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<br />Assistant Public Works Director Olson explained several of the crossings were the scene for <br />traffic accidents. The proposal does not close all of the median crossings. Staff views this as a <br />logical first step towards turning Highway 10 into a Freeway through Ramsey. Right-in, right- <br />out access will be maintained to the properties adjacent to these median closures. Some <br />businesses may not have the direct access they had in the past, however the benefits from the <br />reduction in the number of median crossings and turning movements across traffic will outweigh <br />the inconvenience. He advised staff supports the closure of these median crossings as discussed <br />above. They suggest Mn/DOT host an open house to present this to the public. <br /> <br />Councilmember Kurak stated she will be abstaining from the discussion and vote on this case <br />due to conflict of interest. <br /> <br />Motion by Chairperson Zimmerman, seconded by Councilmember Cook, to recommend that the <br />City Council request MnlDOT host an open house prior to closing these median closings. <br /> <br />Motion carried: V oting Yes: Chairperson Zimmerman and Councilmember Cook. Voting No: <br />None. Abstain: Councilmember Kurak. <br /> <br />Case #8: <br /> <br />Policy Regarding the Filling of Swimming Pools by City Staff <br /> <br />Public Works Supervisor Riemer reported every year the Ramsey Public Works and Ramsey Fire <br />Department receive requests from residents asking if City staff will fill their swimming pools. <br />These requests are turned down because of several reasons. Costs of equipment rental, <br />scheduling, and possibility of personal property damage are often sited as reasons for refusal. <br />The City's current water truck fully loaded weighs approximately 33,000 lbs. At this weight and <br />a fairly short wheel base the truck has a tendency to become unstable when used on uneven <br />surfaces. The weight also makes it prone to leaving large ruts when driven on grass. If it were <br />to get stuck in someone's yard it would cause substantial damage, not to mention the damage <br />caused by any tow equipment needed to remove the truck. Most residential driveways are not <br />designed to handle 33,000 lbs. and could be damaged by driving our water truck on to them. <br />Cost to rent our water truck as stated in our standard rates and charges is $120.00 per hour. For <br />example, to fill a 10,000 gallon pool would take just under 4 loads from our water truck. To fill, <br />empty, drive to our fill station and run hose etc. could easily take an hour per load of water <br />depending on the location of the pool in the City. The cost would be $480.00 dollars. People <br />located on the municipal water system pay $1.60 per thousand gallons of water used. Though it <br />would take longer, the cost to fill the same pool would be $16.00. Scheduling is another conflict <br />because requests to fill pools normally come in the spring and early summer; Public Works <br />busiest season. <br /> <br />Public Works Supervisor Riemer advised staff feels it would not be a sound decision to expose <br />the City to such a high liability risk for a purely recreational function. Any money made would <br />be quickly used up in personal property repairs or even resulting lawsuits. Therefore, staff would <br />like to propose a following policy against the City filling pools for adoption: <br /> <br />The consensus of the Committee was that City staff should not fill pools. <br /> <br />Public Works Committee/June 15,2004 <br />Page 16 of17 <br />