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Mr. Backous explained that they already have people trying to get through on their road because <br />TH 47 gets so backed up. The other concern with removing the gates is that there is a significant <br />grade difference between the two roads currently. <br /> <br />Councilmember Olson inquired if the space between the town homes at Barium Street was a <br />driveway. <br /> <br />City Engineer Jankowski explained that was a dead end street. <br /> <br />Assistant Director of Public Works Olson noted that there was an extreme grade difference at <br />Barium Street. <br /> <br />City Engineer Jankowski noted that the gate is currently located on private property so in order to <br />have the gate removed they will have to initiate discussions with the homeowners association of <br />Mallard Ponds. <br /> <br />Councilmember Cook questioned if they can make the closing of the CR 116 access contingent <br />upon the removal of the gate. <br /> <br />Assistant Director of Public Works Olson explained that the reality is that the emergency access <br />gate is meant to be passable for emergency vehicles, but it is really not passable in the wintertime. <br /> <br />Director of Public Works/Fire Chief Kapler explained that initially a sign was installed prohibiting <br />road traffic, but then there was an issue of wanting to limit pedestrian traffic through Mallard <br />Ponds since it is a private development, which is why the gate was installed. <br /> <br />Chairperson Elvig stated that the difference in grade is an issue and there are ownership issues as <br />well that could make the removal of the gate more complicated. If they do end up removing the <br />gate and a public road connects with a private road are they going to open up the issue of plowing <br />or maintaining a private road. <br /> <br />Assistant Director of Public Works Olson stated that it has not been staff's intention for the City <br />to take the private road over as a public road so in the event the homeowners association wanted <br />to slow down traffic within their development they could take the measures to do so. The key <br />issue is to provide more than one access into the subdivision. <br /> <br />Mr. Backous stated that is seems as if the only option before them is to remove the gate. He <br />questioned if it would be possible to post a sign that states "No Thru Traffic". <br /> <br />Assistant Director of Public Works Olson replied that he thought that was a great suggestion, <br />because the City does not want to be encouraging traffic through a private road anyway. <br /> <br />Mr. Backous suggested that the sign should be placed south of 142nd Avenue and Argon to <br />prevent traffic from going down Argon. <br /> <br />Public Works Committee/January 18, 2005 <br /> Page 11 of 27 <br /> <br /> <br />