Agenda - Council - 08/13/2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CC Regular Session 4. 17. Meeting Date: 08/13/2013 Submitted For: Grant Riemer By: MaryJo Warner, EnginceringfPublic Works Information Title: Report from Public Works Committee meeting date July 16, 2013. 1) Consideration of Permitting Fence Encroachments across Private Property Lines: Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to change the City policy allowing fences to be extended across property lines. Full motion/report in case background. 2) Consider Partial Vacation of Drainage and Utility Easement at 15069 Helium Street NW: Rath the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to approve Option 1 - Full motion/report in case background. 3) Approve Plans and Specifications, and Joint Powers Agreement for the Mississippi River Trail: Rath the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to approve the plans and specifications and the JPA for the Mississippi River Trail. 4) Cost Estimate for Pedestrian Crosswalk at Alpine Drive and Zirconium Street: Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to install standard crosswalk signage 200 feet west of Zirconium Street to include 200 feet ofaggregate trail on the north side of Alpine Drive and 225 feet of aggregate trail on the south side of Alpine Drive at a cost o f .$9, 300. 5) Recommend Shelter and Restroom for Riverdale Park — 2013.Capital Improvement: Ratify the recommendation of the Public Works Committee to approve a not -to -exceed amount of $84,000 from the Park Trust Fund for Riverdale Park's shelter, restroom, and drinking. fountain as presented within the 2013 Capital Improvement Plan. Committee/Staff Input: Discuss Request to Mow Portions of an Undeveloped Park — Shawn Acres: ratify the consensus of the Public Works Committee and direct staff to mow the front portions of Shawn Acres Park on as -needed basis. Background: The Public Works Committee held its regular meeting on July 16, 2013 and discussed the following cases. 5.01. Consideration of Permitting Fence Encroachments across Private Property Lines City Engineer Westby reviewed the staff report, noting the City's policy requires landowners to install fences a foot or more inside their property line in areas where a potential infrastructure conflict exists. He advised of the City's current policy and displayed pictures depicting this situation. As a result, within the Ramsey Town Center 10th Addition, fences are staggered along rear property lines to avoid damaging an existing underground stone sewer system, resulting in the unintended consequence of creating remnant strips of land two or more feet in width between rear fence lines in which property owners arc not able to easily maintain their properties so there are blight and nuisance issues. It was noted the resident's request is to extend their side lot line fencing across their rear property line to connect to their neighbor's fence, thereby allowing a shared common rear fence line that would eliminate the remnant strips of property between fences. Staffs recommends to change the policy to allow neighbors to extend fences across private property lines to connect to neighbor's fences contingent on language being added to the building fence permit to ensure that: City infrastructure will be protected during fence construction activities; access to City infrastructure will be maintained on an on -going basis; property owners will not lose property rights as related to adverse possession laws; and, property owners are reminded to obtain permission from neighbors via a written agreement. Motion to recommend that the City Council change the City policy allowing fences to be extended across property lines, contingent on the draft (building) fence permit language being reviewed and approved by the City Attorney and subsequently added to all (building) fence permits issued in the future, and to add a requirement for a written