12-21-94 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL DECEt4BER 21, 1994 of the keystone wall with $20,000 to $25,000. Rose Desai asked what types of plantings would be planned on the slope. The Engineer replied that the landscape architect is proposing a combination of sumac, flowering plants and prairie grasses. Plantings with a deep root system that would hold in the soils. These plantings would be maintained so as not to obstruct visibility at the intersection. Rose Desai asked why the chain-link fence would be needed on top of a keystone wall. The City Administrator replied that it is his understanding that Code requirements call for fencing if there is more than a three foot drop or no appropriate landing area. However, this information was based on past experience with construction of the new fire station and should be verified. Scalze pointed out that a planted slope would last forever, while a retaining wall would have to be rebuilt in 20 or 25 years. Rose Desai felt there would be continual maintenance of a slope versus replacement of a retaining wall every 25 years. Desai stated that she did not have strong feelings on either option, but was concerned that plantings on a slope may look haphazard. Swanson asked how many trees would be lost in constructing the slope. Also, how deep the slope would come into his lot, and how is it possible to construct a slope that will be 12 feet high in an 11 foot easement area. Swanson reported that he has mowed the area for the past several years, and felt a mowed, maintained area was preferable to a slope planted with prairie grasses and weeds. The City Administrator reported that the drawings show no tree loss due to the slope option. The City Engineer reported that the one-to-one grade was decided upon to avoid tree loss. Pedersen asked if the slope were mowed if that would 31