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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday,November 9,2020 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> 19. SMITH AVENUE TRAIL MARKING <br /> Edwards said the purpose of this action is to gain clarity on Council direction on the marking of the public <br /> access on the Smith Avenue right-of-way on the Luce Line. As part of the 2020 road construction project, <br /> Orono added a cul-de-sac at the end of Smith Avenue and added a gravel trail access from the end of <br /> Smith Avenue through the right-of-way and links to the Luce Line. Staff believes that access should be <br /> marked as it is public, and proposes marking with the standard 4x4 posts which are about 42 inches tall <br /> with an inset describing any restrictions and the fact that the access is public. Staff is not proposing any <br /> other kind of signage at the trail access as it is a residential community access point. As they were about <br /> to input the markers,a neighboring resident informed them there is an agreement with the City that the <br /> access would not be marked. At Staff level,there is no knowledge of that; contradicting that,there is <br /> direction from the City Council guiding Staff to mark the access. Staff is looking for guidance on <br /> whether they are marking the access or not. He told the abutting residents Staff is not proposing putting <br /> in a class 3 barricade,a big park sign, or any markers that would direct people outside of the community <br /> in to that location. He showed an example of the insets and noted it would be a simple, small sign <br /> denoting the access point. <br /> Walsh asked if it is possible to get a skinnier or possibly metal post that is not quite as obtrusive. He <br /> remembers the discussion about the trail and does not think it was the neighbors' intent to have it <br /> advertised; rather it was to identify the private property versus the trail. <br /> Edwards noted the main reason the City went with a 4x4 post is because is it more aesthetically pleasing. <br /> Walsh said the neighbor did not want anything put in,however the City has to because it is a public trail. <br /> Johnson clarified that this is a trail going through City property. <br /> Edwards replied yes,the trail is from the City right-of-way. <br /> Johnson said he is shocked that is has to come to the City Council and he would just do what is normally <br /> done and put the two posts in. <br /> Walsh said the Council gave the guidance so in order to do it the Council would have to change the <br /> guidance. He thinks the neighbor was surprised when the City came to put them in because he did not <br /> think there would be any signage and Walsh is not sure how that came to pass. <br /> Rief said it was part of the original motion which is why Staff had to bring it back to the Council. <br /> Crosby asked on similar trails which post they are using. <br /> Edwards answered a 4x4 post. <br /> Crosby thinks they should be consistent and use the same post. <br /> Johnson agreed. <br /> Johnson moved, Crosby seconded,to approve the 4x4 post signage at the Smith Avenue Trail <br /> Marking. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. <br /> Page 5 of 15 <br />