Agenda - Council - 04/24/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Councilmembers Olson, and Dehen. Voting No: None. Abstain: Chairperson Elvig. Case #5: Parking Ramp Safety Concern City Engineer .Jankowski stated a disposal chute was incorporated into the design of the municipal parking ramp in an effort to assist in the efficient removal of snow. The snow disposal chute is located in the southwest comer of the ramp and has openings on the top of the ramp as well as on the third level. At street level there is an opening facing Civic Center Drive large enough to allow tandem axle trucks to enter beneath the chute and be loaded. This truck access is secured by two large doors. Mr. Jankowski explained it has been brought to the attention of staff that a safety issue may exist in that the openings could allow an inattentive bicyclist to crash_ and project over the wall and into the snow chute. There are sloping concrete baffles designed to break the fall of deposited snow. These baffles would prevent a direct fall to the bottom. However, once at the bottom of the chute, a victim would have little means of summoning help. The Committee discussed the following options suggested by staff for eliminating or mitigating the consequences of the potential hazard: Option A — Remove the doors at street. level securing the snow chute. This option would not eliminate the hazard itself but would allow_ the victim to be readily visible and obtain help. There would be little cost associated with the removal of the doors which could be facilitated by the Public Works Department. Option B — Install a removable or hinged grate on the top floor This option _would insure that anyone falling over the top rail would be prevented from a debilitating fall. Option C — Remove doors at ground level and refit them to the 3 rd level chute opening This option would eliminate the possibility of a fall from the P level by effectively shutting this opening to the public. The doors would only be opened during snow removal operations. The cost of this option would be relatively minimal as it would require primarily the time on the part of the Public Works Department in making the modifications. Councilmember Olson suggested input from the Building Maintenance Staff that does the plowing in the parking ramp. City Engineer Jankowski indicated Public Works has looked into removing the doors at ground level and feels it could be done mostly with the expenditure of time. They are still waiting for costs on the other options, but it might be helpful to have feedback from the Committee on how big of a concern this is. Chairperson Elvig indicated he does not see this as a big hazard. Public Works Committee / March 20, 2007 Page 13 of 14