Laserfiche WebLink
City Engineer Olson stated that the purpose of the case was to discuss and ensure the ability for <br />emergency vehicles to successfully gain access into construction sites as well as implement a <br />policy to ensure that there are not any residents that are "out of help's reach." The City of <br />Ramsey currently does not have any policy to control the sequencing of a development. The City <br />of Ramsey currently has fire trucks, that carry equipment to rescue those in need, that are also <br />carrying 3,000 gallons of water. The water alone weighs over 12 tons, not to mention the weight <br />of the vehicle. This weight leads to a problem that occurs when attempting to drive on a surface <br />that has little strength. Another criteria that staff looks for in the plan review stage of a site plan <br />is the spacing of fire hydrants. When water supply is available it is common to require that <br />hydrants be spaced no longer than 600 feet apart. This requirement is necessary to ensure that <br />fire personnel need to pull no more than 300 feet of hose to connect to continuous water supply. <br />It was staff's opinion that there should be some constraints that require developers to build in a <br />sequence that ensures the safety of workers constructing the proposed facilities and to further <br />require that no occupancy permits be issued before bituminous paving is complete. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec expressed concern if the policy would increase the City's liability <br /> <br />City Engineer Olson replied that there would not be a liability for property damage that was <br />incurred, but if there was a fire and the City had to bring rescue personnel to a home under <br />construction, the ability to get rescue personnel into rescue a person would be the liability the <br />City had. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec inquired as to how they would handle a situation if a development were to begin <br />in the winter. <br /> <br />City Engineer Olson replied that they would only be requiring a Class 5 driving surface, but prior <br />to the occupancy certificate being issued bituminous would be required. He explained that a <br />developer could start construction of a model home if it is within 300 feet from the existing road <br />and then before any future construction could occur they would have to have a Class 5 surface. <br /> <br />The Council discussed if long private driveways would be impacted by the policy. City staff <br />noted that there is no city that has an ordinance requiring certain standards for driveways. <br /> <br />Councihnember Kurak requested that staff research the issue of existing private driveways that <br />are very long because of the safety concern. <br /> <br />Consensus of the Public Works Committee was to direct staff to draft a policy and bring it back <br />for consideration. <br /> <br />Case #2: Mailbox Replacement Policy <br /> <br />Public Works Supervisor Riemer stated that the City of Ramsey has no written policy for <br />mailbox replacement other than the City will replace mailboxes that are damaged by direct <br />contact with the City's plow equipment. Staff proposed the following language for the <br />Committees consideration: "Mailboxes installed and maintained to City U.S. Post Office <br /> <br />Public Works Committee/September 18, 2001 <br /> Page 2 of 5 <br /> <br /> <br />