Editor’s Notebook: Leash Law Passes, Trail to Become a Sidewalk

Dogs in Public Now Require Restraint: The Oakdale City Council voted Tuesday, Feb. 14, to when off their owners’ properties. The amendment includes striking “voice command” from the ordinance as a means of controlling a dog in public. The ordinance change was one of five consensus motions passed by the council without discussion.

Granada Avenue Trail to Become a Sidewalk: When the city reconstructs Granada Avenue from 10th Street to 15th Street this summer, City Engineer Brian Bachmeier said he recommends converting the asphalt trail along the road to a concrete sidewalk.

Bachmeier said because the right-of-way is really too narrow for a  bike trail, the space between the trail and the curb is also narrower than what’s ideal—and it has become unsightly. Some property owners don’t maintain it and some have filled it with gravel, he said. Bachmeier said a sidewalk would fit better in that area because the street is wide enough, and street parking is limited enough, that bikers can use the roadway. Oakdale City Council members informally agreed with the plan at a workshop meeting Tuesday, Feb. 14.

“(A sidewalk) gives a much more residential feel and that’s really what you want on that section,” said council member Kent Dotas. “When I see a sidewalk I expect maybe small children to ride their bike on there, but adults, they would stay on the street in that case.”