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beautiful yard and while he would like the City to cover reimbursement since the plow driver <br />was responsible, in this case, the mailbox and planter are within the City's right-of-way. <br />Mr. Rome stated he used fiberglass stakes to assure they would remain in place. <br />Chairperson Backous stated he does not want to establish an adverse precedence by going <br />outside the City's policy of reimbursing $75, noting the City has 6,000 mailboxes. He stated <br />there are issues impacting snow removal and that is why the City has a three-foot right-of-way. <br />Mr. Rome stated that is why he plows out a windrow around his mailbox and Public Works <br />Superintendent Riemer has told plow operators told to stay three feet away from his mailbox. <br />Chairperson Backous stated it is clear Mr. Rome is very conscientious and has a high standard <br />for his property and home and he would like to find a compromise without creating an adverse <br />precedence. <br />Councilmember Kuzma asked if the mailbox could be repaired. <br />Mr. Rome stated it cannot and he has already replaced the mailbox and footing because it was <br />cracked. <br />Chairperson Backous asked if, under these circumstances, an adverse precedence would be <br />established if the City fixed this mailbox and redesigned it farther back. <br />Public Works Superintendent Riemer stated it is a flat mailbox so it is not possible to locate it <br />farther back. He noted this is not the only expensive mailbox in Ramsey. <br />Councilmember Kuzma stated he would support replacing this mailbox one time only and if it <br />happens again, it would be understood that the City would not cover the cost. <br />Chairperson Backous asked if there are other ways to protect this mailbox. <br />Public Works Superintendent Riemer stated Mr. Rome stakes it and plows around it before the <br />City's snowplows arrive. <br />Mr. Rome stated in 20 years, this is the first time the mailbox has been hit. <br />Motion by Councilmember Kuzma, seconded by Chairperson Backous, to recommend that the <br />City Council approve reimbursing Bill Rome in the amount of $245 to replace the mailbox <br />inadvertently damaged by the City's plow operator with the understanding this is a one-time <br />exception and should the mailbox be damaged again, it would not be reimbursed. In addition, <br />Public Works Superintendent Riemer will meet with the property owner this fall to help stake the <br />boulevard with City -supplied fiberglass stakes and the route driver for that area will attend a <br />refresher course on snowplow operation. <br />Public Works Committee / May 21, 2013 <br />Page 3 of 9 <br />