The Roseville City Council voted unanimously Monday to move forward with a consultant-led feasibility study of the Aldine Street right‑of‑way to evaluate whether a non‑traditional pathway can be built there.

The council accepted the Parks and Recreation Commission’s recommendation that staff engage a consultant "to conduct a feasibility study for a non traditional pathway through the right away evaluating pathway alignment options and specific tree impacts," and directed staff to solicit proposals. Councilmember Julie Strahan moved the motion; Councilmember Graf seconded. The motion passed 4–0.

Why it matters: neighbors and regular users of the corridor offered sharply different views during public comment, raising technical concerns—drainage, grading and impacts to tree roots—alongside appeals for continued public access and safer walking routes to Brimhall Elementary School. The council said it needs the consultant’s report to decide whether to proceed with a path, to pursue a vacation of the right‑of‑way, or to take no further action.

What the study will cover: city staff and multiple councilmembers said the scope should explicitly include pathway alignment options, tree impact analysis, topographical and drainage review and a review of whether a crossing improvement at Roselawn is needed. Council discussion and staff materials put a planning estimate for the study at $3,000–$10,000; engineering estimates for a traditional hardscape path in earlier staff work were given as about $84,000–$177,000 (staff described that figure as a preliminary range).

Comments from residents were wide‑ranging. Tim Brown, an adjacent property owner who said he is a civil engineer, urged the council to include a crossing analysis and an in‑depth drainage review, saying grading changes could affect basement water levels. "One of my biggest concerns is the drainage out there," Brown said. Resident Rachel Brown urged the council to stop further study and to return the right‑of‑way to adjoining property owners: "No more money. No more staff time. No more precious volunteer time," she told the council.

Supporters of a path emphasized neighborhood access and recreation. "The Aldine Right Of Way possesses recreational and ecological value," said Joe Pribble, echoing the Parks and Recreation Commission’s finding. Several speakers noted the corridor has been used as a shortcut to Brimhall Elementary School and said younger walkers and seniors would benefit if a low‑impact path can be designed and installed.

Funding and next steps: staff told council the likely funding sources for any consultant work would be existing capital improvement program balances, including planning or park improvement funds supported by levy dollars; Trudgen said those are existing balances rather than a request for additional levy dollars. City Manager Pat Trudgen said if the cost of a selected consultant is below the city manager’s spending threshold staff would proceed; if consultant fees exceed $10,000 the contract would return to the council for approval.

The vote: The motion to authorize the feasibility study was moved by Councilmember Julie Strahan and seconded by Councilmember Graf. The roll call was Graf — yes; Bauer — yes; Strahan — yes; Grama — yes. Outcome: approved, 4–0.

What remains unresolved: the council did not make any decisions about vacating the right‑of‑way or committing to a specific path type. Several residents asked for a mediated discussion among neighbors as a parallel step; others said they want the issue put to rest quickly. The consultant’s report, once completed, will be the basis for a future council decision about next steps.

Provenance: The council’s referral follows the Parks & Recreation Commission recommendation (Sept. 2) and the council’s public hearing and deliberations on Oct. 27. Excerpts of staff presentation and public comment are on the meeting transcript (topic introduction tc 13:28; public comment bloc begins tc 21:14; motion moved tc 77:01).