Parks & Recreation Committee Approves X-Country & Snowshoe Trail Routes

IRONWOOD, MI - Tuesday, November 2, 2010 - A Regular Meeting of the Ironwood Parks and Recreation Committee (IP&RC) was held on, Monday, November 1, 2010, in the Community Development Conference Room on the second floor of the Municipal Memorial Building in Downtown Ironwood, Michigan.

1. Call to Order - The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Parks and Recreation Committee Chairman Sam Davey.

2. Recording of the Roll -  Community Development Director Merritt Bussiere recorded the roll. Members attending the meeting included: Steve Frank; Annette Burchell; Laura Thomas; Chairman Sam Davey; Eric Lytwynuik; and John Wyssling. Marion True was excused. While reading the members' names aloud, CD Director Bussiere asked Eric Lytwynuik how to pronounce his name. After Lytwyunuik pronounced his name property from Bussiere, he quipped, "It's not an easy one like Bussiere!" Representing the media at the meeting were Arvo Toolanen and yours truly.

3. Approval of the October 4, 2010 Regular Meeting Minutes - With the exception of a small typographical error, the Committee voted unanimously to approve the Meeting Minutes as presented.

4. Approval of the Docket - Sam Davey announced an addition to the Docket, 5.5 Trail Update for the Miners Memorial Heritage Park. The Committee voted unanimously to approve the Docket as amended.

5. Citizens wishing to address the Committee on Items on the Agenda (Three-minute limit) - This reporter express possible interest in addressing the Committee regarding Item 7.

5.5. Trail Update for the Miners Memorial Heritage Park - Tom Kangas, the Chairperson of the Friends of the Miners Memorial Heritage Trail Committee, provided the Parks & Recreation Committee a trail update. He explained that weekly hikes through the "caves" area took place over the summer. He said the last of the hikes ended with the vigil at the Pabst Mine site in September.

Kangas asked the IP&RC for permission to hold regular snowshoe hikes throughout the winter. He explained the Friends would like to begin the hikes after the first of next year. "Right now we discussing possibly twice a month snowshoe hikes." Kangas said.

Kangas explained that more than two hikes may be possible depending on how the IP&RC and the City Commission feel, and how well attended the hikes become. He told the Committee that volunteers are willing to groom the cross country portion of the trail. After the SISU Race is finished on January 15th, the group would like to "borrow" the trail for snowshoe use. The possibility of a small citizen's race has been discussed. The date, time and particulars of the race are to be announced.

Maps were distributed to Committee members. (See map below) According to Kangas, "The black is the proposed snowshoe route. It's a small one mile loop. The blue is the proposed cross country trail which would also follow the  SISU route. With volunteer help we can keep it groomed. We will return to the Parks & Rec to let you know more about the citizen's race when we put it together and get a time and date. As an advocacy group, the Friends would like to get the information out to the people of what the resource we have here in the middle of the city. As many of you know, it's a wasteland with a lot of, you know... it's a compost center; but we're only talking about the Aurora center.  The map is only the Aurora mine site. We'd be starting at the bus garage. There may be some minor trail work we'd like to do. There's some winter kill, some fallen trees that are down, in small areas we'd like to... for the snowmobiles to get through... all we're going to groom is a snowmobile, I believe -- a narrow track. Some of the winter kill and dead wood on the ground, if we can get that out of the way, that'd be better for the snowmobile to track."

Sam Davey suggested about a five or six foot track. Morgan Grasso, who was also on hand for the meeting said a six foot track would be ideal. Some discussion took place as to where the proper equipment to groom the trail could be located (borrowed). Sam said he knew of several people who would be glad to continue to groom the trail. Grasso said that he also knew of people who would volunteer.

Kangas indicated that the snowshoe hikes would most likely be held on Saturdays or Sundays. He said between ten and twenty people routinely showed up for the Thursday night summer hikes through the area. He said the age difference of the participants was between 14 and 70 years of age. He told the Committee that many former residents took the hike to see the areas they grew up in.

Morgan Grasso told the Committee that he walked the trail this afternoon and he said no standing trees would need to be removed, but some brushing might be required.

Steve Frank made a motion to approve the snowshoe and cross country routes as presented. The motion was seconded and without further discussion, the Committee voted unanimously to approve the motion.

Following the vote Kangas asked the Committee if they would like periodic progress updates. The Committee agreed that updates would not be necessary unless, for some reason, there may be drastic changes in their original plans. Sam Davey told Kangas that he would need to call the Community Development Director at least a week before the IP&RC's next meeting if the Friends feel it necessary to address the Committee again.

Before the Committee continued with the agenda, Steve Frank wanted to take the time to thank the Friends of the Miners Memorial Park for "the great job they have done" at the "H" Shaft. Kangas thanked the Committee for allowing the Friends to clean up the area. (See pictures below)

6. Update on Establishment of Bicycle Routes Around the City - Sam Davey explained that everybody on the Committee gave their input at the last meeting regarding proposed bicycle routes around the City. He suggested that a map be created that highlight the routes. Merritt Bussiere told the Committee that he could create a map based on the input described in the minutes of the last meeting. He said the maps will be ready for the Committee at their next meeting.

