CC MINUTES 03251986 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

-11- traffic on the street and the Mayor explained that speed limits are controlled by the State of Minnesota and the City's experience with trying to lower the speed in alleys some time ago had been to have the DOT increase those speeds from 10 to 20 miles per hour. The Public Works Director said what had happened had been that the City had applied for a grant to upgrade its traffic signs in the City and during the discussions with highway representatives, the state had ordered the removal of the lower speed signs. Mayor Sundland indicated the City also found out that, if . the state were asked to monitor the speed on a street and it turned out that the speed on a street posted for 30. miles per hour actually averaged around 40 miles per hour, that speed could possibly be upgraded by the state to 35. He assured . Mr. Bredemus that the last thing the City wanted to do was to make the speed any faster than it is now. Mr. Campbell agreed with Mr. Bredemus. that there was no way the 'City could "guarantee" 'no root systems would be gotten. into during construction but, he said, his own experience with similar projects had been that trees of the size on the Boulevard and five feet from the existing curb, were rarely. harmed. Councilmember Enrooth replied to Mr. Bredemus' .statement that he had heard no reason for the improvement. which indicated the City wanted to upgrade the quality of the street, by telling him, this street is .the first of a number of street reconstructions which the Council perceives must be done in the southern portion- of theCity in the near future, and this -is. the only one. of those which, qualifies for the use of MSA funds. He said the need for new surfacing is supported by soil borings showing the roadbed is breaking up and it is obvious that the curbs in that area are almost disintegrated. • When Mr. Bredemus asked how the 10% discount for early payback of assessments had been decided on, Mr. Childs indicated the Council had set that amount based on prevailing interest .rates.. The Manager said he knew ,the rate was. much higher than other municipalities were allowing, but. he perteive-d ;the ;CounciI believed it would be to the benefit of the =City to provide an incentive'=.for early payoffs, perceiving the City could -invest that money as soon as- i t was, recei ved�.' • . vthe- homeowner concluded his statements by saying he, ` perceived the $10.50 assessment' rate was "very reasonable" but 'he was still not convinced the project was needed or should be done. The Manager responded that he perceived that, just in,'terms of curbs and gutters, there was a real need and, for that portion of the. project alone, if MSA funds are not used, the City's policy is to assess property owners 100% of the cost of curb and gutter replacement in addition to the $10.50 which all homeowners are assessed when their street surfaces are reconstructed. The curb and gutters would therefore be provided with no cost to the residents if MSA funds - are used for the whole project. Councilmember Ranallo supported that statement by reminding the residents that if the City does the street later, without MSA funding, it could cost each of them anywhere between $20 and $50 per lineal front to have the street and curb and gutters replaced. Chris Drews asked who would have to pay for the sidewalks if the residents are charged to replace them now and new trees the City plants in the boulevards breaks them up again. Councilmember Ranallo said the City's policy calls for the homeowner . being responsible for the sidewalks in front of his own property. Mr. Kausel - disagreed with that interpretation saying the City should have to repair the sidewalks • the tree roots in the Boulevard had damaged. He- was told that was not the way the City Ordinance is written.