. When last month's bicycle-loaded Northstar train stopped in Elk River, Michael Hecker, the city's new parks and recreation director, was waiting to greet the bicyclists. "There's a point here where the Elk River meets the Mississippi River that people driving north on 169 or west on Highway 10 never see," he said. "We have a quaint business district that you could miss completely, if you drive by. "But people tell me they never really appreciated Elk River until they rode through on bicycles," Hecker said. "We're a train city and we're a Mississippi River Trail city. You bring a bicycle on a Northstar train and you get the best of both worlds." Paul Levy •612-673-4419 • RESOLUTION I I- 70 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ELK RIVER SUPPORTING THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER TRAIL CONNECTION WHEREAS, the Mississippi River is well known throughout the United States and the world;and WHEREAS, the Mississippi River has served through time as a corridor of exploration, travel, and settlement;and WHEREAS, the Mississippi River is a corridor of great natural significance and importance within Minnesota and America;and WHEREAS, the Mississippi River Trail is a bicycle route that offers an opportunity for extraordinary adventure along the entire river from the Headwaters in Lake Itasca State Park in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana;and WHEREAS, the Mississippi River Trail relies exclusively on existing highway shoulders, low-volume paved roads and paved recreational trails;and • WHEREAS, the F.lk River route follow the bridge from Otsego to 181"Avenue to County Road 12 to Ramsey and will likely evolve and improve as road improvements are made and suitable paved recreational trails become available;and WHEREAS, the Mississippi River Trail will generate additional economic activity within Mississippi River host communities such as Elk River;and WHEREAS, a continuous string of local resolutions of support for the Mississippi River Trail will strengthen individual and collective funding requests for projects that protect, enhance or promote resources that enrich the traveler's experience;and WHEREAS, even though the Minnesota Department of Transportation will continue to maintain statewide mapping and information regarding the Mississippi River Trail, convene meetings and facilitate the resolution of issues and alignment selection within the State, the Mississippi River Trail will be managed collaboratively by all road and trail authorities that comprise the trail;and THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Elk River supports the collective efforts of the Minnesota Department of Transportation and other road and trail authorities that comprise the Mississippi River Trail and will participate in ongoing collaborative discussions,and in matters of a general nature regarding the operation and location of the • Mississippi River Trail within its administrative boundaries. Passed and adopted this 21"day of November 2011. • Jo .D etz, .,'o A'1� `/` Tina Allard,City Clerk 0 RESOLUTION XX- 2012 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ELK RIVER STATING ITS SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MISSIPPIPPI RIVER TRAIL (U.S.BICYCLE ROUTE 45). WHEREAS,bicycle tourism is a growing industry in North America, presently contributing approximately $47 billion dollars a year nationally to the economies of communities that provide facilities for said tourism; and WHEREAS, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) has designated a corridor along the Mississippi River to be developed as United States Bike Route 45; and WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Transportation has convened several public meetings during the previous eighteen months locally and throughout the river's corridor to gather information, review route alternatives and to provide assistance; and WHEREAS,the Minnesota Department of Transportation in cooperation with road and trail authorities have proposed a specific route to be designated as the Mississippi River Trail (USBR 45), a map of which is herein incorporated into this resolution by reference; and WHEREAS, the proposed Mississippi River Trail (USBR 45) traverses through Elk River and is expected to provide a benefit to local residents and businesses; and WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Transportation will continue to maintain statewide mapping and information regarding Mississippi River Trail (USBR 45), convene meetings and facilitate the resolution of issues and future alignment revisions within the State, WHEREAS, the City of Elk River has duly considered said proposed route and determined it to be a suitable route through the City of Elk River and desire that the route be formally designated so that it can be appropriately mapped and signed, thereby promoting bicycle tourism locally and throughout Minnesota along the Mississippi River. NOW THEREFORE IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the City of Elk River hereby expresses its approval and support for the development of the Mississippi River Trail (USBR 45) and requests that the appropriate government officials take action to officially designate the route accordingly as soon as possible. Passed and adopted this 17th day of September 2012. John J. Dietz, Mayor ATTEST: Tina Allard, City Clerk