01-31-05 Council Special Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL JANUARY 31, 2005 The Engineer then reviewed the proposed construction schedule, noting that the final lift of bituminous would be scheduled for Spring of 2006 to allow the street to go through one fi eeze/thaw cycle. In reviewing construction issues, the Engineer noted that newsletters would be distributed to properrty owners providing project updates. There will be a full time inspector on the project. During construction Yhere would be emergency vehicle access at all times. There would be unimpeded driveway access on nights and weekends. Mail delivery and garbage service would be uninterrupted; however, it will likely be necessary to relocate mailboxes to the end of the street. The Engineer then reviewed issued relative to this project again noting that curbing is proposed as sunmountable except at radii and curves based ou the earlier request of the neighborhood. Assessments are proposed as a residential unit lot assessment rather than the standard ii~ont foot method. Approximately ] 2 rainwater gardens are proposed- These may have to extend onto private property and easements would be necessary for the gardens. ']'he Engineer explained the size of the gardens as well as various planting styles. Property owners would be responsible for the maintenance of the gardens. The Engineer explained how the various segments of Noel Drive drain and approximate location for rainwater gardens. I-Ie indicated that as the project moves forward, he would talk individual with the residents to determine their interest in the gardens. While the contract would be responsible for the installation and initial planting of the gardens, residents would be involved in the process. The Engineer felt that rainwater gardens can be an amenity to a propeirty as long as they are maintained. Oire property owner asked about liability for the gardens, given they will be '18 to 24 inches deep. The Engineer explained how the gardens work indicating that they are typically dry a day or two after a rain. Ralph Nadeau expressed concern that the project would eliminate some of his spruce trees. The Engineer indicated that impact on trees would be minimized, and he thought most trees would be outside the project area. One property owner indicated that he preferred barrier curb. Another properly indicated that at the neighborhood meeting the discussion was for a surmountable cm~b given it had a more rural look than the barrier curbing. 1t was noted that there would be barrier curbing along some potions of the project. One property owner asked about permeable surface driveways. The City Engineer pointed out that porous pavement is quite expensive and there are issues with it in letting water in and the impact during the freeze/thaw 9