7. Discuss opening the streets for snowmobiles, so residents can get to trails from their home - Chairman Davey explained that the IP&RC snowmobile subcommittee thought it was a good idea to create an Ordinance that echoed the ATV Ordinance allowing ATVs on City streets. Davey said it would be nice to allow residents to go from their homes to the trails in a direct route along City streets.

Lytwynuik asked why snowmobiles couldn't be added to the newly approved ATV Ordinance. Davey said that he was told it was necessary to have a separate ordinance. Lytwynuik asked, "Why?  If you could just add the word 'snowmobile'..." Davey said that public hearings would have to be held once again. Then both gentlemen realized that there would have to be more public hearings either way. So the question still remains... "Why can't the word 'snowmobile' be added to the ATV Ordinance?"

Davey said he'd like to make boundary changes to the ATV map that would allow south-side residents indirect snowmobile access more safely and would direct traffic towards local businesses. Bussiere suggested that a sample snowmobile ordinance be drafted that echos the ATV Ordinance, including language for the proposed changes. He said the draft ordinance could be presented at the next meeting.

Steve Frank reminded the Committee how he feels about snowmobiles on the streets. "I live up in Norrie. Here's the difference between snowmobiles and ATVs.  We don't have sidewalks in the winter. The roads are narrower. We have high snowbanks. The City doesn't do a good job up in Norrie. If you have a car parked on the road it is difficult drive a car down that road. Even going 15 miles per hour you're looking at, at least 44 feet of reaction time to swerve between somebody backing out of their driveway; walking out of their walkway -- kids walking to a bus stop. To me it's a flat out safety issue. And again, it might be different if you live on a boulevard where you've got a wide road or something,  but certainly up in the Norrie area, those roads are narrow."

Merritt asked, "Are you saying you disagree with the trail?"

Frank replied, "I disagree with street access -- snowmobiles riding on the roads at all. We have a couple of snowmobile routes. I've almost gotten hit backing out of a driveway on Lake, even with the approved snowmobile routes.  And, like I said, it's narrow. We have a hard time keeping our roads  properly plowed; intersections etc. "

John Wyssling responded with, "Well, this is 'Big Snow Country!' You've got to get used to it, I guess!" He went on to say he understood the point Frank was making, but he feels Ironwood Public Safety can handle any and all issues involved because a new snowmobile ordinance, like the recently passed ATV ordinance, allows them to. He said that anybody abusing the ordinance will now be caught.

Frank said it wasn't a matter of abusing the ordinance. He repeated that it was simply a safety issue having them on the roads. He said physics dictates that there is no safe way for snowmobiles to be on City streets. "The brochure for the State of Michigan, under their 'safety tips' says 'Do Not Ride on Streets and Roads!'"

Wyssling said, "I just feel that this is 'Big Snow Country.'  You know, if you can ski from your yard, you can snowmobile from your yard. If you spend $5,500 to $8,000 on a sled, there's no reason you have to trailer it to downtown; figure out if you can get a parking spot; then unload it; then go for your ride; then when you're tired, come back -- reload it; try to get back up to your house... I mean this is designed basically for residents only. We're not opening them up basically for out-of-towners to travel on our roads."

Laura Thomas asked if trailering and unloading the sleds near the Depot wasn't actually good for downtown businesses.

"These are residents we're talking about!" Wyssling reacted, "We're not talking about out-of-towners! This is a guy that lives up there! You know, he's going come out of his yard -- nice fresh snow -- he wants to take a nice ride and enjoy the area. He's got to load it up;  move it downtown to some parking lot; unload it; then take his ride;  then do the same thing to go back up to his house?"  Wyysling said.

"Why hasn't anyone opened a business opportunity of offering storage space for sleds and ATVs that's right near the trail? You pay a docking fee if you have a boat if you choose to keep it there, otherwise, you bring it home and trailer it out to the lake or whatever. To me, a lot in the industrial park -- put in a nice storage area -- you could rent it out for a nominal fee for a month. I don't know!"

Lytwynuik said, "People won't pay!"

Frank responded, "Because we make it easy for them..."

Annette Burchell said the State covers liability insurance on the trail, then she asked who is covers liability when the City allows sleds on the city streets.

Lytwynuik said liability insurance is required on snowmobiles, you can't make them pay for insurance.

Davey disagreed with Lytwynuik. Insurance can be required.

Thomas asked if the City would be at risk for allowing snowmobile travel on City streets.

Further discussion regarding insurance continued, but none of the Committee members had any answers that could resolve the issue one way or the other.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: This reporter tried to demonstrate my point of view with a ridiculous comparison. I told the Committee that I was not opposed to snowmobiling or ATV riding in any way, however, I like to fish, and I want to be able to go fishing without having to trailer my boat. Therefore, I want the City of Ironwood to dig trenches that would allow me to ride my boat from my house to the fishing destination(s) of my choice.

