Agenda - Public Works Committee - 04/19/2011

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all likelihood require the resident to either own or have access to some type of snow removal equipment. D. Continue to have Public Works clear all 8-10' trails and selected sidewalks next to MSA roads The majority of these trails and sidewalks are located along arterial roads and receive more snow than residential sidewalks. Trails are normally cleared with pickups early in the season. Later in the year, when snow depths are greater, the trails need to be widened out using a snow blower attachment. Trails along county and state roads are particularly hard to clear. E. Contract all snow removal on sidewalk and trail system Contractor would need to have commercial grade equipment. Once the snow gets deep a V-plow is no longer able to clear the snow and a high volume blower is needed. F. Some combination of the above maintenance options. A policy could include parts from all the above options. Define the difference between sidewalks and trails For our purposes a sidewalk is normally 5' concrete walkway used in residential areas or mixed use areas such as the COR. A trail is an 8'-10' bituminous walkway used in parks or adjacent to major roadways used for recreation or alternative transportation. Enforcement -Level of service If a policy is adopted where residents are responsible for snow removal, then some type of protocol will need to be established to ensure the job is completed. Minneapolis and St. Paul both require residential sidewalks be cleared within 24 hours from the end of the snow fall. Enforcement seems to start with education of the policy, but does lead to a citation and fine eventually. Inventory and map We have approximately 39 miles of sidewalks and trails. Review impact to sidewalk policy -do we continue to add sidewalks Current policy states that all new subdivisions will be constructed with sidewalks. Working towards the goal of making Ramsey a more walkable community, sidewalks may need to be installed in existing neighborhoods, as well to make our system more continuous. Adding maintenance responsibilities to residents may increase resistance to such projects. Notification: Observations: