Minutes - Public Works Committee - 02/17/2009

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Public Works Director Olson stated that the City has been talking about standards for a long time and this neighborhood has specific design concerns, specifically the lake. Councilmember Dehen stated that the City has discussed that they want to move towards a policy of concrete curb and gutter in the future. He stated that he think it would behoove us to take a look at that, but noted that he realizes it will cost more. Public Works Director Olson stated that this information can be brought back as an additional cost item. He stated that concrete curb and gutter costs about eight times more than bituminous. Councilmember McGlone gave some background on load limits and the advantage of concrete curb and gutter. Chair Elvig stated that this is a dead end road with just nine homes and is not a heavily used roadway. He stated that if the City pushes too far over, then there won't be a place to put in septic systems for some residents. Jenny Brown-Nelson, 18055 Ute Street, stated that they agreed at the neighborhood meeting to a 22 feet wide maximum street and suggests the neighborhood take a vote before things go further, so they don't waste time discussing this. Chair Elvig asked for a show of hands of who would support a maximum of 22 feet. He stated that all hands were raised. Public Works Director Olson stated that they recommended a width of 24 feet and if the City varies from that they will have to deal with other neighborhoods asking for narrower streets. Barb Bennett, 18043 Ute Street, stated that only this services the people that live there. She stated that she would love to have the road paved, but not at the expense of her front yard. She stated that she doesn't see where it can go at 24 feet. Councilmember Dehen asked if the road had to be straight at 24 feet or if it could be meandered to les~en the impact on some of the properties that are closer to the road. Public Works Director Olson stated that it can meander depending on the direction from the Council. He stated that they need to be able to answer questions from other neighborhoods that will want a 22- foot wide street in their neighborhood. Councilmember McGlone stated that the City needs to try to institute standards because there was poor planning in the past at the City. He stated that there will always be a special case in anything that is done. Jeff Rocko stated that he thinks it is kind of late for standards since there are so few streets in Ramsey that aren't paved yet, so there won't be a lot of people fighting for a 22 foot wide streets in the future. Public Works Committee / February 17,2009 Page 13 of 19