Agenda - Public Works Committee - 12/18/2007 - No Meeting

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Councilmember Olson stated that rather than institute a new ordinance, she would like to see how encouraging driveway paving works on a voluntary basis. She stated that she is not in favor of creating a new ordinance. She stated that the City has too much rural property to require paved driveways. Councilmember Dehen clarified that he was not advocating that people should have to pave their entire driveway, but the end portion to keep the gravel and dirt off of the roadways. He stated that the City currently has a voluntary system for paving and people are not doing it. Councilmember Olson stated that she feels the City can communicate with people and put them on notice that the City is moving in the direction of wanting driveways to be paved. Councilmember Dehen stated that he feels that is where having an ordinance could come into play because it could state that residents have two years to complete the paving. Chair Elvig stated that there are safety issues in some cases, but if it is paved back 10 or 12 feet, about 90% of the problem would be eliminated. Public Works Director Reimer stated that he has seen a study for trail projects in farm areas that concluded that paving should be 35 to 40 feet off the road to allow for the materials to fall off the tires before it gets to the roadway. Chair Elvig stated that farm tires are different than car tires and noted that he is not in favor of having an ordinance on this issue. He stated that he would support paving a 10 or 12- foot apron. City Administrator Ulrich stated that the City could provide a "carrot" for residents that this can be completed as part of a larger project and they can be assessed for the costs. City Engineer Jankowski stated that the survey he drafted tries to determine the degree of interest in people wanting to have their driveways paved. He stated that there are about 400 driveways in the City that are unpaved. City Administrator Ulrich cautioned that the City should make sure it is not sending the message that it will force residents to pave their driveways, ifthat is not what the City is intending to do. Councilmember Dehen stated that he understands the concerns raised by Councilmembers Olson and Elvig, but feels there are inspectors that tell homeowners the type of plumbing, outlets, shingles and other materials that they can have in their homes. He stated that he feels paving driveways will save people money, in the long run, because it won't drag gravel onto the roads. He stated that he feels the City could move forward with this on a voluntary basis, with and eye towards making this an ordinance in the future. Councilmember Olson stated that constituents from her ward and Chair Elvig's ward will not support an ordinance because they want a rural feel to the community and imposing driveway paving would fly in the face ofthat feel. Public Works. Committee INovember 20,2007 Page 7 of9 ":":~~~_;.v.f~ - ..