Minutes - Public Works Committee - 11/15/2005

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Acting Chairperson Cook indicated the issue of the chevrons will be reviewed in April or May. APPROVE AGENDA Motion by Mayor Gamec, seconded by Councilmember Pearson, to approve the agenda as submitted. Motion carded. Voting Yes: Acting Chairperson Cook, Mayor Gamec and Councilmember Pearson. Voting No: None. Absent: Chairperson Elvig and Councilmember Olson. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Acting Chairperson Cook, seconded by Mayor Gamec, to approve the Public Works Committee meeting minutes of October 18, 2005 as submitted. Voting Yes: Acting Chairperson Cook, Mayor Gamec, and Councilmember Pearson. Voting No: None. Absent: Chairperson Elvig and Councilmember Olson. COMMITTEE BUSINESS Case #1: Consider Skateboard Use Policy Civil Engineer II Linton stated the Ramsey Town Center development will have sidewalks adjacent to conunemial and retail developments as well as public plaza areas. Large expanses of concrete tend to attract skateboarders which can cause safety concerns for other residents. Staff was asked to investigate skateboard policies in other communities with the goal of defining a policy or ordinance on the use of skateboards in the Ramsey Town Center development. Civil Engineer II Linton indicated staff requested skateboard policies from other Cities via email. Cities with downtown business districts generally defined areas where skateboard use is prohibited. Most districts are defined by streets; however, there were a couple of Cities that used zoning districts. One City, Andover, does not exclude skateboard use in their ordinance; instead they define a trail in a park where skateboard use is allowed. Two Cities post signs in conjunction with their ordinance. Several respondents indicated that enfomement of the ordinance is difficult; these comments came from Cities that do not post signs. Some of the ordinances specifically mentioned penalties, while for the remainder the penalties were inferred from the general section of their code book. Impounding the skateboard is the first act of enfomement for several cities; administering the impounds may require additional staff time and resources. Northfield posts signs. A local blogger has dedicated space to the signs. Several residents have posted favorable comments on the policy. All of the responses from City engineers and their ordinances are attached for your review. Police Chief Way advised another thing to consider is the use of roller blades and bicycles. Civil Engineer II Linton explained most of the policies included skateboards, roller blades and bicycles. Public Works Committee / November 15, 2005 Page 2 of 11