07-23-2014 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL JULY 23, 2014 MET COUNCIL POPULATION PROJECTIONS NOEL DRIVE SIDEWALK CONNECTION The consensus of the Council was to retain the Horne Occupation ordinance as is. The City Planner noted that the Metropolitan Council has revised its population projections for Little Canada to a much more reasonable level. The Planner indicated that the City will work with this population projections as part of its next Comprehensive Plan update. He indicated that that update will be due in 2018, but the City will start working on its systems statement next year. The City Administrator reviewed the City Engineer's report dated July 18, 2014 regarding a sidewalk connection on Noel Drive from Little Canada Road past Gervais Mill Park. The Administrator noted that there will be challenges as this connection extends north past the City Center driveway. He pointed out the retaining walls along the water tower, and noted that there is inadequate room to place the sidewalk along the street. Therefore, the proposal is to move the upper retaining wall back to widen the area between the lower and upper walls so that the sidewalk can be placed in that area. The question is the transition point on either end of the walls. The City Engineer has indicated that ADA requirements call for no more than a 5% grade. This can be achieved, but would cost approximately $5,000 more in wall modifications versus an 8% grade. The Administrator noted that the Parks & Recreation Director feels that the sidewalk should be at street level and not between the lower and upper walls. The Administrator informed the Council that yesterday the water tower valve was replaced and a hydrant installed. Due to the need to place these items, a decision had to be made on where the sidewalk would be located. The decision was the location between the two walls. The Administrator asked the Council for a decision on whether or not to put the sidewalk in to meet ADA requirements. He noted that there are some path locations in the City that have steeper grades than the 5%. He also informed the Council that if the sidewalk extends past Gervais Mill Park, there are two location options to consider. One would put the sidewalk along the street requiring that the Gervais Mill flower garden be relocated. The other would meander the sidewalk behind the flower garden. The Council's consensus was to adhere to ADA requirements and maintain no more than a 5% grade. The Council also agreed that if extended past Gervais Mill, the sidewalk should be kept along the street and the flower garden relocated. 12