Laserfiche WebLink
CC Work Session 2.4. <br />Meeting Date: 05/13/2014 <br />Title: <br />Policy Discussion on Mail Box Location in Cul -De -Sacs <br />Purpose /Background: <br />Over the past winter staff received a complaint from a resident concerned with the location of his mailbox outside <br />of the cul -de -sac. His mailbox has been hit 3 times since he was required to move it out of the bulb. He stated this <br />never happened when his mail box was located near his driveway. Mailbox location was first discussed at the April <br />17, 2001 Public Works Committee as part of the winter maintenance wrap up. A draft resolution to require <br />mailboxes be located outside the cul -de -sac was passed by the Public Works Committee on 7/16/2002 and <br />forwarded to the full council for consideration. Formal adoption of resolution 02 -08 -184 was completed on <br />8/13/2002. A copy of the resolution is attached to the case. A letter was sent out to residents requesting that they <br />move their mailboxes out of the bulb of the cul -de -sac and relocate them to the straight section of road leading into <br />the cul -de -sac. This move was to be completed by 11/1/2002 or the mailboxes would be moved by PW staff. The <br />request to move the mailboxes was two fold. The first was to increase room in the cul -de -sac for snow storage. Most <br />urban cul -de -sacs contain fire hydrants, light poles, utility boxes, landscaping and 4 -5 driveways, all limiting the <br />space needed for snow storage. The second reason is to insure timely mail delivery. As the winter drags on snow <br />storage begins to build out into the cul -de -sac making it difficult for the mail truck to follow the radius. When this <br />happens the mail carrier will leave notice with the residents stating mail delivery will be halted until the snow is <br />cleared. <br />The two most common concerns I hear from residents against moving the mailboxes out of the cul -de -sacs are mail <br />theft and increased walking distance . Some people feel, if the mailbox is out of the cul -de -sac, there is a greater <br />chance of mail theft and that could lead to identity theft. The second concern of increased walking distance is <br />mostly voiced by elderly residents that feel they can't walk the extra distance, because of physical limitations or <br />they are afraid of falling in the winter, because of snow or ice in the cul -de -sac. I spoke with the Anoka Post office <br />and they supplied the following information about their regulations. "In areas where postal service has already been <br />established they strongly prefer mailboxes outside the cul -de -sac, but not mandated. In all areas new to postal <br />service, mailboxes must be clustered outside of the cul -de -sac and on through streets as well. The US Postal <br />Service encourages developers to contact them early in the development process, so they can work together to <br />choose proper mailbox locations." As our mailbox policy is based on a resolution and not ordinance, if someone <br />really wants to leave their mail box in the cul -de -sac, we have no legal recourse to make them move it. <br />Consequently, if the Council determines that they would like the current policy enforced, adoption of an ordinance <br />should be considered. <br />Timeframe: <br />15 Minutes <br />Funding Source: <br />N/A <br />Responsible Party(ies): <br />Grant Riemer - PW Superintendent <br />Outcome: <br />Information <br />