2014.02.03 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for February 3, 2014 Page 6 of 10 Jim Veiman, 16585 Ingersoll Avenue North, said the road drops off into steep ditches and is eroding away; maintenance should be considered instead of the overlay. John Lutz, property owner at corner, said there is water every year across Ingersoll, and an overlay will not last more than five years. The road was too low in that spot. There were no other comments, and Mayor Weidt closed the public hearing. Council Member Klein said the corner was the worst section of the road, but it would be a huge cost to fix the subsurface. He also felt there was no point in widening the road to accommodate a trail since there would be one on CSAH 4. He said he wanted to see the road made safer but felt that if a majority of the property owners are not happy with it, the City should move on to another project, but he noted that it would cost more to fix 165th in the future. Council Member Bronk asked what it would take to correct the subsurface. Kennedy stated that the cost would be substantially more and assessments would go up. The road is not heavily traveled, and what was being proposed was a reasonable cost alternative to extend the life of the pavement. Bronk talked about the realignment of the intersection and the elimination of two gravel road segments for one. He said he understands the safety factor but thinks the money spent to widen the road may be setting a precedent of the next project. Council Member Haas talked about the Assessment Policy and how it had been changed to a cost per unit instead of a linear foot charge. He also noted that the policy does not consider road widening for the addition of a trail, and the City should not consider it without a policy to address it. He said he was surprised at the number of people opposing the project. Haas acknowledged the subsurface problem, and he questioned whether this project is the best use of money. Council member Petryk agreed that the widening was not appropriate at this time. She asked what it would cost to continue to seal coat and patch it. Jay did not have exact cost, but he said he felt the benefit would be limited considering the condition of the road. Mayor Weidt stated that the City does not want to force a project if the neighborhood does not want it, though he felt it would be a good project to be done. He pointed out that the road will continue to decay. The cost to fix it in the future would be higher, but if the neighborhood didn't want it, the money should be put into another project. Council Member Petryk said she was unclear on how many landowners wanted to do this project, and she didn't want to move forward with it if the vast majority were opposed. Kennedy noted that there were approximately 67 affected property owners. Klein made motion, Petryk seconded, to table to allow time to hold another informal neighborhood meeting and bring the issue back to the Council at the March meeting. Ayes: Klein, Bronk, Haas, Petryk, Weidt Nays: None Motion carried. Council took a short break. Mayor Weidt called the meeting back to order at 8:45 p.m.