Of course it is impractical to dig trenches for each and every fisherman or boating enthusiast in Ironwood. It shouldn't be the City's responsibility to try to satisfy my desire to fish either. When I bought my boat, I was fully aware of the fact that I didn't live on a lake and I'd have to trailer my boat to the lake of my choice to go fishing. I am not being deprived of anything when the City doesn't supply a method for me to go fishing without trailering my boat. If fishing is my obsession and I don't want to trailer my boat... I need to buy some lakefront property and leave my boat on the lake.

On the other hand, when I bought my building I understood there were roads on two sides of my corner lot. I understood there would be street traffic -- street legal vehicles (cars, trucks, motorcycles & mopeds) traveling to and fro. I never dreamed there would be ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles zipping by -- they are not designed to be operated on the streets.

The only obligation the City of Ironwood has is to keep the streets safe and in good repair for LEGAL street traffic. By allowing vehicles that are not designed for driving on pavement on our pavement, our roads will be taking an unnecessary beating. Pedestrians and legal road travelers will be at risk, and the City will be responsible for any injuries or deaths that occur.

If ATVs and snowmobiles have the right to use our City streets then that same courtesy must be extended to other "special interests." Golfers should not be required to trailer their cars. City limit hunters should have the right to hunt in their back yards. Skateboarders should have the right to use City sidewalks and streets. Where does it end? In a civilized world there are rules. Rules are put in place for a reason. Without them we have anarchy.

If the GRTA and City officials spent as much time, money and effort on developing decent trails in the area, as they have spent trying to accommodate non-street-legal vehicles on our City streets, the Gogebic Range would have the best trail system in the country. If you want to go out your backdoor to go snowmobiling -- buy property along the trailer. When you buy a home in a nice quiet neighborhood, you shouldn't have to tolerate the noise, smell, and risks to your health of someone else's hobby.

The Committee agreed to draft an ordinance regarding use of snowmobiles on City streets. The Committee voted unanimously pass along the draft along to the Commission at a later date.

8. Discussion of Five Year Recreation Plan/Work Plan - Merritt Bussiere told the Committee that an attempt by the Ironwood High School Junior ROTC cadets was made to distribute and collect 700 questionnaires for the IP&RC. These 700 questionnaires would represent a random sample of the City's residents.

a. Survey Distribution & Collection - The weather was extremely windy and rainy and it was very difficult for the cadets to circulate and collect the surveys. They did the best they could. Many of the questionnaires were water soaked and destroyed. Mail boxes are not allowed to be used for such purposes, so completed questionnaires were left outside in the weather. Many blew away -- both completed and blank.

A total of 137 of completed questionnaires were safely received. Bussiere said a minimum of 250 surveys are needed to accurately reflect the desires of the public at large. He recommended that a new sample be drawn and that more surveys be mailed out in order to get a more accurate representation of the overall population.  He said the postage can be covered out Bussiere's postage budget. The Committee voted unanimously to send out more surveys.

b. Data Entry. Establish work bee date, time, and place - Bussiere recommended that a neutral group -- such as the boy scouts -- be recruited to enter the data. He said there is a definite divide between the "motorized" and "non-motorized" groups and in order to keep things on the up and up, it would be best to have a neutral party take over this task. Steve Frank suggested that government students at the high school take over the task. The Committee agreed with Frank's idea. Merritt said he could train the students how to enter the data. It was recommended to Merritt to contact Pete Lewinski or Michelle Kanipes to set up the project.

c. Merritt will crunch numbers and compile DRAFT survey report -  Merritt said he would be happy to take on this task once the information was properly gathered and entered.

d. Submit report with 5-Year Recreation Plan by end of December 2010 - Once the final survey report is compiled and approved, it can be added to the 5-Year Recreation Plan.

9. Project Updates - No updates were available.

10. Citizens wishing to address the Committee on items not on the Agenda (Three-minute limit) -  Tom Kangas asked if some of the Norrie School playground equipment could be moved to the Depot Park area.

11. Other Business - Steve Frank informed the Committee the playground equipment from Norrie School was sitting in the high school parking lot at present. He said he was very disappointed that some kind of deal couldn't have been worked out between the developers who bought the school, the IASD, and the City of Ironwood to set aside a small corner of the property as a neighborhood playground.  Frank pointed out that all of the City's playgrounds are in a relatively concentrated area, and that there are no playgrounds north of US-2 and next to nothing in the south side of town and Jessieville. Many of the Committee members agreed.

Merritt will ask the principal at the high school what is going on with the Norrie Street equipment.

Steve Frank asked for a list of ROTC students who volunteered with the surveys. He said the Knight Club Billiards wanted to offer them each a night of free pool to thank them for their efforts.

12. Adjournment - After a fifty minute meeting, the Committee voted unanimously to adjourn.