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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 11, 2000 • Page 6 1 Horst expressed motivation to move forward with the project, however, he had concern that this 2 was the first public testimony heard and he would like to discuss it further with the eommunity. 3 Various informal questions were fielded from the audience. One resident asked about the poten- 4 tial cost from the project to individual homeowners. Mr. Hubmer responded to the question by 5 stating that 29th Avenue is a state-aid street and the funds have been allocated. However, upon 6 further investigation of state-aid standards, he will be able to determine if the City would be re- 7 sponsible for the cost difference between decorative lighting and standard lighting. In other 8 words, there is the possibility that state-aid would cover only the cost for standard lighting. 9 Horst reaffirmed that the basic construction of the sidewalks and landscaping would be the City's 10 expense. Additionally, Horst stated that the City would shoulder the responsibility for mainte- 11 nance of the sidewalks. 12 Hodson reiterated his earlier comment that he would like additional feedback from the 13 community regarding other options that would be acceptable, and he asked for specific 14 comments. 5 Horst agreed that this issue was argued substantially last year, but he felt it was a reasonable con- 6 sideration to revisit this issue and was surprised that the residents did not feel the addition of 17 sidewalks would be an amenity. 18 A resident from the audience stated that privacy was an important issue with most residents be- 19 cause the sidewalk would be close to the front of the homes along 29th Avenue, and she did not 20 believe a safety factor should be a factor. 21 Horst responded that safety was an issue because, with the current street improvements, pedestri- 22 ans would be forced closer to traffic. 23 Sparks confirmed that chokers were a feature desired by the residents, and that the Council could 24 have actually added more, but that it would.decrease the amount of space in which pedestrians 25 would have to walk. 26 Cavanaugh explained that the sidewalks are included in the project through state-aid because 27 29th Avenue is considered to be a main thoroughfare. 29th Avenue, he stated, would take on the 28 characteristics of an internal residential street, even though it is a busy road. The sidewalks 29 would be intended to act as a refuge and, in conjunction with the chokers and trees, would make 30 the street have a more residential feel and would calm traffic. Sidewalks on major streets are in 31 the City's Comprehensive Plan, he stated, and the Comprehensive Plan was directed by the 32 community. Although.Cavanaugh stated the proposed plan is not perfect,he believed.it to be a 03 fair plan.